Viva Films

Background

Viva Films is a Philippine film production company established under Viva Entertainment. It was founded on November 11, 1981 by Vic del Rosario Jr. The company is also the second oldest studio in the Philippine cinema industry. Viva also formed other divisions within the studio, including Viva International Pictures (formerly Viva Films International) founded in 1987 to focus on foreign films and serve as a local distributor for 20th Century Fox from 1996 to 2001, United International Pictures (including films made by Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures) from 2000 to 2004 and MVP Entertainment since 2009, Viva Family Entertainment, a short lived family-friendly division (founded in 1994 and closed in 1995), and two sub-units Falcon Films (founded in 1995 and closed in 1998) and Neo Films (another division formed by Eric Cuatico from 1995 until their 3 year hiatus starting in 1999 with a short lived revival in 2002-2003).

Contents

1st Logo (November 2, 1981-1984, July 17, 2022)	2nd Logo (1984-1989)	3rd Logo (January 25, 1989-1991)	4th Logo (November 20, 1990-2003)


5th Logo (December 25, 2003-July 12, 2010)	6th Logo (July 12, 2010-October 2, 2019)	7th Logo (October 7, 2015-)	8th Logo (2022-)

1st Logo (November 2, 1981-1984, July 17, 2022)

Visuals: On a Persian red background, a light gold triangle zooms out, stops for a moment to emit four triangle-shaped waves, then abruptly appears further zoomed out. The triangle moves left as another slides out from behind it and moves to the right a bit. A tall rectangle and an inverted triangle slide in from the top and bottom of the screen, respectively, and then a faint flash occurs, creating slanted lines running in from the left sides of each triangle, and all the way through the rectangle; the shapes now resemble the word "VIVA". Another faint flash creates the word "FILMS" in a slab serif font of the same color as the shapes.

Variants:

There is a short version, which starts on the part where the "VIVA" text flashes. This is seen on P.S. I Love You, the company's first film.
On Cross My Heart, an in-credit title card was used on the opening theme of the movie.
The logo makes a surprise appearance on the infamous Maid in Malacañang (2022), with the logo in a box as a still.
An enhanced version of the logo exists on recent HD prints.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: None, or possibly the opening theme of the film.

Audio Variants:

The short version uses a gun shot, followed by a fast fanfare.
On Cross My Heart, a creepy synth is used.

Availability: Seen on their films from the era, including P.S. I Love You and Bagets.

2nd Logo (1984-1989)

Visuals: On a black background, two outlined white triangles (one upside down) appear zooming towards the camera and filling with a red color, making the outline disappear. These triangles zoom out. Then a series of outlined triangles appear and black lines slide up to cover up the right side-up triangle, top corners and the middle vertical line of the upside-down triangle. The animation stops, and the "I" from the VIVA logo falls down. The now-red triangles from the beginning of the logo zoom in, and the other triangles disappear. Inside the triangles, the V's and "A" vertically wipe and form. The triangles zoom in even more, filling the background with the red color, and leaving the finished logo. "FILMS" fades in below. The finished version is a little bit bigger than the 1st logo.

Variants:

The logo makes a surprise appearance as a print logo on the posters of the infamous Maid in Malacañang (2022).
Like the 1st logo, an enhanced version exists in HD prints of films featuring this logo.

Technique: Cel animation.

Audio: None.

Audio Variants:

On Boy Negro, a synth-pop fanfare is used.
A different synth fanfare is used on Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick.

Availability: Seen on their films from the era, including Bituing Walang Ningning.

3rd Logo (January 25, 1989-1991)

Visuals: The sequence starts with a black background and a gold sunburst forming the "VIVA" logo in 3D. As the sunburst fades out, the "VIVA" zooms in. When the zooming stops, the screen fades to a sky blue background with moving white searchlights in them. After that, the word "FILMS" in white flashes in under the "VIVA".

Technique: Digital ink-and-paint animation.

Audio: It starts with a cymbal clash and a drumbeat, followed by a majestic synth fanfare.

Audio Variants:

A silent version also exists.
On Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay, a triumphant fanfare with pluck is heard.
On Sa Diyos Lang Isusuko, the opening theme is used.

Availability:

Seen on Viva Films releases of the period, usually releases by Viva Video.
Beginning in 1990, it was used in tandem with the next logo on selected releases until 1991.
This logo does not show up on the films Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan Ng Araw: Kapag Puno na Ang Salop Part III, which instead uses an in-credit notice for FPJ Productions and on Iputok Mo... Dadapa Ako! (Hard to Die) which has the 1st OctoArts Films logo instead and there is no "RELEASED THRU VIVA FILMS" byline on the latter.

4th Logo (November 20, 1990-2003)

Visuals: There is a gold screen. Then, four blue laser-like lines shoot from the left of it, and it starts rotating away, revealing that it's actually the "V" from the VIVA logo. The large "V" then zooms away as another laser comes from the bottom-left corner and breaks three equally sized parts from it that settle themselves next to the "V". These parts extend downwards to reveal themselves to be the rest of the letters, thus forming the word "VIVA". Then, two long horizontal gold lines shoot out from below and the word "FILMS" appears sandwiched in-between. This all happens on a black/cadet blue gradient background.

Variants:

There are 2 redone variants, which were used from 1993-2003 and in early 2003, respectively. The only large differences are the color scheme for the letters and background and logo size.
- The 1993 variant got a brighter gold color variant for the letters, which was made even brighter in the 2003 variant to the point the letters looked more bronze than gold as a result.
- The 1993 variant also had a black/blue gradient background, and the 2003 variant got a black/medium Persian blue gradient background and a slightly larger logo.
On Urban Rangers, the logo is darker.
On Pacifico Guevarra - Dillinger Ng Dose Pares and Pangako ng kahapon, the logo is even darker, making the background almost black.
On Noel Juico - Batang Kriminal, the logo has a gold tint.
On Bugbog Sarado, the logo fades to white instead of black at the end.
A scope version exists on Noel Juico: Batang Kriminal.
There is a variant where the logo is brighter and the music is extended. This is most likely from around 1998.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A creepy synthesized pad note, followed by many zapping sounds for the lasers and the gold lines and solemn ringing sounds not unlike bells that echo throughout the logo. The ringing sounds in particular sound suspiciously similar to the music of the 1976-1986 Viacom "V of Doom" logo.

Audio Variants:

Some films feature a synthesized fanfare with a different zap sound. Examples included the Bayani Agbayani starrers Mana Mana Tiba-Tiba and Baliktaran: Si Ace at Si Daisy.
On a few films, the opening theme plays over it.
Row 4 and Pretty Boy have the opening theme with the zap sound.
On Gloria, Gloria Labandera, a news theme is heard.
On The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre, a drumbeat has been added on the original music which makes it more dramatic.
On Basta Ikaw, Nanginginig Pa!, the logo is shortened and uses a synthesized fanfare.
On Juan and Ted: Wanted, a dramatic fanfare, which was also used for the intro of TV shows produced by VIVA TV for IBC-13, is heard.
On S2pid Luv, there is another music variant which consists of a synth drone with whooshes.
A jungle-themed tune with different laser zaps is heard on AB Normal College.
The 2003 variant got a redone version jingle which featured more electric sound effects throughout.
On Sukdulan, Lupe, A Seaman's Wife and Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, a dreamy theme is heard with different laser zaps.

Availability: This is by far one of VIVA's most common logos, mainly because of its long lifespan.

It's seen on many VIVA films from the time, most distributed by Viva Video or Regal Home Video on VHS/VCD/DVD releases.
During the logo's first year, it was used in tandem with the previous logo until 1991.
It was also appeared on co-productions with OctoArts Films such as Manila Girl: Ikaw ang Aking Panaginip and Si Ayala at si Zobel (co-produced with Cinemax Studios), with FLT Films International such as Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib, with Moviestars, such as Run Barbi Run (co-produced with Cinemax Studios) and Mahogany Pictures Inc. such as SP04 Santiago: Sharpshooter.
From 1996-2003, it was continued to be used on-screen only on trailers and actual films during that period, starting with Takot Ka Ba sa Dilim and ending with Sex Drive, due to the new print logo seen only in posters, with the "V", the company name and the byline "A VIVA ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY" on it.
- In 2001, Viva's film and TV units celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special logo which has the "V" and "20 years" text appearing in the circle. the logo animation is seen only on shows produced by Viva TV on IBC 13 such as the Philippine adaptations of The Weakest Link and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in place of the 2000 Viva TV logo, but the anniversary logo is not shown on most of the films throughout the anniversary year beginning with Abakada... Ina for local releases and Rugrats in Paris: The Movie for international releases on April 14, 2001 and ended with Tatarin (released on December 25, 2001) for local films and Vanilla Sky (released on February 6, 2002) for international releases, and it appears next to the normal 1996 print logo only in posters. Starting with the international film Zoolander and the local film Mahal Kita... Final Answer! on January 16 and 23, 2002 respectively, the normal 1996 print logo was reinstated.
The logo has made surprise appearances on some 2003 films, starting with Walang Kapalit and ending with Bugbog Sarado (in its variant), due to the next logo being introduced on promotional materials for some films.
This logo doesn't appear on films from FPJ Productions (including Ang Probisyano and it's sequel Ang Pababalik ng Probisyano, Eseng ng Tondo, and Epimaco Velasco: NBI (which is co-producing it with FLT Films International)), Premiere Entertainment Productions (only in Aringkingking: Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy, which co-produced it with RVQ Productions), Moviestars (only in Pat Omar Abdullah: Pulis Probinsya), Rocketts Productions (only in Huwag Mong Isuko Ang Laban), Levin Films (only in Baby Paterno (Dugong Pulis)), Diamond Jade Films (including Hatulan: Bilibid Boys 2), most 20th Century Fox releases from 1996-2001 and some United International Pictures films from 2000-2003, which VIVA handled distribution rights to.

5th Logo (December 25, 2003-July 12, 2010)

Visuals: On a moving space background, there is an explosion which forms a filmstrip in the shape of a circle. The Earth flies through it. An orange triangle flies towards the left as the Earth lands on it. A filmstrip then curves around the Earth, forming a comet shape. The text "VIVA" flies in next to the triangle.

Variants:

A short version of this also exists. This can be found on Till I Met You.
On the new restoration prints of Ang Cute ng Ina Mo!, the logo is brighter.
At the end of Baler, the logo is still as part of the closing credits.
Sometimes, the logo appears slightly red.
In the logo's final years from 2008-2010, the entire logo has the purple tint.
On posters, the word "FILMS" and the byline "A VIVA ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY" appears next to the "VIVA" text.
On some Star Cinema co-productions, the logo fades out before the comet finishes forming.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A 14-note piano theme played against some faint drum notes. It ends with either the first part of the opening theme, or a synthesized chord. For the short variant, the opening theme.

Audio Variant: On Baler, a orchestral synth theme is used, which also plays over the Bida Foundation logo.

Availability:

Can be seen on films from the period, including co-productions with Star Cinema such as You Changed My Life and GMA Films such as Patient X.
This logo is absent on some United International Pictures films from 2003-2004, Captain Barbel (2003), Siquijor: Mystic Island and Emir.
The logo was first introduced as a print logo in April 2003 in the promotional materials for Sex Drive (which used the previous logo on trailers and in the actual film). It made its first on-screen appearance on Filipinas (released on December 25, 2003) and was last seen on a trailer of Hating Kapatid.
The logo later serves as de-facto logo for Viva Video from 2007-2008.

6th Logo (July 12, 2010-October 2, 2019)

Visuals: A light flare on the left zooms towards the camera in the dark. A zig-zag shape with red, pink, green, gold and blue colors rotates upwards towards the middle. When it does, we see the text "VIVA FILMS" stacked beneath the shape. A spotlight forms beneath the logo.

Variants:

Warped and short versions of the logo also exist.
Usually, the logo is cut off a little bit.
On Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy and Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, it appears with a slight brown tint.
Before Hitman, a still version was used.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The first 12 seconds of the 1993-2006 DTS trailer's music or the opening theme of the movie.

Availability:

Seen on films from the period such as Hating Kapatid (the first film to use this logo).
The warped variant has made an appearance in Tumbok.
It was also appeared on co-productions with Star Cinema such as Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy.
It was last seen on international releases distributed by VIVA.
The logo first introduced on Hating Kapatid (released on July 14, 2010, the trailer and the early posters had use the previous logo instead) and was last seen on Ex with Benefits (released on September 2, 2015). The logo makes a surprise appearance as a print logo in the promotional materials of Edward (released on October 2, 2019) and Mahal Kita, Beksman (released on November 16, 2022), for which VIVA is handling the distribution rights to these films and it is in place of the 2018 logo.
Despite the next logo introduced in 2015, it continues to appear on screen until 2019.

7th Logo (October 7, 2015-)

Visuals: On a black background is the same zig-zag shape from before spinning out in the screen as it pans upward and reveals the bottom colors. A lens flare briefly appears during the action. Once the zigzag is fully revealed, it changes from the bottom view as it centers. When it's settled, a light shines briefly in the logo and the words "VIVA" and "films" fade in and zoom out below.

Variants:

On the trailer for Miss Granny, the logo animates at a much faster rate, gets struck by lightning and transforms into the 4th logo. If one notices on the 4th logo, it has noticeable film deterioration, as it was taken from a film using the 4th logo.
On trailers and TV commercials for co-productions with Star Cinema, the logo appears in the box and right next to the 3rd, 4th and 5th logos.
On the trailer for Deleter, the logo has a grainy red texture.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A triangle being played three times surrounded by a calm fanfare, or the opening theme of the movie.

Audio Variant: On Miracle on Cell No. 7 (2019), a wind blowing sound and two dinging sounds are heard, syncing to the light shining.

Availability:

Seen on films from the period starting with Felix Manalo (released on October 7, 2015).
It also appeared on co-productions with Star Cinema such as The Mall, The Merrier and Fantastica, and OctoArts Films such as Nuuk and Through Night and Day.
It is also seen on original movies for the company's streaming services VivaMax since 2021 and Viva One (formerly Viva Prime) since 2023, as well on Netflix Original films such as Love The Way U Lie and Alter Me (both released in 2020) and Amazon Prime Video Original Film Walang KaParis (released on March 24, 2023).
During the logo's early years, it was used in tandem with previous logo until 2019.
Starting with the release of Ang Pamabansang Third Wheel (released on March 7, 2018), it continues to appear on-screen despite the next logo is been introduced on new posters for the actual film, as well as future releases from the company.

8th Logo (2022-)

Visuals: Superimposed over the credits of the trailer, we see the 2018 VIVA Films print logo, which resembles the 1981 logo with dark blue lines and a dark blue "I" with gold lines in it, and "FILMS" underneath the "A" in dark blue. A blue ball is also situated on top of the "I".

Variants:

On trailers for shows produced by Viva TV, the words "A" and "PRODUCTION" appears and sandwiched in the logo, with "TV" replaces "FILMS". This is also appearing at the beginning on the programs produced by the company, including Masked Singer Pilipinas, the 2021 TV adaptation of Puto, Rolling in It Philippines, Kalye Kweens, and 1000 Heartbeats: Pintig Pinoy (all after the logos for Cignal and Viva's co-owned network Sari-Sari Channel), as well as The Wall Philippines (after the Cignal and Sari-Sari Channel logos in season 1, and the GMA Network logo in season 2).
On Mga Kwentong Epik, the words "A PRODUCTION OF" appears on the top of the TV logo variant.
On GTV airings of VivaMax original series Parang Kayo Pero Hindi (after the GTV logo and before the VivaMax Original logo), the TV logo variant appears in a black background.

Technique: Superimposed animation.

Audio: The opening theme of the show/trailer.

Availability: It debuted as a print logo in 2018. On screen, so far, it has appeared on the trailers for the TV shows Masked Singer Pilipinas and Rolling in It Philippines on TV5 network, and a teaser for the 2022 version of The Wall Philippines on GMA Network. The previous logo is still used in films, but this logo appears on their posters.

External links

Viva Films on Wikipedia
Official website