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Apr

1

A Different Path For Now

Filed Under Family, Filipino Artists, My Art, My Comics, Philippine Comics | 30 Comments

This is my April Fool’s gag for 2009.

2008 had been extremely difficult for me and my extended families. In hindsight, it was probably the worst time to decide to pursue personal projects knowing now how bad the economy would become.

Struggling for a good way to make a living and living on the very edge of bankruptcy for the better part of the last two years, it made me reconsider a job offer I had previously declined that would help us get out of this financial quicksand.

The job offer came by way of You Tube. You Tube has been nothing more than a place for me to have fun. That was it. But surprisingly enough, the schticks and stupid videos that I have done there have somehow gained a following. Last year I was offered to star in a TV sitcom that would make use of my You Tube “persona”. I had initially scoffed at the idea because back then I still thought of myself as a comic book creator.

I’ve had plenty of opportunity to rethink that decision as I found myself searching for coins in my drawers and pants just so I could buy lunch. I realized right there that “I shouldn’t have to do this.” So I called up the number that was given to me, and starting next month we begin shooting the TV sitcom.

I’m not at liberty to say what show it is, or what TV network it is for. But I am sure that the audience would be primarily OFWs as they seem to be my primary audience.

It will be a full time job, so as of next month, I will no longer be working in comics. I will just finish off my current commitments including the last two installments of Timawa, as well as the last few ELMER gift sets.

I make this decision with a sad heart. Comics has been my life for well, my entire life. To leave it behind is a painful thing to do. I’m the kind of person who commits totally to something so if I would be embracing acting, I would do so completely and wholeheartedly. I cannot act and do comics at the same time. It’s just not me.

Perhaps one day I will do comics again, if this acting thing doesn’t eventually work out. But right now I really can’t afford to think like that.

I will also be closing this blog, and opening a new one hosted at the TV network’s site. I will inform you all of the address soon.

I will also be closing my You Tube channel, as its closure is part of the deal with the network.

It’s corny I know, but they want me to go by the name GERARDO from now on. Of course, all of my friends can still call me Gerry. But for everyone else, I guess Gerardo is it. It’s still my name of course. That’s the name on my birth certificate. I suppose it’s meant to make me seem more mature. They know best I guess.

Well, that’s it. I don’t know how much longer this blog will stay up, but as long as it’s still here, let me just offer my deepest thanks and gratitude to everyone who has visited here and shared a bit of themselves with me.

Thank you very much.

Comments

30 Responses to “A Different Path For Now”

  1. Randy on April 1st, 2009 12:18 am

    Hintayin ko bukas sir kung totoo tong sinasabi mo o April Fools joke lang. Nahilo ako sir, uminom nga ko ng gamot pang-high blood. Comment ulit ako bukas kung totoo nga to.

  2. Shy Mango on April 1st, 2009 1:10 am

    I was about to say, “SELL OUT! LOL”, when I noticed the date. Ehehehe, nice try!

  3. danry ocampo on April 1st, 2009 1:26 am

    Wow! I am surprised about this news. I will surely miss the bidjos on you tube but excited on what the new “Gerardo TV” will be about. I twice as much eager to possibly get a ELMER gift set because it may be more worth than P2500 due to its sentimental value. Thanks gerry for the free entertainment on this blog as well as the videos but if its any consolation Im glad that your influence will get a bigger audience. More Power!

  4. Bong Redila on April 1st, 2009 1:31 am

    “wasted” na naman tayo, ger!

    april fooooolsss!

  5. Gilbert on April 1st, 2009 1:36 am

    Happy April fools day din sa iyo Ger! hihihi!

  6. Ed on April 1st, 2009 1:38 am

    Happy April Fools. :D

  7. Sandy on April 1st, 2009 2:06 am

    Ha, ha, ha…that’s a good one Gerry. You almost had me fooled until I looked at the date on the calendar :)

  8. Ash on April 1st, 2009 2:18 am

    Mang Gerardo,

    It’s sad to think that Pinoy comics will be losing one of its best. But it’s good to note, though, that your talent will be crossing over to another medium and maybe to a larger audience and maybe, who knows, that’ll make you all the riches you need, and more, etc.

    And, oh by the way, isn’t today April 1?

    You don’t fail to amuse.

    Ash

  9. Rene on April 1st, 2009 2:21 am

    hehe. gerardo. hehe. animal. alam mo bang i-email sana kita para tanungin kung ano diskarte mo ngayong taon na ‘to. well, ‘eto na nga. gerardo. hehe.

  10. Adrian on April 1st, 2009 3:57 am

    Hay naku… I thank that you’ll not approve this comment para maloko mo pa ang ibang tao!

  11. Jerome Dizon on April 1st, 2009 4:12 am

    hmmmmm April 1, NO COMMENT! :P

  12. Pinoy Comics USA on April 1st, 2009 5:27 am

    Gerry,
    Say this isn’t true, that this is all a big joke.
    Rod

  13. Charles Tan on April 1st, 2009 5:55 am

    Good luck and take care!

    Thanks for the past few decades of comics.

  14. jim on April 1st, 2009 7:06 am

    April Fools! :D

  15. Michael on April 1st, 2009 7:13 am

    Was in the same shoes around a decade ago. the comic book work at Funny Komiks and Atlas dried up and I could no longer sponge off my parents so I went back to school (2nd degree) so I could qualify for a day job.

    Finally have a day job but I’m saving up for my own copier machine so I can still self-publish an indie comic book every November Komikon. Can’t totally give up on komiks. My day job just gives me some resources for continuing to practice the craft as well as put food on the table.

    I still remember my starving artist days at Funny Komiks and Atlas (Jolly Kid komiks), when P15 could buy you a pop cola and some hopia or pudding from any streetside bakery.

    I still believe one can live off comic book publishing but you have to find the niche market that can sustain your efforts–stylized manga.

    Good luck ‘Gerardo’ at your new career change and I hope you do well.

  16. Markus on April 1st, 2009 8:47 am

    Okay, okay.. I got it! Nice one, Gerry! I mean, Gerardo! Heheheh…

  17. Azrael on April 1st, 2009 8:48 am

    good luck! ^______^

  18. Rafael on April 1st, 2009 8:55 am

    Gerry,
    Follow your bliss, man —
    Much success to your new challenge, you possess the talent and creative energy to go far!

  19. Dexter Wee on April 1st, 2009 9:25 am

    Hi Gerry.
    Though I felt a little bit sad regarding your leaving comics for the meantime but I am happy of this new path you chose. At least you’ll be able to reinvent yourself and do something kinda new. I know you’ll always be the comic book guy by heart and I know one way or the other you’ll be back with a bang! And hey! I think you have a wonderful charisma on tv I told you before that you can be a stand up comedian.
    Well I’m all high hopes for you Gerry and wishing you all the best in everything you do.
    God bless!

  20. Dexter Wee on April 1st, 2009 9:35 am

    Haha You got me!!!

  21. Reno on April 1st, 2009 9:46 am

    Yeah, and a happy April Fool’s to you, too, Gerardo! I’m not falling for it this time!!!

  22. itlog on April 1st, 2009 9:53 am

    thanks sa lahat ng mga makukulit mong videos…

  23. itlog on April 1st, 2009 10:33 am

    wait teka napaisip ako baka naman april fools lang to hehehe

  24. chummy on April 1st, 2009 10:54 am

    :) Happy April Fool’s Day sir gery…asteeg!

  25. kc cordero on April 1st, 2009 11:30 am

    gerardo,
    do you already have a talent manager or a road manager? i would like to apply, maliit lang ang hihingin kong porsyento, he he :)

  26. David Jerickson Serador on April 1st, 2009 11:43 am

    I’m a Big Fan of yours Gerry, I’ll follow your works wherever it leads, All I can say is….

    Happy April Fools Gerry :)

  27. Andy on April 1st, 2009 11:48 am

    To bad, i was expecting that you’ll be back at inking leinil’s work as your next big gig. Feel really bad and totally out of line. good luck anyway.

  28. mark on April 1st, 2009 12:23 pm

    is this a Fool’s day joke?

  29. Jun on April 1st, 2009 12:52 pm

    Gerardo, parang machong mexican tele-novela name..hehe..di ko alam kung April fools joke to or real pero I think it’s real..^_^

    Good luck with your chosen path Sir Gerry! It’s sad to see you leave comics..I really wish you can still do one or two drawings for me in blank covers before you leave..

    anyway..good luck and wish you all the best!

  30. Robby Villabona on April 1st, 2009 1:27 pm

    Ako naman I’ve decided to stop drawing for a living and work as an I.T. manager in a bank. Nothing like an 8-5 job driving to Makati back and forth everyday :-)

    Happy April 1!