Hinilawod Comics

Humadapnon's and Dumalapdap's elder brother...

2012-01-06T11:14:00.001-08:00

I'm back in Cebu and will be here until mid-march.

Most of my activity is on Epic of the Three Stars for the months that I'm in Cebu.

The ancient warrior from the Hinilawod epic, Labaw-Donggon, goes through the oddities of teenage life. What’s worse?--He’s thrown into 21st Century Philippines; adapting into an alien environ until he learns the ways of a warrior.

It's an entertaining concept. How would he adjust to modern life? How would he smuggle a Kampilan into a mall? There's also a wallpaper of Labaw Donggon at age 13 available in this post. You're free to download it if you want. I'm having a grand time illustrating him and his brothers: Humadapnon and Dumalapdap.

Please follow the Epic of the Three Stars for more updates.

Guess the Hinilawod Princess...

2011-08-20T10:49:00.001-07:00

Who do you think this is?

Work on volume 2 and 3 of the Hinilawod comic is finally at a finish. I will be away for some time, please don't murder me. I'll try to squeeze in some more posts before disappearing for a few months. The comic project would never have been possible if not for these people:
Ate Rosemel
Our editor / cheerleader / goddess / timekeeper... The Hinilawod comic would have turned into an unstructured mess (thanks to my brains) had it not been for her.
Coach Bing
Just to mention one of everything that Coach Bing has done for us: she made sure the comic would best hit our target market. She made sure that creativity and form did not lessen its function.
Ate Pep, Jean, Mel and Jul
Basically, when I start to get all nutty and no one else can understand my brains, they manage to comprehend the mangled mess that I am. You've kept me sane, thank you.
Matt C and Mik
My letterers, onomatopoiea-makers, tech-guys and, at some point, story-weavers. Thank you for being such good soldiers.
My buddies at MT
They don't know this, but I also joined MT so I could observe the body in fight mode. Also, they've helped me stay physically fit while I worked on the Hinilawod Comic.
My Parents
For letting me take-up this profession despite the amount of uncertainty and risk that comes with it.

This list will go on for ages... I'll probably write some more in the next entries. I'll try to make a string of updates that will autopost at specific dates, stay tuned.

You're one of these stats.

2011-07-20T23:19:00.001-07:00

I've been putting up blogs and websites ever since I was 13, but I've never had visitor stats like these! You are one of these numbers and I would like to extend my gratitude for all your support.

The Hinilawod is undoubtedly a Philippine National Treasure, it is the Iliad of our nation. One day kids will talk about our folk stories instead of disney cartoons. The theatre adaptation of the Panay epic is fast approaching! It's scary, it's exciting; I'm scared, I'm excited.

Here's a sketch of the Princess Doroonon. The third volume of the Hinilawod Comic is going to surprise--a little bit. Well... just keep posted.

Hinilawod Comic: Labaw Donggon

2011-06-23T00:51:00.001-07:00

Working on this page had its set of lessons:
#1 - Drawing after an uphill jog is possible, but will lead you to...
#2 - STARVATION
#3 - and, two bottles of soya milk will be of little help.

This is part of Volume 3 of the Hinilawod Comics; worked on it last night, unable to concentrate the whole time. I go home and realize that I was incredibly hungry... and proceeded to make a glutton of myself. The inclined jog was really nice though... especially near the end of the trail. You just have Mr. Scruff on infinite loop and you're good.

Labaw Donggon sets out on his 2nd adventure. I think, in this 3rd volume, I'll have him bulk-up a bit and have him explore the Mt Talinis inspired scenery a bit more. I'll channel my inner wanderer, have him root-climbing and drinking fresh river-water; maybe killing a snake or spearing a fish for food... maybe he can also sit by a campfire and make smores... or brew a pot of coffee....

Enough of that.

The theatre adaption of the Hinilawod will be shown at the CCP this September 3 & 4, 2011. I hope to see you guys there! You may buy your tickets here. :)

I really do wonder if anyone reads these posts. So, if you are... leave a comment and say hi. :)

Zee Magazine features the Hinilawod!

2011-06-16T09:25:00.001-07:00

Grab a copy now! It features the HINILAWOD! You can get them from Fully Booked, NBS and Powerbooks. :)
Send us some love through our facebook page or follow us on twitter.

Things have been a whirlwind lately--and i apologize for the lack of updates. It's all in my hard drive... please watch for updates on the 3rd volume of the Hinilawod Comic in the next weeks.

Hinilawod Comic - Vol3: Sikay Padalogdog

2011-03-23T09:33:00.001-07:00

It's another near sleepless night--and I don't mind.

Deadlines are coming in quick and my time is running out. It's almost the Ang Lahi Academy, too... and I'm 80% sure that I'll be joining the 9 month program. By hook or by crook--this 3rd volume of the Hinilawod Comic is getting printed.

That's the princess Doroonon up there, held captive by Sikay Padalogdog. I had the Abomination in mind when I was thinking of how to graphically translate a hundred hand monster from the Hinilawod Epic. Those extra appendages will extend as he attacks and he can hide them, too. That guy's deceptive.

Unlike the Abomination, Sikay--because he's deceptive--has a very presentable countenance. I like him already!

The Epic of Labaw Donggon

2011-02-20T05:12:00.001-08:00

I've just come from jogging with my brother. Now I'm with Jean and she's working on the subtitles for the DVD project. We have cups of coffee in front of us and the computers on our laps. The coffee's still too hot for sipping--and I'm not really sure there's another coffee shop in IT Park that could beat a Starbucks blend.

This morning, I went about looking at kids painting a monster from the Theatre adaptation of Hinilawod. It's one of those moments that jar you back into position: this is why i do what i do.

The past month had us living our waking moments in IT Park, it's an odd thing. We'd tend to our day jobs, and run off to coffee shops at night to work on the Hinilawod DVD and the Hinilawod Comics. At times it would be work, meeting, muay thai then, Hinilawod... I'm not sure how we've managed to get by with so little rest--but, matters have been interesting in a very positive way. It could be the plant-based diet... though I've not been able to follow it perfectly.

Volume 2 is finally done and we're off to volume 3: Labaw Donggon and his second wife.

Yay!

Labaw Donggon: Manaludtod's Lair

2011-02-07T06:30:00.001-08:00

Meeting with Ate Rosemel and Jean as I write this and I cannot possibly begin to write down everything that needs to be accomplished.

The next showing of the theatrical adaptation of the Hinilawod Epic is fast approaching. I'm wishing we could go to Panay; I don't think there is enough time. I'm going through a whirlwind of comic pages---almost at the battle between Labaw Donggon and my Manaludtod Dragon!

So excited! Do keep posted for images of the battle.

Hinilawod Comic: Ginbitinan

2011-01-05T19:47:00.001-08:00

I've just returned from a tour of Leyte. This country is rich.

Back to Hinilawod now; working on the comic pages. All the feasting from Leyte has taken its toll and I'm lethargic. Updated play-dates are up at the website, by the way. I'd love to see how the play is going to evolve this time around.

See you there!

Labaw Donggon and Ginbitinan wallpaper

2010-12-08T05:21:00.001-08:00

This is widescreen wallpaper-sized for all of you who are interested. Christmas is just around the bend so Merry Christmas everyone.

Labaw goes on a journey for his first wife, GINBITINAN. One thing I had in mind, while working on this--we've been sought and saved at a higher price than this. Labaw-Donggon is simply reflecting another greater glory.

Also, I love football. Congratulations, Philippines! I hope we can one day join the World Cup.

Our Labaw Donggon is Asleep.

2010-11-19T04:53:00.001-08:00

From the Hinilawod Play, Labaw is played by Ewika. We last showed the play in its full length in Dumaguete.

Yes, I’m back… trying to pop out something creative. This time we watch Labaw Donggon sleep… entertaining, right? Remember when I mentioned that I was trying to explore MMA so I could get the feel for this Hinilawod Comic’s fights scenes? That said exploration has lead me into Muay Thai…

I love it! I’m proud to survive each session we have. It’s a beating.

Just thought I’d give it the credit due, as I’ve noticed an improvement in the way the battle scenes are constructed.

Anyway, the image of Labaw Donggon sleeping just makes me want to do the same. One other plan in lieu of that would be to dine at some Filipino-vegetarian-restaurant: (I’m trying to live healthy) a very creative ensemble of local delicacies and a conscience. I’d love that.

Cheers everyone!

Epic of Labaw Donggon: Ginbitinan

2010-09-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

Labaw's first wife: Ginbitinan also plays the guitar! This is just awesome.

The Filipino guitar which predates the Spanish era was the kudyapi or kutyapi. I hope I got this right.

More info on our website. Am up to my neck in this--and having the time of my life. I might not be able to update as often, until the 2nd volume of the Hinilawod comic is released.

Labaw Donggon's Adventures in the works...

2010-09-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

ABYANG GINBITINAN

We have before us Abyang Ginbitinan. I wanted to make her somewhat fierce. In the Hinilawod epic, her village is under the threat of MY MANALUDTOD Dragon. (I have now claimed this dragon from Ancient Panay as my own!)

Now, if your village were constantly under threat, you would not become a Sleeping Beauty or a Snow White... you would become Xena!Ginbitinan is our legendary warrior princess.

Bungot Banwa

2010-08-21T12:24:00.001-07:00

And, once more, the dawn finds me awake but wanting to sleep. There's too little sleep in me. I think that haggard feel has made itself visible on this character's face.

In the Hinilawod epic, Bungot Banwa acts like a Baylan of sorts. He initiates the rituals that occur by the Halawod River... a master of ceremonies? I wonder if he is also a strategist of sorts?--like a village elder whose wisdom is sought by the Datu and his people. The history of the Ancients of Panay is a trasure waiting to be rediscovered; much like a fat portion of our history.

He looks wise here albeit, a tad too wary. I'll make some changes to his expressions before adding him to the 2nd volume of the Hinilawod Comic.

This portion of the epic is brimming with characters... I am quite intimidated.

Labaw Donggon in action...

2010-08-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Mr. Labaw Donggon of the Hinilawod Epic. Eldest son of Paubari and Alunsina.

He wants to know why all the sparkly vampires are running away with their tails between their legs.

Manaludtod Dragon for Hinilawod

2010-08-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

A preview of my Manaludtod Dragon.

Right now... it's too late in the night or too early in the morning. I have also been browsing through some articles on Biag ni Lam-ang (The Life of Lam-ang); watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand and reading our Hinilawod Script. Thank you Jay, I received the package. This new script with me comes in 3 languages: Ilocano, English and Tagalog... correct me if I'm wrong.

Just trying to plug myself into that state of epic awesomeness--getting familiar with the aesthetic of blood and battles. Excuse me whilst I try to retrieve my brains from whichever corner it has managed to scatter itself. Alright, enough James Joyce-ing and back to business: HINILAWOD.

In our theatrical adaptation Labaw Donggon battles the dragon Manaludtod. This whole battle occurs through a technique called Black Light Theatre. Do your research. The visuals of theatre do not always agree with the pages of a comic. Thus, in the Hinilawod Comic adaptation of this battle scene, things will have to go take a slightly different route.

Aaaand... I'm going through that process of translating theatre into comic pages now. Entertaining and mind-wracking. Let me just say this: 'The inking process is the most rewarding and heartbreaking part of each page.'

Hinilawod Princesses

2010-08-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

In the epic of Labaw Donggon, his heart is captured by three maidens... the rest of this tale is for you to discover.

Yes... one of the Hinilawod princesses has to have short hair, because that is cool. Now, I will have to do some research on the Adventures of Labaw, too... I wonder if short hair was acceptable back in their day?

Mr. F. Landa Jocano's book on Philippine Prehistory might offer some clues.

And why is the one princess bound?--well, that is for you to discover. Move over Princess Aurora! I've always wanted to say that.

The Epic of Labaw Donggon

2010-08-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

LABAW DONGGON

Production has started on volume 2 of the Hinilawod comic. I'm so glad to have come up with a decent face for Paubari and Alunsina's eldest: Labaw Donggon. This face, other than taking from Erik's face (the guy casted as Labaw in the Hinilawod play) also has roots in a week of UFC, Terminator Salvation, Jason Mraz and The Expendables... I only hope the testosterone from all that managed to manifest on this.

Although, I'm most excited about Manaludtod, the dragon with whom Labaw Donggon will battle with. Need I say 'epic proportions'? SO EXCITED about a dragon with a toothy grin. Will post concept sketches soon. This dragon has got me wrapped around his pointy fingers... I can feel the burn in my cheeks and I want to draw him. NOW.

Sorry about that. Excuse me while I get back to work.

Am fairly satisfied with this. :) Woooo, it's Erik! I wonder who's to be the understudy for this character?

More information on the Hinilawod website.

Content is in the works...

2010-07-14T01:08:00.001-07:00

thank you for your patience :)