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)

Indie Cosplay!

Journal Entry #60
9/10/2012


Been a long time journal...so allow me to babble a little longer than usual...

I mentioned a while back that we started the 100 Araw ng Komiks Campaign.  We're on the third month, but still focused on promoting komiks.  We posted videos for imaginary soundtracks for our titles, made memes, and this month, we're already posting teasers for our October project.

Then there's the GTMACCCon event.

For months now, we've been preparing for the event in October (a few weeks before Komikon).  GTMACCCon was known for supporting the local publications by promoting them through cosplay. It was a great initiative!

So I was busy with contacting the organizers, Silaya's cosplayer, making character studies to base costumes on, and making promo images.  I've always wanted somebody to cosplay any character from Cresci Prophecies...

But I didn't think of it much, until I was coordinating with Karla to cosplay Silaya, via Kit Perez (of GTMACC).  I tried to meet up with her several times before the pre-event to give her a copy of the book, but Murphy's law got in the way 3 times.  @_@

We chatted on facebook instead to talk about Silaya (who had the best costume in the book so far), her costume, and the pre-event preps.  As I saw the progress of the costume, I started to feel excited!  *___*

We started posting teasers for the event, and for the October project...

Then finally, it was saturday!  We got there early, and saw Tepai's character Visdei, cosplayed by Paulo (a fellow IKM member).  One by one the cosplayers arrived for the photoshoot, it was really cool seeing them fool around in their outfits.

We met Dante (another part of the PointZero roster), and Hubby looked really happy with the costume outcome, and the sword looked awesome!

I was still waiting for Karla, until a girl in gown rushed to the booth and talked to me.  I was caught off guard, then I realized it was Silaya! Her shawl was flowing behind her as she rushed off to fix her hair for the shoot! XD

She was so nice in person!  I gave her Idris's feather for props too!  Tepai mentioned there was a goddess amongst us!

While the shoot was going on, we were at our respective booths having fun. I chatted with Ray (of Revel studios), and Ladystorykeeper. I got some good feedback for Vol.3, which indicated that I'm going the right direction for the pairings.

The most fun we had was with Visdei's wig.  Almost all the IKM guys present wore the wig, including Hubby!  XD  We were all laughing as the guys tried it out!  XD  Dante (Cosplayed by Frederick) and Mina (in her casual clothes.. :D, they're also PASIG fans btw),  was game with our own photoshoot with hubby... Too bad you missed it if you weren't there.  :P

After the shoot, I gave Karla copies of the book, so she could finally get to know Silaya.  She also brought me some great news for October's catwalk/cosplay competition. I got even more giddy!  XD

She also mentioned that some people got curious about the character she was portraying, and the comic the character was from.  I think that was why GTMACC did this cosplay initiative in the first place, and from what Karla told me, it seems to be working... :D

It was a great day.  We can't wait for the day our characters would do the catwalk and skits.  Thanks to Kit and Andrew for the opportunity to see our characters in the flesh! 

In the meantime, I'll still be working with the cosplayers for the GTMACCCon 2 event, Volume 4 production, and komikon preps.  

Things like these, makes all the effort worth it!

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

Then came Lakan and Makisig...

Journal Entry #59

July 23, 2012

Good Morning,

It's never too late to start. 

All you have to do is take the first step.

There's a difference between "those who can" and "those who did".

Well first of all you can call me giosdesk. I'm a comic artist. Preferably you saw me on Facebook on the IKM group, or at the Indieket Event at table I12. It's my first time to join such event and to be a participant/seller. The experience is awesome, and very fruitful. I'm a graphic artist by day and a vigilante at night roaming the streets of imagination and what not. Scourging the underbelly of the subconscious and tinkling with the machinery of creativity. Unless the baby cries and needs to change the diaper.

I always wanted to be a cartoonist by profession but theres this thing called RESPONSIBILITY and yours truly needs to man up and take it. Well I think all of us wanted that, doing what you LOVE thingy, but here in our country thats kinda, NOT THE IDEAL CHOICE. I've been doing comics strip waaaay back in high school, then college, I was a regular cartoonist for the Advocate (FEU student publication). Then graduation, I still do strips but for personal satisfaction. But got married, had kids, then stopped. Comics ended right there.

But the passion is still there, it's my forte, it's what I'm good at. I don't want to fail my heroes, Rene Aranda, Jess Abrera, Nonoy Marcelo (fellow Advocate and Tamaraw) and Pol Medina Jr. in strips and humor. So I did a personal project for giosdesk, since I'm now a father I wanted to share that experience, so I created Lakan at Makisig Komiks, yes thats the name of my 2 boys. I get my inspiration, ideas and motivation from them. I'm creating comics but wasn't able to commit due to work and family. I'm kinda new in the head of the family section. But I met this awesome cartoonist over at multiply, Freely (naks), we've exchanged mails and he really inspire me to work on my comics and I really like his style and humor, its like western cartoon but speaks tagalog. I finally met Freely at FCBD 2011, nice fellow. I did strips now and then, but not consistent. I tried to print copies and sold them to friends early 2012. Freely advice me to join Indieket last July which I did and here I am now.

After Indieket, I was inspired to create more comics, and was really motivated that I am able to post one-comic per day on giosdesk Wordpress. YAY! Lesson here is that, if it's your passion, do it. No one will do it for you. Quite a long story, thanks for taking the time to read. Thanks to the people I met at Indieket, to those who purchased and those who laugh, it melts me. Looking forward to meet more of you guys and MABUHAY ang PINOY KOMIKS!

giosdesk, writer/artist/model
Lakan at Makisig

Syempre,syempre, PAN DE HAMON!

Journal Entry #58
July 13, 2012

Hello, buhay indie peeps!
It's me again, Dark Chapel of SSM!
Reminding everyone of the upcoming event this Saturday.
The very first grand indie komiks market, INDIEKET.

Where SSM! would be stationed at IT114 together with our brothas from another mothas, PELIGRO COMICS & MACOY.

As expected, SSM! won't be going there empty handed and if we're going down we're going down in a BLAZE OF GLORY!

Presenting the three course meal that is ....SSM!

BOOM!
How d'ya like dem apples?

And an encore printing of MONA #1. Now with TYPO/LIQUID FREE covers and interior pages.

The only trouble I'm having right now is being unable to purchase the proper/appropriate plastic bags for the new books. And hopefully would be able to resolve this situation later this afternoon. I'm really kinda O.C. about presenting my books bare because part of our appeal WAS the packaging so I really had to do something about this ASAP.

But the books were all done,as in KAHAPON PA!=D

So that's about it.See you this Saturday.

Buy the books and have a whale of a good time.

SSM!, over and out.

--Dark Chapel/Silent Sanctum Manga/EIC/Dolphy Fan

SSM twitter