Knocking on Heaven's Door

Darkness and Hellsword

I painted a "DARKNESS" piece to to get the attention of my mentor Gilbert Monsanto years ago. It worked! He gave me the opportunity to paint 5 pages of his character "HELLSWORD", and later on illustrate 10 sequential pages more of the same character. This piece also gave me an opportunity to break into comics when Master Gilbert recomended me to Whilce Portacio to take an exam as a colorist for Avalon. I was made to watch VHS tapes of tutorials by Brian Huberlin and Dan Kemp (colorist of Kiss Psyco Circus). Unfortunately, I blew the oppotunity. I wasn't good enough to beat Raymod Lee. Hope you enjoy these piece as much as I enjoyed painting them.=)

SMARTY the OWL




The Original Smarty, Sterling's logo for how many years, and the modern Smarty, the one I designed. It took me 72 character design studies before this one got approved by Ma'am Michelle Lim Gankee.

Smarty the Owl is Sterling Paper Product Enterprise Incorporated's Mascot logo. I was fortunate enough to have been given the task in re-designing him and creating a set of friends for his own Product Line. These is the end product of my work and I'm proud of it.

Although I designed these characters, I don't own them. Only the people at Sterling Paper Product Ent. Inc., and a handfull of friends, relatives and people know that I actually designed them. Long after I've left Sterling I can still see them in different merchandise and it still excites me to see people buying the products they're in. And I'm always proud to share the little story behind these controversial cute bunch of friends.



  

Walking with the STARS

Sicat na si Boy!

You'll never guess who inked this pin-up I drew of Hellsword (Gilbert Monsanto's character)

This piece tells an inspiring story between two artist who chose different paths. The first artist was a penciler, the second is an inker. Both artist were subjected to a world of dog eat dog competition to reach their goal and gain world recognition.

The First artist succumbed to the pressure and decided to venture on a different field while the second persevered and continued to treck the path of his dreams.Guess who reached his goal?

The Inker's name is Alejandro "BOY" Sicat. and his story is an inspiring one. He is recognized worldwide and have worked for Image and Marvel.

The penciler,on the other hand, has heard a lot of these success story and is finally back on track after ten years of wondering and is hoping to achieve the same success as those other artist he walked among with like Roy Allan Martinez, Gilbert Monsanto, Philip Tan, Leinil Yu and of course Alejandro "BOY" Sicat who are now STARS.

It's never too late to try and reach for the STARS.

HOMEPAGE experience

July 11,2011 is one of the most memorable experience in my life. It was the first time that I got interviewed about my passion and that is Komiks. The experience was nerve wracking as the interview was televised and live. I wasn't able to say a lot of things I would like to say and am sorry for it. I feel I could have done better to get the message across about the Komik industry's state but I was overwhelmed by the moment. I left out some of the most important names and failed to give enough credit to those who should be credited due to mental "block out". One thing I'm wishing is that even with the mental lapses I really hope I did just enough to spark something.

I'm so grateful to Ma'am Monzy for guesting me and the hosts of Homepage for their hospitality and for making me feel at home on and off the stage. Ma'am Weng Dela Fuente, Sir Onin Miranda, and Ma'am Ellaine Fuentes. More power to you guys and thank you for supporting us Pinoy Indie Komik Creators!!!=)

Jahe pero...click the link to view...=) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Py8O5XIHE

Proud to be A BAYAN KNIGHT!!!

I dream of becoming a famous comic book artist. What better job I thought is out there than enjoying drawing Superman, Batman, and the Justice League of America...and at the same time earning big bucks. My dream was to one day work for DC Comics or Marvel. But how am I supposed to do that? I mean…those company I mentioned is from way across the oceans.

Good thing Whilce Portacio came along and my dream has suddenly changed from unreachable to reachable. So I set out to seek him…the legend himself, as I enrolled at LEARN Center for his art seminar. I was ready to show him my stuff…but alas, how disappointed I was to find out that he was not the one conducting the lessons. It was Gilbert Monsanto. So …what the heck, might as well go along…we are not rich so I can’t afford to back down, I mean enrolment was expensive. So there I was…showing my stuff…to Gilbert Monsanto. He’d give pointers, and show me my weaknesses and strengths…and that’s about it! Sh*@ ! That’s it?!

Then I started looking around and met guys like Eugene Perez, Gary Mayoralgo, Oliver Castaneda, Anthony Tan, Philip Tan, Leonard Banaag, Boy Sicat, Raymond Lee…Gilbert even introduce to us Leinil Francis Yu, that time he was penciling a pin up of Wolverine at learn Center (he was already working for MARVEL). I was DEVASTATED!!! Reality check, rude awakening…call it what ever you like, my skills where no where near those guys’.

But I was determined, I pressed on…continued showing my stuff…learned to accept that GILBERT MONSANTO is my true “MASTER” and not Whilce Portacio. Eventually…my works got noticed…”FINALLY!”

My MASTER noticed me…”Thank you so much MASTER Gilbert!”, you don’t know how honored I was to have been entrusted by you to work on one of your original character ”HELLSWORD”, and to be part of the EXODUS group. Master Gilbert even gave me an opportunity of a lifetime, he endorsed me to Whilce Portacio and had me tried out as a colorist for AVALON STUDIOS.

Unfortunately, I failed to pass. I’m sorry my MASTER for letting you down. I’m really grateful for that opportunity, I learned a lot from watching the VHS tapes of Dan Kemp and Brian Huberlin on Photoshop 101…my first taste at computer graphics…he he he.

That was my first crack at pursuing my dream. I devoted two years in the pursuit of my dream, my parents were all over me asking to get a real job, and forget about comics.

In my reflection I came to the conclusion that maybe comics isn’t for me…at times I felt like I was selfish for thinking about myself, my dream, my goal. I’ve forgotten about the people around me like my parents, and my girlfriend (who by the way is my wife now) who supports me all the way, but wanted me to give up because she can’t stand seeing my frustrations.

So…as much I wanted to continue the struggle, I decided to try my luck in a different Field…and that is “Animation” (which by the way is another topic).



During my stay with companies like, Toon City, Sterling Paper Product Ent. Inc., …Comics never left my mind. My heart made sure that my head don’t forget. So when I first heard of a new batch of young upstarts…young blood, who are full of hope and has lots of fire in them…“BLITZWORX”…I joined. But work prevented me from being active. Until I had to leave the group…the group desolved only to form “GROUND BREAKERS” and currently they publish “Mangaholix”.


Enter…”BAYAN KNIGHTS”!!! Now this is a group that rekindled the flame that is but extinguished in my heart. I am awe inspired by their vision. Their's was a calling worth serving. And at the heart of the group I saw once again…an old friend…my mentor, my MASTER, Gilbert Monsanto.

I Joined Bayan Knights, with a little persuasion by an old friend Jun Joe Monares, as a heed to my Master Gilbert’s call. A call to all artist who has the “POWER” to make a difference. A call to all artist to unite for a common goal…and that is to revive the komik industry in the Philippines.

Now that is a goal that isn’t selfish. Now I plan on making a second run at trying to achieve my goal…but this time, the bid isn’t just for personal success. It isn’t for personal glory, but rather for the good of all aspiring comic book artist here in the Philippines.

The stage is set, the battle has begun. I am now a "BAYAN KNIGHT"! And I’ve found a new calling. MABUHAY ANG BAYAN KNIGHTS!!!=) MABUHAY ang PINOY!!!=)