The ArtSpot

2nd Baguio City Comics Congress

2012-02-05T22:58:00.000-08:00

Join the fun!
February 25-26 at the YMCA Gymnasium.

2B3C

2012-01-05T21:30:00.000-08:00

2nd Baguio City Comics Congress
February 25-26, 2012 in Baguio City

Komikon 2011

2011-09-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Komikon 2011 on November 19, 2011! I'll be there and so should you!

www.komikon.org

Gripo Reboot

2011-07-23T04:02:00.000-07:00

Naisakatuparan na po ng GREEPO Comics at matagumpay na naitawid ang unang pagtitipon-tipon ng mga dakilang anak ng sining at mga nagmamahal sa komiks sa pamamagitan ng FB3C o First Baguio City Comics Convention! At dahil po sa kaganapang ito ay napagbuklod ang maraming mga malikhaing isip na magtataguyod ng ilang pagbabago patungo sa muling pagsibol ng industriya ng komiks, lalo na dito sa Siyudad ng Baguio kung saan mararamdaman talaga na isa na lamang multo ang komiks.

Gripo reboot ang itinawag namin sa aming pinakabagong proyekto kung saan susubukan naming ipalaganap ang komiks sa mga lansangan ng Baguio City. Kaya reboot ay dahil ang Gripo comics ay dati na naming nailathala bilang isang Indie comics sa aking pakikipagsapalaran sa mga comics conventions na ginaganap sa kamaynilaan at ngayon ay muli naming ilalathala sa panibagong ayos at panibagong paraan ng paglalantad sa publiko.

Simula sa buwan ng Agosto ay magiging laman na ng bangketa ang Gripo komiks at ilan pang komiks na nilikha ng mga anak ng sining ng Baguio City! Ang mga kuwento na inaasahang magpaganda sa mga pahina nito ay ang “Sugat ng Bayani,” “Sex and Sorcery,” “The Curfew,” “Goto King,” “MXP,” atbp.

Kasalukuyan po kaming naghahanap pa ng mga kontribusyon o mga ambag mula sa mga taong nagmamahal sa komiks upang lalong mapadali ang aming paglalathala at muling pagbibigay-buhay sa naghihikahos na industriya ng komiks.

First Comic Convention in Baguio City

2011-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

and

Presents:
Comic Convention in Baguio City on July 16,2011

Hi guys!
Please join us in celebrating the wonderful world of comics here in the beautiful City of Pines! It was a long time coming and now it's happening for the first time in the city.

We have a few comicbook personalities who had expressed interest in coming to the event such as Gerry Alanguilan (Wasted, Elmer, Wetworks, X-Men, Superman: Birthright, Wolverine, Fantastic Four, etc, Freely Abrigo (Kulas, Kapitan Tog), DANNY ACUÑA (Orbot ‘D Robot, Buchicoy, Chutay, Satania, etc.), Manix Abrera (Kikomachine comics, Philippine Daily Inquirer), A bunch of Comicbook Veterans, etc.!

Venue: Baguio City National High School Auditorium
Time: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm July 16, 2011
Entrance Fee: 100 Php

People and Events

Personalities include Gerry Alanguilan (?), Danny Acuna, Manix Abrera, Freely Abrigo, Rommel Estanislao, Orvy Jundis (?), Frank Cimatu, Gaby Keith, Pigeon Lobien, Big Fat Ben, The Curfew, Tony de Zuniga (?) Comicbook veterans both local and international, Sketchpad Studios, Carlo Pagulayan(?), Baguio Arts Guild (?) and other international Filipino artists. Personalities and groups followed by the "question mark" are people who had expressed interest to come but cannot commit or had been rumored by their closest friends to come but still needs confirmation.

Drawing Contests:
1. Live model sketching 2. Original Character Design 3. One page comic illustration 4. Comic strip drawing 5. Editorial cartoon drawing

Comic books! Lots of comic books both local and international.

Indie comics. Meet and greet up and coming comicbook superstars at the grassroots level!

Book Signing. Bring or buy your favorite artists comics and get one of your most memorable handshakes!

Workshops and lectures. Learn to sketch, draw comics and cartoons from professional artists!

Hero TV Comics creation Winner

2011-05-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

I won!
I had the chance to win several awards and medals before but it's my first time to get some sort of trophy (I call it "THORpy") for an art contest!
The contest ran the course of 2 months where our page entries got exposed on the internet for weekly votes by readers. I got a weekly vote that won't even reach 10 even if I voted and that really drained the inspiration out of this starving artist week after week- specially when looking at the multitude of voters for the leading entries. In the end my entry entitled "Big Fat Ben" made me climb the stage for "Best Art" and "Overall Winner!" So the "I Am Hero Comics creation contest" by HERO TV ended the Metrocomicon 2011 with me having the biggest smile!
So here I am sitting with my THORpy! I also won 17,860 pesos ($380) of Gift certificates that I can't use here in Baguio; 2 t-shirts that don't fit me; and a pillow that's too small for any practical use! I'm not complaining. I can use the bag, and the TV interview and exposure would certainly give me a new, much improved resume!
My mom wasn't impressed with the prizes specially as she spent for all my materials and my fare going to Manila for the event. "Think about it if the contestant from Davao won, he'd be crying over the useless prizes!" is what she said. Well... I got to go look for a job now.

Free Comics by Indie Creators

2011-04-29T03:26:00.000-07:00

Visit Comic Odyssey on May 7 and get the first ever Free Comic Book Day Indies Maximus comics sampler! featuring today's hot! and new! Pinoy comic artists and a killer cover by Gerry Alanguinan and intro from Budjette Tan. Published by Komikon Inc., Pinoy Indie Manila and CoRe Studios. (limited to 100 copies only)

My Animated Preview for my Comics

2011-04-19T03:47:00.000-07:00

Sugat ng Bayani on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zySIXA3idas

The ArtSpot: komikon 2011

2011-03-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

www.komikon.org: komikon 2011

Gripo # 3

2011-03-16T01:02:00.001-07:00

This is the Cover for Gripo # 3 which I plan to sell at the Komikon 2011. www.komikon.org

MT Cloud Bookshop, The Curfew and Indie Comics

2010-10-04T03:39:00.001-07:00

Baguio City

You won’t find a Filipino graphic novel anywhere in Baguio! It’s sad! Of course, you won’t find comic books that easily anywhere if you’re in the Philippines. After Ondoy, Filipino comic books seem to have been washed out by the flood. There are the malls but hardly do they sell any Filipino made comics much less care about the independent comic book scene.

As an artist for the comic book medium I find this very disheartening. But during the last Komikon I attended at the UP Diliman, Bahay ng Alumni where I launched my indie Comic entitled “The Curfew” one of the buyers gave me this small piece of card. It says MT Cloud Bookshop, soon to open at Casa Vallejo. Whoa! I know the place. It’s in my very own City! The guy who gave me the card is the co-owner and he said he’d be selling my book at the said shop. So imagine me traveling 200 miles just to sell my comics meeting someone who traveled the same distance just to acquire something to sell on his shop which is located where we both came from!

It was months after that fateful meeting before I came back to Baguio. MT Cloud is located at the upper Session Road and is a stone’s throwaway from SM Baguio. I thought that it may not be the most appropriate location for a bookshop. People visiting SM won’t even see it. But to my surprise, a lot of people actually visit the place!

MT Cloud is a unique bookshop. The way the books are arranged makes you feel like it’s a kind of a mini-library or a study. Anyone can come around, seat on the chairs and tables and read the books. The setup is just great for reading.

The one thing that caught my eye the most is a little book about half the size of a bond paper ad a quarter inch thick. The book is entitled: The Curfew!” It’s my book! My very own creation!

MT Cloud is also supporting the Filipino comic book community. And as proof of this you will find every independent comics on their shelves. Every Gerry Alanguilan book up to the most unheard of titles (like mine) can be found there! So for those comic book aficionados looking for a good read, visit MT Cloud bookshop if ever you’re in Baguio City.

Komikon 2010

2010-04-18T01:20:00.000-07:00

The Komikon 2010 at UP Diliman was a success! Komikon is always a success though! Maybe this time it was for a more personal reason- My graphic novel sold out!
"The Curfew" was bookbounded and had 88 pages with a glossy, colored cover. I sold each copy for 50 pesos only! A lot of people asked why I was selling at such a low low price. Some even had to scan through the book to make sure about the art quality. I think they can't question the art anymore than they can question the price!
The price and the quality?
Most of the time Indie comics go from 32 to 40 pages, black and white (including cover), photocopied and stapled at the middle. They sell them at 50 php. An artist would spend about 30-40 php to make each copy. So an artist is only worth 10 php for all the damn effort! Then if we look at it from an audience's point of view, he's got lots to say about the poor artwork or rushed out pages and that it was hardly worth his money. even if he liked the artwork, how about the price? If he has no complaints- he's probably some rich collector.
This is a very sad truth. All the major publishers are gone and illustrators have no means to publish their works. And because they have to spend more for limited copies, the price takes its toll on the consumers. Sometimes, even the art quality suffers and that's the worst thing! Any self-respecting artist knows his responsibility to deliver only the best for his audience. We have the obligation to revive a dying industry and the last thing we need is a disgruntled public.
We got to bring the price of comics down!
I know it is possible. I'm sorry for the artists who may feel offended that they have to sell their blood, sweat and tears at a lower price, but I want to point out one very important question: Who's reading your comicbooks? I have stories and artworks I wanted to share to as many people as possible. I have total confidence in my art. If you look at the people who buy books at comic conventions you'll notice they come from above average to well-to-do families. Wouldn't you feel bad if a story you always thought would touch some people's hearts can only be afforded by some rich kid who has no better things to spend his money on? Then you go home, you realize that your neighbors don't even know that you're an artist! You don't see anyone reading your book except for the ones you gave a free copy to. Nobody is actually talking about your art! The rich kid may not have even read the damn thing he bought from you at the komikon!
I want to campaign for more affordable, quality comicbooks that everyone can start enjoying again. I know it is possible!

Komikon 2010 at UP Diliman

2010-04-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the Komikon at UP Diliman on April 17, 2010. I'll be releasing my graphic novel entitled "The Curfew: Bells of Peace" and Gripo # 2. The Curfew will have 88 pages of high quality art. Gripo # 2 will be a pulp comics as usual and will pick up where Sugat ng Bayani left off. I will also add in a new series for it entitled "Sex and Sorcery!"

Komikon 2009

2009-10-14T23:22:00.000-07:00

Want to see more of these? Come see me at the Komikon!

I'll be having a BOOTH at the Komikon 2009 to feature my comicbook and artworks. Please come support me and other independent artists. The venue is Megatrade Hall 1 at the Megamall on October 18, 2009.

New Activities

2009-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ok so the much awaited Cosplay in Baguio is over. It's time to move on. GREEPO is focusing on making an entry into the next Comicon that will happen sometime October. We got quite a lineup of stories we will be showcasing on the show, mostly drawn years back. Check out Curfew Ashcan #1 for a preview of the styles we employ on our works. Also click the GREEPO GALLERY tab at the right side to see our different featured artworks. Also read Silly Love Stories for a different feel

Cosplay in Baguio on July 26

2009-06-28T00:36:00.000-07:00

It's finally happening guys! SM City Baguio is launching its free WIFI on July 26 and they want you OTAKUs to take part in it! So get your anime gears up and play like your favorite heroes (or villains)as we play tribute to anime for the first time in Baguio city!
Click on Image to view details

Event Guidelines
1. Early registration starts now and ends on July 25. For those who will register on the spot on July 26 it will be from 10 am to 12:00 pm. Registration is 100.00 PHP. Participants are required to bring a picture of the character they are portraying on the day of the event to be submitted at the GREEPO comicgroup booth.
2. Cosplayers may roam around the SM compound as part of the promotions and have some fun with the camera-crowd.
3. Cosplayers are required to join the short parade at 1:00 pm (tentative)
4. Stage presentation and judging. At 2:00 pm cosplayers will be presented one after another, each having 30 seconds or so to pose and portray his/her character. GREEPO Comic Group will judge the contest.
5. Awarding of prizes will be after the official WIFI Launching and activation mall wide.

Things to Remember

1. The event will be an open category. Participants may cosplay any character they want from anime, manga, games, movies, etc.
2. The cosplay is General Patronage. Any untoward behavior such as pointing the mid-finger, kissing, pda, etc. and any action deemed inappropriate is strictly prohibited. Very revealing outfit is not encouraged.
3. Props and costumes must be handled with care. Real guns and real swords are not allowed on the venue.
4. Registration to the cosplay event gives GREEPO Comic Group, SM organizers and the authorized press media to interview, take pictures and/or videos of cosplayers and such materials may be used for future publications or promotions.

Where to Register (for early registration only)
Etnick Studio 6f; Admin office, PRH Bldg., 95-A Bonifacio St., Baguio City
Look for Dominic Ustari

You may also register thru the following people if you know them personally:
Christian Noel Reyes
Rhaiza Neriza Veridiano
Mark Dennis Espiritu
Gurioni Asbucan

Prizes: 1st place= 5,000.00 Pesos
2nd place= 2,000.00 Pesos
3rd place= 1,000.00 Pesos
Special Greepo awardees= ?

Those who registered before July 26 will receive a reference number upon registration of your name, contact number and email address (if possible). Event organizer Majic will then send you a confirmation thru text or email after 2-3 days. You will then receive your Badge # at the GREEPO booth on the day of the event. You may call or txt me at 09064746431

In Hot Purse Suit

2008-12-27T05:01:00.000-08:00

I've been asked a lot by my former students and some friends to post my stories online! Darn it! All those years waiting for paper publication had taken it's toll on this poor artist! Well here it is anyhow. I'll let you read at a lower resolution, hehehe!

3 kings

2008-10-14T01:04:00.000-07:00

A caricature of Rod, Allan and Myself. We call ourselves "the 3 Kings for whatever reason. Click the box if image doesn't appear.

The Death of a Dreamer

2008-04-04T03:11:00.000-07:00

I keep praying for a little miracle each day. But everytime I look at her a dagger pierces my heart. There is enough happiness in the thought that she's just nearby and that I can see her smiling despite the fact that such a smile will never be directed my way.

Sexbomb Jopay

2008-03-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

It was 2005 when I saw her standing somewhere and I made this sketch without her knowing. I had only seven minutes to draw before she left with her group. I met her again in Puerto Galera in 2007 where we were introduced and I let the lovely dancer sign this one.

Single chance

2008-03-17T02:11:00.000-07:00

This is a short story I wrote and illustrated for a comicbook almost a decade ago. Strange how people tend to meet after a long long time and feelings tend to bend. I think that if hope remains in the heart of one who loves, time will grant him and his love a new meeting and his love will have another chance!

Purple lady

2008-03-14T03:35:00.000-07:00

I drew this one while being lazy at work. So probably a lazy-looking monster also manifested thru my ink.

The Curfew

2008-03-12T22:57:00.000-07:00

I drew this one during the late 90's and still hadn't figured out where to use it! I had it scanned yesterday and introduced it to color!

Architecture

2008-03-06T23:05:00.001-08:00

My partner, Dominic, at GREEPO comic group is an architect. Like me he has a fascination to comics and animation. We met in 1994 when we were college freshmen. We met again after a year as classmates in a physics class and that gave birth to a friendship as well as an ambition. We came up with stories later on and decided to create and publish our own comicbooks. It's been years and too many pages yet publication remains a dream. He still gets better everyday while I had to work at odd jobs to get my daily bread. He drew this one in 1997.

Sugat ng Bayani (a hero's wound)

2008-03-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

I had sometime working as an animator before. I actually did some tweening for "One Piece" and a few other TV TOEI anime such as "poor sisters" and "Precure Splash Star," etc. This video is totally my pen so after painting a few Backgrounds and drawing a few hundred cells I spent countless hours putting them all together using my old beat-up pc. I came up with a 10-minute video all in all and this is just a fragment.

It was in 1997 when I wrote and drew the first pages of the comicbook of the same title and it, up to this point just as the animation, remains unpublished. I had approached the 2 largest TV networks in the Philippines regarding this but they broke my heart!

It's free to dream but it appears like our dream gave us more pain than necessary. I've heard that we had the right dream but the Philippines is not the right place to cater to such ambitions. What a horrible insight but so far, it remains true for us as we are still holding on.

Listen to a great singer

2008-03-02T18:08:00.001-08:00

I'm beginning to feel like I'm gonna love this blog stuff a lot! Have you heard of Hayley Westenra? This girl has a heavenly voice! I was hooked the first time I heard her sing!

I know this post is definitely odd for my blog but I think that as long as artists are seekers of inspiration then I'd like to share this particular inspiration that burns in my breast everytime I hear her! It makes me feel like I can become a better artist and a better person especially when I listen to her song: "Heaven."

Check her out!!!

Poor Artists cant PUBLISH Comicbooks

2008-03-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

You're looking at the covers of our comicbooks entitled "the Curfew" and "Armageddon." Dominic and I have been working on our comics since 1993 but we were so poor we couldnt afford the publishing cost and getting a sponsor is also next to impossible as the medium is being undervalued where we lived. We already had atleast 400 pages of story and art. We wish to get published soon with a lot of help, of course. Any recommendation guys?

Erinys

2008-03-01T22:26:00.000-08:00

We've just started this Blog. We have a bunch of artworks we'd like to promote via internet and we are still working on the scans. this pic here is a cartoon of my team called Erinys. theyre not artists except for Miss Chiqui- the girl up on the tree wearing Pink-. This is not my usual art technique but I do this as a past-time.