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

METROPOLITAN FAN ART by RENIE PALO

Renie Palo sent in this beautiful fan art for Metropolitan. Thanks Renie!

INTRODUCING SHAWN DAVID MONSANTO

We like you to meet our second baby who was born November 15 around 2:20am.

Druid's Keep 2nd anniversary adventure.

Last Saturday, I went to the 2nd Anniversary of Druid's keep in Magallanes. Gerry Alanguilan was there to promote and sign his very successful title Elmer now on its second issue. One thing I noticed when he signs his books, he'll be comfortably slow and felt like, he was actually drawing his name on the book. I admire that actually. Me? I'm a speed freak! I did some speed sketches for fun. I sold some issues of Rambol and Tropa plus gave out some free posters of Sacred Mountain and I am content that new people tried and I hope will enjoy our titles. Gerry encouraged me to write down some of my views on how to improve the current state of komiks. I'll have to polish that thought before posting it here in my blog. I really enjoyed our conversation and the delicious BBQs Mr. Cua has prepared for the occassion. Thanks Felix for the support and Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Another look back at komiks 1994

Just a week ago, Mr. Rod Espinosa wrote me an email. Rod is just one of our local artists who migrated to the US and continued their profession abroad doing comics. He's already done numerous project under Antartic Press. I actually colored some of his pages for "For Eternity" when it was reprinted here locally by PSICOM.

I happen to have a copy of his old work while working for TERMINATOR komiks( Sonic Triangle ) he worked on "CYBERINA" while I did X-Trooper inside the said Comic Magazine. We haven't met personally but is good to know that more of us back then are now working on more projects that are internationally released.

Keep the magic coming Rod!

METROPOLITAN fan art from ALAN GALLO

First ever fan art for Metropolitan from Alan Gallo.
http://rowper.deviantart.com

Now available at Druid's Keep

Rambol and Tropa

Now available at

Druid's Keep

3rd Floor, Gateway Mall

(where Rustan's is)Magallanes

Get Tropa and Rambol by mail!

Great news! You can now get your copy of RAMBOL KOMIKS and TROPA by mail! Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Go to any nearest BPI bank and deposit the correct amount to the account as shown below. Please write clearly to avoid any errors.

GILBERT MONSANTO
Savings Account Number: xxxxxxxxxx ( due to security reason, please email us a request letter to proceed with the transcation.)

Step 2: Write down your name, complete mailing address, telephone or cel number or email for confirmation on a piece of paper and fax this, together with the validated deposit slip duplicate, to 6556780 or scan the said duplicate and send as attachment via email to smp_letters@yahoo.com

Step 3: Wait for 10 days for a package to arrive.

Remember that when you order Tropa #1 and Rambol #1 as a set, you’ll be receiving a FREE POSTER from Sacred Mountain Publications.

Note: LVM means LUZON/VISAYAS/MINDANAO

We are still formulating ways to send copies outside the Philippines, so stay tuned!