Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My wife's General Manager's Award



My wife bagged an award this year. Galing ng mahal ko no? :)

New OLD pics :)

While cleaning, we've found these pictures :) We call those times, the good ol' LEARN days :) 1998-99

Friday, January 02, 2009

ITUTULOY!

To be continued in english, the word itutuloy means a lot to me. As a man of comics I usually end my serials using this word, meaning this is not the end.

As I start the year 2009 I think of this word. I have no intentions of stopping any of my goals in life and most especially my projects. 2008 was a year when I thought to my self, before this year ends, I'm going to do something meaningful. The year went okay for me. I had a few bumps here and there but nothing too tragic until the last few months when we had a miscarriage.

I am happy just to have accomplished a few breakthroughs, like our trip to San Diego Comic Con and got to talk to some DC editors that said real neat stuffs about my work. Meeting people who are dear to me at the con was certainly a treat. Our vacation to hawaii was tiring but worth it. As my wife would tell me a zillion times during a trip. It might be a while before we could do this again, so let's fill up our schedule with things to do while we are here.

Our publishing venture was a bit slow, but moving. We manage to publish three issues within the year so I guess that is quite an acchievement for me. But, something I'll always be proud of had finally came to fruition. That is, BAYAN KNIGHTS. The title was supposed to be for a book I was thinking of where all my characters won't be overdressed for a real feel story. But I decided to us it to this new project where I asked some of the most creative people I know to join me and create a book for one purpose alone. To help each other. Something that was never done before in local comics. No politics, no barriers, no nonesense, just plain selfless act of heroism between my brothers and sisters in the comics community.

We've met a lot of heroes that also share our dream to revitalize the local comics scene. But I'd like to say thanks to Edgar Tadeo, Rain Beredo and Mark Taduran for helping the Bayan Knights with our cover. Bless you guys!

Komikon 2008 was also a very memorable event. People can only wish that we could do this more often :) All the new titles that came out? there are no specifics, all of them are important. From the smallest and youngest creators to the best we could offer, I congratulate you for all your efforts and love for the medium. Thanks for keeping the flame and dream alive guys!

2008 came and ended but not my dreams, not my work, I plan to push harder. Some might think, what is this guy thinking? The dream might be to big for him. All I can really say to that is, if I can, then I will. Nothing really special to what I am doing, but if it could make a difference, why stop me? Let me be. You could ignore me or join me, either way I'll continue.

So 2009 for me is not a new start and everything else? ITUTULOY!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Monsantos at the Makati Shang :)

In our yearly Hotel sampling :)















Mga nakakatuwang Piktyurs with our kids :)

Gusto ko lang ishare kung what's keeping me sane hehe.



















3rd Toys and Collectibles Christmas Fair 2008 and BK xmas dinner pictures

Konti lang pics ko nakuha :)

Second time namin nagparaffle ng original art, this time si Zheya naman ang ginawa kong art, created by Myles Chua.







At ang nanalo ay si Mr. lorenzo Bernardo ng Pasig City. Nakakatuwa na siya ang pinakaunang bumili sa event :) So No. 1 siya talaga! Congrats and thanks sa support.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

6 weeks and 3 days

It all started with two red lines, made us smile. I thought this would be the perfect ending for a good year. Been busy all year long, started a lot of things while ending a few. Expecting a baby could only be good news to us. We've already talked a lot for our new exciting project. But is was not meant to be. On our second ultrasound, we expected heartbeats but there was none. All hope was lost. We wondered alot and waited for another week to make sure there was no mistake. Sad to say, they could have been twins, two egg sacks one so tiny and the other almost made it. Sleep well my little unnamed angels, we are grieving the fact that we had no choice, it was fate. We love you none the less. I'll never forget. Thank you for the smiles you gave us, your mommy and daddy loves you.

Sleep well.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Random notes about Komikon 08

Because my brain is still a bit out of order, I'll do a random recollection of my thoughts about Komikon '08

* It is exciting to find more titles this year. More titles means more to offer, more for our readers to choose from.

* It is wonderful that it was not too noisy, the focus is now more into Komiks rather than gaming or cosplay. It was fun to find cosplayers but not for competition. Thus meant more sales for the exhibitors. That is what they came there for anyways right?

* The sound system should be fixed though, Our table was near the stage but we can't hear squat! we have to close our eyes just to understand who is on stage sometimes.

* Bayan Knights did well, including all participating creators. We all agreed to get a joint long table next time to maximize visibility. We are one this year, but scattered all over the place hehe. Next time guys :)

* Lan Medina was there! Now that is worth a lot, I just hope they had announced that fact more.

* I wasn't able to go around much, wish I did. One this I guess we need to do just like at the SDcomicon though. Flyers, flyers, flyers! It is so hard to understand what is going on, or who is at which table no less.

* One good thing also are the food stands, at least this time. there's a lot of selections.

* No where to showcase the products. I'm not really sure if dividers are more convenient so can post posters/ images about the products we are selling? Although tables are much more friendlier but also needs more talk to convince people to check your titles out.

* more soon :)

Monday, November 24, 2008

BAYAN KNIGHTS: The story thus far

(Originally posted on our Bayan Knight blog dated Nov. 20, 2008)

“Looks like we made it” could be on everyone’s minds right now. For now, Bayan Knights #1 is being printed maybe even as we read this entry. Just like before, I can’t help but be a bit anxious about what the final product would look, smell, and feel like. For someone who has done this for a long time, I am wondering how the Knights are taking the pressure of knowing that the time is fast approaching. I could still remember every time a new comic book I made gets released to the market. The best way to describe that feeling would be“exhausting.” The expectations are there along with some morbid thoughts about people hanging me for my work. But this time, it is different. I’ll be sharing these feelings with more than 30 people - each one waiting for this issue to come out.


This book has represented a lot of things for me. The idea that people from different walks of life but with a deep appreciation of comics can truly band together and share not just their hopes and dreams but the idea that all of us can help each other and support everyone in the group is somewhat amazing - even for me. With only a few months to do the actual comic book and find funding for it, it was not an easy task for all of us.


So where are now exactly? We are a critical point where possibilities might come from all sides, both good and bad. All expectations – and doubts - are high and when we finally get there, we’ll all realize that this is actually just the beginning. The work to be done will be more challenging than the first time. There is a bigger picture that is still hidden under this project of ours and we will be needing more heroes to help us along the way. Rest assured that we will be transparent to all members.


Miracles, a lot of these seem to keep popping up for all of us. Little surprises and wonderful experiences have surrounded us with every step we take together towards one direction. Yes, there may be sceptics who will surely show up and we are ready to face them together. We’ll learn from them and we’ll listen with open minds and hearts. This family of dreamers and builders will not be hindered because we’ve all accepted the fact that the only way for all of us to succeed is by caring for each and every Knight no matter who or where they are. I am amazed and glad to have met these people, all white knights to the cause.


“We are one”. That line holds us together and will only make us stronger while we continue learning from each other. If you look at the progress of each member in terms of artistic maturity and compare that with the individuals that they were before being a Bayan Knight, you would see their considerable growth. This rally of progress can only be described in one word -- infectious. It is my dearest hope that this will continue and in turn, bring forth more opportunities for all of us.


Heroes have also stood with us; we are grateful and proud to walk among them, brave individuals who reinforce the realization that heroes do still exist in all of us. We hope we’ll also inspire others to find the hero in every Juan in the country.


So are we truly there yet? Not by a long shot, but we are definitely getting there.



Gilbert Monsanto

A Bayan Knight