Disney's Legend of the Ring of Fire

Walt Disney Television International-Asia Pacific (WDTVI-AP) received two World Gold PROMAX Awards for Disney’s Legends of the Ring of Fire, the first animated short story series produced by Walt Disney Television. Indonesia’s folktale Why the Sun Chases the Moon bagged the Gold in the category interstitial/promotainment – Network or Block, executive produced by Raymund Miranda and Ashok Miranda. The other Gold was for Malaysia’s folktale The Chengal Tree, executive produced by Raymund Miranda, Shawn Letts, Kelvin Singh and Ashok Miranda.

Legends of the Ring of Fire recounts stories from Asian folklore passed down from generation to generation. Combining high quality animation and memorable soundtracks with the magic of Disney’s unique storytelling style, the series captures the hearts and imagination of the young and old. It features classic folktales from India, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand and the Philippines.

WDTVI-AP’s creative services team headed by executive producer Natalie Gee also won a Silver PROMAX Award for Promotional Animation for the Studio D opener and a Silver BDA Design Award for Interstitial for Behind the Ears: Lilo & Stitch – Something Stitch. Both were produced by Senior Graphics Producer Juddee Torres.

"We are extremely pleased and honored to be presented with these awards," says Miranda, who is also the managing director.

"These awards are a fitting validation of all the hard work and talent that go through the creation of each Disney program. We’re especially proud of Disney’s Legends of the Ring of Fire as we feel that it perfectly showcases Asia’s diverse, colorful and historic cultures and traditions," adds Miranda.

In the beginning there were nine suns scorching the Earth. The Moon felt sorry for the people of Earth and helped them trick the father Sun into eating the other suns.



This is the story of Why the Sun Chases the Moon, based on Indonesian folklore for the Disney Channel series Legends of the Ring of Fire.

- The Cengal Tree, a tale from Malaysia



Premiere date: Saturday, Aug. 30



Long, long ago, it rained non-stop such that the earth was flooded. The white ants had to flee from their homes to escape the floodwaters. They appealed to the trees to seek shelter in their branches, but were refused as the trees were afraid that the white ants would eat them later. Finally, they approached the big Cengal tree as their last hope, and the Cengal tree, who had a soft heart, agreed and struck a bargain with the white ants which lasts till this day.



- How the Moon Came to be, a tale from Thailand



Premiere date: Saturday, Sept. 13



Long, long ago, there was a Sun King who ruled the heavens, but there was no moon in the sky at night. One day, the Sun King say the beautiful daughter of the King of Siam and fell in love with her. He refused to go back to his home in the sky as he wanted to stay by her side constantly, and night never fell on earth again. The stars, who were forced to hide in the clouds, decided on a plan to bring back the nights and in doing so created the moon that we see in our skies to this day.



- How Singapore Got Its Name, a tale from Singapore



Premiere date: Saturday, Sept. 27



Long, long ago there was a young adventurous king who loved to hunt. One day when he was in the jungle hunting for stags, he came a cross a beautiful island. Eager to explore it, he set sail immediately and encountered the fury of the Sea-King. Upon landing safely on the island, a majestic lion-like creature appeared from the jungle and gave the king the inspiration to name the island Singapore, which it is still known as to this day.



- The Magic Snail, a tale from Korea



Premiere date: Saturday, Oct. 11



There once was a young, hardworking farmer who longed for a wife, and made a wish while working in his fields. He heard a reply come from a snail and took the snail home out of curiosity. The snail transformed into a beautiful lady, whom the farmer fell in love with and they were married. One day by chance, the king saw the beautiful snail-lady and wanted her for himself, so he challenged the farmer to a test. But with the help of his beautiful wife and the Dragon King, the farmer was able to overcome all obstacles and win back his wife.



- How the Durian Came to Be, a tale from the Philippines



Premiere date: Saturday, Oct. 25



Long, long ago, a powerful king ruled the Kingdom of the Philippines, but he was sad as he had a beautiful young wife who did not love him. He decided to seek help from a wise hermit who told him how to win his wife's heart by planting a special tree. He succeeded with the help of the nymph of the air and held a celebration for the entire kingdom, but he forgot to invite the wise hermit. In a rage, the hermit cursed the tree and created the fruit we know as durian to this day.

According to the latter, six shorts were made. (I thought there were more.)