ARtKITEKTO

Closing a Book's Chapter

2007-08-14T15:52:00.000+08:00

After two years of using BLOGGER as my blog, I am finally moving.

Yes, I'm moving to i.ph, a blog host I find better and easier to use, with better tools to boost too, with its own section of photo hosting, and gives someone like me with little background on html and web codes to have more artisitc freedom with the existing templates that they have.

Anyway, I won't be leaving this blog totally since I will still use it to host my comics drawings and any other thing related to my comics. But all of my rantings about life, personal things, poetry, football and photography will be hosted on my new site.

So if I'm on your blogroll or in any way connected in your site, please update your links to my new blog which is here:

http://artkitekto.i.ph/

I'll see you there!

The Fullerton

2007-08-08T13:31:00.000+08:00

Built between 1924 and 1928, the Fullerton Building was named after Robert Fullerton, the first Governor of the Straits Settlements, and was opened on 27 June 1928. Its first tenants included the General Post Office, the Singapore Club and several government departments.

In 2001, the building was re-opened as a high-end five star hotel. It was totally refurbished on the inside but its original exterior has been preserved.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has 400 rooms and suites which either overlook the atrium courtyard, or face downtown Singapore's skyline, the Singapore River promenade or the Marina Bay. The hotel's 199-square metre Presidential Suite even has its own elevator, and a glass-enclosed veranda.

Designed with the business and leisure traveller in mind, The Fullerton Hotel has a 24-hour financial centre with the Bloomberg Professional service that provides financial reports and world news, and 15 meeting rooms equipped with conference facilities.

The hotel has a 25-metre outdoor infinity swimming pool, fitness centre and a luxury spa. The hotel has five food and beverage outlets, which include Jade, a restaurant serving modern Chinese cuisine; Town Restaurant, an all-day international dining restaurant; The Courtyard, which offers afternoon tea and lunch choices at the hotel's atrium; San Marco at The Lighthouse serving modern Italian cuisine on the top floor of the hotel; and the stylish Post Bar which serves a wide range of signature cocktails and wine. Ballroom and conference facilities are located at the basement.

The Fullerton Hotel has won major travel and architectural awards such as the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List award and the Architectural Heritage Award from Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority.

More images HERE.

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I already purchased a new scanner last weekend (finally) so I have already scanned and uploaded a bunch of strips for my webcomics. The latest is what's shown above (under the site logo) and it will automatically update itself every Monday. :)

Art in split second

2007-08-02T13:36:00.000+08:00

We all know the value of time. Even a factor of a minute is gold especially if like me, you commute by bus or train. And it's frustrating to see your bus or train went off just before you reach the loading platform. Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back.

Beauty is relative with time. The finest wines are getting better as they age, while women are at their loveliest at youth. Flowers bloom with seasons, and trees shed at fall.

Sometimes though, beauty come and go without us noticing it, within our everyday lives. It happens in a split of a second, and then its gone. Beauty that dies as soon as it bore life. Thanks to imaging, we can freeze time and capture moments.

More of this set of images HERE.

No Place I'd Rather Be

2007-08-01T15:40:00.000+08:00

What I like about Singapore, apart from the almost 0% crime rate and very efficient public transport, is that they really treat their National Day the biggest day of the year. They look forward to it, prepare for it, and the government spend insane money to celebrate it (Even making a 30,000 people capacity floating stadium at Marina bay just for it). People from all walks of life here talk about it with enthusiasm, and with their family celebrate the culmination by watching the National Day Parade, an extravagant show that Singaporean anticipate year after year, with glee marked on their faces. Sadly, I don't see that kind of enthusiasm back home in the Philippines. Many people don't even know the date of our independence day. And I think I'm not mistaken that there are many more people that can identify Manny Paquiao than people who knew how to sing the National Anthem correctly.

Anyway, this 9th of August, Singapore will once again held its 42nd birthday, and I am writing this not because I'm already becoming a Merlion patriot, but because I want to share you this year's Singapore National Day Parade song. The reason is that it's one of those songs that let you thing of your roots, especially if you're like me, are plying your trade overseas. This simple but beautiful song--sang by Kit Chan-- speaks about the longing for a homeland, even after seeing the four corners of the globe.

Watch it for yourself below.

Skycraper Nightshooting

2007-07-30T12:38:00.000+08:00

I was having a meeting last Friday at Clifford building around Raffles Place that lasted to early night. When I came down, the stark silhouette of the tall buildings against a dark royal blue sky interests me. It's a good think that i brought my handy Nikon D40 (I prefer this over my D70 when I'm mobile since it's small and light) so I took some shots. I could've made things brighter, but not having a tripod limits me to around 1/15 shutter speed and 4.5 aperture setting.

More of these shots HERE.

Tales of Two Churches

2007-07-24T12:04:00.001+08:00

The above image is that of St. Andrew's church. An Anglican church said to be founded by Sir Stamford Raffles himself. This is a very famous church located in downtown Singapore, flanked by modern buildings from side to side. Being a famous landmark, the church has been photographed from all sides countless of times so turning an original photo is a challenge and the least I want is to turn out another generic image the same of the many tourist that visits the city. I discarded the photos I took from the church's facade and just look around until I found this spot just outside the gate. It still shows the church but with the tree it becomes more dramatic. Most of the time, trees at the front acts as distruction, but I think it worked on this particular piece. And the fact that it is in silhoutte gives the viewer more focus to the church itself. It also seem to lead the eye upward, to the apex of the church's lit tower, which for me is the one strong focal point of the structure. It also, together with the dark atmosphere, helped camouflage the other buildings surrounding that would be distracting to the view.

This is an image of another church (a catholic one this time), the church of St. Teresa in Kampung Bahru. I go here to reflect and meditate. I like going to this church because it is a bit secluded (but really far from my place) and there's a sense of serenity when you're on its grounds. I took this photo just as dusk sat in, giving that royal blue colour to the sky fading to a darker hue above. Again, I didn't put the whole church in the photo, instead concentrated to what I think represented it most.

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This is a bit late but I wanted to thank both Ipanema and Carey for including me in their "Thinking Blog Award" list.

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I also wanted to apologize to (few) people who has been reading my comics and didn't see an update for two weeks now. My scanner has been broken and haven't scanned the new pages. I was supposed to shop for a scanner last weekend but my son's birthday took place. hopefully I can get a new (and better) one this weekend, so I can upload a new one this Sunday night.

Happy Birthday

2007-07-23T17:16:00.001+08:00

I wish I Could
(Collin Raye)

Looking out my window
See you playing in the leaves
It's amazing how a little boy
Means all the world to me
When I tell you that I love you
I love you more than words can say

Smile, say cheese pretty-please
I wanna take your picture
How'd you ever get so big
I gotta take your picture
Hold on to the memory before the whole thing slips away

I wish I could save these moments
And put 'em in a jar
I wish I could stop the world from turning
Keep things just the way they are
I wish I could shelter you from everything
Not pure and sweet and good
I know I can't, I know I can't
But I wish I could

When you kiss me for no reason
It goes straight to my heart
When I feel your arms around me
I almost fall apart
It's time for bed you whisper
Daddy, we forgot to pray

I wish I could save these moments
And put 'em in a jar
I wish I could stop the world from turning
Keep things just the way they are
I wish I could shelter you from everything
Not pure and sweet and good
I know I can't, I know I can't
But I wish I could

And when I watch you sleeping
All my worries fade away
A little bit of heaven glows on your angelic face

I wish I could save these moments
And put 'em in a jar
I wish I could stop the world from turning
Keep things just the way they are
I wish I could shelter you from everything
Not pure and sweet and good
I know I can't, I know I can't
I know I can't
But I wish I could

Above is a song by Collin Raye that has since became my unspoken anthem when I became a father four years ago. Being blessed is a very profound thing. And each passing day since then I've learned things so insightful I've never even thought of before. like becoming happy with a single smile, or how a simple hug could mean the world, or how telling stories or watching a small person pray at night can make your heart flutter.

FERGUS RAYE, a very happy birthday, son. Your birthday is always a special day to celebrate the gift of "YOU" to the world. Thank you for being a catalyst, an inspiration and educating me how simple things could mean so much.

Goin' Greek

2007-07-16T10:35:00.000+08:00

There's something about being Greek that makes them "sexy". I mean, they generally engineered how we look at beauty, set the standards in building construction and established the platforms for politics (most notably democracy), architecture, mathematics, astronomy, art, poetry and literary masterpieces. They made their gods with perfect bodies and whose quintessence is still celebrated by the greatest sports occurrence that carries its collective name.

In high school I learnt about Ptolemy and Phytagoras, and marveled at how they managed to create theories that is made foundations for modern astronomy and mathematics, amazed how the philisopies of Plato and Aristotle are still studied by today's statesmen, the admiration for a lawmaker named Solon by forging a free Athens, and thought with awe how a blind poet can tailor the two most popular book of tragedy and comedy of all time.

Back then life was more simple. And while most other kids my age oggle with "Hustler" in their private time (I did too, sometimes), I sit back in my room weaving in my mind my own tales of Greek armies fighting for freedom and pride, before putting them in paper in comic form. Doing this is a self-healing process for me. Actually it does something more. It gave me my kicks. It made my body inject more endomorphins to my brain while i was at it and I feel good. And like candle with fire, my mind and hand will just synchronize with unknown rhythm sailing into never, never land.

Until...
Bag! bag! Bag! (door knocking)
Me: Yes?!?
Younger brother: Mama said it's your turn to wash the dishes!

Maaan!!!

Water on Cup

2007-07-11T16:22:00.000+08:00

There's something about water that fascinates me. It's gentle noise relaxes me, and the soothing image it brings are something I crave for in a bad day. This is just my coffee cup in the sink anyway. Freezed @ 1/3000 a second.

More of my mediocre attempts HERE.

Mother and Son

2007-07-02T13:46:00.000+08:00

"For a mother the project of raising a boy is the most fulfilling project she can hope for. She can watch him, as a child, play the games she was not allowed to play; she can invest in him her ideas, aspirations, ambitions, and values-- or whatever she has left of them; she can watch her son, who came from her flesh and whose life was sustained by her work and devotion, embody her in the world. So while the project of raising a boy is fraught with ambivalence and leads inevitably to bitterness, it is the only project that allows a woman to be -- to be through her son, to live through her son."

--Andrea Dworkin

Closing Up!

2007-06-28T11:12:00.000+08:00

Some Macro shots I've tried in my Nikon D70 with a Nikkor 50mm lens reverse.

fergus' battery- operated toobrush. This is really small.

Since losing weight, Jean's wedding ring has become lose.

Beauty in the most unexpected way

Strands of my body scrubbing net

Tip of an old faucet cap at the back alley

The WEBCOMIC REPUBLIC

2007-06-18T11:11:00.000+08:00

Yes. That's the name of the webcomic group that is launching this week (with the logo at the left), in which my Webcomics-- TRISTAN(above)-- is a part of. In part of this, i am also officially launching my webcomic in this blog too. What you will see above is always the newest update of the comic, which will be updated every week. If ever you missed an update, you don't have to worry since all you have to do is click on the comics and you will be directed to its host, The WebcomicsNation site, where you can read and see everything from the start to the most current update.

What's more? You can actually put my webcomics in your own blog (if you're too lazy to go here) by postign the snippet code below the comics, and it will update itself from there!

Webcomic Republic is comprised of 6 creators. We are:

The Blurb! Jonas Diego
Delivering your comic book goodness on a daily basis!
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Adult

Crest Hut Butt Shop Gerry Alanguilan
An online daily diary webcomic by Gerry Alanguilan.
Genre: Humor, Real Life

Class Comics Ariel Atienza

School has never been this good…or this mad!
Genre: Humor

Tristan Rey Villegas
Fantasy, action, and high adventure…the good stuff!
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure

Kathang Isip Laguna Teddy Pavon
The story of a people in search of freedom.
Genre: Fantasy-Adventure, Action, Drama

Life Again Laurento Jovito Fua
An undead’s quest to learn his mysterious past.
Genre: Mystery, Horror, Slight Humor

So after you read my webcomic update here, hop to these other blogs for some more free comicbook goodness in the web.

Webcomic Republic Logo
The rationale about the name of the group and the logo is explained by veteran webcomic guru Jonas Diego as below:

I purposely adopted a non-modern looking design sense for the Webcomic Republic reminiscent of the flag/s our forefathers used during the revolution.

The many rayed sun stands for hope and strength in numbers. The red field stands for passion. The character in the middle of the sun stands for the letter “K” in alibata, the pre-colonial system of writing by ancient Filipinos, which stands for “Kalayaan” or freedom but also means “Komiks”.

Vision

To empower Filipino Comic Book Creators by offering webcomics as a viable alternative to print in terms of monetizing and popularizing their comic books and reaching a global audience.

Objectives

1. Help drive traffic to each member’s sites.
2. Create more opportunities for income generation via online advertising.
3. Provide a united face for Filipino webcomics in the online global community.

The Quest for Visual Poetry

2007-06-14T12:15:00.000+08:00

Realization is amusing. It's the shift of thought from the present into the more "higher" level of thinking, analyzing from the facts and conditions that has been going on so far, and evaluate them to make an assessment for future references and goals. It's this phenomenon that make brides run away before their weddings, or make someone miss his flight to do something important-- or foolish.

I was in the Esplanade last weekend, and in the 3 pm sun was busy taking snapshots with my camera. But while taking shots after shots after shots, it dawned on me: I wasn't really satisfied with what I do. I was not happy. I mean, not with the pictures I was taking, since I know it's pretty descent even to the trained eye. What I meant is that I woke up to the realization that I was doing what most of the photographers there doing-- taking photographs of the surrounding nice views and the magnificent towering buildings afar. Is this really I wanted to do? I guess it was the artist in me shouting within the deep corners of my brain, or rather more like an awakening from the constant insinuation of the devil (the somewhat opposite to the guardian angel, get me?)in your head.

I stopped. And I looked at the number of people taking snapshots after snapshots, from the one with the most mediocre camera to the one with the most high- end, state-of-the- art equipment. Though the result will differ (there's a dramatic difference), they will still end up taking the same pictures. Like the ones i took. And that made my intentions cold.

I went home--frustrated. I need to find a better focus on what I will do with the lens. I guess I've been too preoccupied by the beautiful and colourful pictures of the magazines and tutorials I read and learned from that I forgot what I really want to do with it.

I know I have to went on with the camera, but it would be different now. And when I post photographs again in here, it's because it is ME and it mirrors my emotions. Not because I wanted it to end up in some magazine covers or travel brochures or on-line photo polls. It would be there because like drawing or painting, it will be just another unique expression of unverbalized feelings. A fresh breath from the soul. A primal manifestation of outlook and mindset that are unexplainable in any given language.

Caught Time

2007-06-11T11:48:00.000+08:00

More shots...

Photoblogging

2007-06-04T17:09:00.000+08:00

Some SLR Shots...

Fairy Tale No More

2007-05-24T11:02:00.000+08:00

The living room was starkly dark and the only light came from the television on which I was gazing intently to. It was 3 a.m. this morning, and everybody in the house were deep sleeping but me. Alone lazying in the couch, and with a can of Baron's at one hand and the TV remote control on the other, I was completely submerged by the spectacle I was experiencing.

The place was Athens Greece's Olympic Stadium. The occasion was the biggest game in football next to the World Cup, the UEFA Champions' League Final. The finalists are Italy's powerhouse AC MILAN and English giant LIVERPOOL. Each team has won the cup 7 and 6 times respectively. It was actually a repeat of the 2005 final between the two sides in which Liverpool won, staging the biggest comeback in the cup's tournament to beat Milan. Naturally, AC was out for blood this time, relishing on the prospect of revenge with their defeat to the English team 2 years ago.

For almost two hours the game has taken me as if i was a part of it. I am a fan of the two sides that clashed, but more weight of my heart goes to Liverpool. They have created so many chances in the first half and dominated the game, but wasted such chances, sending the ball to anywhere but the goal.

Before the struck of half time, as if the Italians has finally summoned the Roman gods to do their bids, Andrea Pirlo's freekick went past the Liverpool wall, and deflected by Fillipo Inzhagi to caught liverpool keeper Jose Reina off-footed and into the back of the net.

The second half was never the same. While Milan grew more confident, The Liverpool lads became more unorganized and paid the price of another goal when Inzhagi poached another goal from a superb pass by the Brazilian playmaker KAKA.

Liverpool did get a goal back through dutchman striker DIRK KUYT, but it was too late by that time. And as the referee's whistle filled the air, Italian celebration erupted while the English are left heartbroken with anguish and despair. The Italians, who first coined the word "Tragedy" in their Roman plays, has unleashed a bitter one to the men from Merseyside.

Not far from the stadium is the area where the ancient Dionysos theatre used to stand. It has hosted all the great plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides but few could still have had such a mixture of joy and misery as this. But unlike the plays and what they did two years ago in Istanbul, no fairy tale ending this time for Liverpool. For the night belongs to Milan.

In a prison cell just opposite the Acropolis, the Greek philosopher Socrates committed suicide when he drank a fatal dose of hemlock. And guessing from every teary- eyed Liverpool supporters present in that stadium, they must have felt like doing just the same.

Captured Moments

2007-05-14T12:03:00.000+08:00

Jean has finally came back from her sister's wedding in the Philippines and brought some pictures. I'm sharing some here.

Happy after losing 23 pounds in 3 months

With Eldest sister Prima

With the Ring Bearer

Ring-bearer Barako

Chancing with some old friends at the supermarket

Fergus adored his baby cousin and has been asking for a baby sister since coming back

With Mom and sisters

Bumping into an old friend from way back.

Bluer than Blue

2007-05-03T11:40:00.000+08:00

Being lonely is a bizarre thing. You can be lonely but not alone. I guess it's that craving within for a companion or a loved one, or both. I knew the feeling. I've been lonely before (well, who hasn't?). Yet when we feel at home and we have the people we've always longed for, you seem to forget that feeling of isolation and desolation that goes along with being lonely. In my case, I totally forget about it. How it feels or how it affects you. for two years straight I've been numb of it... Until now.

It's my second day being alone. Jean and Fergus went back to the Philippines to attend her sister's wedding and will be gone for over a week. At first I was excited since I have a thing or two in mind that I can do while the missus is away, like getting together with some friends and going out together. But then, one by one, the things that I thought were very ordinary, things I actually just took for granted sets in.

When I wake up alone yesterday, There was no breakfast waiting for me. No hot coffee. No croissants or eggs. And since there's nobody to woke me up, I was late and just had a brunch at lunchbreak. Upon coming home, the house is un-lit. There's no tyke rushing towards me to give me a hug and ask if I have a new toy for him when I opened the door. Nobody came over to give me a kiss and ask how was my day at work. No prepared dinner, so I had to make one for myself. After that, I had to wash the dishes too. Well, I used to do all of these work before when I was living alone, but I guess I was so used to the comforts that my wife does for me that it becomes everyday- ordinary for me. And more often than not, it all went unappreciated.

When I went to the bedroom, it's as messed up as it was when I left it that morning. The bed was not made and the usual nice scent wasn't there. Nobody's watching the TV and no teleserye dialogue can be heard. When I took my night bath, nobody's barking at me to off the heater after or prevent me from soiling the carpet. I can draw or sat infront of the game console with nothing to bother me.

... And I don't like it.

Actually it's not as much as not liking because I can live with it. The cooking and the dishwashing and the washing/ ironing/making the bedroom. I can do that. I've done it before and I can live with it all over again, of course with some adjusting needed.

... But not without my family. Because what i missed most are not the chores done but their presence. The hugs, the kisses, the conversations, the banters and petty quarrels. Not to mention joining your wife while she watches her favourite teleserye. Or the laughter that my son generates while we draw and play together. These things are priceless.

So enough with all the thoughts about beauty in solitude. I want the noise back.

As of now, I'm living in a house. And it won't be a home until my family is back. Because it's the family that makes the home and it's always where the heart is.

... And I can't wait.

Soon I'll b Saturday Night

2007-04-25T13:24:00.000+08:00

I'm feeling so much like a weekday right now because of all the work, but soon I'll be Saturday night.

And if you're wondering what Saturday night for me, it means this:

and of course, with 4 games to watch from early night till dawn, it's also good that I'm stuffed with this:

Jersey Ga-ga

2007-04-05T14:39:00.000+08:00

I love Football. Anyone of you who has been dropping around this blog (even those who pretends not to, lol) should know by now. And like every other football fan, I love collecting and wearing jerseys of my favourite teams, moreso the ones worn by the heores I adore. I have collected quite a few over the years, though some of it i gave out to friends and family. I did kept some in my closet, and when Jean overhauled my closet last Saturday, I had a chance of taking photos of those I really value the most.

The 2002-2003 Manchester United "away" kit. This was the uniform they wore the last time theycaptured the Enlish Premiership trophy.

A Michael Owen Liverpool jersey when he was still with the Reds. This is a replica of the one he wore when they triumph in the 2001 European(UEFA) cup.

A replica of the Brazil jersey that won the 2002 World cup in Japan.

An England World Cup 2006 kit. Too bad they never made it even to the semifinals.

I like this jersey because this is the first uniform Arsenal wore after they left Highbury as their home stadium and transferred to the London Emirates Stadium. This is also the current Arsenal jersey.

this was the last Jersey Chelsea players wore before they jump-shipped sponsorship from Umbro to Adidas. This was also their centennial kit and the uniform they wore in their second consecutive premier league championship.

Maybe my most favourite (not to mention the most expensive) on the current ones I have. This is Manchester United's jersey to date. They are in really good form and is looking to capture their first premiership trophy in four years.

Lights... Camera... Play It!

2007-04-02T11:27:00.000+08:00

If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

This is a meme' tagged to me by Jac the Stripper. And here’s how it works.

RULES:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, etc.-- In my case, it's the built-in walkman in my SE P990i)
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to the next question, press the next button.
6. Don’t lie and pretend you’re cool.
7. When you’re finished, tag some other people to do it!

Opening credits?
The Real Thing- Bo Bice

Waking up?
My Immortal- Evanescence

First Day of School?
Chasing Cars- Snow Patrol

Falling in love?
You and Me- Lifehouse

First song?
Love Don't Come Easy- White Lion

Breaking up?
Lightning Crashes- Live

Prom?
My Wish- Rascal Flats

Life?
Always on your Side- Sheryl Crow and Sting

Mental breakdown?
Broken Sonnet- Hale

Driving?
Let her Cry- Hootie and the Blowfish

Flashback?
Black- Pearl Jam

Getting back together?
Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd

Wedding?
Sailing- Christopher Cross

Birth of a child?
High Enough- Damn Yankees

Final battle?
In This Life- Collin Raye

Death scene?
The Man I was With You- Jimmy Bondoc

Funeral song?
You'll Be Safe Here- Rivermaya

End credits?
Baby I Love Your Way- Mig Ayesa

That was a bit weird since I don't know if those songs even fit each of the questions but i just followed the instructions.
Ok, so here are thepeople I'm tagging: Carey, Curacha, Ladybug, Neneng, Vanessa and Tin tin. You don't have to do it though if you've already done it, guys.

Godfall

2007-03-29T10:39:00.000+08:00

For some, Tennis is a bore. While others, live for it. Nowadays, Tennis has become more popular, thanks to the athletes who plays like they are going on a catwalk show. But apart from the usual glitz and glamour of the sponsors, we can't deny there's hard talents in those courts.

Nowadays, you can't talk about Tennis without touching a topic about Roger Federer. The FedererExpress, as he is fondly called. you think about him and you think about Sampras and Agassi combined. No, that's an understatement. you can even add Borg and Lendl in the mixture. Crazy, isn't it? Yeah, maybe, but that's what Roger Federer is for the moment. If you compare his greatness and dominance in Tennis to any other sports legends, you instinctively think of Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods or Ronaldinho. He IS that good. How good, you say? how about winning Wimbledon 4 consecutive times, then the US Open and Australian Open three times respectively. The Roland Garros (freanch open) has remained just the only Everest for Federer to conquer before he can be called the greatest ever. A title he almost got twice, if not for a flamboyant Spaniard named Rafael Nadal. He reached 17 consecutive finals and won 56 consecutive hard court matches. He ranked up there for all time finals wins with 46 wins for 59 finals entered.

He has been called with so many adjectives throughout his career that sometimes it's even absurd. We have elevated him to god-like status and if this was ancient Greece, he may as well have a place in Mt. Olympus.

But then these past two weeks, the unthinkable happened. He lost. We blink. Thought if it's just the beer or are we seeing a conspiracy by the universe. But it is true. He lost-- not once, but twice! In consecutive tournaments, and with THE SAME man! And it's not even in a final. Last week's lose was at the Indian Wells, and this week at the Miami Masters both on the hands of Argentine Guillermo Canas. We panicked. Think. And we feel better. Because like every other sportsman, greats fall. And Federer--as special as he is-- ain't no exception.

This is a setback, of course. And pretty sure Federer will bounce from this and win more tournaments than ever. But for us, it's just a reminder that like us, Federer too, is mortal.

Art Share

2007-03-26T15:22:00.000+08:00

I'm pretty caught up with work and at the same time trying to finish some comics drawing. So I'll just share some pictures of my favourite painter who had a painting spree last week (school holiday).

In the house...

...and at East Coast beach park, where we had camping.

Greatest 5 HITS

2007-03-15T11:22:00.000+08:00

This is actually a meme from Carey. It called for me to post the best post (this is subjective in every way, of course, since I'm viewing this in my own perspective) from Five bloggers that I'd chose in my blogroll. It's hard since it's like you're being asked to chose a greatist hits from all your favourite singers. What I did is just point randomly and did what I picked. If they were already tagged by others, I just exclude them.

Anyway, Here's the ever-enforced rules:

1. Choose five blogs randomly from your blogroll.
2. For each blog, choose at least one entry (you could add more) which is your favorite post by this blogger.
3. Include a link to this post and explain why you like it.
4. The chosen five bloggers are considered tagged and they will also have to do the same in their blogs.

So here's my take:

1.Insightful Personhood (Aly)
Favourite post: Expectations
Reason: Amidst a world that taks about women empowerment and feminism, it's refreshing to know that there are still women who choose to be homemakers and never regret a second for giving up their career for family.

2. Under the Canopy (Ipanema)
Favourite post: Pole Dancing is Fun
Reason: I guess because this post made me laugh. And I hardly laugh reading blogs-- moreso if it's this anonymous gal's blog. When I go there and read, I expect hard-line current events. So thumbs up for a refreshing read.

3. Gentle & Compassionate (Ghee)
Favourite Post: Cold War on Valentines' Day
Reason: I like how Ghee demonstrated that Valentines' Day is not just about partners and passion. That it's also about bonding with daughters (in her case, shopping!)--about family. Something that I can really relate well.
4. Warmstone (Bing)
Favourite Post: More than the Days of the Calendar Month
Reason: Again, I think I like this most because it's about family and about loving someone irregardless of time and age. Remind me of Adam Sandler's Grow Old with You. And, it has a poem too, and the real bright smiles that has weathered tests through times.

5. Wish You were Here (Señor Enrique)
Favourite Post: Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Reason: Eric is a prolific blogger who draws from experiences and nostalgia and elicit emotions from his readers. it's really hard to pinpoint one post that I like since I like so many from this guy's proses. I chose this post among the rest since I'm a big fan of Pink Floyd and this guy was the subject of maybe my most favourite song of the band, Wish You were Here-- A song that I associate with someone i lose and still gets me emotional whenever I hear it.

Digital DNA Imprint

2007-03-13T11:06:00.000+08:00

I've just discovered IMAGINI which determines your character through choosing visuals. And really, I am impressed how closely it pinpointed some of my traits and attributes.

Below is my widget, a summarized arrays of visuals that made up my Visual DNA. But you can further read how IMAGINI assesses my character here.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

When Genius Deserts You

2007-03-09T13:54:00.000+08:00

*Note: This post was made last Thursday but was only published by blogger today because of spams going into my blog. It's cleared now, I hope.

Genius is innate. Either you have it , or you don't. It's that ability that made Einstein see 3- dimentional objects in his mind while creating mathematical theorems and formulas. It's the swiftness in Picasso's hand while paint glides from brush to canvas effortlessly. It's that athletic impossibility that modern-day sportsmen show while we ordinary mortals can't even dare to imagine improbable in our meager and limited thoughts.

In sports, genius is about claiming greatness. Exceptional athletes wanted to be demanded of, they want to dominate teams-- both their own and the enemy. They own the stage. They hug the spotlight. And they deliver the goods in such way and style that we ordinary expectators ran out of adjectives and praises for such deeds. In World Cup '86, Maradona single handedly pass through six opponents to claim a goal against England in such extraordinary fashion. He always wanted the ball. Because only when the ball is with him that he became somebody else... Somebody not us.

In modern football, only two athletes come to my mind when I think of genius-- Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry. Ronaldinho with his wizardry in the pitch and turning out football moves that defies biomechanics; Henry with his gracefulness and finesse with the ball, caliper- precision strikes and field leadership. Incidentally, they came from the opposing teams that slug it out in last season's champion's league final. It was in which Ronaldinho's team Barcelona took the honors and left Arsenal (Henry's team) grasping on regrets.

Lately I've been burning the candles of dawn (these past two days to be more precise) to again watch my favourite football team slug it out for Europe's most prestigious competition, the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, in its last 16 tie.

Arsenal was taking Holland's PSV Eindhoven while Barcelona took on another English heavyweight and another favourite of mine Liverpool. I was expecting firecrackers and goal fest from the two modern gods of football. As if I absolutely knew that they will lead each of their teams for the onslaught of the opposing team's doom to oblivion.

...It was never meant to be. Arsenal was a a mere shadow of their mighty self as PSV disposed them 2-1 and left Henry injured in the last minute. Barcelona was a bigger disappointment. Never even half the team that they were last year, they scored but haven't really turned out a performance and spirit of champion that they, more often than not, demonstrate. They vowed to Liverpool 2-2 on an away goal role.

And so, with the blow of whistle for the end of the game played in two different stadiums, two of the greatest teams that I admire most-- two teams that came to the finals last year undefeated, two teams I've expected to leave a firebrand on their way to a finals clash repeat-- has danced their swansong for this year's Champion's League, taking broken hearts, shattered dreams and hard lessons they will carry for next year's attempt for glory.

I guess, even genius have their off-day.

Steps in making a Masterpiece

2007-02-28T15:25:00.000+08:00

First, think of a subject...

Then, with some art materials start sketching.

Take time doing things right and in the right proportion.

Splash the last colors and wrap it out.

... And hang it proudly. (Not bad for a 3 year old kid, right?)

A loveletter

2007-02-23T16:38:00.000+08:00

I've had a good 4-day off from the Chinese New Year period and it gave me time to do things that I don't do often, especially at this stage of my life. Though I still draw my comics, as I always do on my free time, I've done something I never did for a long time-- writing a loveletter.

God knows how long since I wrote my last loveletter. Well, REAL loveletter and really meant it. I think I stopped writing one after my second wedding anniversary. That was the last time I wrote one for Jean. The reason for this is that I feel GUILTY writing it. So guilty that I considered it a sin.

When I was younger, I wrote a lot of it. For the girls I used to woe before in my school days, and for my friends (guys) who were either unimaginatively lackluster when it comes to inscripting their feelings, or were so busy getting into other girls' pants they just wanted a letter to give them a sensitive side to the girl's impression and mask their true intention.

Words are really powerful. and since I have real trouble in speaking and saying things about my feelings, and was quickly feeling embarassed and awkward, I use the loveletter to my utmost advantage. It was my shield from the actual rejection and the hurt of denunciation. Yet more often than not, the negative responses are far more outnumbered by the positive ones, which surprises me since I am the first to admit I'm not into MOST girls' Prince Charming standards.

I've never thought of myself as a bad person. Yet, looking back now, I guess I may have used my skill with scripting lovenotes to the extent of unfairly deceiving and giving false hopes to women I've been with in the past. words like "You'll always be the one" and "Forever" were used countless times, mostly flowered with moving phrases and adjectives of endearments, and most of the time I don't even mean it. Sometimes you even think you really meant something but then again, you just woke up next morning and found that you have moved on and you need a change. And because of this process I never realized I have caused pain and grief and disillusionment to people. Only a few years ago that I had the time to really reflect about it and I came to really hate doing it and vowed not to write another loveletter again if I can.

But last weekend I had a fight with Jean and it really blew out to some proportions. We didn't talk for a day and that is really strange. I knew I have myself mostly (not solely though) to blame so I have to make the move. Again, I cannot fully relate my emotions verbally so I have no choice but to write. I struggled at first, but at least I know what I'm writing is true.

Below is the note I simply titled "I'm Sorry". You'll be the judge if it worked.

"I’m asking forgiveness for not being there as always as you would’ve wanted me too, especially in these times when I’m chasing for my dreams. I know you feel alone at times and all you need is comfort, yet I misread it as tantrum and provoked you instead. Forgive me if I’m not that sensitive sometimes to comfort you back when you cry or make you feel better when you’re down, or console you when you feel alone. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all these times that waking up with you in the morning and seeing the sunrise on your face means everything to me. The feeling of completeness I experience over an over again every time I see your face sleeping so peacefully next to me. I’m sorry I did not tell you how the simple things you did was appreciated by my heart, or how my soul drowned with happiness time and time again that I experienced the magic of your laughter. I’m sorry for the times that I’ve been so selfish and egoistic that I hurt your feelings with the things I’ve said. I regret the timesI’ve been angry with you and I hated myself for the times that I made you cry."

Face of a child

2007-02-16T14:13:00.000+08:00

Another on-line drawing I did at Ratemydrawings.com

Cross-country Getaway

2007-02-07T12:27:00.000+08:00

Below are some of the pictures that was taken on our short trip to Genting Highlands(known as the Las Vegas of Asia) and Kuala Lumpur. Of course, both are in Malaysia. A gruelling 7-hour couch ride from Singapore. all's worth it, though. We had a great time.

Couch riding!

view of the Malaysia highway from the front of the couch.

Cross-country ride.

McDonalds is everywhere!

Eating while looking down the indoor splash lagoon

Eiffel Ride. Inside the Hotel's Indoor themepark

Venice Creek. Inside the Hotel's Indoor themepark

Statue of liberty. Inside the Hotel's Indoor themepark

Oscar!

Genting Walk. First World Hotel's indoor Mall

Recording some moments

Outside Hotel First World, where we stayed. It's facade lights up like a Las Vegas hotel at night.

Channel Linkway

Outdoor Theme Park

Hotel First World Lobby. Waiting for our number to check out.

Genting Highlands Couch Terminal(on our way going down to KL). It's so foggy and the cold is 12 degrees celcius.

At the vast grounds behind the Petronas Twin towers

Suria KLCC Shopping Mall, Kuala Lumpur

In our room at Capitol Hotel Kuala Lumpur

On our way back to Singapore

Thank You

2007-01-30T17:08:00.000+08:00

I just want to thank all the people that still drop here from time to time and read my meager posts that only get updated weekly(barely). Thanks also for all the kind and understanding comments about my last post. It was greatly appreciated.

Tomorrow is Jean's birthday. so I just want to greet my wife a very happy birthday. When she does something nice I always say thank you, and for her birthday, though I can never thank her enough for all the wonderful things her presence brought into my life, and words are never enough to describe the full extent of feeling one feels, I just want to say thank you once again.

Thank you because you taught me that couples should learn the art of battle as they should learn the art of making love. Because good battle is objective and honest - never vicious or cruel. The same way that when we clash principles and ideas, it is healthy and constructive, and brings to our marriage the principle of equal partnership.

Thank you for making believe that marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.It's not about soul mates reflecting each other's talents, wants and interests; but about two people who even are so different in ways and backgrounds, yet complimenting each other, mutually making a better person from each other.

For sacrificing your own career just to be with me and personally mold Fergus as he grow, and gladly doing it.

For not leading, but holding me side by side along the way.

For continually inspiring me, and pushing me to do the things i wanted to do in my life, to follow my dreams however crazy or outrageous they may be.

For just being there... When everybody's not.

(I'm posting this now because I won't be around tomorrow till the weekend. I promised the missus I'm taking her and Fergus somewhere in the region).

Final Bow

2007-01-24T10:57:00.000+08:00

Being moved is a very complex feeling. It triggers something in us that touches our very soul and affects our very lives. Most of the time it elicit tears, goosebumps, and even made us to break down and cry. It makes us sigh, reflect, and it even inspires. It's like being touched by the hand of God.

You're maybe thinking what caused me to say about this things. Well, around two weeks ago I received a call from my mother that my 95 year old grandmother died. Though I know it was inevitable, knowing her age and all of that, I still cannot believe the news. And I felt pain that I've never known or felt for a very long time. It's harrowing, it's excruciating that I cannot describe it in words.

This is not the first time I talked about my grandmother. I posted one before HERE.

I wanted to post about it here before, but I just cannot get my hand to type the right words. I know some of you may not feel as attached to your grandparents the way you are attached to your parents or siblings. Not me. I grew up with my grandmother living next to us. And I learned so many things from her. She has this gift of knowing the right things to say at the right time. I don't know if it's wisdom accumulated through lifetime of hardship and tests, but she always has good things to say even in times when nothing seems to go right. She was a mediator for quarelling husbands and wives, an adviser to many people in our place, and always the one people go when they need spiritual(more of a soulful things, and less religious) assistance and guidance. I sometimes thought that people abused her kindness. And I used to see my gandfather make a fuzz about it. But ever the cariñosa, she always had things her way.

I remember how kids in our place would gather in my lola's small veranda every weekend to hear her stories. Even grown ups wanted to hear them because her stories were always animated and she never let you go home without something to lean from it.

These things, together with so many other memories flashed back to me upon learning of her death.

A week ago she was finally laid to rest beside my grandfather's tomb. They said you can sum up a person's life by knowing the support you get when you die. and I guess it's true. For my lola was never lonely when my parents and sibling laid her to grave. So many people has given support and the parish church that hosted her final tribute was never enough for all the relatives and people that came to give their final respect. And this kind of things move me. To know that my grandmother has touched so many lives is a feat I myself knew cannot surpass.

I wasn't there. I never wanted to. I didn't want to see my grandmother in a casket-- cold and lifeless. That would be too much for me. I want to remember her the way she was when I last saw her-- contented, smiling, and ready for everything.

A few years from now, people will not even remember how she died... But even how I know, they'll remember how she lived.

Off to School

2007-01-05T10:54:00.000+08:00

First Day of School Moments. He's brave. While most of the kids has to wail their lungs out crying and has to be dragged inside the classroom, he quitely entered the new environment with a smile, never shedding a single tear of fear.

New Year Out of the Box

2007-01-03T11:43:00.000+08:00

It's New Year. And I have so much to thank God for. Each year has always been a wealth of experience for me, though not all of it good. But I'm rejuvenated nonetheless. i've had that breather of a short vacation, I got to spend more time with my family and I've had a bit of a chance to give help to people who were dear to me.

This morning I woke up earlier because a new chapter in my life unfolds. My 3-year old kid goes to school for the first time. Jean and I were so excited so we prepared everything last night. We wanted to make Fergus' first trip to the learning realm as memorable as can be. I think anyone of you who have kids can relate to this.

Many of us too are making New Year's Resolutions. While some may succeed to these goals, most may find it difficult living out to these self-pledge, and as a result get frustrated. Like Me. So now I knew better. Instead of setting goals to myself for a year, I just set goals a week at a time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everybody. I just wish you plenty of HOPE. For hope keeps us going. No aspirations-- however shallow or achievable it may be-- can be accomplished without it.

So here's into another twelve months of Roller Coaster ride. Hang on. Grip tight. For we're sure to be having a crazy ride... and it's going to be a blast.

Online Painting

2006-12-28T16:51:00.000+08:00

RateMyDrawings is an online program that artist can do online sketch, painting and drawing, and save it in their database for other members to view and rate/comment.

I've created one very quick one just to see how it might be. I used a mouse on this one so it's very plain. I'll see if how it goes if I use a pen tablet next time. Oh, and the best part of this thing is that they play the whole drawing/painting sequence from start to finish as you view it, though in fast forward mode of around 4x- 5x the actual speed.

Here's the one I've made being shown from scratch to the finished product. :)

A Joyous Greetings

2006-12-22T18:11:00.000+08:00

I want to greet everybody, especially you (Yes YOU! The one reading this!) a HAPPY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a very PROMISING NEW YEAR. May the spirit of the season be with us all and may we have all the good health and blessings as we go forth to a new leaftime of our lives.

From me and my family, a joyous Season's Greetings.

... now I'm off to the white sands!

Catcha next year!

I still say YES

2006-12-19T13:18:00.000+08:00

As all of you who has been dropping by this blog knew by now, I haven't been updating the entries as often as i should have. It's just that my priorities has had a new inclusion in its calendar and blogging, as enjoyable as it is, has taken a setback. I wish(though I stopped wishing a long time a go)I can be the mythical Hydra sometimes, so I can do a hundred things in a single go, or be like my comicbook childhood hero "The Flash", and move faster than sound to finish things in a spark. It's just that multi-tasking can just do too much when you have only one body.

At least I'm not saying goodbye. I was so tempted to do so. But no. I'm hanging on. I'm holding on to the friendship i've made with you guys. I'm latching to the smile and feel-good sensation while reading each of your blogs, I'm clinging to the simple wonders of each fascinating entries and seeing how varied a person thoughts can be, I'm gripping on to the bond that we blogfriends has subconciously had while probing each others thouughts, exposing each others' beliefs, and stood barenaked from other people's views and judgement.

Lips of an Angel

2006-12-04T18:08:00.000+08:00

Lately I just got addicted to this song...Though I must admit the Album recording is WAY better than their live act.

Alab ng Puso

2006-11-20T12:58:00.000+08:00

Manny Pacquiao- Eric Morales Thriller 3. Full Fight Video.

Another Year, Pa.

2006-11-17T18:21:00.000+08:00

I just want to greet my father a very HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. I love you and I'm glad you're my father. Becasue of you I grew up as I am now and even though there were times when our ideas towards life clashed, our respect and love towards each other never really fell. It even made stronger by time.

Thanks for everything, papa. you know I want to mean more than what I can say.

We'll celebrate your birthday here (with Roy, Eule, Mark and Sherwin) by doing what us and the boys love to do when we get together: drink beer and be drunk!

*******************************************

On the other hand, it's weekend again so for the next two days I will be doing this:

I got Mailed!

2006-11-14T14:13:00.000+08:00

Imagine my surprise last night when I got home and found this in my mailbox! It's ELMER No.2 sent to me by ELMER creator and pal, Gerry Alanguilan. This comicbook was one of the reason why I wanted to attend last October's KOMIKON and it's really a blast having it now. Gerry has messaged me recently that he'll be sending me a complimetary copy since he used my fanart at the interior of the book, but I didn't knew I'd have it this soon.

Just like the first book, ELMER no.2 ilicit a kind of feeling that makes you sad but happy at the same time. The book is well thought of, well crafted and the art faithfully complimented the story. It has that of the unique, yet with a familiar touch, almost personal kind of approach. I never thought in my wildest dreams that a chicken's face can be made with so much emotion as such that would make my heart sympathise and make me want to cry too. But this book did.

Though I kind of think that the time span of the years the chickens got talking and their present stature of acceptance by the homo sapiens seems to be a bit short, it didn't stopped me from enjoying this rollickingly good minicomics. And for the price of 50 pesos ($0.95), it's really a steal.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GERRY!!! Now I have both books 1 and 2!

BAKARATE

2006-11-03T18:15:00.000+08:00

Waaah! I'm very busy and i don't have time to post any thoughts today so I'll just post something that really made my day a lot less heavier... It's so hilarious you got to watch this! Happy Weekend everybody!

Shamed yet Proud

2006-11-01T18:11:00.000+08:00

I just came from a design meeting in one of the projects that I handled and i met one of the consultants which is a Spanish national. He came from Barcelona, and indeed a very passionate football-crazy fan, and was a player in the amateur league himself before his college days.

I was excited to talk to Enrique (he told me to call him "Rico") about football. He noticed that my accent is quite different and asked if I am Singaporean.

"No", I retorted. "I'm a permanent resident here but I am a Filipino".

"You're Filipino?" He asked, in a rather excited tone. "Then you know Paulino Alcantara?"

I thought he was referring to a colleague or another Filipino designer whom he met here in Singapore. So after I shook my head, I asked him: "Which firm does he worked for?"

He laughed. The kind of laugh you do when you think someone has just told a joke. Then after he realized that I was serious with my reply.

So he told me a story. It is about a teenage boy in the 1920's . This guy played for Barcelona FC (currently the European champions and Spanish Primera Liga title holders where 2-time World Footballer of the year Ronaldinho plays) and was the youngest ever to score a goal for the Catalan club at age 15. He went on to become the greatest ever goalscorer for Barcelona, hauling incredible total of 356 goals in 357 appearances for the club. That's almost a goal(around .9972) per game. Even Pele' or Ronaldo didn't achieve that feat. No footballer EVER did... but him.

His name is PAULINO ALCANTARA. And he was a Filipino.

I laughed. I thought Rico was joking. But when I came back here in office and researched about the guy in the internet, my skin hair shivered. I almost cried. Because every word that Rico told me was true. The greatest player ever to wear the greatest football jersey in the world is a Filipino!(An Ilonggo. No wonder most players on the Philippine National Football team nowadays are Ilonggos).

Not only that, he was the first ASIAN to play for a European club. After some years of successfully palying for Barcelona and winning trophies, he returned to Manila to help the Philippines thrash Japan to a humiliating 15-2 score to win the FAR EASTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS in Tokyo. (And I thought we have never beaten Japan in football before!).

I'm ashamed that it took a Spaniard to tell me before I know of this amazing Filipino. But I am proud. now more than ever, to have football as a favourite sport. At least now I won't just look at a Brazilian or a french as my footballing hero. Now I have someone with the same nationality that I can identify my passion with...

If you know this guy before I do, I salute you. But if you don't, spread the word. This guy deserves more in the Philippine sports history than what he is getting. His story can and will inspire younger footballers... I kid you not.

If you want to know and read more about this Filipino, you can go HERE.

2nd KOMIKON

2006-10-25T12:41:00.000+08:00

KOMIKON, the second Philippine Comicbook convention was successfully held last week at Bahay Alumni, UP- Diliman. It was attended by many "komiks" creators, both pros and indies alike who sell and displays their works. Some are even legends on the local komiks industry during its heyday, and some are very successful artists who are now working on DC and Marvel publishing and doing titles like Superman, Batman, Hulk, etc.

I was so tempted to go, because personally I wanted to meet these guys whose works I've grown to admire so much, and inspired me to be one myself; and also meet fellow young comicbook creators whom I've grown to be friends with in the internet for sometime now and buy as much komiks as I can. Too bad having a dayjob, and being in other country as that, sneaking to the komikon is just not possible. Ultimately, I was only there by heart, and is saying a silent prayer and a wish that hopefully someday I'll be with these guys in the next Komikons to come.

Here's a hand for the revival of our very own komiks!!!

Below is a video coverage of the Komikon by creator and pal Gerry Alanguilan.

Corrective Measures #2 published

2006-10-20T12:23:00.000+08:00

The second US-based comicbook I drew is now available at INDYPLANET for US$3.50 a copy. It is written by Grant Chastain, 24 pages. I drew only 50% of this book as I share art chores with another great artist, Marco Rudy. Colours by Andrew Chan and lettered by Mike Storniolo. This book is also under Ronin Studios.

Below is the cover with the billing, and the Indyplanet press release HERE.

Bad Day

2006-10-18T16:18:00.000+08:00

It's time like these that I wish I had the strength of Hercules, cunning of Ulysses and bravery of Achilles. There are just too many deadlines I'm facing in my work and I have to deliver. Problem is, I'm running out of time and I don't feel 100% both in my health and my abilities. We all have it. It's a common thing. Professional athletes whose sporting talents seem to be summoned from the gods suddenly ran dry. Writers of Shakespearean caliber search their minds for a better lyrical prose and find it empty. Stage comedians flushed by the thought that their humour seem to become more predictable and panicked for better punch lines to say.

Slump. Droop. Slouch of ability. Whatever you call it, IT surely got into me--BIG TIME. I can't think of a better design in my mind and I hate whatever I made up today I just have to throw it in the trash. I've wasted enough paper and pencil leads to care counting. And to think I have a bloody presentation on Friday. The spirits of creativeness seem to have been demonized by the fact that I am suffering from colds and a bit of cough and flu. Damn that haze from Indonesia whose been blowing this side for weeks now. Even Fergus got sick out of it. PSI levels are dangerously at the 100± level. Do something about it for cryin' ou loud!!!

I told Jean my creative bank is bankrupt today but shrugged off the idea, saying that it's just because of the discomfort in my nose and larynx and does not have to do anything with having a talent slump.

If Jean were Freudian I'd swear she'd just called me paranoid.

Good Days are Here again

2006-10-16T18:22:00.000+08:00

After all the hussles of moving in to a new place, we have finally lived again like we used to after around two weeks of "new abode syndrome". After days like being chained like Atlas at mt. Olympus' bottom, things finally gor better as if Prometheus finally gave us the gift of fire.

Yeah, things are finally back into normal. This is because:
1. The damn cable has been finally transferred. I got my football shows back and Jean got her teleserye back. She still makes noise for missing the ending week of Sarah Geronimo's soap.

2. Land telephone line has been connected too. Haven't called our folks in the Philippines during the whole moving process.

3. The big side-by-side ref has been delivered. So now the small ref is back at my own disposal. Jean stuffed it with meat and fish and poultry for the past two weeks that my beer smell liked something from the wet market.

4. Just like the ref, my bedroom tv in the last house was owned by the flat owner so we don't have anything in the bedroom for my xbox games and Fergus' cartoon dvds (The big TV in the living room is for TV viewing only(as of Jean's imposed laws)... Finally got the sideline paycheck so I splashed it out on a new 32" LCD tv, much to Jean's budget horrors.

5. Sex and getting to the john in the morning feels ok now. I don't get bloody distructed by the new colour of the wall or the arrangement of the furniture anymore. Before i even sometimes wake up blank-minded and think if I'm in my own bed or am I in another man's mind(weird, but true. I sometimes forget everything including who I am in around 5 seconds before it all dawn on me).

Lost in Translation

2006-10-12T09:59:00.000+08:00

Okay. As I promised, I'm posting the translation of my visayan poem "Daman sa Kasilag" in english. I relented the urge to write the translation in Tagalog since not all of you might understand it too, especially non-Filipino readers. Though the translation is descent, it doesn't capture all the intensity and ironic comedy that you feel if you understand the visayan poem. I didn't even match some of the phrases word-for-word since the resulting stanza is a bit diverse to the one I want to connote. But the rest are all faithful translations to the original meaning of the words. Below is the translated english poem, and though poet I am not, and is not living in an illusion that I am, nothing can prohibit me the idea that at least I can try.

"HATEFUL DREAMS"

Stirred, trance- awaken
Indeterminately walking on razor-sharp knives
Mystified and mentally un-delineated
As if the world stopped revolving,
and my sun eclipsed by pain
Now I mourn for your departure
Like a bubble vanished in darkness
Or the sun gobbled by the mythic beast

The abyss of pain I haven't foreseen
Like infinite water and oil melting in fire
Love and hate colliding like molten steel
And after all you've done I can't understand
That even with this bereaved heart
Your pretty face still echoes
Etched in this ridiculed man's mind

Cry as I want you to be
Let both tears and blood flow like river
Endlessly on those pretty pink cheeks
So you can feel the abomination
And experience the lowliness
Of the emotional beating
Caused by your atrocious betrayals

I wish your teeth would grind
Crumble from great detestation
Then feel the hard treachery
From the person you've bestowed
Your splendor and faith with...

I yearn for the world to turn upside down
Where those who flies would crawl
So in turn you yourself will cease
From your scornful taunts and devilish mirth
Then it will be your turn to weep
Waiting for absolution and mercy
For then you will be the chained slave
And me, your whip master...

...Time to dream your revenge.

Samurai 24

2006-10-09T15:57:00.000+08:00

There's a news article on DEVIANTART that includes one of my Samurai art (above) that's been posted in my DeviantArt Site . I guess i even posted this art in this blog too, back in a time when only two readers chances upon this blog every month(lol).

You should see the other artworks. Most of them are from professionals who's been in the comicbook business since time immemorial.

The article link is here.

Nest from Above

2006-10-06T10:13:00.000+08:00

(click photo for a biiger image)

Above is where we live now! It's amazing how you see very clearly your home in Google Earth, no? Their images has really improved a lot ever since they introduced the program 3 years ago. This place is called BEDOK. And of course, it is in Singapore. Since I don't drive in Singapore (yet, laughs), I always go to office everyday by train or by bus, which is very near to our new place.

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

2006-10-03T09:29:00.000+08:00

My apologies to all the visitors who did not understand my previous post (well actually most of you). I just felt like posting that one since I haven't posted anything in my native dialect in this blog ever since its conception. Again, sorry everyone and I will make that up by posting a translation in the next post.

Right now i wish I have two bodies. Last week we have just moved to a new place and together with some guys we have shifted the household things. I didn't hire a mover agency since they were so damn bloody expensive. So i just called some friends and hired a lorry (that's truck for us) where we can transport the things to the new abode. Right now most of the things are still in the boxes, though the house is beginning to shape into a home now. Zero interest installment in credit cards are a blessing. I bought most of the new things using it. Fergus is still familiarizing with his new environment and is now beginning too to make friends with the kids around the area.

Office in the other hand has become another thorn in my neck. My boss has gone to Australia and will be there for two weeks so Von and I are the ones sharing the consultant's and project meeting chores my boss usually attends. I personally don't like consultants meeting. I guess I just don't like so much discussions and contradictions and hours of mumbo-jumbo talking. And, I had to admit, I'm not my best when it comes to oral communication. But no choice. Now i had to devide my time in office designing and going out on consultants meeting. Plus i'd have to wear a tie which I greatly abhor. I looked like a freakin' salesman.

Ok, time for me to go... (now, where did i put that tie...)

Hateful Dreams

2006-09-28T12:15:00.000+08:00

Daman sa Kasilag
(Hateful Dreams)

Ingon sa gialimukawan ang akong galamhan
Gadamgo sa limbo, gayatak sa baraw
Gimino sa kung unsa ang akong pangisip
Daw sa mihunog ang akong kalibutan ug adlaw
Karon nagbangutan sa parot mo'g pagkawala
Pareho sa bula'ng gilamon sa kangitngit
Ug sa Bakunawa nga sa adlaw mipapa'

Wala ko damha dughan ingon niini kahapdus
Ingon sa tubig ug lana nga nahilis sa baga
Ang gugma ku'g kayugot naghiusa'g langkub
Ambot ngano nga luyo sa imong gihimo
Ning kasingkasing kong gasubo'
Ang hulagway mo dungganon
Sa alimpatakan niining kabus
Dili gyud maparam ug mahanaw

Gusto kong makita kang maghilak
Dugo ug luha magdagayday ug lumba
Sa aping mong porselanang tugak
Aron mabati mo ang kayugot
Ug matugkad mo ang kabarot
Ning dughan kong gidelubyo
Sa balatian mong mabudhion

Ang imong mga ngipon unta mukagot
Sa tumang kasilag ug kayugot
Ug bation mo ang katig-ag pagluib
Sa tawong imong gitagan-an
Sa katahom mug pagsalig...

Pangandoy ko kalibutaa mabali
Ang mga pak-an magkamang
Para ikaw usab muhunong na
Sa yawan-on mong kataw ug pagtamay
Ug ikaw napud maghilak ug magbakho
Maghulat daw maglaway sa pasaylo'g kalooy
Kay ikaw napud ang ulipon ingog iro
Ug ako ang gakupot sa kadena mo'g latus...

...ikaw napuy daman sa imong benggansa.

A Resort.... sort of.

2006-09-25T15:27:00.000+08:00

Something I've done over the weekend. A proposed refurbishment of a boring old resort in Batam Island, Malaysia. Software: Sketchup and Photoshop. For preliminary presentation.

SE7EN

2006-09-20T16:03:00.000+08:00

I was tagged by Ipanema to do this. No, it's not about doing the deadly sins. It's just a meme of listing 7 songs that I like.

I'm a pretty shallow person so I have simple songs as favourites. They're not the all time favourites of mine, but at least they've been my favourite for a few years now, and some for a year or so. (i did not include"I'll Be" coz it's already in my all-time list. I'm not including hard rock greats too so it's moderation-friendly). And what's more? You can actually listen to the songs below coz I''ve uploaded them in my music files. Just follow the link below.

1. I wish I could - Collin Raye (a song about your own child. A song parents can really feel to)

2. Swept Away - Christopher Cross (A very memorable song for me personally)

3. I could not Ask for More - Another Edwin McCain song that's just too good to miss out

4. Best I Ever Had(Grey sky morning) - Vertical Horizon (a man's way of saying "you're just the best I ever had")

5. Here Without You - 3 Doors down (A song about desolation for love lost)

6. Greatest American Hero - A soundtrack for the movie of the same title at the 80's. Movie sucks. Song is great.

7. Let her cry - Hootie and the Blowfish (A song about just being there)

You can listen to all the above songs HERE. plus other songs that didn't make it to the seven song list of mine.

Hmmm... I'm required to tag seven persons too, but i'll jsut add the ones who I think didn't get this. Okay, guys you're:

Jac
Bingskee
Jef
Vanessa
Rho-anne

Ayan. If you've been tagged with this before, you don't need to oblige.

A Tribute to Teachers

2006-09-19T15:46:00.000+08:00

This is something I found in Budjette Tan's blog. I just find it befitting to post here since I myself was a teacher, was born by one and is married to one.

A tribute to all the teachers. For Mama and Jean especially. The two most important ladies of my life. You've taught me about life and living more than you could ever know.

Click the image to see a bigger picture with a more readable text.

Balls and Bubbles

2006-09-18T15:40:00.000+08:00

"For most of us, dreams come true only after they do not matter, Only in childhood do we ever have the chance of making dreams come true when they mean everything."

-- Anonymous

Of Football and Rockstars

2006-09-15T14:54:00.000+08:00

For the past two days there has been a television feast for me, waking at the wee hours of the morning just to watch Champions League football live. Arsenal was less impressive with their goal-less draw against CSKA Moscow while Real Madrid was hammered 2-0 by French champion Lyon.

Also, it was the season finale of ROCKSTAR: SUPERNOVA, the worldwide search for the lead singer of the new band who comprises rock greats Gilby Clarke(of Guns N' Roses fame), Jason Newstead(Former Metallica bassist) and Tommy Lee(drummer of Motley Crue and the controversial ex-husband of Pamela Anderson).

In the end, there can only be one. and it was Lukas Rossi(above), the Canadian goth-punk looking youngster whose stage charisma and voice versatility I can only compare to Axl Rose.

Though I was glad for Lukas' triumph, my personal favourite was really Ryan Starr. Too bad he was booted out from the competition two weeks ago. Yet, market-wise, Lukas seems to be a great choice for the band since he is young and so versatile, and he appeals more to his age group better than the other constestants. Especially that Gilby and co. are already in their middle years and the fans who used to idolize them as gods are now mostly parents, who prefers making a living more than head banging and rocking hard.

I can't wait for these guys to hit Asia, where Singapore is always a route. I had a rocking good time watching INXS and JD Fortune two months ago and i'd bet my socks off that this will offer a better pill for a rock man's soul. Now i'd have to go start bribing my wife so I will be permitted. :)

Below is Lukas' version of HERO in the show. For me the strongest performance of the guy I've ever seen.

Football Crazy... Again!

2006-09-13T10:28:00.000+08:00

Football season has kicked off for a good start again. English Premier League is on its thrid week this coming weekend and so with the Spanish primera liga. The Champions league too had their first group stage matches just this morning (2:30a.m.).

This year we are supporting Arsenal as we did last year. And we have the outfit to prove it.

Jean has this observation that I get a bit of belly everytime fooball season came. Though i think it's ridiculous. Belly? A couple or three bottles of beer won't hurt to have on a matchday weekend, right?

Blog Plugged!

2006-09-08T15:55:00.000+08:00

Sun.star Weekend, the weekly lifestyle magazine of Sun.Star Daily Cebu, has featured one of my blog post (titled "Art Roots") in one of their segments called "Blog Plug" last Saturday, 2nd of September.

Click the image to see a readable one.

I am posting this with considerable embarassment. But I just want to share this one to my closest friends who are far enough from the Visayas and Mindanao who will never hold a copy of the issue, and of course, for my mother. :)

Thanks to Myke. And for Rio, for sending me the page copy.

Portrait of a Slave

2006-09-05T09:53:00.000+08:00

An old poem... Where i draw parallelism between art and pain, and metaphors between a canvas applied with paint to that of the body subjected to abuse (in this case, slavery). It's kinda strange that the letter "t" is the only letter that separates colour from suffering-- from PAINT to PAIN. One of my favourite I guess. :)

"Portrait of a Slave"

Paint me your impressions
Using pigments of mud and straws
Smear me your colours
Hues of anger and shame
Dye my soul with aggression
With your violent words
And scornful touts
Beat me with your truncheon
Veneering me with my own
Red, rich, thick blood
Make me a living mural
Of molten steel carrying your name
Put on me those chains
Make me a living sculpture
A pantheon of your dark nature
Build in me a cathedral
An edifice of your atrocious deeds
Brush me with your whip
Making frescoes of death!

For better or for Worse... and Fun

2006-09-01T10:01:00.000+08:00

Some jokes my friend sent me about marital disputes. A bit corny but you women out their can laugh your socks out for us men for a minute. :)

The Silent Treatment

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5 a.m. for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.

WIFE VS . HUSBAND

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, The husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws!"

WOMEN'S REVENGE

"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.
"So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked.
"No," she replied, " but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."

CREATION

A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
"The wife responded, "Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

WHO DOES WHAT

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says.........."HEBREWS"

**********************************************************

Indian Traffic

Can you believe this video? I'f we're like this i nthe philippines, who needs the big- bellied traffic enforcers and expensive traffic lights? hehehe...

Photos: Singapore

2006-08-30T13:49:00.000+08:00

Just some pics of Jean, Fergus and Nanay Lily(my mother in-law) on her visit to Singapore.

Art Roots

2006-08-28T11:12:00.000+08:00

I used to live in a not so known city in northern Mindanao called Gingoog (pronounced hee-ngo-og). It's better described as the city between the more known Cagayan de Oro City(where i moved later) and Butuan city. I grew up on this area. Learnt so many things in life, And it was i this place where my love for art, particularly comics was first hatched. It's the place where I dreamth of shooting for the moon and touching the sun.

I guess I'd have to thank my public school teacher mother for my earliest influences. She was the one who introduced me to komiks( the filipino term for the local comics). Mama has been buying and reading komiks as far as i can remember. Back then Komiks was the most popular form of entertainment since only the few well- off family can afford television back then(mostly black & white cabinet type) and the other form of entertainment was only the radio.

My father wa very strict with schedules. I guess I got that trait from him. But back then it used to piss the hell out of me because we cannot play outside when the hand of the clock hits six. I could not stand listening to the horror segments in the radio and wasn't allowed to watch television after seven so i ended up copying things from the stockload of komiks that my mother had. I guess this was even before I started school since I can remember drawing things for my classmates at first grade.

These copying has evolved into a hobby. Whenever I have no homework (well okay, even I had one) I always take a stack of the komiks and just randomly copy the drawings there that I like. And I basically learnt reading too through this medium. I like reading it since it was accompanied with nice figures and colourful drawings especially the fantasy- themed stories.

By age nine I was already making my own komiks, with my own stories using cheap bond papers and ordinary ball-point pen to draw. I fold the papers in half and staple it at the centre before drawing on it, making it an "instant" komiks after i finished drawing on it. These were later sold or given as gifts to friends and classmates. By this time also I began to have "idols", artists that drew the best stories and illustrations that I like best, and had been tracking their works religiously. I always tried swiping (a term of copying an artform) them out, copying the exact figures that would fit to my own stories (well my stories were mostly based on these characters too). It was in this age too ( around 1983) that I first had my first encounter with an american comicbook. It was with a classmates who's relatives live in the the US. I cannot forget the first book. It was Fantastic Four by Lee & Kirby. I remembered being so amazed by its style that was so different from the homegrown artists that I idolized at that time. I mean, it doesn't made Redondo or Florese inferior, it's just that it's so fresh to my eyes that I ended up borrowing the book and read it in my home over and over again. This led me to exposure to the great universe of Marvel and DC, and later on other American comicbooks.

Upon reaching fifth grade I already began to buy, trade, and rent my favourite komiks. Religiously waiting for the next issue (in this case, weekly). The income I had for this will eventually be used to buy the more expensive american comics which were only available in big bookstores in Cagayan de Oro. I remembered buying titles like Wolverine(Bloodlust) and Captain America and was very influenced by it. The way that in the local komiks, Vic Catan's Jippen: Anti-ninja and Rudy Florese's Exkirmuz became my art bible for a long time. Drawing and studying their technique while my brothers converge around me to watch me draw.

But I guess the single foreign series that made a really big impact to me was 1986's Man of Steel by John Byrne and Dick Giordano. It was the re-introduction of Superman as we knew him today. I busted my Piggy bank to buy the first three issue. And man it wasn't cheap. but looking back it's a small price for the things i've learnt from buying those books.

Moments: Learning the craft

2006-08-24T14:32:00.000+08:00

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
--Abigail Adams, 1780
US wife of John Adams 1764 (1744 - 1818)

Snapshots of Fergus learning to draw (click image for a bigger version).

My Bro shines again

2006-08-23T09:57:00.000+08:00

This was a section headline about a month ago in Sunstar Daily Cebu. I'm just posting it here to congratulate my younger brother Rio, for bagging a 3rd successive national prize for Editorial Cartooning besting some of the best editorial cartoonist in the country. Congrats again, bro. And congatulations too on that newborn baby girl of yours.

*click on the image to load a bigger one and click agai nto zoom to article.

Burst of life

2006-08-21T17:32:00.000+08:00

"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

--Emily Dickinson

Moments: Miracle and fairy tales

2006-08-18T10:20:00.000+08:00

"Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of life."
-- anonymous

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves... and THIS. The black, curious eyes of my child. The inexplicable feeling everytime you hold someone so fragile and so precious in your arms. This is my miracle.

Most of us never really grow up or mature all that much -- we simply grow taller. Or wiser, if you may. Sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, whose daily life is still best described by fairy tales.

Funny Komiks

2006-08-17T10:20:00.000+08:00

Funny komiks is one of the most identifiable pinoy komiks ever, especially to the kids of yesteryears. Sadly, Philippine komiks industry crashed down in the late 90's and never recovered since. And Funny komiks, like other titles that's been in the market since the early 60's ceased publication. Funny Komiks was an intergral part of my childhood. It was one of my most favourite local comicbook and I made sure I have a copy of each weekly issue. It's iconic characters, "Superkat" and later on "Superdog" has always been an inspiration for me in drawing. They were gone now, and so are my boxes of komiks collections which gave way to termite infestation. But of course, a thing's value, even if it's all but gone will always remain in the heart of those who valued it. And this komiks will always have a place in mine...

I was grade six when this issue came out. (check out the price)...

Captured Bliss

2006-08-15T14:07:00.000+08:00

Something I did way back in 2000. Water colour on 18"x26" strathmore board.

Judgment Day

2006-08-14T11:28:00.000+08:00

"Judgment Day"

Help me, my brother
I'm standing in Judas' lair
These million eyes are like quicksand
My feet is drawn to hell

Send me your Pegasus
So I can see the bright of day
Free me from Herod's stare
For I can't stand this pain eternal

Fly me out to the clouds of heaven
On Hermes' wings I shall ride
Have compassion and absolution
Escape death and destruction

Now I see the sun's talons
Creeping within my foreground
He cast in me all my sins
It's too heavy it buried me

The lights of hope eclipsed
I was chained on the titan's horns
The sentinel cerebrus was watching in the dark
As Charon carried me to his chariot of black.

Sketchbook 2

2006-08-11T16:49:00.000+08:00

Done sometime in 2002. Still life study, using 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 disposable uni filt-tip drawing pens.

Won't let the devil have all the fun

2006-08-10T14:40:00.000+08:00

I've been collecting original cassetet tapes of my favourite musicians since sixth grade. And over the years, from high school until I graduated in college, this collection has grown that I have to house a whole cabinet for it in my old room. When I settled in Cagayan de Oro and was collecting CD's already, my tapes collection remained in my parent's house. It was only when I last went home that I've checked on it again. And i found out that they were deteriorating. I can't even play most of them anymore because they were already infected with dust fungus. I was miserable to say the least, because these music were part of the most memorable days of my student life. It's a pity that it went like that because i know that when I play a certain record, I can remember what memorable event happened to me while that song was my favourite. So each of it has cerain memories within their sleeves, waiting to be remembered as the song played away. This collection was as varied as my mood. They range from classics (such as America, the Eagles, Beatles, the WHO, CSNY, etc.) to metal (Poison, Megadeth, Slaughter, Metallica, etc.) to Grunge music (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound garden, Verve Pipe), to Punk ( Pink Floyd, INXS, U2, Duran Duran, Greenday), Pinoy rock (Hagibis, The Dawn, Yano, E-heads, Wolfgang, etc) and to even mellow ones like Barry Manilow, Jose Mari Chan and Tommy Paige. Though the rock albums far outnumbered the mellow/ pop ones.

Back then, I get criticism from older folks about my choice of music. And I used to laugh a lot when I hear these crap from people. I can't understand why they like branding rock music as the "Devils Music". And Mellow, gospel and pop music has always been the goodie oldie-friendly tunes. It makes me sad to know that people judge music by its loudness or the costumes performers wear. I agree that there has always been a strong relationship between music and religion. Maybe because they both connect directly to the heart and can have real inspiration for good or evil, whichever way. But saying that it is an evil deed to listen to rock 'n roll or headbanging to metal and grunge band is insane! Music is beautiful. And it is irrelevant or even unfair to classify music in lieu to one's religion or being typecasted as being an evil sound just because it's loud and it has guitar riffs that echoes and such. We have to face the fact that good music IS good music. No matter what kind of music it is. I mean, there is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music. People are people. And like any ordinary person, we dream, we cry, we laugh and we feel things like love, hate, joy, pain, and so on. And being in the moment of these feelings, we need something to capture that feeling. To bookmark it in a compartment in our brain and recall it whenever we need it to. We need magic, and bliss, and power, myth, and celebration and religion in our lives, and music is a good way to encapsulate a lot of it. Like me, I can still remember the days that I was doing graveyard shifts with my design plates in college, or how it felt to have your heart broken-- and this is further amplified in our memories when we hear music that was played on during those times, or albums of musicians you used to pound the boombox with while drawing dusk till dawn. Music is like an instant recollection- activator. And we always associate it with the highest and lowest moments in our lives. So irregardless of what kind of music it is, as long as it hit you straight in the heart, be with it. Screw the hypocrites. Rock music is good music, and I like it damn fine. And never ever will I resign to the idea that it is the music of the devil. For heaven's sake, I wont let the devil have all the fun!

Memories of the river

2006-08-08T12:12:00.000+08:00

The older I grow the more earnestly I feel that the few joys of childhood are the best that life has to give. There is something fascinating in being a child, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever, and our dreams shooting the stars.

I have volunteered to be nanny last Saturday since Jean had some visitors from Manila and she was acting as their tour guide to the various tourist spots in the lion city. I brought Fergus to the playground at his usual playing time @ 4:00pm after the afternoon sleep and milk. Watching my son playing at the metal and plastic play equipment with some Malay and Chinese friends at the block playground, I couldn't help but wonder how different my childhood was with that of my son's.

I considered myself lucky to have spent my childhood days not in a big city but in a remote, almost "unknown" city in Northern Mindanao because I have enjoyed things that people in big cities did not. Even my son, growing up here in Singapore won't be experiencing the kind of childhood that I have.

Growing up in the province, and being the eldest of siblings of eight, I learnt in a young age that life is no paradise. You have to do everything you could to survive. My parents, tried hard to raise that big family who were even more infested with cousins who were sent to us by their parents because they themselves cannot afford to raise them. I was fortunate enough to have parents that gave an extra hand to help people. And these values have molded me as I grew up. Sure I had my share of papa's leather belt, but discipline has always been a part of my family.

Fun in my childhood is not about acquiring expensive toys. It's about adventure. If I was not busy copying drawings from my favorite local comicbooks, or if I wasn't reading Mythology books that I was so fascinated at, I only have one place to go with my friends--The river.

Together with my childhood friends--Rolly, Glenn, Patot and my younger brother Roy, splashing and playing in the nearby river was always the activity of the day during summer vacations. What we like most about it was that the deep part of the river, which almost resembles a swimming pool. It has a cliff of about two storey high on its side. And from it, we would jump into the river shouting superhero names as we charge airborne. We always had fun doing that, and after being tired swimming and jumping down from the cliffs, we explore the surrounding bushed area commonly populated with coconuts, variety of trees, and high hedges. We then carve out niches unto these bushes, creating a makeshift camp. Having two camps, we then would battle in that "jungle" pretending to be real soldiers with our improvised, did-it-myself wooden rifle. In that place we learned some lessons the hard way too. Like why it was not a good idea to disturb a beehive, or why it wasn't good to pick fruits from its tree when the owner is there patrolling.

We continued to do that almost every summer until the area was bulldozed to give way for some new residential project. But the sweet memories of childhood with that of the river and my friends will always be cherished.

Day job 2

2006-08-07T10:35:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since I haven't posted images here of the projects we did... So here are two below. :)

A condominium complex in Beijing with commercial arcades along side entrance.

National University of Singapore Alumni Bldg Courtyard

Garden in my mind

2006-08-04T17:12:00.000+08:00

I'm pounding some work today so not much word to say. Instead, i'm sharing a painting of mine entitled "Garden in my mind"(11"x14" Oil on canvas). Some strokes in there were done by Fergus. You can comment your own interpretation on how you see the painting. :) Happy weekend.

I'll be

2006-08-03T12:23:00.000+08:00

"I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be your love suicide
and I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life..."

For me, these words from the chorus of Edwin McCain's song, "I'll Be" are one of the most honest declaration of love. It's like saying forever without being overly chessy. It's assurance of being there at bad times without the pressure of swearing, It's pledging to be better without the promise of being perfect, It's saying forever without the usual naive, flowery representations.

I first heard this song in 1999. and since then it has grown to be a very big hit. Friends relate to it, and lovers everywhere made it their own. The radio broadcasts has mellowed, and its popularity I guess is fading. But it's still one of the best songs i'll never grow tired with. Maybe the fact that it is sang by a rocker is a plus.

Anyway, if you're one of those who has been in the moon for the last eight years and have no idea of this song, or just someone who like me can't really get tired of this song, then it's time to relish it once again... enjoy. :)

HOPE is coming

2006-08-02T11:01:00.000+08:00

Hope: New Orleans, a 200-page comicbook anthology under Ronin Studios which I'm a part of will debut in this month's Wizard World Chicago Comicbook Convention. It has been featured in "The Comic Wire", a news column in The Comicbook Resources Website. A 10-pager I drew for the book entitled "Pillars" is one of 3 stories previewed in the article(the other two are 'Headlines' and 'Oblivion'). Three pages of the story can be previewed at the footer of the page. It's in thumbnail mode so you have to click on the specific page to have a bigger version pop out.

you can find it here: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8033

Another Meme

2006-07-31T16:50:00.000+08:00

Tagged. This time, its from bingskee.

6 Weird Things about Me:

1. I like to roll soft things within my thumb and index finger. Especially if it's siopao or puto or muffin. it relaxes me, and it warms up my fingers to be flexible enough to draw.
2. I'm left-handed with everything I do (writing, drawing, scratching, etc) even in eating with spoons or chopsticks. But if I eat with my bare hands(nakakamay), I just can't help but be right-handed.
3. It seems that my brain is wired better to my hands rather than my tongue. I find it easier and faster to communicate in writing than in person/ orally. So I guess I wrote more love letters compared to actually courting a girl face to face.
4. I like it when my back is tickled/scratched. I used to pay my younger borthers a ransom just to tickle me to sleep. Now, it's Jean's big cross to bear. :)
5. I like eating sotanghon or pork barbecue while watching movies, instead of popcorn. I used to smuggle these in my bag and open them only once I was already inside the cinema.
6. Having parents who has a small fleet of jeepneys as a form of living, I used to really like smelling burnt carbon monoxide (usok ng tambutso).

Love, ME.

2006-07-27T12:53:00.000+08:00

Ever since I came to Singapore, I tend to have widen my music horizon and came to know country music too. Though I like country mainly because of the stories they tell in their song, I wasn't really much into it until a friend introduced me to the music of Collin Raye. Like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw, Raye was a hitmaker in the US, though most of his hits were in the nineties, and the only one I think that you people heard of him was that he's the duet partner of Anne Cochran in Jim Brickman's The Gift, a huge hit in the Philippines back in the late 90's.

But there's a lot to like on this man's music than just that song. Even Ronan Keating liked his song so much that he decided to remake "In this Life" whic hwas originally sang by Raye.

Though I like most of his songs, like "I wish I could" which tells a father's point of view of how fast his child grows and wanted to protect her from life's pain though he knew he couldn't; or "In this Life" which narrates how loving someone is a gift and should never be regretted; or the destiny-like song "One boy, One Girl".

But I guess the song that made an impact to me most was "Love, Me." A song about a single note that has become an anthem of love from youth to greying, and even after death. You can view the music video if you want to really understand what I'm saying. And below it is the lyrics of the song. The video doesn't really relate so much on the song so you can just play it and read the lyrics as it goes. :)

For slower connections, pause the player just after you press play. Let it load first (for around a minute) and play after.

Love, Me
(Collin Raye)

I read a note my Grandma wrote back in 1923
Grandpa kept it in his coat, and he showed it once to me
He said, "Boy, you might not understand, but a long, long time ago,
Grandma's daddy didn't like me none, but I love your Grandma so.

We had this crazy plan to meet and run away together
Get married in the first town we came to and live forever
But nailed to the tree where we were supposed to meet instead
I found this letter, and this is what it said :

"If you get there before I do
Don't give up on me
I'll meet you when my chores are through
I don't know how long I'll be

But I'm not gonna let you down
Darling wait and see
And between now and then
Til I see you again
I'll be loving you

Love,
Me."

I read those words just hours before my Grandma passed away
In the doorway of the church where me and Grandpa stopped to pray
I know I've never seen him cry in all my fifteen years
But as he said these words to her, his eyes fill up with tears

"If you get there before I do
Don't give up on me
I'll meet you when my chores are through
I don't know how long I'll be

But I'm not gonna let you down
Darling wait and see
And between now and then
Til I see you again
I'll be loving you...

Love,
Me."

The Power of THREE

2006-07-26T15:07:00.000+08:00

...Or whatever it's called. No, it's not CHARMED. It's just a meme tagged to me by Eric (a.k.a Senor Enrique). Had a little bit of time after taking lunch this afternoon so i answered it while drinking coffee.

3 things that scare me:
- Not being able to care and help people that matters most to me
- prostitutes
- dying without making a difference

3 people who can make me laugh:
- My son
- Ricky Gervais
- pretentious people who thinks they're so special and is somewhat glorified by a bunch of suckers

3 things I love:
- My family
- Allan Moore and Frank Miller graphic novels
- Some clean empty sheets of nice white paper to write, draw and put ideas with

3 things I hate:
- war
- people who brands comics as "children's books" ( children's book my ass) and comic artists as "some cartoonist".
- parents who breeds too much but are not responsible and incapable of tending to their kids' growing needs, from the very basic of food, clothig, shelter and education.

3 things I don't understand:
- why MacDonalds just throw away tons of unconsumed food daily when there are so many people in the world dying from hunger
- women with pms
- people associating club drinking with having GROs

3 things on my desk:
- Piles of papers (drawings, correspondence, printouts)
- pencil and multi-point filt-tip pens
- some pictures

3 things I'm doing right now:
- Thinking if I'm going to have another cup of coffee after downing the 4th cup just now
- Drafting the revised landscape working drawings for an india project
- Answering this, of course

3 things I wish to do before I die:
- Publish my very own 300-page graphic novel
- See my son in a professional football league (he likes to play)
- To know that I've made a significance to the lives of people that means to me and in turn realize their collective contribution to my growth as an individual

3 things I can do:
- draw
- love
- telling anyone in their face what they are

3 ways to describe my personality:
- quite (though i'm often labeled arrogant because I don't talk too much)
- plain but never boring
- simple but creative

3 things people might not know about me:
- I used to teach Architecture classes part- time in two colleges in Cagayan de Oro while having architectural job full- time (before coming here in Singapore)
- Had a huge, huge crush on Jennifer Conelly as a teenager in the movie "Labyrinth". The movie also featured David Bowie.
- Bought my first record at 6th grade. America's "One in a Million" album. Played it over and over again especiallythe track "I don'r believe in Miracles". My parents got so fed and sick with it they hid it.

3 things I can't do:
- I don't drive 4- wheels. The only one in my siblings who don't. i've had an accident in high school that nearly killed me and it serves as a reminder to me everytime I took the wheel.
- stop admiring beauty
- fuck around

3 things I think you should listen to:
- Collin Raye, Direct Hits Album
- Gut
- your baby's laughter

3 things I don't think you should listen to ever:
- thigs that are contrary to your own belief
- other people's business
- People who propagate other people's business (Uzi's)

3 of my absolute favorite foods:
- Native chicken Adobo
- Chinese Fried Rice
- Grilled porkribs on soysauce/vinegar/chili/tomato/union sauce

3 things I'd like to learn:
- Play the guitar
- Dance like Fred Astair
- Pilot a plane

3 beverages I drink regularly(excluding water):
- beer
- coffee
- carbonated drinks

3 shows I watched when I was a child:
- The Fall Guy
- Superfriends
- Akira Korusawa movies

3 people I have tagged to do this meme:
Man this is hard... Since i don't really want to bother other people.
Okay, I'm tagging these people. But it won't be compulsory.

- Neil (he's in Spain, but i don't really read a lot about him personally other than his escapades and parties. :)
- Melaine (The party wife and fellow Bisaya in Doha)
- Tintin (sorry, I guess I'd have to get back at you. hehehe)

My Redemption

2006-07-24T14:21:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday was Fergus' 3rd Birthday. The Friday before i made a poem for him called "My Emmanuel", saying in my best attempt for poetry how his arrival in my life was a redemption to me, emotionally.

Before him I was so fed up with the things in my life, and i don't even know why. I quit my work and went back to the Philippines. With it was a year-long conflict with my father and a daily dose of alcohol. Back then I let Jean do all the work. I just stay at home, drawing and painting crazy things or watching tv all morning and go with friends for a booze in the afternoon untill the wee hours, stuffing my mouth with anything that would enduce a "feel good" sensation and escape the broken-ness I felt within me, breaking the bank account along the way. Looking back now, I considered it as the worst days of my life. And the most stupid ever.

Good thing my wife was there. She just took care of me. Didn't even call me a jerk even once when i've been all but good. And when she announced to me that I'm going to be a father, something in my head flicked. I don't know if it was God's touch or me coming to my sense eventually, but from then on I did a 360 in all I did. I made ammends with my father and went back here in Singapore so I can make a fresh start and have enough money for Jean's CS.

The rest, of course, was history. And last Saturday it has been 3 years since. I celebrated it with friends who are mostly Filipinos, with Jean's culinary skills put again to action. I let myself drunk. I sang. I laughed. But most of all I thank God for giving me a gift that continues to give me new lessons in happiness everyday. My son indeed was God's gift. My Emmanuel. Though his arrival never made me a perfect man, but he did, make me... complete.

I know it's a bit late, but anyhow... Happy Birthday, son.

Tin's Meme Answered

2006-07-24T12:43:00.000+08:00

There's this Meme post from Tin-tin's blog that i have (well, required) to answer coz I commented on it. :) She had to answer some question on how she sees me, and i have to retort back. So... (roll the drums) dan-dan-dan-daaan!!!!...Here it is.
White = Tin's words
yellow= my answers

RANDOM: really soooo talented and a soccer fanatic! i'm envious of you coz i really don't know how to draw.
Well, you're pretty, sexy and nice. That's something for other girls to envy and guys to desire.

CHALLENGE: draw a caricature of me. conceited talaga! hahaha
It should be on your mailbox by the time you're reading this.

COLOR: black and white. black because of the color of your blog. hehe. but it's really black and white because of your sketches
Actually I like black and white. But my favourite colour is blue. I like it's depth. Like the ocean. Or the unfathomable skies.

SOMETHING I LIKE: the good things you say about me. flattering. and really boosts my self-confidence ha
I always meant what I say, and they are, for me, the truth. I won't say you're pretty if you're not. :) I'm that frank and direct. So I guess you really are (as if that's new).

FIRST/CLEAREST MEMORY: also first encountered you in my comment box and i was really fascinated with your picture. a man drawing, moving pa. hehe. clearest is really your post on love united video. hehehe
I really appreciate you liking that video because for me, it's one of the greatest i've ever seen. Better than Shakira. hehehe.

ANIMAL: rabbit. because you want to have more kids, right? hehehe
What the... hehehe. No, I really don't like many kids. But I'd like to have at least 2 or three. :) Actually I don't know what animal I associate myself of. For you, i guess a morning dove will fit well.

QUESTION: had you ever been a soccer player? i mean a real soccer player and not just for PE ha
I did play a bit of soccer in high school. but only in school. i've tried playing again some months ago ang boy did it gave me some real hard time. I'm better off as a fan, I guess.

SONG: i really can't think of anything. but since you truly love soccer and it's my clearest memory of you.. then it's Love United. hahaha :)
That's a nice choice. But I particularly like "I don't Wanna be" by Gavin DeGraw as a personal song.

Hope I answered that well, Tin. :)

Naughty Cartoons

2006-07-20T14:16:00.000+08:00

These cartoons has been hybernating in my my brother's Multiply site, so I thought maybe I colud show some of them here... Just for fun and a little smile on awork-filled thursday.

*************************************************
Comicbook Goodness

And for those of you who like to read a free comicbook online, checkout TRESE, a witty creation of pinoy writer Budjette Tan. It's a detective tale with a twist of the supernatural. You won't be disappointed if you do. Even if you're not a comicbook person, the story alone is worth checking. So far Budjette has uploaded 4 issues of TRESE in his site.

Things I enjoy doing other than sex

2006-07-18T10:23:00.000+08:00

Forgive the title, hehe... But really, there are other things I do enjoy doing. Some of these are:

Blogging
Of course, I won't be here updating this blog getting nothing but two readers if I don't enjoy it. :)

Comicbooks

I enjoy reading comics since time immemorial. I guess even before I learn to read myself. It is where I get my drive to draw. When I went home to the Philippines I found a lot of good comics there that are not here in Singapore. Of course, Gerry Alanguilan's ELMER, and some cheap back issues but collectible X-men and X-Force titles drawn by Filipino mega- artists Whilce Portacio, Leinil Yu and Lan Medina.Inks were done by Gerry alanguilan.

Game Console

My ol' reliable X-box is always there for some good fun everytime I feel stressed or bored, or alone. nowadays I am sharing them with my tyke. Almost four years old now, it still never fails to give us the fun.

Portable Game Console

My gaming itchness just won't go and being in the bus or train to work and back is just too damn boring. So this helps really. It even speeds up time when i'm on it, even missing my bus stop one time. I can also pack some movies into it, (around 4 movies in a 2 gb memory stick pro duo) and watch movies on the run. the slick hi-rez screen(almost a mini- plasma) made it more enjoyable to do.

Drawing

It's more than a hobby. It's passion. It's love. Drawing comics has no relevance whatsoever to my job being an architect and landscape architect, but I just can't let it go. I don't get so much from it, but I enjoyed doing it and completing something is always rewarding emotionally. This shown here is a recently concluded gig for a US indy publication.

Bagong Bayani?

2006-07-12T12:54:00.000+08:00

Have you noticed how Manny Pacquiao is just everywhere nowadays? when I went home a month ago, his face was just everywhere-- posters, billboards and tv commercials it's just sickening. Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for what the man has done for the country's pride in the sporting arena, but the man's success in the ring has now become a milking cow for endorsers to sell their products to boxing- crazy Filipino people.

Of course, it's doing Pacquiao good too since he's laughing his way to the bank especially when It's been rumoured that San Miguel beer has paid Pacman a sum bigger than what the late FPJ used to pocket in endorsing their malt drink.

Come to think of it, hindi malayong mangyari ito:

image courtesy of Erwin Cruz

Another Heartbreak to Heal

2006-07-10T14:09:00.000+08:00

As of those of you who have been following the World cup in Deutchsland, and on those whose not really keen on soccer but has been listening to the news this morning, you should have known Italy won the recent World Cup finals. It's a pity, I must say, without taking anything from the Italians and all its supporters. Because throughout the whole match, France has definitely outplayed the azzuris, in ball possession and with the chaces they have made.

when Zinadine Zidane made a goal in the 7th minute, I jumped at my feet. I really thought it was destiny. A magnificent farewell and a fairytale ending to one of the best careers in football has ever seen. I thought France would win.

But after 90 minutes, extra time and penalty shootout later, the Le Blues lost. The match, deadlocked at 1-1, ended in high drama with Zinedine Zidane's extra time sending off for a head butt on Marco Materazzi, with Italy taking the title 5-3 on penalties, with France David Trezeguet missing his spot kick to hand over the cup to the Italians.

While I rejoiced the previous night as Germany staked claim to 3rd spot in such a convincing manner, I wept last night for Zidane and his minions.

It's deja vu again. It's like supporting Arsenal i nthe champions league again. They drew first blood and played superbly but in the end still lost to their opponent. But football, like life was never fair. At once it catapults you to highest glory and the next burrying you in disgrace. It lifts the highest of the spirits and break hearts the next.

If you're a fan of Italy and the Azzuris, I congratulate you for your team's achievement. They deserve it I guess. Maybe not winning the cup since 1982 gave them more hunger than the French that lifted it just eight years ago.

But I'll say it again, it's a pity... For the best team did not win.

The Cup of Life

2006-07-06T16:37:00.000+08:00

It has been four years since this video has been released, around two months prior to the World cup 2002. Aside from being a great song, this video also features some of the best players in the world-- including Zidane, Figo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Totti, Freddy Lungberg, Patrick Viera, Henry, Petit, Veron, Sol Campbell, etc.--literally singing the song! I guess you've already watched this over Mtv. But for those who did not, or for those who just love to see these football legends carry out tunes, you got to watch this video. It's still one of the best humanitarian football songs ever produced. Oh, this was initially produced to fund anti-aids campaign.

Title: Love United (2002)

World Cup twilight

2006-07-05T14:32:00.000+08:00

The world cup will end this Sunday. That means it will be the last of the time that i've spent more than a month livng as a nocturnal creature and once again join the rest of the world for a good night sleep.

I have myself to blame for rooting to several teams playing for the World cup. I have England, France and Germany close to my sports heart when the games started and said a silent prayer that these teams progress. Indeed, these teams progress from each of their groups until their lucky thread ran out. England were beaten by Portugal in a lousy quarterfinal performance, and just this morning (3 am exactly) I saw Germany broken by the Azzuris of Italy in the cup's semifinal game. That left me with only France(used to be my less-fancied favourite team to reach the final) as my last team still standing. Again, this night (okay, tomorrow morning) they will clash with Portugal in the other semifinal bout and I hope they win. I'd love to see Christiano Ronaldo cry tears of blood.

I'm betting my "third" leg for France. And i hope Zidane, Henry and co. won't dissapoint this time. Especially Zidane... For this will be his swansong.

TR 4: The Visit

2006-06-30T15:12:00.000+08:00

When I visited my grandmother on last month's homecoming, she was very happy. We haven't seen each other in around 5 years or so and it was really a great moment for me and I guess for her too. She now lives in my parents' small farm with my father's sister (who also takes care of the vicinity). At 93, and with her sight and bones now failing her, her memory was still as sharp as a whip, even recognising Jean instantly in her blurry glance. Not being to walk by herself anymore, I stayed in her bedroom for hours and we talked so much about things-- the past, the future, metaphors and ideas, the family, the country I'm living now, my work, and me being a father now and such.

Lola is a conversationalist. It's a gift, I guess. Many people like the way she talks and were blessed by her lectures. And maybe it's because of her age too, her stories and anecdotes are so rich with life's lessons and even of years passing were still as enjoyable as i remembered it as a child sitting below lola's bed intently listening to the old dame's tales.

After the talk and some Champorado merienda (the chocolate made from the Cacao harvested from the farm), I said goodbye to lola. She hugged me and blessed me with a prayer. I told her I'd be seeing her again so she better take care of herself. She just sighed a little laugh.

"When it's time, It's time, bong." she retorted. "The best thing is that I've made my mark in this world and I saw my children and grandchildren grew to be better people and individuals. Something I can always be proud of. Besides, i miss Noyong (my deceased grandfather) already, and it would be good to kiss him again like when we were teenagers.hehehe..."

"Yes, but not now." I answered back smiling. " wait till I became the father of three!" and with that, I left.

Counting Sheeps

2006-06-29T11:48:00.000+08:00

There was no world cup game last night so I spent the night with Jean and Fergus playing "Need for Speed" in our x-box console. Lately Jean has discovered that she liked playing racing games and is now playing on a daily basis. We had a blast playing the game as a family. A rare occurance I might say, and we're glad we did since it's another avenue where we can cultivate interaction and at the same time do a thing we all enjoy.

I was the last to sleep because I still watched CSI, and when I finally tucked myself to bed, I gazed at my sleeping wife. It's been six years since we tied the knot, and six years more before that as being sweethearts, dating back to our university days. And being together for 12 years now we've come to know each other so well that some things don't need to be spoken to be known by the other. Of course, there were trials and difficult storms we had to weather, and everytime we came through it we came out stronger and tougher, made harder by the experience. Jean now is not only a wife, but also my best friend.

Sometimes I can't sleep thinking of all the problems I have. Being in this kind of situation is so annoying that most resolve to counting sheeps to sleep. I just had to remind myself that I am with my family and be thankful that we are together. I had to tell myself over and over again how desolate I would be if I'm living without them. How empty I would be if I'm away from the people that matters most to me. I know all the money in the world cannot compensate that, nor the GRO's in the night pubs of Tanjong Pagar.

As I whispered my night prayers, I looked at my wife's way again and saw the calmness in her face. Almost an assurance for a better day, and a promise to be there with me no matter what.

...And my so-called great problems just sunk into significance.

TR 3: Comics Trip

2006-06-28T09:44:00.000+08:00

It was June 3. I've just been around 3 hours in Manila. Jean and Fergus went with Emhay and Emhay's kids to Mall of Asia (known to be the biggest in Asia), while I went to Megamall instead. The reason for this was to get a copy of pal Gerry Alanguilan's new self- published comics in Comicquest Megamall. Lucky for me there's already available stock of ELMER (P50.00) when I get there, so I bought two (the saleslady doesn't seem too friendly though, but i let it pass), before going to the adjacent FILBAR'S to get Fantasya, a comics anthology by Psicom, and two different issues of Superheroes, a digest-sized compilation reprint of three DC comicbooks in one.

That night, while the rest of the guys were watching the finale of PBB Teen edition, I was lapping myslef for a good read. Elmer didn't disappoint me. It was more than I expected. And being a father, the last three or so pages blows me away. it was quickly one of the most touching lines (with the awesome horizon drawing) I've ever read in years. I know i've just got to read the rest of the volumes... when they come out.

Fantasya's materials on the other hand (being an anthology) varies in content. They go from really good (Lan Medina's work) to Nice (Gilbert Monsanto's evidently hurried work) to just simply unbearable (soory guys, got to be honest here). But overall, the book still excels and I still recommend it to anyone who haven't read it yet.

I have a 5 page work who will be coming out in an anthology under Psicom too next month, a horror- thriller comicbook. I'm crossing fingers that it will come out good.

We're off for Cagayan de Oro by morning of next day (June 4th).

Below are pics we took while on PAL centennial domestic airport on our way home to Cagayan de Oro.

TR 2: Something in the Philippine Air

2006-06-26T09:32:00.000+08:00

I decided to take a nap during the plane ride since i didn't really had enough the night before because of all the packing finalization. I finally dozed off just to be waken by the stewardess to be asked what do i like : "Chicken or fish". Damn, I thought. I wanted to sleep lady. But being the typical me, I just retorted "chicken". I cannot sleep after that so i just ordered a glass of red wine from the stewardess after another (after eating). I think i've had five until they told me it's enough. Man, I thought again. This is what you get when you fly 3rd class.

After 3 and a half hours of hearing Martin Nievera songs and enduring to watch "Must Love Dogs" on inflight movie, we finally reached Manila. The red wine had a hilarous effect on me because I waited in the baggage belt area from Hongkong without knowing it. I only learned that Singapore baggage was 5 conveyors ahead after I asked the facility coordinator why my bags were still not in the conveyor belt when I've waited there for so bloody damn long.

Damn wine.

Then when we were checking out of the airport, the guard checking my baggage, whispered "boss pasalubong naman diyan". What the-- Pasalubong??? I want to answer "Ha? penpal ba kita?" or "close ba tayo?" but again, die hard habits kicked in and instead, I answered " wala, kaibigan. Pasensiya". In my mind I was finger-pointing myself. Pasensiya? PASENSIYA???? Damn you. No, no, no, I tried to answer myself back-- damn... err... damn... Damn wine. Yeah. Damn wine.

Good thing that Emhay(jean's sister) fetched us from NAIA with her car so I didn't have to worry about the overpricing taxi drivers. And just as I pictured it i my mind, there they are-- the crowding jeepneys, sidewalk slums, and giant billboards. But just like as before, I seem to like smelling the manila air best. There's something in it's whiff that my nostrils like. Hinahanap-hanap, ika nga. I don't know what it is. It's definitely not Fresh air. But then again, maybe it's just Jeepney exhaust.

Jean with sister Emhay

Trip Recollections 1

2006-06-23T12:04:00.000+08:00

It was 7a.m. on June 3. Our flight via PAL (I'm rooting for the national carrier for the MILES reward) will be at 9:30 that morning. Everything was already packed and Jean was checking if there's nothing forgotten to pack or included. while she and Fergus took their baths, I gave to the itch of playing X-box (of course, It's Fifa soccer '06). Only after Jean shouted for me to ready myself did I stop.
I looked at the clock and saw that it's already almost 8 a.m. I guess I've never taken a bath so fast before.

Good thing that Eule and Mark sent us to the airport. I had a lending hand for the rather heavy baggage of pasalubong and and other stuff.

The day before I shelled out S$450 for a Sony PSP and a couple of UMD games so I can continue my gaming even while moblie and in the Philippines. Jean wasn't so cool about me spending for "kid's toys" but being the wife and best friend, she still gave in (after a while of persuasion and pomised bribery).

We did reach the airport just before boarding time and still got the time to buy liquors on the duty free shop (singapore duty free shops are the lowest in Asia), take some pictures, and board the airplane.

I was coming home... And I couldn't wait to get there.

Changi Terminal 02 Check -in Area.

Mark & Eule, Our housemates.

Pre- departure area. Most people has already boarded the plane but Jean wanted to squeeze a shot.

Boarded the plane. Fergus wasn't looking coz he was watching chicken Little in my PSP. There goes my playing time!

Cooly listening to on- board music.

Bat out of Hell

2006-06-19T16:45:00.000+08:00

Forgive my use of the famous Meatloaf album title. Got nothing on my mind right now and just wanted to know everybody I'm back. I haven't used the internet purposely for 16 days and even if i'd wanted to, I don't think I had the time to spare anyway. Two weeks of vacation ain't really that enough with personal things and to spend time for family (folks and in-laws) and close friends. But sure hell I'm glad I took it since God knows when can I have the chance to take a break again.

so yeah, I'm back. broke but feeling renewed. hehe... i'll put some thoughts in the coming days about my vacation here. But for now I'd have to attend to the piling work.

I'm a bit light-headed these days though. Maybe result of burning the midnight candles watching the world cup games.

Absentee Blogger

2006-06-01T16:57:00.000+08:00

I won't be updating this blog for the next two weeks because I've finally got my leave approved and I'm going home with my family for a holiday in the Philippines.

I've been here in Singapore for the last six years. It has been a good six years and I know I'd still be here in more years to come. I've gone home to the Philippines four times in that span of time that I'm here. Yet everytime I'm about to go home, the level of excitement is always the same as if it's the first one. Like you haven't been home for so many years.

Unlike in Singapore, I know when I get out of the NAI Airport I'll be greeted by taxi drivers who charge excessively just because you're from another country, unwarranted dusts, traffic jam, sidewalk vendors, slums, giant billboards along every imaginable roads, Jeepneys and Fxs. Most balikbayans complain on most of these things but I don't. Weird as it may to say it, but i always look forward to these stuff(aside from the taxi driver). The sight of these things give me the assurance that I'm home.

So see yah guys...

If looks could kill (reprise)

2006-05-31T17:06:00.000+08:00

I'm reposting this piece (posted more than a year ago) because the experience happened again this morning and as before, gave me a rush of blood in the head.

A man is measured by his accomplishments and worth, they always say. We always look up to the great men of our soceity, that's true. But how can you size up someone whom you've just met? Or in this case, you just rode the bus with, or travelled in the train, or you just plainly see in the coffeeeshop. It's sad to admit but we always judge people just by how they look. Appearance always influenced the way we treat people. It's as if there's something in looking better that makes one a better person than the other sitting next. Well, maybe there is something (the term "lamang ng isang paligo" comes to mind). You can ask the guy whose heart just got busted out by a former girlfriend because a better looking man came along. Ask marketing executives. Or better yet, ask advertising agents and beauty consultants. They will always say: LOOKS SELLS. Well, I can see that. They have their millions of profit laughing all the way to the bank.

Okay, then. I have no problem with that. If Anna Kournikova earns so much out of tennis marketing without even winning a grand slam, i have no objection. What makes me sick is how people look at someone and think is somewhat inferior to them-- especially if its in the physical aspect. And this kind of incident always come in two packages-- Appearance and race.

This morning while going to my office, i rode a bus with a fairly attractive lady sitting in the seat before mine. As the bus went on its route, more people went in and gets fuller until the seat of that lady was the only one vacant(we all know in a bus we always sit in pairs). One indian guy came up the bus after it halted on a bus loading/unloading point, and seeing that the only seat available is that of the young lady, he went on to sit on it. The young lady shrugged away, covered his nose and make all the "yuckie" gestures that she can make, and made sure their clothes dont even touch. Seeing this made blood rush to my head. Just because this lady thought that she's pretty(well she is, i have no problem about that), she already made a judgement that this guy, who courteously and even reluctantly sitted next to her (even sitting just at the edge) was way below her par that she can have all the liberty in the world to publicly humiliate him. Never mind that maybe this guy is a physicist or rocket scientist (I'm just making a point, of course). What i really wanted to say is that it's sad to realize this. Because however beautiful one may look, it doesn't give him/her the right or even previlege to mock another person's appearance. It's a human being, for crying out loud.

We always hear the old saying " Don't juge a book by its cover". It's so popular saying it is cliché. But unfortunately, people don't really learnt from it. Especially the ones who thinks they're so special and much glorified by a bunch of suckers.

Why it pays to wear underwear

2006-05-29T13:42:00.000+08:00

William sent me this joke cartoons by mail (which is circulating around I guess). Instead of forwarding it to only several people in my mailbox, i decided to post it here so you, my blog readers (yes, the two of oyu fellas) can have a cracking good time. It's a bit borderline comedy since it's about our "hanging jewel", but let's concentrate on the lighter side of it instead.

We made fun out of women's size in my last post, so it's time for you gurls to laugh at us back. Go ahead.

" Why it pays to wear underwear"

Fire that Grill

2006-05-26T17:54:00.000+08:00

Being in a cosmopolitan city, i always observed that in any kind of races, middleaged couples (and even some still in their 30's), the woman or wife tend to get bigger or fatter through the years of marriage than their male counterpart. This doesn't apply to everyone of course since there are still a lot of women who took care of themselves and those some who are really genetically blessed. But more often than not though, it's always the wife who packs up the lard as years pass by. I guess we can link this to childbirth and all that women stuff that are more complex than solving calculus.

I've always wondered how a thin husband would address this situation to her fat wife, and more importantly, how the wife would react.

Then I found this JOKE.

A husband and his wife who have been married 20 years were doing some yard work. The man was working hard cleaning the BBQ grill while his wife was bending over, weeding flowers from the flower bed.

So the man says to his wife, "Your rear end is almost as wide as this grill." She ignored the remark.

A little later, the husband takes his measuring tape and measures the grill, then he goes over to his wife while she is bending over, measures her rear end and gasps, "Geez, your butt really IS as wide as the grill!" She ignores this remark as well.

Later that night while in bed, her husband starts to feel frisky. The wife calmly responds, "If you think I'm gonna fire up the grill for one little wiener, you are sadly mistaken."

Space Apache

2006-05-25T13:55:00.000+08:00

Another drawing excavated from the rubble on my files... A pinup drawing I did way back 2002 I guess... One of the comic ideas I've been planning to do but just can't have the time to. I hope i can do this in the near future, and replace it with a more chic title. "Space apache" seems a bit cheesy.

THE CHICKEN IS OUT!!!

2006-05-24T11:00:00.000+08:00

"ELMER" to be out by end of the month

If you're a comics loving individual in the Philippines and haven't heard about ELMER, then I don't know which cave you've been practicing mantra all these days.

ELMER, the most anticipated creation of premier Philippine comicbook creator and friend Gerry Alanguilan(Wasted, X-men, Superman: Birthright) is now seing prints and will be available in most comicbook stores in Manila by end of the month, as Gerry has announced in his blog.

This book is about a chicken (elmer) who thinks, talks and has an attitude like a human. You can browse to some of the comicbook's preview pages, and I bet my piggy-bank dollars that you will love it, even for just the witty humor the creator has cunningly injected on the story. It's really easy to miss that Elmer is indeed a chicken especially with the build up to the actual appearance of the main character. I have been a convert since reading the teaser pages, and like other artists, just have to make my own fan art. I'd be going home this June, so that means I can get a hand for a copy on this.

There's even a dedicated site that Gerry created for it, and a TRAILER to boost!

ELMER is published by Gerry's own KOMIKERO Publishing.