Pinay animator Meryl Chan wins big in Taiwan for her sustainability animation

 Pinay animator Meryl Chan wins big in Taiwan for her sustainability animation

GMA Lifestyle
07 January 2026

There is a specific kind of heartbreak in seeing the ocean's "rainforests" stripped bare for profit. For 24-year-old animator Meryl Chan, that heartbreak became the catalyst for a global win.

At the 2025 Taiwan International Student Design Competition (TISDC)—often dubbed the world's largest stage for student creatives—Chan stood out as the lone Filipino awardee. Out of a staggering 16,000 entries from over 1,000 schools worldwide, her thesis film, Dive and Trek, took home the Environmental Sustainability Special Award (Animation).

A Story of Survival

The film doesn't just preach; it probes the gray areas of survival. Dive and Trek follows Alon, a fisherman caught between the desperate need to provide for his daughter, Pearl, and the preservation of the sea that sustains them. When Alon succumbs to the temptation of the illegal coral trade—pushed by the demands of tourism—the consequences are both systemic and deeply personal.

"This film was made to shed light on the dangers of coral harvesting and the systemic pressures faced by coastal communities," Chan shared on her Instagram. "It was such a meaningful experience to be among so many talented creatives... and spend time in Taiwan."

What makes the film resonate locally is its "All-Star" Filipino soul. The project features a score by the legendary Louie Ocampo, with voice performances by Raki Diga, and Sean, Serj, and Talisa Arezza.

A Manila native, Chan honed her craft at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, graduating with honors in 2D Animation. Even before her TISDC win, Dive and Trek was already making waves: it ranked #1 in storytelling during the SVA BFA Animation Thesis Grants; was featured in the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Educators Forum; and was a finalist at the My Hero International Film Festival.

But Chan isn't a one-hit-wonder. Her other work, Miss Illusion, secured a Silver Award at the Collision Awards in the Film (Student) category, proving that her creative direction is as versatile as it is socially conscious.

L-R_ Haorui Tian, Meryl Chan, TPCA Environment Foundation Sponsor, Chin-Yen Cheng, Zih-Hong Jiang

Putting the Philippines on the Design Map

The 2025 TISDC theme was "Diversity," aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With a win rate of only 0.5%, the competition is notoriously difficult to penetrate. By securing a spot among the 76 winners, Chan has effectively placed the Philippines on the map of global sustainability-led storytelling.

As the only Filipino recognized this year, her achievement is a reminder that the most "local" stories—those of our fishermen, our reefs, and our struggles—are often the ones the world needs to hear the most.

For Meryl Chan, this global recognition is more than a personal milestone—it's a love letter to the Philippine seas and a wake-up call for her generation. By bridging the gap between world-class animation and local advocacy, she proves that Filipino creativity doesn't just belong on the global stage; it has the power to protect the world it depicts, one frame at a time.