Galen Tan Chu
FILIPINOS ARE once again filled with pride as a Cebu-born animator co-directed “Ice Age: Collision Course,” the latest installment of one of the most popular animated movie franchises today.
Fil-Am Galen Tan Chu, together with acclaimed filmmaker Mike Thurmeier, directed the fifth installment of Blue Sky Studios’ “Ice Age”series.
“It (animation) was something I love watching as a kid. It really inspired me… the process of animation,” he said.
Galen spent his early years in the Philippines before his family migrated to the US where he studied illustration and animation at Pratt Institute.
“Right after college I applied there (Blu Sky Studios) and they accepted me,” Galen told ABS-CBN in an interview.
Before co-directing the latest installment of the “Ice Age” series (which hit the cinemas July 6), Galen worked in the animation department of several movies like “Horton Hears a Who!” and “Rio.”
In the interview, Galen said that he was only 10 when his family moved to the US.
“I’m thankful for that because I was able to pursue animation as a career in the States,” he shared.
Still, the 40-year-old animator has brought with him some time-tested Filipino traditional practices. For instance, he has a native Christmas star in the living room every December and he also keeps an image of the Sto. Niño in his office.
“The statue of the Holy Child reminds me of home in Cebu City. I have fond memories of the statue since my birthday falls in January, and that’s when they celebrate the Sinulog,” Galen said.
“I also remember a lot about the food… the lechon or roast pig, the native fruits there like the lanzones, coconut… And the mangoes are very sweet—there’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world.”
