Renaissance goes on the road! Our first stop is this Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the National Book Store branch in the new Glorietta 5. I’ll be on hand to sign and sketch for a cause. Hey, Tony De Zuniga is going to be there!

I always make it a point to support our local comic book stores as much as I can as they provide an important and vital link between us creators and those who read our work. Comic Odyssey owner Sandy Sansolis has been very supportive of local creators through the various signings he organizes all throughout the year.

In fact, he’s doing so again when the first issue of Ultimate Avengers by Leinil Yu and myself is released. Sandy is going to be conducting a signing at one of his shops, to coincide with Free Comic Book Day on May 1, 2010.

Unfortunately, I myself probably won’t be around for FCBD it’s likely I wouldn’t be in the country. Apologies to Sandy! I’ll make it up to you at the next signing!

In the meantime, their store is going to have a huge sale THIS weekend at their Robinson’s Galleria and Robinson’s Malate branches.

Cebu and Baguio

I will be in Cebu this coming March 16, 2010 Tuesday and in Baguio on March 18, 2010 Thursday for a business trip.

If anyone from the local Cebu and Baguio comic book industry (creators, publishers, retailers, and fans) are free, maybe you guy would want to hang out, talk comics, and maybe come up with something we can do for the Cebu and Baguio comic book community.

Write me a note at admin(AT)jonasdiego.com so I can e-mail you my mobile number.

Hope to see you guys there!

************

Jonas Diego is a comics writer and artist and co founder of the Komikero Artists Group. He has also proven to be an excellent organizer of comic book events. He was responsible for organizing both the 2nd San Pablo Comics Festival, along with the KomiksTrip Comics Convention in UPLB. He also regularly conducts comics workshops, talks and seminars in Manila, Laguna and nearby areas.

To the fans of comics in Cebu and Baguio who have visited this blog many times wondering about comics conventions in your area, I think it would be a good idea to get your legions together and hear what Jonas would have to say. Best of luck, and I hope I visit one of your events one of these days!

Some of you may remember me talking about this title back in September 2009:
Philippine Adventure and Romance Stories Preview
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1998

The first issue has finally been printed and was soft launched during Renaissance at SM Megamall on February 21. A few local creators were on hand to promote and sign copies including Rico Rival, Abe Ocampo and Clem Rivera.

From Left: Abe Ocampo, Rico Rival and Clem Rivera

The title will be officially launched at Summer Komikon on April 17, 2010, and will have more of its creators on hand to sign copies.

I was able to get a copy during Renaissance and I have to say it’s a pretty nice package. I think this comic book is remarkable in that it represents a significant leap in the evolution of Philippine komiks.

While Carlo Caparas and Sterling Publishing released new komiks in 2007 which offered nothing new in terms of format, storytelling, production values from how komiks were published decades ago, the publishers of PARS (Philippine Adventure & Romance Stories) took its cue from the younger generation and released their comic book in graphic novel format, full color in glossy paper, and what’s more, it’s completely in English. It’s in English, I’m told, because the comic book will actually be distributed more widely abroad.

The publisher for this is Goldenlife Development Foundation, Inc., who is basically Art V. De Guzman Jr., editor and one of the contributing writers. For all practical intents and purposes, this is a self published comic book by a veteran komiks creator.

When Rico Rival signed my copy “To Gerry, We’re now in the same boat!”, I took it to mean that we’re all independent publishers now, and I think it’s simply fantastic.

The contributing writers include: Sarah Villanueva, Ed Galang, Jun Malgapo, Melo P. Soberano, Victoria Urbina, Romy D. Bohol, Flor Salanga, Marie F. Ruiz, Ramon Sedonio, and Art V. De Guzman Jr.

Contributing artists include: Nestor Malgapo, Manding De Guzman, Rico Rival, Abe Ocampo, Noli Panaligan, Nardy Cantillo, Clem Rivera, Tor Infante and Ferdee Bambico (colorist)

Editors are Art V. De Guzman and Nestor Malgapo
Art Director is Nestor Malgapo
Consultant is Arovel L. Jundis
Circulation Manager is Mitzy G. Velasco

The comic book is standard sized at 7″x10.5″, 112 pages, full color, glossy paper. Regular retail price is P950, but they promised to have a special convention price for Summer Komikon.

Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Philippine Adventure and Romance Stories, Mabuhay Kayo!

Umlauts and Atom Bombs is a collection of short comics stories, illustrations, doodles and whatnot, worked on between the deadlines. It’s like a grown up Crest Hut Butt Shop, but not really.

This first issue features “Mitch and Mischa“, written by me and illustrated by veteran komiks illustrator Marivi Hilos-Nepomuceno, whose specialty was drama/love stories for GASI Publishing in the 80’s and 90’s.

Marivi is also a fellow architect, and fellow member of the United Architects of the Philippines, San Pablo Chapter. She’s also a professional photographer. Marivi and I worked together before, when she contributed an illustration for WASTED, which appeared in the photocopy series, as well as the Final Edition published by PULP.

Marivi and I worked together on a short story called “The Letter”, which was supposed to have been the third issue of “The Dead Heart Stories” in 1998. We have subsequently decided that we could produce something better. We’ll be working on a much longer story, which will see release at the Annual Komikon in October.

“Mitch and Mischa” was to have been illustrated by the late Arlan Esmeña, but he passed away before he could start work on it.

Umlauts and Atom Bombs #1 will be a photocopied mini comic book (half short bond paper size), and shall be released at the Summer Komikon on April 17, 2010, Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Illustration signed by “Leynes”

To my eyes, the couple looks so much like Arlan and his wife May. Arlan only looks slightly similar, but May looks almost exactly the same. You can see for yourself in the tribute video of Arlan I made earlier. I had scanned this, printed it out and gave a copy to Arlan a couple of years ago and even he was surprised at how close the features were.

I think it’s simply coincidence, but what an awesome coincidence it is. Seeing the page again as I browsed this Liwayway issue, I thought I’d post it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjIdiSr1wKU
Pinoy Komiks, 2006
Directed by Pammela Belbis
Written by Jannel Miranda
Produced by Erika Ebora

The video features comic book people like Budjette Tan, Dennis Villegas, Jonas Diego, Michael David, Manix Abrera, Lyndon Gregorio, Mrs. Luming Coching, Terry Bagalso, Boboy Yonzon, Norman Isaac, Gilbert Monsanto, Reg Ting and so many more….

This video was uploaded to my You Tube account with the permission of the students.

http://www.flippish.com/komiks-trip/2010/02/18/

KomiksTrip 2010
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/2404

Flickr Gallery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/komikero/sets/72157623365279479/

Photos from Edgar Tadeo
http://www.edgartadeo.com/?p=1917

Mcoy’s Photos
http://mcoy.blogspot.com/2010/02/renaissance-megamall-pics-n-stuff.html

Carlo Pagulayan’s Photos
http://caloyski.multiply.com/photos/album/50/Renaissance

Turns out, comics colorist for Marvel Jay David Ramos is a ROCK STAR! Oh, yeah!

The first thing that people ask is… what is “Renaissance”? There seems to be some confusion as to what it is, I know. Even the posters that have come out have been kind of vague. The simple answer is that it’s very much like a one-day comics convention. It IS a comics convention. The difference is, it is a comics convention for charity. Ticket sales, as well as the money earned from sketches, and the money earned from a special book that’s going to be launched at the event, will go to charity.

What is this special book? It’s a book that collects illustrations from many of the best Filipino illustrators in comics and animation in the world. Who are going to be in this book? In this poster is a list:

The illustration I contributed is the one on top. Also in the book is a kick ass collaboration between Whilce Portacio and Philip Tan!

The awesome thing is… every single piece of original art in this book are going to be auctioned off at EBAY, the profits of which will also go to charity.

What is this charity? It’s been agreed, specially in the light of the good results of the Ondoy auctions of last year, that many of our fellow professionals in comics need our help financially to deal not only with tragedies like this, but also for personal tragedies like sickness. A charity will be established specifically for this purpose.

So yeah! If you want to help out, please visit us this Sunday, February 21 at the Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall. Doors open at 10am and I’ll be pretty much there the whole day.

I’ll be doing sketches! I’ve pledged to do at least 10 sketches for the event. If you want a sketch from me, please reserve it at the door when you arrive. I’ll be pretty much hanging out at my table the whole day selling ELMER and BOLD STAR.

Ticket price is P100, but please bear in mind, that goes to charity. If you think it’s too expensive, and you think helping comics creators in need is not worth it, then you just better shut up and keep your opinion to yourself because if you blurt it out, I’ll kick you in the nuts, we’ll never speak again, and I’ll pretty much grow old thinking how much of a selfish cheapskate you are.

See you there!

Thanks for all your comments. Arlan was very appreciative of all the messages posted for him on this blog. I printed out the comments and gave it to him, and he read them all himself just a few days ago.

The Art of Arlan Esmeña
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1939

Arlan’s Amazing Robots
http://arlanzandroe.blogspot.com/2008/12/bristol-robots.html

Bold Star Art
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/882

“Where Bold Stars Go To Die” Review at GMA 7
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/2310

Arlan’s Blog
http://arlanzandroe.blogspot.com/

The Madness that was Komikon 2009
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/2082

The Short Films Arlan and I did Together

TRUE LOVE

TRUE LOVE BLOOPERS

IT’S THE REAL THING

BUHAY COKE BLOGGER’S PARTY

More of Arlan’s Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/komikero#grid/user/7CF3ECEAFEC50123

February 12 Update Arlan was rushed to the ICU a few days ago for breathing problems, but he was out of the ICU a day later. His radiation treatment is effective in lowering his tumor markers by half.

February 6 Update: Ilyn and I visited Arlan today at the hospital. We printed out all the messages as of 8:30 in the morning and brought them with us in case Arlan doesn’t manage to go online. He’s taking his treatment well. He has hair and a beard. But the radiation treatment he is receiving (which is different from chemotherapy which Arlan had already undergone) has left him really weak and dizzy, and always in bed. I read some of the messages to him, and he smiled. He appreciates all the messages so please keep em coming!

Many of you met Arlan Esmeña through this blog and because of his art on “Where Bold Stars Go To Die”. I’ve known him longer than that though, having been his friend since the mid 1990’s, Architects together, sharing an interest in comics, robots, and cartoons here in San Pablo City.

He has never kept his cancer a secret, openly telling people that he was undergoing chemotherapy for the past few months and answering any questions about it. He found out he was sick as he was working on Bold Stars and it was Bold Stars that accompanied him on his many trips to the hospital as he studiously worked on the pages.

After a lifetime of building houses, he finally fulfilled his dream of drawing a comic book. I can tell you how happy he was working on it and finishing it. And I for one hope to see him draw more.

Over the past week his cancer seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I’m a firm believer in positive thinking and the power it has not only in uplifting the spirit, but the body as well. I’m very sure Arlan is feeling really down at the moment, and if you are a friend of his, if you met him over the last year at the Komikons, or if you read Bold Stars and you liked it, I really think Arlan would appreciate words of support just about now.

Please feel free to leave whatever message you want to tell Arlan at the comments section below. Anonymous comment will be accepted this time around. I’m very sure Arlan will eventually get to read this, but we will also be printing out comments to send to him directly.

Thank you!