PLANET PANTHEON

In case you didn't notice... I just placed a link of Planet Pantheon (left banner), a graphic novel that took us years in the making. Finally it's out as a webcomic!

Planet Pantheon was created and written by my "long-time" friend Justin Peniston (Blue Beetle, JSA) who also writes another webcomic "Hunter Black." (link also on left banner) Artwork is by yours truly and beautifully colored by Rainer Petter (Vampirella, Terminator/Robocop, Red Sonja).

Planet Pantheon is as epic as it can get. If you're a fan of Gladiator, Star Trek, Pathfinder, or sci-fi-historical-fiction genre... if you dig gods & goddesses, mythologies with a futuristic twist... then this novel is for your worthwhile reading.

We just started this week... updating Mondays and Thursdays which means our first page is up already... so check it out! Planet Pantheon Dreaming.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

The Philippine Department of Tourism recently launched a new advertising campaign and I can't seem to find a way to stop myself from making fun out of it. Not that I don't like the tagline which was a total "coincidental" copy of the Swiss.' It was just like I love our country so much that I can't get tired of all the unique, odd and unusual lifestyle and culture we have. The campaign with the tagline "It's more fun in the Philippines," has been trending for quite sometime now and here are some of my takes on it.

(Author's note: Tarsier picture courtesy of the original photographer Edwin Verin and not AsiaWebDirect.)















All pictures are owned by the awesome guys who took it. I have no intention of infringing copyrights. I just want people to smile. However if you want your pictures pulled down from my site then kindly email me. Thanks guys!

San Pablo City Comics Festival.

Congratulations to Ka Gerry (Alanguilan) and the organizers of the just concluded 3rd San Pablo City Comics Festival.

Certainly, this is one of the comic events I look forward to visiting one of these years. (Yah... it's sad to say but this is OFW life... wherein you plan to accomplish things in years and not just in days.) Well oh well, still wishing I'd be there and salute to you komikeros of San Pablo.

Guhit Pinoy sa KOMIKON

I just noticed my drawing was part of the official GuhitPinoy poster for this year's Komikon in Manila. Wow... it is truly an honor being featured together with the legends of Filipino Komiks. Thanks GP guys for the recognition. You will remain as an inspiration to me.

Komikon 2011

Baybayin Art

After our pastor encouraged our church to know more about our cultural heritage… I decided to get my hands on really learning "baybayin." Baybayin which was incorrectly termed as "alibata," is a pre-Spanish Philippine writing system. Baybay which is it's root word means "to spell" in Tagalog.

My first encounter with baybayin was during the 70's when I became a member of Kabataang Baranggay and awarded by Miss Imee Marcos for winning the Grand Prize in a nationwide declamation contest. Remember the logo of KB?



And… we also get to see some its characters time and again in our history books on red flags used by the Katipuneros during the revolution… particularly the letter "K," right?



But, it was only now I realize… that I have to discover more of my roots. Especially how they communicate with each other in written form.

So, I immersed myself and tried to understand how this writing system works. Recently, I had a go at translating some words and writing it by myself. I don't intend to master this but at least to be able to write and read it somehow would be a personal achievement.

Here, I attempted to write baybayin in a calligraphic style by using the Doctrina Cristiana version. (Illustrator | Photoshop | Wacom Tablet)

I "M" Famous

One tip that I could give an artist is to never ever keep your hands idle. Baka kasi kalawangin. Aside from that there are always new discoveries that you can encounter with your medium. There are new techniques that you can experiment with it and new styles you can invent. I've been using pencil since I was a kid... but every time I sling that first stroke it always feels like heaven.

Done during spare time at work with HB pencil and Derwent textured paper.

MetroComicCon 2011

Summer Komikon 2011

New Job, New Work

Got a new a job here in Abu Dhabi. New workplace and new set of people to work with.

My first project with the agency was fun and challenging and I got to do what I do best. Kudos to my boss who is as passionate and fresh thinker as I am. In our initial salvo I got to work on a Transformers-inspired robot from the "fastest police car in the world." The Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Police car. Yes, you heard it right, a Formula 1 police car named F999.

While doing this, I could not get my mind out of Mang Floro Dery, the "real" creator of the Transformers franchise. Yes, in case some of you don't know. My countless nights of studying his works and reading his blogs finally paid off. He was an inspiration.

While I am not saying that my work for this particular ad was perfect but I'd say I was perfectly satisfied. Considering the feedback that my boss got from his circle I think our team is on for a rousing start.

The 1st Middle East Film & Comic Con

THIS IS THE EVENT THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...

And we're thrilled to be part of it. See you there...

Metro Comic Con 2010 and more...

This is the teaser poster for the Metro Comic Con 2010, or what used to be the Manila Comic Con, which will be held on August 21-22 this year at Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall. Don't confuse it with the other Komikon (2010) which is the Annual Philippine Komiks Convention slated on the 13th of November at Starmall Trade Hall, and will conduct its 6th edition of the event.

Another major bash that any Pinoy comic book fan should look forward to is the Philippine International Cartoons, Comics & Animation Festival (PICCA Festival) which will happen this October, 22-25 at the SM City North, The Block, Annex, Sky Garden in Q.C.

Whew!!! This is gonna be one hell of a year ender for all Komiks fans in Manila, and how I wish I could attend, even one. Good luck guys!

Mahmoud

This is a pencil study of my colleagues portrait that will hopefully be part of my planned exhibit this year in Dubai.
I have never done studies before proceeding with a painting but now I've learned its benefits. I will surely be doing a lot of these soon for I require myself to have the bulk of my exhibition pieces with portraits.

I did this with an HB lead on paper and the final piece will be in acrylic.

LAM-ANG

I used to draw this Filipino mythological character when I was a kid and even made a comics out of it. Think of those primary notebooks with large blue lines on it? I would make dozens of frames of Lam-Ang's life adventures that I read from this folk tale book I got from my Mom, on these. I sketch it first with pencil and traced ball point pen over it. I recall the pen was even actually blue.

Now I get to draw Lam-Ang again and look back on how I drew decades ago. It's kinda fulfilling how far our skills brought us where we are now. Imagine those drawings I did when I was still in grade school actually served as practice sketches. The good thing back then was I have the guts to "ink" it, even with just a ball point pen. Plus I could even make series of illustrations and stories out of the actual epic poem. Wow, I'm starting to believe I was more creative back then.

Happy New Year!

HB Pencil on A4 Textured paper.

I don't know why I love drawing these characters. I think half of the sketches I draw during my spare time are either Vikings or Barbarians. Maybe it's my love for the human figure? My penchant for things Goth and the mysterious Norse mythology? Or is it just my Frazetta admiration?

Anyway, just want to greet all of you a wonderful and a fierce New Year!

Salamat at Paalam SONNY TRINIDAD

Noong nakaraang buwan ay muli na namang may nagpaalam sa atin na isang haligi ng Komiks sa Pilipinas. Siya si Sonny Trinidad na kilala rin bilang Celso Trinidad. Hindi ko makakalimutan si Mang Sonny sapagkat isa siya sa mga kumakalong sa akin, noong ako'y bata pa, kapag ako'y dinadala ng tatay ko sa GASI ilang dekada na ang nakaraan.

Sa katunayan ang pahina ng Komiks na inyong nakikita sa taas ay isa sa mga original pages na ginawa niya na nais ko pa naman sanang papirmahan kung sakaling ako'y magkaroon ng pagkakataong makita siya sa aking pag-uwi sa Pilipinas. Ang pahinang iyan ay itinago at iningatan ng father ko dahil maliban sa ito ay dibuho ni Mang Sonny... ito ay ang splash page ng 1st issue ng "Pompa" na isinulat din ng isang batikang manunulat na si Elena M. Patron. Ang Pompa ay lumabas sa Pioneer Komiks noong late 70's at ginampanan naman sa pelikula ng yumao na ring si Julie Vega noong 1980.

Muli, paalam at salamat Mang Sonny at pakikiramay ang hatid ng aming pamilya sa inyong mga naulila.

PINOY KOMIKS REBYU is Finally Out!!!

Narito na po ang pinakahihintay na unang labas ng Pinoy Komiks Rebyu na likha ng ating KaGuhit na si Randy Valiente. Kung mayroon po kayong makitang kopya nito ay huwag po kayong mag-atubiling bumili at kumuha. This is a good resource if you are an aspiring Komiks artist or even a veteran who wants to update himself with the goings-on in our enduring industry.

What's special about this issue is it features the works of GuhitPinoy founder Edbon Sevilleno and one of the most sought of Pinoy International super artist Carlo Pagulayan.

The 5th Filipino Komiks Convention

National Artists' Award: OFFICIAL STAND

This official statement from our Negrense friends (GuhitPinoy founder Edbon Sevilleno and other concerned artists from Negros) is the closest I find to my personal sentiments regarding this brouhaha about the "National Artists' Award." I am posting this bearing in mind that it was not the "artists" or the recipient of the awards that I am questioning but the manner in which they were "used" or should I say "let themselves be used" for corruption, and the lack of "delicadeza" or complete absence of it, that this government is practicing.

I also find the government inadequate particularly the "President" in figuring out and choosing who deserves to be awarded this esteemed recognition for the Arts. Thus in addition to this statement, I am pledging my allegiance with the other voices asking for the complete removal of this ominous Presidential prerogative, and just let the bodies concerned particularly the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) have the final verdict.

The Official Statement...

"In moments when our community is in crisis or in jubilation or in reflection, do we not point to the task of creation and name our artists as the vanguards of society’s soul? Art can become profitable, but rarely without a conscience. It is coming from this philosophy that we ask… if the recognition as National Artist of the Philippines can suffer from arbitrary politics, is there then nothing left that is held sacred in this country anymore?

We in the regions are profoundly disturbed by recent events and have decided as a body to likewise express our indignation over Malacañang’s indiscretion in choosing the country’s National Artist awardees and to support the clamor reminding Malacanang to uphold this public’s trust.

We understand that the title National Artist of the Philippines has managed to become a measure held in high affectionate esteem of the potential of artistry realized in a lifetime of pursuit of the ideals of human aesthetics. It is considered to be the highest recognition given to a Filipino who has made significant contributions to the development of Philippine art, the kind of art that will be taught to our youth as realization of artistic ideals that should be emulated.

We share in the outrage that more than half of the seven new National Artists awardees were named so because the President has the prerogative to directly recommend although they were not on the list given by both CCP and the NCCA, entities supposedly empowered to be people-oriented and democratic in nature and the two sole agencies tasked by law to recommend National Artists awardees understandably because they are in the position to be in the know as far as the fields considered are concerned.

We support that the NCCA and CCP are rightly affronted by the grave presidential indiscretion after they went through a rigorous selection process! This is an assault not only to the highest state awards conferred to Filipino artists but to the public funds that such recognition carries, money that is coming from our taxes. To award undeserving and politically-chosen recipients such huge amount of public funds is plain and simple corruption. 

It may be true that there are elitist influences among some artists as Caparas claimed, but it is a slap to our faces to say that the art we honor is an art that embraces the Filipino as dim-wits dependent on supernatural forces. If art is the soul of the Filipino then these have to imbue the Filipino’s discerning nature and fighting spirit.

We particularly detest the designation of Presidential Adviser on Culture Cecille Guidote-Alvarez as National Artist as bespeaking of the worst conflict of interest possible in this situation, given that she is currently NCCA chair and heads the secretariat for the National Artists awards. We ask that Cecille Guidote-Alvarez and Vilma Labrador resign their posts in the NCCA! 

We stand beside the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, alongside every Filipino artist and cultural workers, professionals and advocates in verbalizing our sentiment as we justly detest this latest outrageous act of the present administration. 

There is only so much a nation’s heart can take. To taint the one symbol for soul with corruption of culture and the culture of corruption is doing our Philippines a great disservice."


BLACK ARTISTS IN ASIA ASSOCIATION, INC. Charlie Co 
NCCA CVA WESTERN VISAYAS Manny Montelibano
BSIDES ART INITIATIVES Edmund Bacia
PRODUKSYON TRAMONTINA, INC. Manny Montelibano
PERFORMANCE LABORATORY Tanya Lopez
KALINGAW REPERTORY 
Team Namits Bacolod Hilario Campos III
Pagba Lunang- La Carlota Art Group Susanito Sarnate
Orange Peel- Artists in Residence Gwen Decena
Pintor Kulapol-Fabrica Sagay Art Group Bogie Alvarado
Puwersa Pintura Tristram Miravalles
TUKIB- Cadiz City art group Santiago Onatin
3RD EYE Rodney Martinez / Edbon Sevilleno
SUGA (Silay United Group of Artists) Ian Valladarez
ANIMO- Puppetry Production Dioning De la Cruz
Bugkos Inocentes Cristales
Arte Negrense Mario Stephen G. Regollo
Babayi Artists Group 
ARFIEN Forever Arch. UbaldoRamos &nbs p; 
Guhit Pinoy Edbon Sevilleno

GuhitPinoy UAE - MYKE TURDA
USLS Students Art Group Ms. Ellen Carmona

KaGuhit Pinoy JAPAT GUEVARRA sa OFW Diaries

Kamakailan ay nai-feature ang ating KaGuhit na si Japat Guevarra sa "OFW Diaries," isang show sa GMA 7 na kung saan ay ipinalalabas at ipinapakita ang mga tunay na karanasan ng ating mga kababayang OFWs sa iba't ibang bansa.

Isinalaysay dito ang kasalukuyang kalagayan ng "pamilya" ni Japat kasama ang kanyang maybahay na si Melissa at anak na si Mac James. Nabigyang diin dito ang hirap ng buhay ng isang artist sa ibang bansa ganundin ang gantimpala naman nito kung tayo lang ay magbubuhos ng sipag at tiyaga. Proud akong makita na dala ni Japat at ni Melissa ang pangalan ng "GuhitPinoy." Isang "achievement" na maituturing para sa grupo na ang kaakibat na panalangin ay mas mabigyang pansin sana ang talento ng mga dibuhistang Filipino lalung-lalo na dito sa Dubai.

Kasabay ni Japat dito ay ang pag-alis ng isang SPED teacher o yung mga guro na nagtuturo sa mga "specially-abled children," patungo sa abroad. Napaka madamdamin nang segment na ito na kung saan kinailangang iwan ng isang gurong ina ang sarili niyang anak upang magturo sa ibang mga bata sa ibayong dagat.

Para sa akin ay napakahalaga at napaka importante ng episode na ito sapagkat dama ko ang pagiging Artist at ganun din bilang anak ng isang guro, dahilan upang ipost ko dito ang video na ito.

Nawa ay may ibunga ang ganitong mga palabas at mayroon sanang maantig na mga puso. Maging inspirasyon din at gabay sa mga nagnanais mangibang bayan at makipagsapalaran bilang OFW.

JUAN LUNA: Artist of the Month

Dahil sa ito ang kauna-unahang Filipino na ipi-feature ko dito sa aking blog ay nais ko ring gamitin ang ating sariling wika. Kung kaya nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang galing ng isa sa mga naging pinakamahusay at pinakakilalang pintor na Filipino noong kanyang kapanahunan, walang iba kundi si, Juan Luna.

Marahil lahat sa atin ay nakabasa na ng kanyang talambuhay kung kaya hayaan n'yo na lang ipaskil ko dito ang sa kanya na hango sa "Tagalog wikipedia."

Si Juan Luna y Novicio ang nagpinta ng pamosong larawan “Spoliarium”. Siya ay nakilala sa buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pinsel gaya ng pagkakilala sa kanyang mga kaibigan sa pamamagitan ng pluma at espada.

Siya ay ipinanganak noong Oktubre 23, 1857 sa Badoc, Ilocos Norte kina Joaquin Luna at Laureena Novicio sa Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

Nag-aaral siya sa Ateneo de Manila. Ang pangarap niyang maging isang mandaragat ay natupad matapos siyang mag-aral at magtrabaho sa barko sa murang gulang na 16. Marami siyang napuntahang magandang lugar at iba't ibang tao ang kanyang nakasama. Bagamat napagtala siya bilang mandaragat huminto para lamang maipagpatuloy niya ang pag-aaral sa pagpinta.

Pumasok siya Academio de Dibujo y Pintura sa Maynila noong 1876 sa kurong Bellas Artes. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kursong ito sa Madrid, Espanya. Personal din siyang nagpaturo sa pagpinta kay Alejo Vera na siyang nagdala sa kanya sa bansang Roma, Italya upang magmasid. Pumunta siya sa Barcelona, Espanya noong 1877, doon siya naging propesyonal na pintor noong 1880 noong ipanalo niya ang ginuhit niyang The Death of Cleopatra. Nagwagi ito ng pangalawang karangalan sa Eksposisyon sa Madrid. Ito ay binili ng Gobyernong Kastila at ginawang permanenteng exhibit sa Museo Nacional de Pinturas, Salon de Pintures Modernas.

Tumanyag ang pangalan ni Luna nang ginawaran ng gintong medalya ang kanyang Spoliarium sa Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes sa Madrid noong 1884. Ito ay binili rin ng Diputación Provincial de Barcelona sa halagang 20,000 pesetas noong 1886.

Ang iba pa niyang nilikha ay ang Pacto de Sangre, Idilio, España y Filipinas, Lavandera, Escena Mariquina, Batalla de Lepanto, at iba pa.

Noong Oktubre, 1884, lumipat siya sa Paris kung saan niya ipinagpatuloy ang pagpinta.

Si Juan Luna ay nagpakasal kay Paz Pardo de Tavera noong 1886 at noong 1894 pagkalipas ng 17 taong pagkawalay sa Pilipinas siya ay bumalik. Siya ay napagsuspetsahan na isa sa mga kasangkot sa pagpapasimula ng rebolusyon kaya’t siya ay hinuli at ikinulong. Pinatawad siya ng Espanya noong Mayo 27, 1897.

Sa taong 1898, si Luna ay itinalaga ni Heneral Aguinaldo na isang sugo sa Europa para ipresenta ang panig ng mga Pilipino sa usaping pangkapayapaan. Siya ay inatake sa puso at namatay noong Disyembre 7,1899 sa Hong Kong.

Ang ilan sa kanyang mga Obra Maestra...

"Damas Romanas"

"Tampuhan"
"El Pacto de Sangre"
"Spoliarium"
"Morte de Cleopatra"

ALEX ROSS: Artist of the Month

I didn't think of any word the first time I saw Alex Ross' works but... PHENOMENAL!

A master painter like him comes once in a lifetime and he has definitely carved an edge with his style and true to life rendition of iconic comics characters. In this regard, I think I've finally established that one of my criteria in choosing "artist of the month," is somebody that does something unique. A signature work. A style developed only by himself that when you see his artwork you can easily identify it as his, and with this, Alex Ross is tops.

I must suggest that Ross is one of the artists that elevated comics illustration into an art form. I haven't seen anybody that comes close to his picture perfect layout and rendering of super hero characters with the use of the traditional brush and paints. I must say he actually inspired me to use gouache paints, a medium he normally and masterfully uses, in my winning entry at the last Red Bull Art of Can competition here in Dubai. I even mentioned his name in my entry form as one of my inspirations. Although my piece was obviously waaaay too far... with the quality of his art, with the win I think somehow that I gave justice to his name.

Anyway, to all those who still argue that comics is not an art (oh yes they exist...) and to those who are familiar with the mastery and the artistry of the maestro... to thee again I say... YIELD.

Indulge more in Alex Ross' masterpieces in his official site that can be found here.

The 111TH PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY Celebration in Dubai

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! CONGRATULATIONS BARCA!!!

Yesterday, 27th of May will be one of the most memorable.

It was the day FC Barcelona made history by completing the "treble" (Triple or Grand Slam) a rare feat, only four teams have actually done this winning the Spanish Cup, Spanish League and yesterday the Champion's League. Not to mention they are the first Spanish team to pull this off. What's more awesome was that they did it against a very formidable foe, Manchester United who by the way is the defending champion, holder of the last "treble" accomplishment (1999), this year's Premier League Champions and considered right now to be the BEST football team in the world.

What's more interesting is that Barca won all these championship games in a span of 2 weeks. Showing consistency and desire for winning as a team and exposes the leadership and the motivational skills of their coach, Coach Josep Guardiola, who is only in his first season for Barca.

But more than Barca's rare feat yesterday..., it was actually my Father's birthday. My Dad is not a football fan..., 'cause it bores him to death. However, it gave me a good reason to rejoice his day even where far from each other. While he's in Manila celebrating another God-given year..., I am here in Abu Dhabi reveling the victory of my favorite football team. A toast to you Dad on your 61st birthday and a salute to Coach Guardiola, Messi, Eto'o, Henry and the rest of BARCA..., BARCA..., BARCA!!!