I know

If you've been wondering what's happening to me for the past 3 months, I just got busy. After the holidays I went back to Manila (from Kidapawan) and I joined the 1st Aid Training and Basic Life Support from Red Cross Quezon City chapter. The training took about 7 days. The whole training period was whole lot of fun. I enjoyed every minute of it. Especially the last day wherein there was a simulation of what might actually happen if grave situation arises. It was so exhausting and a bit confusing. It was really hard that's why I've got a much higher respect to all the volunteers who are always putting their lives on the line saving other people's butt. It was not an easy task and it requires a lot of effort from you. I graduated the training and gained myself, not only licenses for the 1st Aid Training and Basic Life Support, a whole new perspective of the importance of life.

Sunwoo Animation Philippines is currently on hiatus because there is no current production of new show since "I Got A Rocket" wrapped up last December. They might start a new show on May, however, it is not still confirmed because Sunwoo didn't even announce the title if the so called new show. There were also rumors that only lay-out and animation will be done here in the Philippines and the clean-up (CU) and in-between (IB) will be on Korea. If that will be the case all of us home grown talents will be out of job. Good thing though is that our contract ended last February 6, 2007 so we are free to look for new studios. I heared some artist went to Toon City, Top Draw, Toon Hub, DQ and others I forgot. In my case I just finished "The Land Before Time" at Toon City and currently working on "Fantastic 4" which I will be discussing next.

"Fantastic 4" show is one of the best show I've ever done since.The style is realistic and it helps me a lot as an artist. It was hard but I have so much fun drawing all the characters and the scenes they are in. The hardest to draw among the 4 main character is "Thing" because his skin is rock so his a bit confusing to draw especially in doing IB. I also love drawing "Iron Man" and "Susan." I think my drawing skills now is a bit honed, still very far from perfect but I will get there someday, and there are a lot of perspective and foreshorteing to consider. I am taking my time in every drawing I create so that I can learn as much as I can. This project makes me excite to work everyday. I am no longer after of how much I will be earning, which is very good by the way, but how much I will be learning. I am just so much happy with this show.

Apart from animation, I am also busy applying for a job in IT and engineering because the pay I'm getting from the previous shows isn't enough. Even if I love animation, I still have to eat, pay the rent, help my family so I need to look for a greener pasture. I decided to go back to IT and engineering, I have a lot of offers and I choose to work with BPI (I will be starting on April 3, 2007). It was not the company who offered the biggest amount but looking at the benefits and the career path it was the one who has the brightest light at the end of the tunnel. So I grab the chance to be a part of the company and I will be starting soon. No, I won't leave animation and comics. I can still get folders to draw from the "Fantastic 4" show during Friday night to Sunday night and I can always spare 3 to 4 hours of creating comics and web designs every day.

Speaking of comics, it's been a while since I wasn't been able to buy new copies of the titles that I collect. I am not so active with the world of comics (so sorry to all the Komikeros if I ever make you feel being neglected because of the stuff I already told you thru e-mail) but Paper Clip Komics is definitely still active. I already finished my story and so does Canave (Ruel and Mye, your promise ha). I am currently experiencing a problem with the printing because my contact person told me that the machine isn't working still and I can't find other printers that would give the same quality at a trift price. I hope the machine will get fix or I could find a replacement. I will be announcing the release of the next issue soon.

I am also currently waiting when my drawing/animation table will be created so that I can go back drawing "Bulong" because I find it hard to draw sitiing on the floor, flexing my knees so that I can use my legs as a support for my drawing board. Yes, that's how I draw since I went back to Manila after working in Baguio last 2005. I put the project on hold for too long already and I bit embarrass with the author. I am glad he understand thinking that the novel isn't finish yet. I am also trying to work with Pao (for a special project), she was interrested for me to translate her short story in the form of comics. She was not sending me her manuscript yet because she was not able to go back to Las Pinas because she was very preoccupied with her upcoming marriage to Aljude. I still have to wait for the script.

I am also having weight issues. I've been gaining weight since I started working in animation last year. Maybe because of the lifestyle. I've been sitting and drawing all through the day til wee hours seven days a week. I still have the same food intake but my physical activities has been entirely gone so my metabolism slows and I got fat everyday. One of the requirements in working with BPI is for you to be physically fit (class A). I took the medical exam and all results are satisfactory except for my BP which is elevated. I have it rechecked and it out that I have a normal BP. During the first check up I didn't rest after walking to Shang Rila Mall from Megamall and walking up the stairs up to the 5th level where the clinic is located. Even if my BP is normal, it was on line verge of the thin line that separates the normal and high BP so I started jogging and eating less rice. I lose 8 lbs on the first 3 weeks and gained 1 lb and it stays there. However, "Fantastic 4" requires a lot of time nowadays so I wasn't able to jog for 2 weeks now. I promise I will find time for my physical routine to lose more weight and become healthy once again (as I used to be).

That's for now, just in case you're wondering my absence in the world of blogging.

P.S.

Please do pray for my friend Andro who will be undergoing under the knife tomorrow at the Imus Medical Hospital. Also pray for his mom's battle against TB.

Sketch

Below are the sketches I got from:

Gerry

Carlo

I wasn't able to scan the sketches from Leinil and Wilson because they were borrowed by my officemate. I'll post them later.

Happy New Year!!! Year of the Pig.

I adopted a pet pig for the year 2007. Better job. More love, good health and prosperity. Oh, and world peace.

Yahoo? Blogspot?

Is there something wrong with Yahoo site? I can't seem to connect to the said site. I also tried checking on my blogger site, I can't connect to it but I was able to log on to blogger and type this message. Weird.

Well I guess I just have to wate for it to "come back" again because our local subscriber here in the province that they've been encountering the same problem since 10 am this morning and they were informed that it had something to do with the quake in Taiwan. Funny because I was still using those sites 'till 1 pm today. Whatever.

I'll wait then.

My Mobile

Mom bought dad and I a mobile phone. Dad got a Sony Ericsson P990i and I have the P910i. If you click above (P990i) and below (P910i) image it will link you directly to GSMArena where you can find it's features. P990i is a 3G phone unlike P910i. I am happy with my new mobile phone.

I already downloaded some applications over the internet for my phone like Hand Day 2005, Mobipocket Reader and Blackberry. I had so much fun exploring the phone and personalizing it. There's so much more that I have to know about this unit. After installing the PC Suite in my computer I discovered more about the phone. I think it will take me a little while before I fully familiarize with this phone.

There are a lot of applications out there that I could install my P910i like screep capture, themes (I need theme editor so if you have one please send me one), and a lot more.

Well, that's for now. I'll go back in exploring the phone now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

More love, peace and good health.

Harriet Klausner

Here's an article that I'd like to share from Time Magazine by Lev Grossman:


Without the web, Harriet Klausner would be just an ordinary human being with an extraordinary talent. Instead she is one of the world's most prolific and influential book reviewers. At 54, Klausner, a former librarian from Georgia, has posted more book reviews on Amazon.com than any other user—12,896, as of this writing, almost twice as many as her nearest competitor. That's a book a day for 35 years.

Klausner isn't paid to do this. She's just, as she puts it, "a freaky kind of speed-reader." In elementary school, her teacher was shocked when Klausner handed in a 31⁄2-hour reading-comprehension test in less than an hour. Now she goes through four to six books a day. "It's incomprehensible to me that most people read only one book a week," she says. "I don't understand how anyone can read that slow."

Klausner is part of a quiet revolution in the way American taste gets made. The influence of newspaper and magazine critics is on the wane. People don't care to be lectured by professionals on what they should read or listen to or see. They're increasingly likely to pay attention to amateur online reviewers, bloggers and Amazon critics like Klausner. Online critics have a kind of just-plain-folks authenticity that the professionals just can't match. They're not fancy. They don't have an agenda. They just read for fun, the way you do. Publishers treat Klausner as a pro, sending her free books—50 a week—in hopes of getting her attention. Like any other good critic, Klausner has her share of enemies. "Harriet, please get a life," someone begged her on a message board, "and leave us poor Amazon customers alone."

Klausner is a bookworm, but she's no snob. She likes genre fiction: romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, horror. One of Klausner's lifetime goals—as yet unfulfilled—is to read every vampire book ever published. "I love vampires and werewolves and demons," she says. "Maybe I like being spooked." Maybe she's a little bit superhuman herself.

I'm Going Home

I'll be going home tomorrow. My flight is at 4:20 am via Cebu Pacific Air. Upon arriving the Davao international airport, I'll go straight to the bus terminal. I may be arriving Kidapawan at about 9:00 or 10:00 am. I'm so excited to go home. There's no place like home.

Unproductive

I've been unproductive for about a week now. There seems to be so much going on. The brewing war b/n humans and not-so-humans in the office, the confusion amongst the artists, the lack of feedback from my groupmates, the very painstakingly difficult job training I've been having, almost lack of sleep, emotional turmoil, weight issue, and so much more. I wanted to break free but I can't cause everythings must be dealt with - fast. I can't focus on one because everything needs so much attention. Waaaahhhhh. I'm running out of cash (I think nothing's left of me, hmmm). It's official I'm poor and almost exhausted. Thanks to God, whenever I close my eyes it seems that He tells me that I can do it. I hope so and I know that even if I've been calling for His aid almost every minute He doesn't got tired of me. So, Oh, what I'm still doing here. Bye for now, got loads of stuff to do.

Seduction Style

got this link from Jac...

Hikbi

I might have lost my purpose... I can't see clearly my path... Now I can't move on... Like a still water if not remove might be swarming with bacterias and stuff later on... Eventually will become deadly... Worst might break down... Shattered...

Options

Here I am once again wherein I would have to choose one among the many probable paths that I have to take. Whichever I choose would make a huge impact on my future. Choosing one would mean forgetting the others. If I won't choose then I will go nowhere and just keep on spinning inside this void of emptiness I built around myself. It's been a month now and I have yet to deside. The longer I choose the more depress I become. Sometimes It's really hard to let go and it sucks big time.

Inspiring story from Sean Galloway

Click on this link: Sean Galloway


I find Sean's entry on DA very inspiring. Hope you do too.

I Got A Rocket!!!

I am one of the clean-up and in-between artist for this show. Wow I am so proud of it!!!

Here's the official I Got a Rocket website: http://www.igotarocket.com/

Here are the list of Characters: The Characters

Here'e a preview from Taffy Live website: http://www.taffylive.com/shows/igotarocket?view=videos

Here's what the show's about:

It's July. The hottest month on record and in the inner-city, where eleven year old Vincent Q lives, it's so hot, the pavement is smoking! July should be Vinnie's favourite month, as along with his gang of pals, Vinnie celebrates his birthday! (that's why they're known as the July Gang) But this year peace-loving Rainbow, crazy Ritter, wannabe actor Barlow and country bumpkin Gabby are dreading it. See, they've got a problem. Two words: NEW ... NEIGHBOURS. Three more words: THE ... DUCKY ... BOYS!

You've no doubt heard of the Ducky Boys. Scuds, Rags and Biffo. Even their names sound mean! They've just moved to Vinnie's block. Now thanks to Vinnie's big mouth, the Ducky Boys have their sights set on tormenting the July Gang. And Vinnie can't run to his big sister Crystal for help. Vinnie's life seems over. That is, until on Vinnie's birthday, his scientist Dad gave him something way cool. Very cool in fact. For his birthday, Vincent Q ... GOT A ROCKET!

Packed full of artificial intelligence, Rocket is not only the ultimate-space-transport-for one. He's Vinnie's new best friend, big brother and guardian ... all rolled into one big hunk of tin! Plus, having been created in July he's a fully-fledged July Gang member! But with a pal like Rocket comes responsibility. He may be hi-tech but when it comes to human problems, desires or wishes...he's no genius. Rocket could be the solution to all Vinnie's problems - or so he thinks. The Ducky Boys aren't afraid. Far from it! They want Rocket for themselves!

Based on the popular picture book, seen above, by Matt Zurbo and Dean Gorissen, 'I Got a Rocket!' the animated series is a fresh and fun series about Vinnie and his gang of friends, the July Gang, who's latest recruit just happens to be a fully-functioning Rocket with Artificial Intelligence - although there's some debate on just how intelligent he is!

To Vinnie, his Dad and the July Gang, Rocket is another kid - although of course his 'rocket-ness' does mean he's very different. He's the only kid in class who gets his own rocket fuel truck at lunchtime for starters. While he may be super-fast, he's not super-punctual - which drives Dad nuts. Rocket may be a Rocket, but he goes through many of the trials and tribulations that Vinnie goes through, from school to Ducky Boys. Although when Rocket gets a crush, it's on a fridge....lookout!

Set in a colourful but gritty urban environment, 'I Got a Rocket' features colourful characters that reflect the melting-pot of the city. Episodes mix kid relatable stories about Vinnie and July Gang's lives, from school troubles to sibling rivalry with Crystal who's not happy when Vinnie's life crosses roads with hers! All with a ROCKET twist. Then of course there's the constant threat of the Ducky Boys. Vinnie may have thought Rocket could be the solution to his problems but while he loves having Rocket around, he sure does complicate things!

It's a tough life being a kid - even tougher when your best pal is a Rocket!

TOEI Animation Philippines, Inc. 20th Anniversary

TOEInty Animé!

TOEI Animation Philippines, Inc. 20th Anniversary

November 18, 2006

Eastwood City Plaza, Libis, Quezon City

in coordination with the ANIMATION COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.

Get Your Graphic Novel Published!

Got this entry from Carlo who got it first from Budj:

Adarna House, which released Arnold Arre's After Eden and the Mythology Class compilation, is currently looking for story proposals for its next graphic novel under the Anino Comics imprint.


Proposals should include:


1. Project brief


-Title
-Story genre,
-List of the creators to be involved in the project
-Estimated number of pages


2. One page story synopsis
3. Sample pages, character studies


Stories may be in Filipino or in English. Compilations of previous published material are also welcome.


Submissions may be sent to Adarna House, Room 201, JGS Building, 30 Scout Tuason St., Quezon City, or e-mailed at pdg@adarna.com. ph. Deadline for story proposals is November 30, 2007.


For questions, email Jordan Santos at rjordanpsantos@ yahoo.com

Where to grab Paper Clip Komics Issue 1

Paper Clip Komics Issue 1 is available at:

Chunky Far Flung

Marikina Shoe Expo

Araneta Center, Cubao

Quezon City

and if you are in Davao;

Orlad's Crafts

Aldevinco Shopping Center

C.M. Recto St.

Davao City

if you are in Kidapawan City;

6A Convenience Store
Fronting Madonna Hospital
Daang Maharlika

Along Quezon Blvd.
Kidapawan City

Just send a note or two if you are interrested to grab one or e-mail us at:

paperclipkomics@yahoo.com.ph

Paper Clip Komics Specials 1: Children of the Dam Second Printing had been sold out. Thanks to all who grab a copy. I really appreciate it a lot. Thanks to Gerry Alanguilan, Ruel Sarmiento and Elmer Diname for the support.

Exhausted

I'm feeling a bit tired for the entire week. Maybe because I push myself too hard for the Komikon 2006 event and I didn't give enough time to have my body rest even for a brief moment. Well the result seemed to be bad because it affected my day job and other projects that I've bee doing. Even if I feel sore and tired I was able to finish my scripts for issue 2 and 3 and been nagging (sorry) the other artists about their scripts for issue 2 of Paper Clip Komiks. I'm really exhausted and I need to rest somehow.

I'm very occupied too in thinking about my application as ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) Engineer. If I'm going to accept it or not because accepting it would mean I'll be working in Norway. I'll be away for at least 2 years for deep water explortion in the northern sees. Exciting? Yes. Sad? Yes. Well the good thing is I will be able to continue creating comics and send it here in Manila because they do have 24-hour internet access and we are allowed to use it during our free time. I haven't decided yet and I hope whatever my decision is would be the best one. Having in mind that I'm barely living here in Manila. The money I earn everyweek is just enough for food and transporation everyday and I need to look for extra income just to be able to pay rent. Hard? Yes. Sad? Not really. It's really hard to decide, at least for me.

Sigh.

Inspiration

Komikon 2006 came and went but the memories remain. Elmer and Jofel are my officemates who when to the event and they were both very happy about it. Their experienced were truly be cherished.

The next day I came to the office with copies of my Indies. I sell it to some of my officemates and I was overwhelmed by how they responded with our Indies. They actually have their copies signed and have their photos taken with me. I am over the moon. I really didn't expect their reactions. It was a good feeling, great even.

Then one by one, after reading the Indies they bought from me, they came and told me that my works inspired them to create their own Indies and they told me that they would be joining the next Komikon (which is on 2007) and probably selling their own Indies. They also told me that it's a good thing that I started creating Indies and showed it to them because otherwise they won't be inspired in creating their own Indies. They also informed me to post more announcements on my cork board so that they'll know what events regarding comics, toys and the like to expect.

I am very happy that I was able to inspire my officemates (who are all artists for 2D animation) to create their own Indies. I was able to spark their lost passion for the medium. It's a great feeling to be an inspiration. I told them to do their thing and do whatever that would make them able to express themselves thru comics because in Indies there are no boundaries and rules. You're not restricted so it's total freedom to be you. I also told them to create their Indies today because Komikon is just oine event and there are a couple more events to show their crafts life Toycon, Sci-fi-con and others. I'm so excited to see their works and it makes me happy.

I expect on the next Komikon, new breeds will surely showcase their talents. Oh I'm looking forward to it.

The Komikon 2006 Report Part 02

After the Komikon 2006 had been officially opened, few people were already buying our indies and it's very overwhelming for us. They've asked for our autographs and we gladly signed them. We really enjoyed it a lot especially for Ruel because this was his 1st time to sell his indie comics.

Josel, Ruel and Elmer

An hour or so had passed when Ruel received as SMS from Mylene informing him that they are already outside the venue and they are very excited to join us in our indie booth. Mylene is with Shobee (who came all the way from Germany) and a couple of her friends. They greeted us and we barely talked because Ruel and I were very busy attending people who bought and browsed our indies.

Ruel and Mylene

I've told Ruel and Mye to eat lunch early because I'll be leaving by 2 pm. My parents and my brother Spikey came all the way from Kidapawan City so I have to see them. It's rare opportunity for me to see them here in Manila so I really have to use all the time they're here to be with them. I only got to see them once or twice a year.

Mye and Shobee

After Ruel and Mye finished their lunch I instructed them what to do. I tried to roam around the venue for a while just to visit booths and people. Looking at some of their works and saying "hi" and "hello" to peole I seldom meet. Then I left the event and headed straight to the hotel were my parents and my brother stayed.

I really enjoyed Komikon 2006. More people, more booths and lots of indies and artists. Though I haven't got any photo of myself during the event, the memories that I've had will surely be remembered.

Onward Filipino artist!!!