Untitled [06]

J: So if Garamond and Georgia are like Rustan's and other high-end department stores, then Calibri is like...
Me: SM?
J: Yeah. Something like that. Garamond and Georgia are okay.
Me: I like Georgia. A lot.
J: And Cambria, too.
Me: My blog's in Cambria.
J: It's like a modified Georgia.
Me: Like a flowy Georgia. Or Georgia and Garamond combined.
J: Yeah.
Me:
J:
Me:
J:
Me: That was geeky.
J: It is geeky. Namiss mo 'ko, no? 

Cure For the Itch*

The topic of speaking in the next graduation ceremony of my high school was brought up again at dinner last night. Apparently, one of the school officials was insistent on having me as guest of honor after learning that I have actually graduated from college last year with some sort of sprinkles. The first time I heard it, I vehemently refused and referred another batch-mate who, by all intents and purposes, is more appropriate and respectable for such an honor. Aside from the fact that it will be my sister's graduation ceremony I'll be making awkward by my presence, I really do not think I deserve that privilege to give unsolicited advice to a bunch of still highly-impressionable young adults.

Because aside from managing to obtain a degree from the University, I really do not have anything I could be proud of for the past year. Really, introducing a speaker with a litany of achievements is some sort of a requirement for a successful speech. Meanwhile, here I am, drifting here and there, without a clear goal in mind yet. No impressive credentials to add to my name at all. That kind of poses a disappointment for the graduates on their special day, methinks.

But I can't help but imagine what I could tell those kids, who are in varying degrees of confusion and excitement. Maybe if I stand there at the podium, I will look at the faces staring at me and see the reflection of own self from seven years ago, and tell them, "It's all uphill from here. Go back and hide under your mothers' skirts if you don't plan on tackling it head-on." Maybe I will tell them that it's okay to feel conflicted between what is practical and what is ideal, it is how they act on their choice that will determine whether they're making progress or not.

Right. Maybe I will tell them that earning an occasional singko is not so bad, it might actually be the catalyst they've been needing from the start. Maybe, pursuing a "pwede na" field is just as good as taking the road to the career you've been dreaming of since you were seven. The thing is, get your ass out there and do something. Inspiration doesn't strike the idle, I've been told. It comes to people who, despite failing, continue being hard at work. JK Rowling said (maybe I'll reward the first person to tell me who JK Rowling is), “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all--in which case, you fail by default.”

I'll tell them adulthood is not what they've imagined when they were still in the safe confines of school. Maybe I still don't know much about it but I'm pretty sure it's not falling in love into perfect relationships and driving fancy cars and earning loads of bucks in a jiffy. It's taking over the responsibilities you have been blissfully unaware of when you were young; it's taking your place in the society where you struggle against yourself and the people around you. 

Maybe I'll ask them who reads. And maybe I'll refuse to go on if nobody raises a hand, and they will be glad to see me go. Haha. Continuing, maybe I'll encourage them to read, not because they can become kings and knights and presidents and princesses and pirates and rockstars and dragonriders, but because when the dreary reality of life made of routines and bills and frustration and cheap food and obnoxious people, they will have something to fall back on. I will not tell them to completely detest reality. Hell, the world is so full of exciting things, nobody has the right to say he's bored. There are really just times when you need a detached reprieve.

Maybe I will tell them what I wish I have heard when I was 16 and jittery about taking the next step in my life. Maybe I'll confess to them that I am as lost as most of them are. But we'll get by. We'll deal. 

I really couldn't imagine myself advising high school graduates about life, not by 2014. Maybe by 2015 I'd have made so many blunders I could share an anecdote or two. Who knows.


*Apologies to Linkin Park

Getting Comic

A couple of months ago, I saw the first issue of Kwentillion in a bookstore, a magazine featuring young adult literature pieces and an anthology of original short comic stories. Featuring familiar names of comic artists I have come to respect, I immediately bought my copy. It was a milestone in the publication industry, and I truly hope this first issue will not be the last. Also last week, I finally saw the premiere issue of Trese, the detective/horror/crime comic series I have always meant to begin reading but couldn't find the first issue in the bookstores I usually visit. Maybe I haven't been looking well enough, but needless to say, it was an important buy and just in time for the coming convention I will attend this June.

These recent buys made me remember the feature I wrote two years ago during my internship. I just did a man on the street interview with the comic artists present during the Comic-con last May 2011 and got fortunate that I got to talk to some of the biggest names in the industry.

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Artists share their two cents on the local comics scene

May 2011

What many popular culture historians dubbed as the Philippine comics industry’s Golden Age has been since decades ago. However, the local comics scene is gaining momentum once more due in part to the recognition of the craft of Pinoy artists abroad working for popular international publishers, but more so due to the rich pool of talent of our local artists.

Despite competition from their foreign (and immensely more prevalent) counterparts, as well as from other forms of entertainment, our komikeros continue to create comic stories that are closer to home. They continue to tell stories about our culture, about our own dreams, about ourselves.

Three of these Pinoy comic writers and artists gave a few words about their craft and their advice to the hopefuls.

Going for it

Photo by Alea Gomez

Budjette Tan describes himself as a “copywriter by day, comic book writer by night.” He is the writer behind the comic series Alamat, Batch 72, and Underpass.

Collecting comic books since grade school, Tan has always dreamed to be in the comics industry. His latest project is Trese, a horror/crime comic series, with Kajo Baldisimo (Alamat, Defuser, Starwars) as the artist. Trese, according to Tan, is his most favorite work so far. “People seem to be happy with it, and I am, too,” he said.

As a writer, Tan would like to work with artists like Carlo Vergara (Zsazsa Zaturnnah), Gerry Alanguilan (Wasted, ELMER), and all the many Pinoy artists here and in the United States. He dreams of writing more stories “that can reach more people here in the country and the world.”

The Filipino talent in comics is undeniable. For Tan, aspiring artists should not be discouraged. “Whether writing or drawing, nothing should stop them. We're in the best time now to create comics. You can self-publish them online as webcomics, or have them photocopied. There are no excuses,” he advised.

For more of Budjette Tan’s work, visit tresekomix.blogspot.com.

Keeping it humble

Photo by Alea Gomez

Gilbert Monsanto is an illustrator noted for his work in Hazard, Hellcop, and the 2003 revival of Darna, among others.

Monsanto’s latest endeavor is the comic series Bayan Knights. For him, it is the most remarkable work in his career as a comic artist, both in its goal of pioneering the superhero comic scene in the country and of helping fellow Filipino artists.

Bayan Knights is a comic book project featuring the superheroes created by artists from an online art community. By publishing these characters, the artists’ works become copyrighted and protected.

Despite already being an accomplished artist, Monsanto strives to be better by creating more memorable characters “at makatulong sa bagong mga comic artists tulad ng ginagawa ko ngayon sa Bayan Knights (and helping new comic artists like what I’ve been doing in Bayan Knights).”

Monsanto has been inspired by the comics since childhood, and has worked his way up to become a top caliber artist of the country. He advised aspiring illustrators to go out and discover the art as well as people. “(Dapat silang) makakilala ng mga taong makakatulong sa kanila. (They should get to know people who can help them.) Go for people they can work with, at hindi lang sarili (and not work by themselves alone),” Monsanto said.

For more of Gilbert Monsanto’s work, visit bayanknights.com

Taking it to greater heights

Gerry Alanguilan is another prolific Pinoy comic artist who created Wasted, Johnny Balbona, Humanis Rex!, and ELMER, among others. He also worked in DC Comics and Marvel in the United States.

Unlike the two previous artists, Alanguilan did not consider being a comic artist when he was still a kid. According to him, he had many various dreams, but “drawing comics was a hobby for a long time. Hindi ako naniwala na pwede akong maging comic artist. (I did not believe that I could be a comic artist.)” He held the profession in high regard since childhood and believed that “magagaling na tao lang ang pwedeng maging comic artist. (Only outstanding people can become comic artists.)”

As proven by his numerous accomplishments in the field, he has become an outstanding artist himself and has made a name as one of the top Pinoy comic artists of this generation. This may be attributed to his relentless drive to create better works.

 Even with a lot of achievements to his credit, Alanguilan says, “Hindi pa ‘ko masaya. Hindi pa ako kuntento. (I’m not yet happy. I’m not yet satisfied.) Even if I’m happy with my previous works, gusto kong gumawa ng mas maganda pa (I want to create something better). I keep moving on.”

This attitude is what he wants to share to young hopeful artists. “You can’t afford to be half-hearted. Either bigay na bigay or wag na lang. (Either you give it your all or none at all),” Alanguilan added.

For more of Gerry Alanguilan’s work, visit komikero.com.

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I wish I could write a more in-depth piece on this topic, if circumstances permit. Anyhow, I'm excited for the coming con!

Naglahong lugami at hapo

It's pretty absurd how I felt so tired and let down this past couple of days, the past week even. But it was amazing how a dinner and a catch-up with a friend you haven't seen for the past half year would make all the sore feelings, physical and emotional, go away.

I had been feeling tired having begun my day early in the morning last Saturday, spending the afternoon trying to accommodate people's demands and whims. Disappointment and fatigue just took me over by turns that I felt so damn frustrated and angry towards the people I know I'm supposed to be caring and forgiving towards. But that day, I just felt so irrationally sad. I think I'm being overly sensitive now because I have been too compromising for so long.

Satisfying the craving for fries and ice cream didn't even help. Luckily, a couple of friends had that night free when I asked them. When I try to wrap my head around the time we have been friends, I am amazed to realize that we've known each other for barely three years, and one of them I haven't seen for the last six months. But that night, we had steaks and salmon at this new diner we tried, and over tea, we took our sweet time of catching-up with each other's lives. That day went from being so thoroughly draining and frustrating to being immensely nostalgic and gratifying.

The thing about firsts

The thing about first obsession love is that nothing could ever take its place of being the very thing that introduced you to that realm where it belongs. Despite the countless other fascinations that succeeded it, when it decides to sucker punch you again right in the kokoro, these others will have to give way just so you can get back together with that un amour de jeunesse.

Basically this post is just me haplessly squealing because I had just learned that Linkin Park is definitely coming back to Manila nine years after I hadn't been able to watch them when they came here for their Meteora Tour. (I can't believe I missed it either. I was 13 and lost. Meteora, self, really? )

ANYHOO

OHMYGOD. I really just... I'm so overwhelmed. Haha. I almost burst into tears when this status appeared on my newsfeed, wow. Thank you, heavens, for this. 

AUGUST 13 IT IS, THEN. See you, motherfuckers.

2013 April 20

Kids these days don't seem to take much interest in books. I myself am in the middle of a crusade to make my little brother discover the joy of reading. I don't know if this is going well. It's therefore really rare and special to me to see this kid slumped on the floor between shelves in a bookstore, perusing books all by himself.