LOVE THE FILIPINO KOMIKS INDUSTRY

This one is like the other side of the same coin :)

from my friend John Becaro.
http://johnbecaro.deviantart.com/

I STILL LOVE THE FILIPINO KOMIKS INDUSTRY
Journal Entry: Wed May 2, 2007, 2:49 AM

I STILL LOVE THE FILIPINO KOMIKS INDUSTRYThis is but just a random thought, but I would like to share this to everyone.If there's anything I could say why I love the Philippine Komiks Industry, I would always say BECAUSE I LOVE IT SO. I don't need to explain it coz it's an attachment that I cannot simply measure.If you love something, You will do anything for it. sEE? It's unconditional love no matter what. Free from boundaries.Deep inside attaching to our soul.Yes. Blind as it is. But that's how I love. I see to it that it is more on heart and not more on thinking. Because if we think too much, we will always end up to what is ideal and may sometimes fall into being unreal. Yes. Love Hurts. But that is just a process.A process that will keep us more strong in our journey on what is call life.Regardless, if it is done in different style, Western, Manga or Not; Glossy or newsprint, Black and White or Colored;Tabloid or 8.5 x 11 format; Distributed locally, nationwide, or International; published mainstream or indie; Horror, superhero,Fantasy, real life or Not. Komiks, Comics, Komix or Not. Tagalog or English. Wether it is sold out or not. As long as it is Done for our Filipino People, I don't care, I will still Love the Filipino Komiks Industry.THE PHILIPPINE KOMIKS INDUSTRY DESERVES A CHANCE. If you hate it because there are companies and crews that threats each other as animals, then you must not hate the industry, you hate the people who does it. If you hate what is the current happenings on the industry because it does not meet the ideals, then you must hate the Events that transpired.and not the Industry.THE INDUSTRY IS BUT JUST A VICTIM on events that transpires on it and by some people that surrounds it.Can you see it? IT SUFFERRED ENOUGH, IT DESERVES HEALING AND HELP FROM US. BLAMING THE WHOLE INDUSTRY IS BUT JUST UNFAIR. There are so many people who cared and loved it more than we know.How about them? Do they deserve hate because they belong on this so called industry? Is this a time for blaming each other, now that our Industry needs the enlightened people the most?It all boils down to attitude problem and not on the Industry that deserves to grow.If you think there is a problem on the industry , propose a solution. If you think you hate the industry so much, go out and find other industry coz that will be good for you and would surely distress you. Leave us and we will always find ways to make this industry alive on our own little ways. Who knows in the near future? That's just simple.Expressing hate does not help anything, it just creates another mis- understanding and negative energies that will blocked us to grow and become mature.The best thing we could do for now is we start on our own and do not just rely on this so called "revival" or "industry" that keeps us always into pressure.Learn from the mistakes of the past and do our best not to make it happen again.The Industry is US and will start again on us. Everything we do now will contribute a lot on the upcoming years to come.Believe me, there is hope, it simply starts on us. It is not attainable right now but it will be. A new era of Philippine Komiks Industry has arises even we still did'nt realize it for now.With the awakening of the new generations of comics creators and enthusiasts, there is still a chance and a room for CHANGE.We need more people who love doing Komiks. _For the Love of Filipino Comics.

Hate The Local Comics Industry

I got this from a deviantart account. Wht do you guys think?

http://huckbeine.deviantart.com/journal/12712767/

I Hate The Local Comics Industry
Evil Princess Laura

For someone who is working in the comics industry, I don't like the things that are going on, or nothing that is going on. Someone really needs to say it, but a lot are scared to do it. So let me be the first to say it.

My industry pisses me off real good.

There, I said it. I frankly don't care anymore if I gather a lot of flak for this statement. But I do care much for the local comics industry, as to make a very bold statement. I have no stake in this article and the situations I will tell, and I am not putting myself on a pedestal here, making myself holy or something. So why should I care very much? Because the local comics industry is hurting itself and my reputation.

Everyone is responsible for what the Filipino comics industry is in its sorry state right now. In just my short stay in the comics industry, a lot of things happened that is making me pissed about our comics industry. From publishing houses to comic artists, from comics distributors to comic buyers, their actions have pissed me off.

Let's be brutally honest. The Filipino comics industry was already on the deathbed ever since the “exodus” of many great Filipino artists to America. A few heartbeat is shown in the era of Funny comics and the Filipino comics industry was finally declared clinically dead after the crash of the Culture Crash Comics. Any comics that published after the Culture Crash Comics is nothing but a feeble CPR attempt. But we will discuss that in another day.

A lot of comics tried to bear the mantle of the Filipino comics industry, but failed. A lot of comics enthusiasts have been telling me that the industry is revived again, with a lot of comics are coming out. Sadly, these comics never last a year or three issues, whichever comes first. Or if I ever see one that is doing well, it is usually a graphic novel format made by an artist that made his/her name internationally. Unfortunately or rather fortunately, that is not what is making me pissed off.

I have encountered publishing houses not doing enough and not supporting the comics enough for it to sell. I have encountered publishing houses using the same distribution channels that are used to distribute sexy magazines. I have encountered opportunist coworkers who are scheming to gain control of the comics. I have encountered comics editors that they don't know what they are doing. I have encountered comics editors that thinks that comics should always have something that readers can learn. I don't know about him, but comics are always entertainment first. If I want to learn something, I read books, I don't read comics to gain IQ points. I have encountered editors that are quick to jump sinking ship when the comic's future is grim, leaving the writers and artists to fend for themselves. Sadly, this is still the tip of the smoking gun. I have encountered artists that only wants to make a quick buck, drawing 10 minutes sketches of characters in various poses on a piece of paper and call it a comic. They never put an effort in making a coherent story, just slap some drawings together in many panels with those characters saying stupid one-liners and call it a comics.

I have encountered artists that are very egotistical, when I criticize their work, they keep saying to me “You can't draw, so shut up and appreciate my drawing.” I have also encountered stupid arguments from artists on both sides. There are those old artists that thinks that "Komiks" should always be made in Tagalog/Filipino and put in cheap paper and sold cheaply. These are also the same type of people who are quick to dismiss the efforts by the people who are publishing manga-esque comics. And there are these new people and younger artists that think that the world revolves around them. They don't study the history of comics in the Philippines and learn from it, they just publish comics based on gut feeling and basing it on how well the anime and manga are doing in the Philippines. Both sides have fair share of idiots.

There are comics distributors that will put local comics in a very low visibility shelf in favor of foreign comics and manga. That puts the local comics industry in another disadvantage when battling against foreign comics and manga when your comics can't be virtually seen. There are also comics distributors that want their logos in the comics or paying them with boatload of money just in order for you to sell your comics through them. A lot of comics publishing houses knows what comics distributors I am talking about, so I am not going to name names. And there are other comics publishing houses that treat other comics publishing houses as competitors. While that is true in business sense, that kind of thinking will hurt the industry much more. In amidst in the sea of pirated anime DVDs, foreign comics and manga, what is needed is all of the local comics is to band and complement each other in order to stay afloat against all odds. Because anyone who thinks their comics will single-handedly revive the local comics industry is stupid. Okay, maybe not stupid, its extremely stupid.

Then there are those kinds of people that read comics only on newsstands. They take a perfectly good copy of a comic, tear apart the wrapping, read it thoroughly, making big creases on the pages, putting oily fingerprints on glossy pages of the comics. And after all that use and abuse, these kinds of people will just put back the comics to the shelf. Unsold. And to make matters worse, if someone also wants to read the comics while someone is reading it, he will grab another copy, tear open apart the wrapping, messing up another good copy. After all is done, they will put back those messy copies to the shelf. And those copies will never be sold. Because, let's not kid ourselves, any kind of person that will buy a messy and ruined copy of a comic is a big idiot.

And there are those kinds of people that will keep complaining that the comics are either too western or too anime for their taste. They kept lashing out at comics publication for not publishing comics with the distinct “Filipino” art style instead of buying comics and supporting the local comics industry. Sheesh, I don't know what these kinds of people have in mind when they are thinking of Filipino art style for comics, but I tell you its not going to be pretty. Even with the local comics boom in 1960's to 80's, the art style used in those kinds of comics are distinctly western. Well, bad news for them. There is no Filipino art style, period, end of discussion. If these kinds of people want “Filipino” art style, they will have to look at Aeta cave drawings.

Sadly, I'm not making this stuff up.

I don't know what exactly needs to be done in order to revive the Filipino comics industry. But if you do care about the Filipino comics industry, then every one of us need to do something about it. Because doing something about it is better than only discussing how to revive the comics industry. That is the only way to fully revive the local comics industry.

The proof of RAMBOL 2

One more week, we got caught up with Holy Week and we had to fix some typos. Also been busy setting up a new business at Marikina Riverbanks Center. Anyway here is a pic of the proofs.

Reno Maniquis' MASKARADO

Here is a pin-up offering for Reno's Maskarado Special Anniversary issue.

A new event in May!

Where are they at?

This is a sketch sent by Renie Palo, showing where in SM Manila NBS, copies of Rambol and Tropa are located, not where they should be. We already called them up but until now I guess they did nothing. Sigh. But thanks to this sketch posted here. I guess, anybody who is from Manila now knows where to look. Thanks Renie!

Also, Rambol #2 will be on its way to the printer within the week, finally. So, it won't be long now for copies to hit the stands. :)

Ad nilabas kahapon(MONDAY) sa Libre na newspaper :)

I had to go to and ride the MRT just to get a copy of Libre newspaper, can't find any from the Ortigas stations, the ones I can see are held by passengers, finally at the Shaw station, i found a security guard not holding his copy of Libre. I took the newspaper and pretended to browse and I did find our ad for our Doodle Camp workshop. I decided to ask the guard if i can have that copy for myself, fortunately he said okay with a surprised look on his face. i just don't want to go home ampty handed. the newspaper anyway is free. i just hope he was done reading it.

Komiks Congress? What I think?

I think that it should not be just about one man, who feels that the lead cast of " The return of the King" thing. It is about komiks and how we sell them back to the hearts of our beloved readers. The real lifeline of this Industry. It is not about styles, nor from what group or tribe you are in, especially not about who is better. It is not about seniority either. This is about the future. We've placed our trust in it, that we are doing whatever we can just to achieve and accomplish as much as we have. Don't mess with it.

I think that the real difference from the komiks of today is that they or we since I was once a part of that dark tradition where we were mere contributors of the big companies then, puppets of playing siblings playing gods. Komiks today are done by young, dedicated and should be considered heroes of today. Imagine these creators are not getting much from each herculean step they make just to revive a sleeping giant. When the so called masters turned their backs to work on other more profitable jobs like animation and such when komiks was sick and dying on its knees, we fought harder. They never had the courage to self-publish because they know it is suicide, yet we dove in and took on the challenge. We are the komiks of today. We respect them for who they are and how they inspired us. But for them to claim victory to something they did nothing for a long time? PWE!

More branches to find our komiks

Soon to be found on more NBS branches, Tropa and Rambol Komiks will soon be available at these branches:
Robinson's Place Lipa
Cabanatuan ( NE Pacific Shopping mall)
Robinson's place Iloilo City
Gaisano Mall Davao
SM Batangas
SM Lipa City
SM City Davao
SM City Cagayan De Oro
SM IloiloGaisano City, Bacolod

I think within the week or early next week. Copies will arrive to those branches.

The world doesn't owe YOU anything. Please...

A bit hesitant writing this down but I guess I need to get this out of my chest. Have you ever been called up or texted by your relatives before and the minute you do, you know it is just because they need something from you? My relationship with some of my relatives have always been on Low key most of the time. Everytime they call, I just don't feel good about it. It is just the way they say things I guess, you know like it is just so normal for them to ask favors as if they were asking for candies. When I was a kid growing up, I never really think that any of my relatives supports me, some do but not the way I expect them to, simply because I don't expect them to. I've always wanted for things to look up ever since my parents got separated. I've never asked any of my ninongs or ninangs for help. I've been with lots of different relatives and have always felt like a bouncing ball, always gets passed around. Nothing to complain about though. We all should know by now that a Guest in the house becomes Pests if they over stayed their welcome right? The only real house that I loved growing up with is actually in the slums with my Lola Petra (Mother side) who passed away too soon. She was the only one who believed that I was good and she was determined to guide me, she lead by example. I've always been a naughty boy growing up and I can still remember being so stubborn and would shout back at any elders if I don't get my way. She stayed calm through out those years until I finally came to my senses. My lola is a saint. She told me that people no matter what should not step down on other people, but instead be helped. In that little house made of old wood, I stayed with her together with My uncle and Auntie Nita ( who helped me get the things i need and not what I want. Always be grateful for that.) and my cousins. Funny, I had more fun there than anywhere I stayed. Unlike them, a few of my relatives now tend to think that in some strange ways I need to help them. I don't know why. It really hurts that every time I invite them to parties and such, they would be so busy that you even have to get them a service just to attend. I even have the worst experience that whenever I got sick? Friends and not relatives would help out. When I was experiencing so much back pains and could not move, I called someone for help, he just said, he can't come visit or take me to the hospital because of work. Luckily, the pain subsided. I guess it was due to stress. Most recently someone called up and even told me that she knew about me lending money to my sister. What gall huh? That sister was one and would most probably my best supporter in life and career, she helped me during my lowest times. I would certainly lend her a hand in an instant. My wife, even asked me with much surprise on her face. Why do you care so much for people who is never there for you? A question, I've never entertained until now. To all of you who can read this. Try to remember that relatives are not there for favors. but instead for company, call because you care and not because you need something. Talk about the good time and all the bad. If we do have that kind of relationship, maybe then and only then can we share favors together. I love my relatives, I really do. But I think they should do what I did. Don't ask for too much favors, survive.

TROPA and RAMBOL off to NBS CEBU branches

Just went to the forwarder today and they said that the packages will arrive Cebu by tuesday. So expect to find Tropa and Rambol komiks in National Bookstores there very soon. :) Whew! Still a few more branches to work on.

TROPA and RAMBOL available in Schools :)

By tomorrow, two new locations will be added where you can find Tropa and Rambol Komiks. Courtesy of POTATO ISLAND located inside San Lorenzo(school)in Laguna and on POTATO REPUBLIC inside Las Piñas College, so you can enjoy your French Fries, Ice cream and our komiks together :) We hope that soon, komiks and school can work hand in hand since during my High School years, our comics was usually got confiscated so we have to always hide them inside our backpacks. Comics are reading materials, pure and simple and should not be seen in any other way that what it is. To promote reading, we should not limit options. We should instead encourage whatever works, especially during this age of arcade games when more and more kids prefer watching and listening over a nice and peaceful reading. Comics IS an Ally. That is our promise.

TROPA and RAMBOL now available at National Bookstores

We've managed so far to distribute copies to National Bookstores, we are yet to complete our distribution to the far ends of manila and the provinces.

So, Tropa(75 pesos) and Rambol komiks (60 Pesos) are now available at these branches:

SM CITY bicutan, SOUTHMALL, CASA Filipina Arcade, Festival Mall, South Supermarket filinvest, SM Sucat, Jaka Plaza Paranaque, SM Manila, Harrison Plaza, Robinson's Place Ermita, CM Recto, Tutuban Center Mall, SM San Lazaro, Market Market, Q-plaza cainta, Sta Lucia East Grand Mall, Rizal Ave. Manila, Katipunan, Northridge plaze proj.8, SM city North Edsa, Quezon Ave., New Farmers plaza, Ali Mall, Super Branch cubao, Edsa shopping Terminal, Robinson's place Pioneer, Robinson's Galleria, Greenhills,Big R junction, Ever rosario pasig, Raymundo pasig, The Podium, Shangri-la plaza, Megamall bldg.A, Glorietta, and Greenbelt.

We are not sure about the visibility of our products but you can always ask a saleslady. Please do check them out.

To read more about the titles:

http://jtmtzrwj.blogspot.com/search?q=komiks

http://gilbertmonsanto.blogspot.com

We are so new to this business, but we strongly believe in our titles. Our next step is to hold on to those belief of producing quality komiks for more people to enjoy and ... a whole lot of prayers.

Sacred Mountain Publications

RAMBOL cover 2 preview (Alagad Inc. side)

Here is the artwork cover for Rambol Komiks by Kriss Sison :)

Bea and Boy, learn more of them and their early beginnings. This issue will reveal more about the formation of Alagad Inc., these two and why Girl hates(or love?) Boy! :)

Also find out what will happen just to find the champions to face the God's challenge.

Coming very soon from Sacred Mountain!

Writer and colors(internal pages): Gilbert Monsanto
Artists: Kriss Sison and Lui Antonio(flashbacks)

Pag lumabas, 60 pesos pa rin!!!

The email that struck like lightning!

Just woke up around 3am, took a nap while finishing Rambol #2 pages. My wife told me, I got mail. I was surprised to see who it was from. Now I truly believe in the power of the internet :)

The email:

Hi Gilbert,

It's only now that I saw your Kapitan Kidlat version which was posted in your blog webite January 2006. I must say it look good. I hope to see your own version in the near future. My father created Kapitan Kidlat especially for young Filipinos like you. If Kapitan Kidlat is the first Filipino Fictional Superhero (pangalan pa lang pinoy na pinoy na!), I can certainly say that you and other young Filipino artists are the first Real Superheroes that's putting the Philippines in the top class of the animate/print comics industries. Keep up the good work.

God Bless!

Leonardo "Bobby" Abutin, Jr
Seattle, Washington USA

Imagine that? Thank you sir for your appreciation towards our efforts. I'll send you a personal reply very soon. Well, I guess I have to hit the sack. Tomorrow's another hectic day and we'll be delivering copies of Tropa and Rambol at NBS branches again, greenhills area I think.

nite nite-- err g'morning na pala hehe.

RAMBOL issue 2

As requested, here is the preview of RAMBOL komiks issue 2. I hope I can finish all the pages soon, so we can release it within this month of February. Flipbook format, 60 pesos. Featuring two action-packed stories, Gilbert Monsanto's Metropolitan and Alagad Inc. with interior art by Kriss Sison, Lui Antonio and Gilbert Monsanto.

TROPA and Rambol Komiks Now available at COMIC QUEST!

Finally abled to drop off copies of Tropa and Rambol issue 1 at Comic Quest in Megamall and at Festival Mall, 4th floor yesterday. With every purchase, you'll also get a free poster from Sacred Mountain Publications.

Please visit their stores soon.

TROPA and Rambol Komiks Now available at COMIC ODYSSEY!

Yesterday, we've finally managed to drop off several copies of TROPA #1 and RAMBOL Komiks #1 at Comic Odyssey Robinsons Galleria. I hope new people will check out our titles. Also, I'll be joining Philip Tan when he visits the shop and sign comics for everyone. I am looking forward to see Philip again, who’s doing wonders for SPAWN.
Anyways, we think that Comic Odyssey is a very nice place to find comic treasures. The set-up is neat and very easy to look at, giving comics the highlight they deserve.

Hope to see you guys there!

Comic Odyssey Robinsons Galleria,
Ortigas 3rd Level Expansion Mall
tel. # 914-0040
Sunday, January 21, 2007
From 1pm - 4pm

a little preview for 2007

Here's hoping for an exciting New Year everyone!

BUSY BUSY BUSY!

I was not able to write or post anything here for quite some time now. Must be the season. We've been so busy with lots of upcoming family gatherings and outings. Relatives from UK and the US will be spending the holidays here in Manila so it will be a massive reunion with lots of kids and it will be all fun and body aches :) Aside from that, I've been juggling to keep up with deadlines and recently, we had a major termite invasion and we had to evac our stuffs from our room. 28 big boxes total. I am amazed on how we managed to fit all those stuffs inside a small room. I had to plan ahead just to make it work when it is finally time to return them inside. But I this will be one memorable Christmas for sure. As of now we still have to plan more parties before Christmas. Plus having our newest baby boy needing all the care and attention from us. There is just no time to spare. I even had to return to my old ways of working late as in up to 3-4 am just to keep up with the deadlines. Feel like a Zombie sometimes. A bit cranky even sometimes. Getting old I guess :)

Anyways, i'll to post in updates on our books.

Also, please check out Enchanted Kingdom, the Christmas issue. I colored some pages inside for them. The art on those pages done by my friend, Jim Jimenez and lettered also our friend, Reg Ting (ex editor for DC Superheroes and DC kids Philippines).

I guess that is it for now. I'll post new stuffs soon.

-G