Gerry Alanguilan's Blog, page 12

Elmer #1 Japanese Translation

Out of the blue a week or so ago, I was approached by a Japanese going by the name of Harukichi (he gave me his real name but I think he prefers to be called by his handle), who said he had bought and read ELMER and seeing that Elmer #1 was being offered for free online, offered to translate that first issue into Japanese. The Japanese translation of Elmer #1 will then be distributed for free online at his website, where he offers other comic books from other creators that he also translated.

I approached my US publisher Dan Vado of SLG Publishing to ask about it. Of course I had the final say, but in matters of contract it’s something that I should always consult him with. We were both OK with it and I thanked Harukichi for taking the time and effort, and that he should go forward with it.

The Japanese translation of Elmer #1 can now be downloaded, for free from this site:

http://p.booklog.jp/book/60064

What do I feel? It feels awesome of course. It’s thrilling. The Japanese market is a tough nut to crack, and the fact that at least one guy expressed interest in my work enough as it is, it feels terrific. What do I expect from this? I try not to have expectations about anything because I learned it always led to disappointments. So I just try to take it as it comes, whatever it is. I do have hopes though. And my hope that Elmer gets read by more people. In this case, Japanese reading people.

I always get a kick out of my work getting translated into different languages. So far my work has been translated into French:

Wasted #1 was translated into Russian:

And San Dig, 1944 (from Siglo: Freedom) was translated into Croatian:

Now I have no idea if my stories were translated well. I just have to trust whoever it is doing the translation. So far, I’ve not received any negative feedback about how the translations were done.

Just a small note on the original language. Whoever wrote the Wikipedia article on ELMER, please be informed that Elmer was not originally written in Spanish. I don’t know where they got this idea from because it’s just baffling. No, Elmer’s original language is English.

The First Iloilo Comics Convention

The first Iloilo Comics Convention is going to be held on December 2, 2012 at the Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Corner De Leon & Quezon Streets, Iloilo City. The event will be from 10am to 9pm. I’ll be there to promote ELMER. National Book Store will be on hand of course, and although there’s no definite schedule yet, I’ll be there to sign books at their booth.

You guys have no idea how incredibly happy I am whenever there are new conventions like this. They seem to be popping up all over the country now, and I do try to attend as much as I can. I still feel bad I was unable to attend cons in Bikol and Baguio, as well as the cosplay convention GTMACCON in Manila due to unavoidable circumstances, but I’m nevertheless happy these are all happening. And then yes, there’s also going to be another new comics convention to be held in General Santos City in January 2013. I was invited there, and I will try my best to go.

This is the third time I’m going to Iloilo. The first time was around 1996 for an Architect’s conference. I liked the city immediately and I always thought about coming back. I had that opportunity in February 2008 when I gave a talk at the University of the Philippines there.

Here’s a blog entry of mine from February 23, 2008:

http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/377

I learned that there were a lot of young people very much interested in creating their own comics. Not only interested, but very passionate. A few people who missed my talk asked when I was coming back, and I guess December 2012 is going to be it! I hope to see those people I met during my 2008 visit and see how their interest in comics has developed. Have they since created their own comics? Have they developed as artists and writers?

I also received a few emails asking when we would organize a convention in Iloilo. My answer to that has always been this: the effort to organize such an event has to come from people living there, and when that happens, if they invite me I will definitely come. To those in Iloilo asking for a local convention for these past several years, well this is your chance! I really hope to see you there!

The Good Old Days of This Blog?

People will still probably remember (and recently a few of them reminded me they do) the good old days of heated debates on this blog. Yeah, that was quite something, wasn’t it? I was pretty opinionated back then, and yes, I still am today. But there is a difference. Towards the end of those days of crazy debates, I realized I wasted a lot of time and energy debating topics that just went round and round. I fully engaged people who were out simply to be contradictory, and it just exhausted me.

My mistake was perhaps my own pride and ego that kept me defending my opinion. And this led to debates that never really ended. I’ve since learned to allow people to have the last say.

Nowadays whenever I offer up an opinion on my blog, I really just leave it at that. I believe my opinions are represented well by the original post and that no further explanation is really necessary. If people don’t agree with it, then that’s fine. I will no longer debate the finer points of it. If I have been misunderstood and people reacted accordingly, then it’s not really my problem anymore. I’ve since learned not to care if people think I was wrong. Used to be I cared a lot, that’s why I kept defending myself. Right now, well, go ahead and believe what you want.

I’ve also since learned to ignore people who are just out to keep putting me down. People who offer nothing but negatives and pessimism.

I have to differentiate “critique” with opinions that are simply unproductive, destructive, and just simply unhelpful. I am open to the critique, but as for the rest I now have zero tolerance for. If I give any attention to that, I just waste time, effort, emotions, and I run the risk of raising my blood pressure, which isn’t good.

So yeah, I guess those good old days are never coming back. I just have no time for it anymore, and I just have no energy for it anymore.

Saving the Komiks Industry Should Never be the Goal

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Beyond Komikon: Young creators bring komiks to life

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/280371/lifestyle/literature/beyond-komikon-young-creators-bring-komiks-to-life

Just a few years ago, many people were stumped on how to revive the Komiks industry. Here on this blog, I said that we should stop dreaming of ever expecting komiks to go back to the old golden days where komiks sold in the millions and it was everywhere to be found. Sadly, unless someone with millions of cash invests in publishing and distributing komiks nationwide, those days are never gonna come again.

But that doesn’t mean Philippine comics is DEAD.

Never believe any idiot who will tell you that today. Pinoy Komiks is alive and well. Their number may pale in comparison to how it was in the old days, but they’re there, nevertheless. And it is an industry that is growing with each passing year. The resurgence of Philippine made comics was not some brainchild of some guy who thought, “HEY, I’m going to revive the komiks industry!” It was not planned by a committee or any komiks congress. It didn’t come from legislation, directive or any kind of help at all from the Philippine government.

It came from a generation of comic book fans who love comics, and who love creating comics.

Do you think most of those who create comics in that link above do it primarily for the money? Because they thought comics was going to make them rich? Hardly! These comics are coming out because these guys are passionate about comics. Passionate about creating their own comics. I’m sure none of them had the primary goal of “REVIVING THE KOMIKS INDUSTY”. They just wanted to create comics. And so many creators wanted to create comics that a lot of new comics are created every passing year. And every passing year, the quality of these comics are improving and improving.

And along the way, the Komiks Industry was revived without people even realizing it. And that is how it should be. Never make it a goal. Just create comics, GOOD comics, and these things will follow.

I remember one idiot who said that komiks cannot be revived through love. Hey, look at me. This is me, LAUGHING AT YOU.

Over the years I’ve had so many detractors and naysayers. It’s all right to have an opposing opinion of course, I don’t mind that. But I’ve also come to realize that it’s probably better to ignore people who are out to do nothing but put me down. It’s no use debating them, it’s no use talking to them. Whatever I say, they would say anything back just to contradict me. Yeah, ignoring these people did me lots of good and guess what?

I was eventually proven right.

Grumpy Old Man

More than a few people have said they were either scared or intimidated by me. I was never told in person, but always through a friend, or through Ilyn, or through a Facebook/Twitter post or blog entry. To be honest, I’m not really too surprised. I have been told I had this mean look in my eyes as far back as college. “Ang sama ko raw makatingin.” is what a few classmates have told me. At first I had no idea I was doing it. And when I realized I did, I understood why I did it.

It really started further back than that. It started from the time I earned the very first money ever in my life. It was 1980 and I was 12 years old. Well, it was actually kind of a job from my mom, who asked me to do some cleaning and she would pay me for it. It was the first and last time she paid me for job she asked me to do, but still, it was a novel experience. Feeling flush with 10 whole pesos in my pocket, I walked proudly and happily to Recto because I wanted to buy something for myself at National Book Store.

Before I got there I was stopped by this guy with a plastic letter punch gadget and asked me what my name was. Two of his companions came up behind me to probably keep me from running. He asked me what my name was again. Young as I was, I knew what was up. He was going to force me to buy a small plastic sticker with my name punched into it. The price per letter was insane. The guy was huge, and the two behind me were huge. With no way out, I gave them a name. A Chinese name so it would be short. I mean, if I gave them my real name, I’d be broke and I’d end up even owing the guy.

I still ended up losing all my money anyway. I went home sad and frustrated.

And I vowed it would never happen again. I was probably going around with this happy go lucky stupid little innocent look on my face and it just screamed PERFECT VICTIM. My solution was, if ever I was going to go back to Recto or any place that was not absolutely safe, I would carry the meanest look and meanest scowl that my face can muster. It was hard because my face just wasn’t used to it, but with enough practice, it quickly came easily, specially when I’m in Recto, remembering what happened before.

A couple of years later I found myself back there, packing the meanest, ugliest scowl and dagger eyes I can manage. I was once again going up to NBS to buy something and then I saw some guy start to approach me and then backed off. I could see it out of the corner of my eye. It was kind of a small victory. Coming out of NBS half an hour later, I was sad to see that the guy had accosted another stupid innocent kid who was me two years prior.

The trick worked so well that wearing the scowl and the dagger eyes became quite a habit. A habit I couldn’t shake.

Even after I was told about it by my classmates, I tried very hard to shake it off, but it somehow just became a part of me. I still try very hard not to do it today when I’m out at signings or conventions because well, other people have since come out to say that they were afraid to talk to me because I looked mean, I look suplado, and I don’t smile.

My opinionated nature online and my occasional angry flareups in my Facebook posts, tweets and blog entries probably help that impression along.

In my defense, I would probably look crazy if I just smiled for no particular reason. Tell you what, please be assured that I only look this way, but I’m actually a nice guy. I may only seem grumpy and mean, but I think that’s just a defense mechanism that’s built up over the years and kept in place by bad habit. If you talk to me in person, I won’t bite your head off. If you want to take photos with me or if you want me to sign your books that’s perfectly fine, even if there’s no event or signing.

I just feel bad at all the comments I get like “Oh I saw you earlier but I was too shy/afraid to approach you.” when we could have had a nice time talking instead.

Komikon 2012 Post #3: Comics for Kids!

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It was a pleasant surprise to see a few titles that were content appropriate for young children at the Komikon. Curiously enough, they were on booths next to each other. I would have to explain my choice of Robert Magnuson’s “Porcupirate Plans for the Day” and “Boom Boom Clang” (with Maloi Malibiran-Salumbides) because you would think they were children’s storybooks rather than comics. But there’s something you don’t know about Robert:

He has been sneakily been doing comics masquerading as children’s story books for years.

Open up these children’s books and you would immediately see that they’re actually comics complete with panels, sound effects and word balloons! I’ve actually been quite fond of Robert’s work for a long time now and have made note of his little trick a while back. For those who are not familiar with Robert’s comics work yet, just check out “Poso Maximo” from Triple Punch Komiks, the same Poso Maximo that appeared in the mega anthology Kwentillion published by Summit, which to me is the highlight of that collection. He’s one of the best cartoonists working today, and I’m really looking forward to anything he does.

Published by Hiyas, Robert’s children’s books should be available at all major bookstores.

Sitting next to Robert at Komikon was Jeciel Gaerlan, who was there with his “Cubie ‘n Bouncy: Out of the Box, The Comic Strip of Non-living Things“. This is actually the first time I’m hearing of Jeciel and this was the first time I saw his work. I didn’t know what it was about, but I knew I wanted to buy it sight unseen. There was something about the quality by which the book was made (glossy paper and full color!), and how earnest and proud Jeciel seemed of it.

At home reading it I knew I made the right decision. I have to say I really that I just love it. It’s a series of comic strips depicting the lives of non living things, specially a cube and a ball. By themselves they can speak and think and have character, but with humans around they’re just a cube and a ball. The strips have a kind of simple gentle humor that can be at times warmly funny at at times genuinely touching.

Did you see buy yourself a copy? If you did, I’m pretty sure you didn’t regret it because I sure didn’t. I think this book was published by Jeciel himself. I don’t know where else you could buy it, but I’m sure Jeciel would chime in here shortly to let us know!

Do you know of other comics that are age appropriate for kids that were launched at the Komikon? If you do, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks!

Komikon 2012 Post #2: The Rise of the Indie TPB

Komikon 2012 Post #1: The Video!

Komikon 2012 Post #2: The Rise of the Indie TPB

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Only a few years ago, a lot of the independently produced comic books were of the photocopied and stapled variety. But over the last couple of years, printed trade books collecting such work started to appear with books by Gio Paredes, Michael David, Lyndon Gregorio and Tepai Pascual. At this year’s Komikon, the indie TPBs have arrived in a BIG way with books coming from Aaron Felizmenio (Gwapoman 2000: Book 1, Ang Huling Baraha), Mel Casipit (Mukat Vol 1), Wan Malinao Mañanita (Ang Morion: Seraphim, Vol 1), Kai Castillo (Patintero), and Jeciel Gaerlan (Cubie ‘n Bouncy, Out of the Box). I’m sure there were a few more, but I just wasn’t able to get them.

Of course, more mainstream publishers also came out with a lot of TPBs including Vol 5 of Trese by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisomo, published by Visprint. NBS came out with Volumes 1 and 2 of Skyworld by Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta Maria. There was also a series of serial graphic novels published by Precious Hearts.

I’m specially very happy and glad to see these independently produced TPBs because it indicates not only longevity on the creators’ part, but also dedication, the desire to take the next step, and the belief in the quality of their work for them to willingly invest quite a bit of money to have these printed.

It’s also an indication how this industry is not only growing, but maturing. I’m so excited to see what happens in the next few years!

I haven’t gotten the chance to check them all out, but I’m particularly drawn to Aaron Felizmenio’s Gwapoman 2000. I’ve been seeing Aaron’s work, and have been impressed by his potential ever since he contributed some art to Bayan Knights a few years back. His potential continued to grow with the release of the first issue of Gwapoman, and he develops further as an artist with the coming of his TPB. The art on the 4th chapter of the book is particularly impressive. I’m amazed how much his art has developed and matured. Just the cover alone shows sparks of the artist he will eventually become (if he isn’t already is). I’m really looking forward to any of Aaron’s future releases.

More reviews and Komikon posts soon!

Komikon 2012 Post #1: The Video!

Komikon 2012 Post #1: The Video!

Komikon 2012 was yesterday, and although I was only able to spend a few hours in the afternoon, I was very happy to see how much this convention has grown. It now occupies the hallways and adjoining conference rooms to make for a much bigger event.

I took my camera and just went around taking fly on the wall videos and this is what I came up with. If you were at the event yesterday, you just might be in this video! See if you can spot yourself! Make sure you watch in HD at least 720p!

People I can definitely say is included in the video are Edgar Tadeo, Roy Allan Martinez, Sandy Sansolis, Sherry and Jon Zamar, Joanah and Melvin Calingo, Ariel Atienza, Lyndon Gregorio, Pol Medina, Robert Magnuson, Aaron Felizmenio, Danry Ocampo, Gio Paredes, Gilbert Monsanto, David Hontiveros, Budjette Tan, Kajo Baldisimo, Kevin Ray Valentino, Jay Anacleto, Michael David, Ails Casis, Omeng Estanislao, Paul Michael Ignacio, Rico Rival, Danny Acuña, Marco Dimaano, Sigmund Torre, Apol Sta. Maria, Pilar Esber, Carlo Jose San Juan, Jeciel Gaerlan, Emil Flores, Renie Palo, Jerald Uy, Lico Reloj, Ruben Nacion, Miguel Ramos, Freely Abrigo and many more.

More Komikon posts later!

Two Comics Events This Saturday

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Two comics related events this Saturday, October 27. The first being the biggest local comics convention for the past 8 years, KOMIKON at Bayanihan Center in Pasig. It will we open from 10am to 7:00pm The second is a book signing by American comics artist, illustrator and painter Kent Williams at Fully Booked at Bonifacio High Street beginning at 4pm.

This poses quite a bit of a dilemma for the Filipino comic book fan. It’s conceivable that the true blue fan can attend both events. Komikon in the morning and early afternoon, and then off to Kent Williams at 4pm. But I’m thinking most people will be able to attend only one.

I myself has been a fan of Kent Williams since the 80s after seeing his black and white work for the first time as a back up in one of the independents I bought at NBS. I’ve since followed his work on a lot of things, including a personal favorite, The Havok and Wolverine limited series called “Meltdown”.

But I have a lifelong commitment to Komikon so that’s where I’ll be. Although I will be in the Bonifacio High Street area Saturday morning for something completely unrelated to comics, I won’t have time to make a visit to Fully Booked to see what’s up.

It’s unfortunate that these events happened to be scheduled at the same time as I’m sure most fans and comics creators would prefer to go to both.

And Then Back to Comics

Writing about more personal thoughts and experiences on this blog has been really good. I plan to do it more. In many ways I go back to the roots of my online journal writing. In the early days, personal stuff was all I talked about. Back in 1997 I still considered it a diary that I did online. At some point it all became about promoting stuff and selling stuff. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. The Internet has proven to be an excellent tool to make some business. And an aspect of this blog will still do that. But I do plan on writing more about what I really think, and what I really believe in.

This is all purely personal stuff. I hope nobody interprets it to mean me telling people what to think or believe. I’m just speaking for myself. I’m just talking about my own opinions within this little space on the Internet that I call MINE. Everybody’s got a right to believe what they want and the right to express it. This is where I will do it.

Comics still is, of course, a large part of my life. I’ve just finished inking Indestructible Hulk #2. I will do a couple of drawings of my own just to stretch my muscles a bit, and then I go straight to inking Indestructible Hulk #3.

Next week will be the 8th Annual Komikon, to be held at the usual place: Bayanihan Center, Unilab, in Pasig. For more information about this, you can go to this page. Filipino cartoonist Omeng Estanislao once again does his terrific Komikon cartoon montage. You can blow up the drawing below by simply clicking it.

Here’s this year’s Komikon poster with their special guests.

I think this is Roy Allan Martinez’s first appearance at a Komikon. I personally think this is significant because I’m actually a really huge fan of Roy. Of all the Filipino comic book artists who arrived at the same time as me including everyone else who followed, I still think Roy is the best artist of us all. It is just unfortunate that he doesn’t get to work as often as the rest, but when he does, it’s always spectacular.

I won’t have a table this year at Komikon, but I’ll still be there just going around checking out what’s new with the indie guys. I’ll probably get there around after lunch or so, and stay around until 6. If you happen to see me there, I’ll gladly sign anything you have, if I haven’t signed it already. Or I can sign it again if you want.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see me smiling. People have gotten the impression that I’m kind of nasty because I always have a scowl on my face, but don’t be fooled. If you talk to me, I’ll talk to you and I won’t bite your head off. There’s a reason for that perpetual scowl. It’s a story I’ll probably tell one of these days right here.

All right then, see you at Komikon. That’s next Saturday, October 27, 2012. Doors open at 10am. You can actually buy tickets now at Comic Odyssey at Robinson’s Galleria so you don’t have to stand in line at the venue.