Reincarnacion Bechavez

Entry #71
May 21, 2014

He-yo, Chicos and Chicas!
&
He-yo, journalinni!

Yep, it's been a while!
And with that in mind gather around in a circle, kiddies.
For THIS right here is SEMI-educational!

By now, many of you must've heard of our new book, ENJURIKI.
It was released Summer Komikon 2014. Yeah, that one Komikon that I wasn't tardy.
THAT KOMIKON!
And if haven't, are you stupid or something?
Kidding aside that would be these books right here.

Many are quite familiar with the ORANGE cover since the variant was immediately made out of stock during the event proper. Thus this entry
would try to shed light on the production aspect of the OTHER cover and what other modifications have we done to make this
already good product even better.

First off, the variant is actually printed in GOLD!

Yes, GOLD! The cover alone is the product of devouring several Goya Golden Coins & Golden Fishes.
A lot of our members became diabetic after the said project, all for the enjoyment of one selfish individual,YOU!
We're kidding, but seriously...the blame is on you,our fine readers.

The wrappers are then collected, placed inside a blast furnace, heated sideways then cooled in room temperature.
Creating these glorious works of art.

Notice the texture, no two golden books are ever the same!
Some are made with 15k while some are 24k.
There's an entire science to it and just like any other relationship, it's pretty COMPLICATED!

But why GOLD, you might ask?

We'd say, WHY THE HELL NOT?
This is SSM!'s 20th book. If that isn't reason enough for us to go GOLD. Then I don't know what else is.
On top of that. SSM! had perfected the wrap-around dust jacket system (parang lumpiang sariwa lang a).

Utilizing the same technology they used on dem WHITE RABBIT candies. Just don't try to eat it, ok?
It just doesn't taste as nice and most probably very toxic.
But anyways version 2.0 is indeed a fine improvement over the already stunning version 1.

Another fine creation that we weren't able to sell during FCBD was this fine-fine critter named SECRET ARKADIA.
Secret Arkadia was simply put, me rediscovering my komikero mojos after my heart felt victory on the squared circle known as ABANGAN

.
I had to say this again because it bears repetition. Abangan made me who I am again, it made me feel complete and
as chessy/corny as this might sound but THEY HAD ME AT HELLO!

Secret Arkadia was a direct response to that.A "SECRET" love letter if you will.
The kind that gets passed on from student to student then gets confiscated by the teacher, THAT kind of love letter!
I know that ABANGAN, might be a one time deal but heck I like those odds and personally speaking...I can't thank them enough for this once in a
lifetime opportunity. I finally made good with my promise/dream of doing something noble and noteworthy in the service of the community that helped
define who I am as a person then ultimately as an ARTIST.

Ok, enough of the pagentry and long-winding-tear-jerking speeches.
Without further ado, here are some preview pages of SA.

To human is to err for we are but human after all.
Forgive us for the following typos-unintentional photoshop FAILs.

So that's about it, my bretherens in the komiks community.
That's all about there is to it on the SSM! side of things.
We'll see ya when we see ya(most preferably soon but if not at INDIEKET).
And until then, stay GOLDEN!


-- Dark Chapel/Writer,Artist,Golden God/Silent Sanctum Manga

“Not sure if it’s a dillema or I’m just anxious…”

Entry #70
8/1/2013

Hi again journal!

It’s August.  Hubby is finishing his new issue for the Indieket, and it’s gonna be the first Komikon event I’ll be missing.  I’m a little sad, but I really can’t risk travel, and getting myself too exhausted while I’m pregnant.  I actually have a cold right now, so I blame it on the weather.  >_<  Anyway…

I’m currently working on Chapter 26 of Cresci Prophecies.  So far, I’ve learned how to cope with my aching hand joints.  Even if I only get to work on the pages a few hours a day, I’m 90% done with my pencils.  I normally set around 30 pages for each chapter (as rule of thumb to avoid burn out), and then start inking when I’m done.  Volume 4 chapters, however, are an exception.  Volume 4 is packed with revelations, and action scenes.  When  I’m making a comic, I’d like to cut my chapter where I can actually cut the story.  Call it my creative pacing/momentum.  Since Vol. 4 is the last volume for Arcen, the storyflow is quite continuous…and so should my drawing mode frenzy.

I realized last night that I already did around 31 pages, and should end doing my pencils at page 32.  But the part of the story where I’m going to cut it is a critical part of the volume that starts at page 33-40.  Now, I usually pick up my drawing pace around middle of production (maximum concentration), and starting the next chapter with the critical part is a no-no for me.  I usually rest from doing comics for around a couple of months before doing another chapter...

But I'm also expecting in a few months. I mean real soon…  And that means managing my time and energy for everything I do at home before and after the big day. @_@  So the dilemma is to whether to continue until the 40th page (and risk burnout, and bad output), or risk a semi-bad output for the first part of Chapter 27.  I’m supposed to ink my pages before I go on a hiatus… And then there’s my joint pains.  I guess I’ll just have to try inking the first few pages.  And if I can’t keep it up, I’ll try to finish the pencils until page 40…hopefully I won’t be losing steam since those pages need to be drawn really well (for my own sanity…and I know it’s gonna be tough for me to do).  I'm excited and terrified at the same time~!  @_@

I just really hope things would turn out fine in the next few months, and get through this interesting/crazy period in my comic creating life…  @_@~  (Well...okay...Challenge accepted!)



--Joanah T.C., writer and artist for Point Zero
P.S.  I think babies like doing round house kicks...

“HELLO!”

Journal Entry #69
07/12/13

YO WAZZUP JOURNAL!

Ginawa ko lang na lively yung entry ko, eh, lively naman ako. By the way, ako po si Thomas Adobo, pwede na ring Tamasu (fb name ko), artist sa FFA Comics dito sa Cebu.  I am a Gr. 8 (Second Year, according to the new school curriculum) High School student. I write my own stories (imaginative much), and illustrate them when I have the time. I was inspired to draw more since Grade School. Na-inspire ako to improve my drawings mula nung nakita ko yung mga works nina Taga-Ilog at kay Elmer Damaso sa K-Zone (doon na kasi nalalagay yung 0.5 % ng mga Indie artists eh). I was inspired to make Indies from Sir Gerry Alanguilan, most likely “Wasted”.

Okay, not so much for that. Ang current na comics work ko ay yung “Atapang Atao” na somewhat biography ni Andres Bonifacio na pinaplano kong i-release this August, either online and in print form. Yung style ng “Atapang Atao” ay may kakaunting references kay Frank Miller and the way he told 300. Hindi nga lang colored sa akin. Well, marami akong projects on my mind, but then, sa sobrang dami eh hindi ko na matapos-tapos kahit isang issue lang. May mga web comics ako na mahahanap sa blogger tulad ng “The Dark Merc” at “Before I Die…”. At baka dadami pa kung hindi marami-rami yung assignments.

 I always keep all the things I make in a schedule, parang Monday, Atapang Atao, Tuseday, web comics stuff, Wednesday, assignments, Thursday to Friday, back to comics. Well, if I have some favorite characters from my large roster of imaginations, I would pick Eric Megaton, or Electro (not the Spider-Man villain), I liked him so much that I made him the main protagonist in one of my stories, “National Heroes”. Now, back to my comics stuff. I am trying to make my submission for an anthology of stories on time (January 2014 is nearby, you know). So, baka dito na lang matatapos ang entry ko. Hanggang sa susunod!


-Thomas “Tamasu” Adobo, Writer, Artist, and Creator of FFA Comics

"Something came up..."

Journal Entry #68
06/14/13


Hi journal!  Been a while… Uhm…let me extend my entry a little… :P

As you know I’ve been working on Cresci Prophecies: Book of Arcen’s volume  4 a few months ago.  I was pretty happy with how chapter 25 turned out.  I was really excited to work on chapter 26.  But something came up…   I discovered around march that I will be a mom soon.  ^_^

(A page from Vol. 1)

You know how that’s gonna change things right?  Now don’t get me wrong, hubby and I have been waiting for that news for quite sometime now .  And so, I had to make a few lifestyle adjustments (and some major adjustments in the near future).   Over the last few months, I’ve been working on a writing gig for kids, and I still have one more to finish.  After that, I plan to work on chapter 26…before I get really busy, or be unable to work on it.

Also in the past weeks, my hands became a little clumsy, and also my hand joints started to hurt for some reason.  I’m a little afraid I won’t be able to draw properly, but the pain goes away when I actually use them, so I guess I’ll still try to draw.  It’s just the details I’m worried about.  ^_^;

BUT I didn’t entirely abandon my comic life during the past few months.   :P I also worked on Mortus’ mask, and the other CP costumes, for a video and photoshoot (I missed doing paper Mache).  I’d like to take proper pictures of the CP team for the book, and of course for GTMACCCon 2013.   We’re also cooking up something with the GTMACCCon staff, and that’s what I’m currently busy with.  I’ll tell you about the details next time when it’s officially out.  ;)

I’m really happy that  local comic pros are working out ways to help boost the indie-comic community and their craft, and promoting the medium in general.  The indie scene is very much active!  Things are still looking bright, and hopefully our combined efforts would attract more readers in the near future.

So here’s hoping for a bright future!  :3


--  joanah t.c., writer and artist for Point Zero
(P.S.  I wasn’t aware I was already pregnant when I was working on Ch. 25, one of the most emotionally charged chapters in CP, I guess you could say that my baby was working  with me... :P  )

Kitakits mga Ka-IKOS!

Journal Entry #67

Ola Chika Journal!

Tapos na ang panahon ng Gising-drawing-kain-drawing-ligo-drawing-tulog-drawing! Bye muna sa tuloy-tuloy na drawing until 4am. After a long and stressful month, relax muna ako saglet kasi tapos na pati ang ibang commission works. Tapos ko na rin ang last issue ng “Dalawang Liham,” Yehey! Mabuti at nakaabot kami sa Summer Komikon, almost last minute. 

Kaya lang, nagtatampo sa akin ang Sulsi gang at si Lupe ng “Karit”, kasi hindi umabot iyong stories nila. Hanggang panaginip inaaway nila ako, huhuhu!

Nagpulong din kami ng aking mga ka-IKOS (Ray at Karimlan). Sa susunod na Komikon, full force kami. Hopefully matapos naming ang collaborative titles naming.

Hanggang sa muli!

Kitakits po tayo sa Summer Komikon!

-RONZKIE PACHO-VIDAL

Writer-artist

IKOS Komiks

The Fruit of My Labor

Journal Entry # 66
March 06, 2013

Woohoo Journal!

Days are counting till Summer Komikon and I’m sure everyone’s excited about it. More importantly, deadlines for new titles and stuff add more pressure  to the comic book peeps. I myself was also pressured not because of the deadline but because of the new title that I have in store.  Truth is, I have been in constant practice and preparation to make sure I come up with my best title. So hopefully, what I have to offer to the Komikon world is all worth it.

I have actually finished three titles for the event. Unfortunately, after thorough evaluation of the storyline and the artstyle, I decided to only cater the best of the three. What I promise myself during the stretch was that if I won’t be able to come up with my best issue, then I won’t be joining the event. That is why I dare say now, that this comicbook is my BESTEST EFFORT to date.

Yes, you got it right! Take my absolute guarantee! ESPIRITISTA #1: GREETINGS AND FAREWELL is a reflection of my sleepless nights, hours and hours of constant improvement, and a wholehearted drive to showcase the best that the comicbook fans deserve! This comicbook is a promise that my goal to continually improve my craft remains, and that I’m still questing to come up with a comic book that can be considered one of the flagships of Philippine comics someday.

Hopefully, a couple of dozen of fans at the very least will give it a chance. I’m sure its worth their money and time.

That’s it for now!! See you all on Summer Komikon!!!

Rock out!

Nino Balita

Author and Creator of ESPIRITISTA

PagsapugeComics

Komikero to Animator to Komikero to.....

Entry # 65

1/18/13

Hello!! nice to meet you journal,

Kagagaling ko lang sa Book Sale bookstore at National bookstore sa SM para maghanap ng mga reference for Improving my Art.  Since Manga style na ako familiar eh napagtripan naman ngayon ang Marvel..kakabili nga lang ng 3 copy this month.  Why Marvel comics naman ngayon? Yun kasi yung pinaka good for Realistic style sa tingin ko na pwede kong pagpraktisan...dahil sa napasok sa pagiging Animator.... yan na, todo sikap na ngayun...Alam ko kasi na pag napasok ka sa Animation walang pinipiling styles..lahat dapat alam mo lahat at makakapag-adapt ka..pero bat nga ba animation pinag uusapan dito...balik Komiks naman.

Malapit na Komikon at wala pa siguro akong mapapakita na Komiks ko sa Kon...busy talaga buhay...Mon-Fri ang pasok..Sat-Sun Manga commission naman..yung Komiks ko na Cutting Glasses di ko na naasikaso kaya yan, wala nanamang mapapakita sa Komikon ngayung April.. 2010 summer komikon pa ako nakapag-participate with my one-shot manga Saltless Peanut.

Pero abangan nalang yung ang mga Shortcuts ng BlackInk dahil may works din ako dun at sa darating pa.  I'm seeking more improvements pa sa art ko para makapag-ambag sa Komiks and Animation industry sa bansa naten...Proud to be I'm working on it na talaga at sana balang araw eh maanimate ko na ang sarili kong manga dito sa Pinas!

-- nate153624    

3 MONTHS NA LANG

Journal Entry # 64

01/17/13

Oi  journal musta?!

Ako nga pala si Cyrus “tarot” Romanes, nakatira sa isang liblib na bayan ng Cavite, isang nagsusumikap (weh?) na indie artist, ako yung may likha ng “LOVE RIOT” under “FHATE COMICS” kung nakabili na kayo at nabasa nyo na ang komiks namin maraming maraming salamat at kung di pa naman kayo nakakabili eh bumili na kayo please me free namang lobo at tsinelas eh.

Nakakatuwang isipin na napasok ako sa pagko komiks, bata pa naman kasi ako eh hilig ko na talagang magdo drawing ng kung ano ano, tsaka mana ako sa tatay kong nagkomiks din dati nung patok na patok pa ang komiks sa masa. Napasali ako sa isang grupo ng mga sira ulo (FHATE COMICS) at yun, presto nagkaroon na ako ng chance na mailabas yung komiks ko kahit mukhang tanga lang yung gawa ko,astig no?At yun, dun na nagsimula lahat, drawing drawing drawing, gawa gawa  ng mga page, tulog tulog tulog, kala mo professional lang haha. Sugal ang pagko komiks lalot indie artist ka lang, gawa ka ng gawa ng mga pages pero walang magbabayad sayo, malaki ang ibubuhos mong pagod at atensyon (minsan di na makaligo..uhm ako lang ata yung ganun) para lang makagawa ka ng isang obra na di naman tatangkilikin ng karamihan, kaya sugal talaga, ang bubuhay na lang sayo eh yung motivation mo at puso mo, kung mahal mo talaga ang ginagawa mo. At yun, hanggang sa maka attend ako ng KOMIKON. ASTIG!!!  Ang daming tao,  ang daming mga  professional artist, ang daming lamesa at mga mabibiling komiks, merchandise, posters, mga nag co commission, karne at isda! Ang saya pala maka punta sa ganung event kasi makakasalamuha mo yung mga taong nagmamahal sa pagdo drawing at mga nagmamahal sa komiks. At swerte ako kasi nakapagbenta din kami ng komiks namin, astig!hardcore!  Ang sarap sa pakiramdam nun, dahil alam mo nang di ka nag iisa sa isang mithiin na buhayin ang industy ng komiks dito sa bansa at iligtas ang mundo mula kay Freeza, lalo kang ma I inspire magpatuloy at pagbutihan pa ang pag gawa.

At ngayon nga, 3 months na lang SUMMER KOMIKON na ulit, kailangan nang maghanda at mag warm up para maka habol sa dealine ng submission para mailabas ulit ang bagong chapter ng komiks. Ihahanda na naman ang magulong mesa, papel, lapis, marker, pens, sabon, plantsa, etc.  Mag iisip na naman kung paano ang panelling ng bawat pages, (pero mas matagal pa minsan ang paghilata sa pag gawa ng pages) at kung pano mas gagawing nakaka excite ang bawat storya. 3 months na lang at makakasalamuha ko na ulit ang mga mamaw na artist, mga comic lovers, mga comic buyers , enthusiasts, si manong guard ng bayanihan center at mga kapwa ko indie artist na nagbebenta din ng kanilang mga komiks. 3 months na lang at mailalabas ko na ulit ang bagong chapter ng storya ko na kahit walang pumapansin eh ipagpapatuloy ko pa din dahil di importante ang dami ng readers mo, mas mahalaga eh mahal mo ang ginagawa mo, may puso, dedikasyon, at di mo to ginagawa para lang sa intensyong sumikat at makilala. 3 months na lang, para sa bagong hakbang pa akyat sa pagtupad ng aking pangarap bilang artist (BG music : Eye of the tiger). 3 months na lang, para sa bagong yugto ng pagsulong at pagbuhay ulit ng Pilipino komiks. Maraming salamat sa mga sumusuporta, at sa mga haters(kung meron man (feeling sikat?)) salamat dahil senyo mag iimprove pa ako lalo. J

Cyrus “Tarotski Tarot” Romanes, may likha ng “LOVE RIOT” mula sa koponon ng Fhate Comics

Here's Hoping!

Journal entry #63

12/29/12

Hi Journal!  Long Time no write!

There were a number of things that happened since I wrote to you.  Of course the Point Zero booth at the Komikon was more fun with Dante and Mina around (after the success of GTMACCCon)!  They had quite a number of fans.  :D  

I also got some good feedback about Curtains For Hire (now a certified tearjerker, after 5 people told me they did cry a bit while reading).  And sometime after that, I met a couple of Japanese professors researching about women and comics around Asia ( they were pretty awesome ladies  :3 ).  It was an awesome meeting (and what an awesome topic)!   Thanks to Khursten for the opportunity.  :D

I just recovered from a nasty asthma/cough/cold.  I was supposed to work on Cresci Prophecies page inks, but instead I spent my holidays being sick.  I even missed two family reunions.  Sucks I know...  =_=

But there's a bit of a good news.  I am finally working on chapter 25 inks.  Remember last March?  It took me almost a year to get chapter 25 done.  Mainly because, there were so many things that happened this year that I could hardly focus on the CP pencils. Now that I can work on it again, I decided to make CP4 a little better that the previous volumes.

Changes in shading and inking (I'm sure if you'ld notice it though)...and maybe a little change in the process.  The new inking process is...well...taking a little longer than it usually does.  Ah heck, hopefully it looks better than before...*crosses fingers*

Here's hoping 2013 would have more opportunities. And hopefully, release the last book for CP: Arcen.  I've got a long way to go (there's also other work to be done), so I better start as soon as I can...  I can't wait to work on it again!


-- Joanah T.C., writer and artist for Point Zero Comics

Keep on Improving!

Journal Entry #62

November 22, 2012

Hiyaa Journal!

Its almost a month after Komikon and I’m still awestruck with what I have witnessed during the event. I mean seriously, who would have thought the industry is growing this rapidly fast despite some people’s claim that komiks is dead. Well, the industry’s still on survivor mode, but nevertheless, its obvious that in five or ten years, WE CAN MAKE IT BIG. And all I dream of right now is to be a BIG part of the industry when that moment comes.

That being said, my entire focus at the moment is to KEEP ON IMPROVING. I browsed on my previous comics and works and I was like, ‘Oh heck, I’VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO. Truth is, I am my worst critic. I can’t feel contentment everytime I finished my work. It’s like, ‘Uh, this part’s ugly, Now that’s one awkward fighting pose, awful background, etc.

I HAVE TO IMPROVE MY CRAFT. I’VE GOT TO KEEP ON IMPROVING. After Komikon, I’ve never let an opportunity to draw pass without having the most out of it. Day and night, all I did is practice and practice. My burning desire to make it big in the industry is at the utmost level.

My work had been criticized and insulted most of the time, but I have to accept them and be honest with my self as well. There are so many things that I have to really work on. Right now, I’ve finished several pages of my latest comic book, yet after reviewing my scripting and lineart, I decided to start all over again. I promised myself that my next comic book will entirely be on a different level compared to my last one. It has to be, or else, I’m not releasing a new title anytime soon. That’s a promise not only to myself but to all the readers out there as well! :D

I’ll never quit . I’d rather die trying. I’ll kill myself trying. No matter what, nothing’s gonna stop me from reaching and achieving my goal. I’LL MAKE IT BIG!!!! I SWEAR I WILL!!!!! :D

Till next time journal. Time to practice with my newly purchased maru pen. :D

OUT! :D

-- Nino Balita, Pasapuge Comics

...And I write this with cherry on top.

Journal Entry # 61

10/12/2012

There’s just so many things I’d like to say, and a lot in my head right now that I can’t possibly fit in 3 paragraphs (our usual conversation).  So, Journal, I know you might react, but allow me to babble a lot LOT longer…again…. ^_^;

If you remembered my last journal (link), I did mention about the GTMACCCon 2 event.  So since then, we’ve been preparing for that, and Komikon.  Well, things didn’t go as smoothly as we wanted…

A little after the pre-event in UP, Karla broke some bad news involving the skit.  So here’s Murphy’s Law brandishing its nasty plackard at us.  We needed to find new cosplayers for the extra roles.  It’s not easy inviting people to cosplay characters outside their fandom.  So I posted an announcement, hoping I could get a tall guy to play Ceredion.  

A day later, I bumped the thread.  Kit called out a few names and we got Joshua to play the role!  I’m so glad we found somebody.  :D

And then we lost another guy to play Mortus.  This was around 3 weeks before the event. So I posted another announcement hoping somebody would be interested.  And then FPJ (Indie Komiks Manila’s founder) said he wanted to be a villain!  Awright!  :D

I sent out character profiles to Joshua and FPJ.  I was having a bit of trouble with the skit then, but Karla and I did talk it over at the chat, so I had an idea, but it wasn’t easy putting it on paper (since there’s a time limit).

And since it’s a skit, we had to rehearse…and Oh the costumes!  Our schedules didn’t jive, so we four hardly met online to chat.  Fortunately, I got some rough measurements from the two guys (I also thank Freely Abrigo for helping me out), and had the costumes made.  I was a little nervous about the costume since the shop was also busy.  

Three days before the event, I bought Ceredion’s wig, I met up with Karla and Joshua to rehearse.  The sky was so bleak that I doubted we could rehearse outside (and we can’t do that inside a mall after all).  So we just chatted about the story, characters,  and how they could portray them.  After walking around the mall, we fortunately found a place that works as a stage (with few people around) and there we practiced the script.  It was really fun!  We just relied on my cellphone to play the track…

Oh did I mention that I had to learn to edit an MP3 track to submit  for our soundtrack a few days before the deadline?  (I‘m really clueless…but I did it anyway) XD

Night before the event, I had to pickup the guys’ costumes, prepared some props for the skit.  It was an exhausting week…

Last Sunday, it was my first time to visit the University of Makati (UMAK) which turned out to be Joshua’s Alma Mater.  They had a big theater with really nice facilities… And a big stage.  

Hubby and I got there around 9AM, and people were already rehearsing their skits  (including Richard Arguilla and Team CATCH, and Lucy Patweetums).  We also saw Tepai and Maika waiting for Visdei.

I thought this day was gonna be easy…But NOOOOooo.  Murphy’s Law…Again…Several times that day!  Why you liek us so much?  X(  Daming aberya nung araw na yun!  At least my trio’s complete!  

While we waited for the ballots, Joshua was also helping out the other cosplayers with their skits.  Being a nervous wreck, with all the snags happening that day and doing emergency cosplay improvisations, FPJ’s words in the dressing room stuck to me… “For the love of Cosplay….*while spraying his hair with silver paint*”.

There,  I was really REALLY grateful to have FPJ do the Mortus role, to have Joshua to do Ceredion (who’s really determined to give the character justice in the skit), and to have Karla play Silaya (who still looked darn pretty, even after the troublesome morning journey).   I was with people who would go through all that trouble just to make a great cosplay performance that day… A cosplay of my characters to boot!  

After drawing lots (for the perfomance order), taking pictures, taking the front row seats…the event proper finally started. After a magic show, a couple of peptalks on stage with Jin Joson and Manix Abrera, the first batch of entries took the stage.

Each entry had a video of the creators talking about the characters, and the cosplayers talking about the characters they’ll be portraying.  The skits were priceless!  XD  We enjoyed the skits so much…but I was nervous about our skit too…

When finally it was my team’s turn, hubby took out the camera and started recording.  Here’s the full skit (click!) .

(pic by Tepai Pascual)

  I kinda sensed my trio was really nervous. But hey!  It turned out alright!  I can feel Ceredion’s frustration on stage, Mortus’ sarcasm, and see Silaya fawn over her bishie pics and ignoring Ceredion’s moves to woo her…I’m so glad they pulled through!   ;w;

(pic by Ariel Atienza)

I also took a video of the Mark skit for Meganon since they can’t film themselves on stage.  XD


When the second batch came in, I personally anticipated hubby’s team skit. I’ve seen previous Dante and Mina cosplays before, but this is the first time Melvin worked with the cosplayers. When it was their turn, the fan girls and fan boys screamed all around!  Here’s the skit (Click!).


The Q and A portion, in my opinion, must have been the toughest part of the competition.  ALL of the contestants were in the “Hot Seat” to put it mildly.  The questions were extremely difficult and tricky…

But you know?  They all gave really good answers.  That part of the program showed how the cosplayer entries actually think.  It’s an interesting revelation, and kudos for a job well done! (Me and Tepai were listening carefully during that time)

When the time finally came, we all came up on stage to accompany our cosplayers and waited for the announcement of winners.  I finally met up with Karla and, looking around, the cosplayers seem to be chatting happily on stage, like there’s no competition going on.  Everybody’s excited.  ^_^

The 2nd runner up was Carlo Valenzuela’s Boy Bakal (who was photogenic btw…Nice job Dennis!).  The 1st runner up was Erico Calimlim’s Pag-Asa (who kicked a lot of ass during the skit!  Great job Arnel!)…

The grand champion was Ilog’s  Dante!  XD  Before I could even react to that announcement, the cosplayers near me (including Karla) literally jumped in excitement!  Naunahan pa ako ng mga contestants, di na ako nakatalon!  XP  

(pic via Ariel Atienza)

You know that moment when you see the winners being congratulated and you realize you have no camera with you (and you’re also onstage?)?  Yeah that….  >.<  But seeing the bright lights and their backs kinda burned an image in my head… And the other cosplayers (entries) were genuinely happy for them. It was a beautiful sight!  Makes me proud of their team,  too (Point Zero pride after all)!

Frederick (Dante)  and Daphne (Mina)  did an awesome job with the skit.  You can feel the audience hold their breath while watching them do (almost did) what PASIG fans were wishing for years! (and Ow!  That pan hurts!) XD

I wasn’t able to congratulate them right away (including hubby).  When hubby was finally alone, I gave him a hug from a proud wifey.  \^w^/

Backstage, people were taking pictures…And were looking quite happy.  ^_^

Looking back (almost a week later), with the cosplayers still talking about last saturday’s events, I can see they really enjoyed the journey  (both creators and cosplayers).

Speaking as a member of the local indie community (and an IKM admin), I saw a different side of the indie creators who participated in this event. Kit mentioned a long time ago that they were trying to build relationships through this event…

Chard supported his cosplayers through the whole thing non-stop, while Paulo (Visdei) and Rawrr (Bruho Barbero) cosplayed for the love of komiks (and to support their fellow indie creators)…

As for me, Karla, Joshua and FPJ…

I’d like to think I gained not just new readers, but new friends in Karla and Joshua.  And for FPJ, a new found respect as a colleague (in the comic industry) and as cosplayer.  The event introduced me to the world of these dedicated artists.  I was very fortunate to have met them through this competition.

I’m looking forward to seeing them again at the Komikon (now a few weeks away...the madness isn't over).   We’re currently working on Kanto Inc. #4 (which, I heard, Daphne and Frederick enjoyed reading!  Oh and Karla said  liked reading CP too!  :D ).

Now it’s back to work for us comic creators.  I’d like to think that GTMACC’s event was the cherry on top of the 100 Araw ng Komiks campaign for this year.  I’m not sure if we’ll be having new readers via this event (in time for KOMIKON), BUT one thing’s for certain…

We can feel the support and love. =^_____^=


-- J.T.C. (writer and artist for Point Zero)