It’s official, “Hayop ka!” made its Netflix premiere today, October 29!

Film director Avid Liongoren is back with Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story, the first animated Filipino Netflix film, after the success of the live-action animation hybrid “Saving Sally” in 2016.

Actors Angelica Panganiban, Robin Padilla, and Sam Milby were the voices behind the ‘cute’ animated film.

It follows the story of Nimfa (Angelica Panganiban), the pretty pussycat is a perfume sales kitty at a department store, and her macho mongrel janitor boyfriend Roger (Robin Padilla). Nimfa meets Iñigo Villanueva (Sam Milby), a business dog, and their chemistry ignites. 

We will see if Nimfa and Roger’s love will keep them together or if Iñigo’s high society charms will tear them apart.

“Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story” has finally made it to the biggest streaming site after three years of production.

In a virtual interview on Monday, October 27, Liongren shared the challenges they encountered in making the movie.

“Production took three years but if you include writing and failing in securing money, that would be four years. The first time we had a screenplay, we joined this festival grant where we proposed the film. We were a semi-finalist and we were presenting to a bunch of smart, academic people. Natuwa sila sa concept and I showed them a teaser,” he said.

When asked how they came up with the story of “Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story,” Liongren said it was actually inspired by talk radio.

“Alam mo kapag sumasakay ka ng taxi at 11 p.m. tapos may mga tao na tatawag sa radio para ikwento 'yung problema nila in life tapos papagalitan lang sila nung DJ, 'yun ang pinaka-inspiration niya. Ang pinaka-climax niya, dahil sa daming problema ni Nimfa, napatawag na lang siya sa radio at pinagalitan lang siya nung DJ,” he said.

Avid believes that the opportunity given by Netflix to his films will pave the way for fellow filmmakers and local audiences, especially for the Filipino animated film industry.

READ: Support Local: 6 Filipino-Made Animated Films You Should Watch

Yup, catch “Hayop ka!” and share with us your thoughts!