Ready for Delivery

Here it is, Kalayaan #3 ready for delivery. I thought I would never finish it on time. But some how I have made it through. And just in a nick of time. I will be delivering a few of these to Comic Odyssey this Saturday, Feb. 9,2008 at Robinsons Galleria. I will probably arrive there afternoon, about 3 to 4pm. Because aside from delivery, I will also be talking to a friend of mine.

And after that, probably next week. I will also be delivering to Druids Keep at Magallanes.

Another Fan Art

Here is another fan art that I received from a very good friend Bien del Rosario. I first meet Bien during the last comic con at UP. We were seat mates with his Rex Agimat comics. Bien is also helping me with my comics by proof reading it. I just given him a sample copy of issue 3 a few days ago and boy do I have a lot of bloopers.

This piece of Art is probably one of the best fan art I have seen as of late. That is why I am giving some thought on making a feature fan art corner for the next issue of Kalayaan.

New Fan Art and Vision

This is a new fan art that I got from Gerard R. Fernandez ,a fellow DeviantArt member. Gerald also have his own flag based character named Salakay. Which for me is a very interesting character.

I always get exited when somebody draws my character. I think because for me, It’s kind of flattering that a person out there spend some time and effort to draw my brain child. I am giving some thought on making those fan art part of Kalayaan comics. I think, I will choose 4 of the existing fan art and make in the pin-up poster of next Kalayaan issue.

I will also be adding this to the Kalayaan web-site, when I have a free time to spare. This past few weeks lately was very busy for me. And that is just the office work that I am talking about. Let alone creating your own self publish comic book. I sometimes even amaze my self to continue what I do. One of my friend (Bien) recently asked me how on earth do I find some time to draw? I guess it takes determination and motivation to continue. Even with some people saying that the local comics industry will "NEVER" be revive. Every body is entitled to their own opinion and I respect him with that idea on his mind. I just don't let those notions affects me. Because I believe that what you think is real, becomes your reality. If you think that you will never be rich in your life time, then that will become your reality. If you think that comics industry in the Philippines will "NEVER" be revived, then that will become your reality. But for me, no matter what. I will continue creating comics as long as I can.

Ika nga, gawa lang ng gawa ng comics. Tigilan na ang puro sat-sat lang.

I know that I am not in a position to say this, since I am a no body. And I apologize. But wouldn't it be more beneficial to the industry if every one that is so concern would just create their own comics title on a continued series? Just Imagine if every one of us (comics artist) will have a single title every 4 months. I think 4 months is already a compromised time frame for an artist that have a day job. And if you think that 4 months is still a tight schedule for you, then issue a comics every 5 months. If you still can't handle that, then every 6 months. If you still can't, then 7 months. And if 7 months is still not suited for you. You better think twice of becoming a comic book artist at all.

And when I say series, I mean a continued story line. Not a one shot comics or a 3 part comics that the 1st issue has never been followed with the 2nd. Just place your self on the readers shoes and you will get what I am saying.

Readership will follow when there are good products available. "If you build it, they will come" to quote a Kevin Costner movie "Field of Dreams". Without dreams there will be no striving for a better life. Gaining readership will be slow and hard. But if you perceive in your mind that it will be REVIVE again, then that will be OUR reality.

Almost Finished

I'm almost finished with the issue #3 of Kalayaan comics. Only a few more minor modifications with some of the pages and I will go full blast in production.

To be honest, I was starting to be nervous of the schedule. It was only last sunday that I finished the last page. Thank God I was able to pencil and ink a whole page on a single day.

This issue will be a little different because of the cover. "IT IS GLOSSY BABY, YEAH". That’s right, its glossy. It cost me a little bit more to produce, but I think it is very much worth it. When I printed the first one. I couldn't believe how pretty it is (in a macho kind of way that is). And I am also proud to say that there will be NO INCREASE in cover price despite the better quality of the paper. I also did this because I believe that the readers always deserved the best quality of product possible.

More bad news

I really wanted to start this new year with pure optimism. But thats getting harder and harder to do when your relative got very sick, one good actor just died, and now a favorite comic book store just closed. That right, one just recently closed. I am taking about "Sky Buck", one of my favorite comic shop and the most nearest to my house(only 15 to 20 min. away). Sky Buck SM Fairview just closed this week. I just confirmed it recently when I went to Comic Odyssey at Robinson Galleria yesterday to buy some comics (Sky Buck is partly owned by Comic Odyssey). This has greatly affected me personally because some issues of Kalayaan comics is being distributed to that store. And some people I know buy my comics at that store. My distribution has become more smaller than it's already is. I hope one of this days I could have something to write on this blog that might be categorized as a good news.

Dead at 28

I was shock to know only today, that Heath Ledger had already passed away last Tuesday. It is so sad that a good and young actor died so suddenly. Read more.

I first notice him on the movie "The Patriot" together with Mel Gibson. One of my favorite movie. I think that was his big break. Because only a year after that, he already starred on his solo film as the lead actor of the movie "A Knights Tale". I still remember renting that movie at a Video City at SM Fairview. He then follow up many movies after that including "The Brothers Grimm" with Matt Damon. But I think most people will remember him in this most controversial movie "Brokeback Mountain". It is also kinda funny knowing after that movie he went on another movie entitled "Casanova". A guy who is well know even hundreds of years had past for this amazing womanizing ability. This only proves how versatile Keith Ledger as an actor.

Intensive care

My uncle Rudy was taken to the Intensive care unit (ICU) of the Philippine Heart Center a few days ago because of a heart attack. And I went there to watched over him for a brief period of time. It has been many many year now since I last saw my uncle.The last time I saw him was I think when I was still in high school. And boy that was a looong time ago. It is not that their house is that far away (it is only about 70 to 90min of traveling time). It is just that with my busy schedule, I hardly even visit my parents. Let alone my other relatives.

After my visit and I leaved the hospital. I was still very concern with his health. Even though I can still talk to him with no problem. I can see with the age of 74, that his body is really deteriorating. And he still feel dizzy and his head ache is not leaving him alone.

I have hear one time that "One of our greatest asset is time. Once we have lost it, it could never be returned". I guess that is very much true in life.

Katuwaan lang po

Bugtungan

Patpat mong matigas, labas masok sa butas.
Pag iyong idiin, giniling-giling, kiliti ang mararating.
Ano ito?............ Cotton buds! Wag dumi isip ha, bad iyan.

Pulis: Bakit mo inihagis ang bata sa bintana?
Yaya: Sinunod ko lang po ang utos ng amo ko.
Sabi po ng amo ko, 'wala na tayong Pampers,
i- Huggies mo na lang si baby.

What is the most impressive example of Tolerance?
Ah! Golden Wedding Anniversary!

Applicants
Two girls nag-aaply ng work... 1 matalino , 1 bobo
Matalino: Buti ka pa natanggap. Ano ba ginawa mo?
Bobo: Wala. Nung nag-fill up me ng form, nilagay ko sa Sex, sure.

Teacher: Write a short story in a few words discussing
Religion, Sexuality and Mystery.
Student wrote : "My God! I'm pregnant. I wonder who the father is?"

Sensitive Child
1st day in school...
Mom to teacher - Very sensitive po ang anak ko. Kung kailangan nyo po parusahan, sampalin nyo na lang po ang katabi nya, matatakot na 'yan!

Love and Marriage Cycle
1-2 yrs: magkasalo sa plato
3-5 yrs: tig-isang plato
5-7 yrs: nagbabatuhan na ng plato
8-10 yrs: wala na silang plato
That is what we call PLATOnic love!

Three brothers named Bu, Chu and Fu migrated to USA from China .
They decided to change their names:
Bu became Buck
Chu became Chuck .
Fu decided to go back to China .

Man: I want to divorce my wife. She hasn't spoken to me in six months.
Lawyer: Better think it over. Wives like that are very hard to find!

Do you know why bra makers measure cup size by "A B C D E F"?
A - almost gone
B - barely noticeable
C - comfortable
D - damn good
E - extremely big and
F - Fake

Learning French
City - ce vou
Drug - sha vou
Good bye - va vou
Bald - cal vou
Caught in the act - navo cou
Feathers - valahi vou
Not clear - mala vou
Cute - a cou

Chalk
Amo : 'Day, ang chalk na ito para mamatay ang ipis. Gamitin mo sa pader.
Maid : Opo, ati.
Next day ...... Nagulat ang amo, nakasulat sa pader...
"Epes mamatay kayong lahat!"

Katapusan
Lumindol ng malakas noon .... Nagkagulo ang lahat at nag-panic.
Sumigaw ang isang lalake .. "Katapusan na! Katapusan na!"
Sumagot ang isa pang lalake.. "Tanga, a kinse pa lang."

Picture taking

I was just tinkering with some settings in my digital camera. I found out that there is a black and white setting there that I did not know existed, and also an option for a ten seconds delay shot. Most of the times in technology, we got more that we know. And sometimes, we tend not to use other capabilities of our gadget. Just like the WAP capability of my cellphone which I did not use even once.

INDAY (the FULL VERSION)

Dahil sa tindi ng kahirapan sa probinsya, namasukan si Inday bilang katulong sa Maynila. Habang ini-interview ng amo.

Amo: Kelangan namin ng katulong para mag ayos ng bahay, magluto, maglaba, magplantsa, mamalengke, at magbantay ng mga bata. Kaya mo ba ang lahat ng ito?

Inday: I believe that my trained skills and expertise in management with the use of standard tools, and my discipline and experience will contribute significantly to the value of the work that you want, my creativity, productivity and work-efficiency and the high quality of outcomes I can offer will boost the work progress.

Amo: [nosebleed]

Nakaraan ang dalawang araw, umuwi ang amo, nakitang me bukol si junior.

Amo: Bakit me bukol si junior?
Inday: Compromising safety with useless aesthetics, the not-so-well engineered architectural design of our kitchen lavatory affected the boy's cranium with a slight boil at the left temple near the auditory organ.

Amo: [nosebleed ulit]

Kinagabihan, habang naghahapunan.
Amo: Bakit maalat ang ulam?
Inday: The consistency was fine. But you see, it seems that the increased amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) affected the taste drastically and those actions are irreversible. I do apologize.

Amo: [nosebleed na naman]

Kinabukasan, sinamahan ni Inday si junior sa principal's office dahil di makapunta ang amo.
Principal: Sinuntok ni junior ang kanyang kaklase.
Inday: It's absurd! It was never a fact that he will inflict a fight. I can only imagine how you handle schizophrenic kids on this educational institution. Revise your policies because they suck!

Principal: [nag resign]

Pag dating sa bahay, nandun na ang amo, galit na galit.

Amo: Inday, bakit nagkalat ang basura sa likod ng bahay?!
Inday: A change in the weather patterns might have occurred wrecking havoc to the surroundings. The way the debris are scattered indicates that the gust of wind was going northeast causing damage to the path it was heading for.

Amo: [nosebleed ulit]

Habang nagluluto si Inday ng hapunan, malikot si junior.
Inday: Stop your raucous behavior. It is bound to result in property damages and if that happens there will be corresponding punishment to be inflicted upon you!

Junior: [takbo sa CR, punasan ang nagdudugong ilong]

Pagkatapos magluto, nanood na ng TV si Inday.
Nabalitaan nya umalis si Angel Locsin sa GMA 7.
Junior: Bakit kaya sya umalis?
Inday: Sometimes, people choose to leave not because of selfish reasons but because they just know that things will get worse if they'll stay. Leaving can be a tough act, and it's harder when people can't understand you for doing so.

Junior: [tuloy ang pagdugo ng ilong]

Nung gabing yon, me nag text ke Inday. Si Dodong, ang driver ng kapitbahay, gusto maki pag text-mate.
Inday: To forestall further hopes of acquaintance, my unfathomable statement to the denial of your request - Petition denied.

Di nagla-on, dahil sa tyaga ni Dodong, nagging syota nya rin si Inday. Pero di tumagal ang kanilang relasyon, at nakipag-break si Inday ke Dodong.

Inday: The statute restricts me to love you but you have the provocations. The way you smile is the proximate cause why I love you. We have some rules to think of. We have no vested rights to love each other because the upper household dismissed my petition!"

Dodong: Perhaps you are mistaken, what you seem to contrive as any affections for you are somewhat half-hearted. I was merely attempting to expand my network of interests by involving you in my daily recreation. Here to for, you can expect an end to any verbal articulation from myself"

Me dumaan na mamang basurero, at narinig ang usapan ni Inday at Dodong.

Basurero (sabi ke Inday): Be careful in letting go of the things you thought are just nothing because maybe someday you'll realize that the one you gave away is the very thing you've been wishing for to stay.

Narinig ang lahat ng eto ng amo ni inday
Amo: [Bumagsak sa lupa]
Amo : mula ngayon walang magsasalita ng ingles. Ang sinumang magpapadugo ng ilong ko at sa mga anak ko,palalayasin sa pamamahay na toh klaro bah?

Inday : ang mga namutawi sa inyong mga labi ay mataman ko pong iiimbak sa sulok ng aking balintataw, sa kaibuturan ng aking puso,gugunam gunamin,aariing salik ng aba at payak kong kapatiran. Tatalikod na ang matayog at palalong banyagang wika, manapay kakalingain, bibigkasin at sakdal timyas na sasambitin ng aking sangkalooban.

[dead on arrival ang Amo ng dalhin sa ospital]

Candid photo

My daughter took this candid photo of me working on a page of Kalayaan comics. There were times that I was working so hard, both with my office work and this comics that I loose track of time. It's a good thing that my kids are there to put a little smile on my face and keep me sane.

I've Learned

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.' Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said:
'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'


'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'
'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'


'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'
'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Just visiting

I visited my parents house last December 25 just to see how they are doing. My mother was not there when I arrived. My Father said that she had gone and also visited her sisters. My Aunts house is just a few minutes away from my parents house. Once in a while she goes there and play majong with our relatives.

Most of my relatives resides in caloocan while I live just about the border of Quezon city and Caloocan city. But during election I still vote in caloocan. I just don't want the hastle of re-registering.

Me with my Twin pamangkin. Aron and Eman. I gave them an old comics that I have. And I also helped my sister with her internet connection. I did not know (only recently) that my sister was expecting a gifts (I would like to emphasize the letter "s" on the word gifts) from me. Which I do not have any, except for the comic book and a handsome face. That was all I have.

Sometimes I wonder if this is what they say what Christmas is.

New Year and New Hope

It has been a few months since I checked the stat of this blog. And it amazes me that the people visiting this blog site for the last 48 hours is very diverse. The time I started blogging a few years ago. I was only expecting only my Filipino friends will be reading this blog. But as I recently checked, there are many more people other than the people from the Philippines watching my blog. Here they are.

United States
Canada
Indonesia
Poland
 Germany
 Peru
 United Kingdom
 HongKong
 Portugal
 India

And of course the Philippines

I am not making this up people, gostats.com even shows their IP, Operating System and the kind of browser that they are using. Even I was surprised with all of this different people visiting my blog. To all of you people visiting this blog, I just want to say thank you very much. I hope some of you could drop by and post a comment, I would love to hear from you guys.

This might be a very good indication that this year is going to be very good for me.