Best Munny

"PISCES"

Acrylic/Resin on 7" Munny

Best Munny was the award given by Kidrobot to my entry Pisces in the recently concluded Kidrobot Munnyworld Contest. As a huge fan of the munny, it feels great to have it chosen by the makers themselves. What's even more rewarding is to have it among amazing customs done by my fellow artists and friends! You can check out their awesomeness at the Kidrobot blog.:D

Pono Ko Bal-leng?

After posting the "heart-rending" Crocodile tears, I received a note from an artist whose works I truly admire. He said that I reminded him of the days when he was just starting out and that he could hardly bear to watch another artist struggle because he knows how's it like. He offered help in case I ran into another financial setback and gave me valuable advice.

I never knew him personally so I searched articles about him and found out that the artist whose works I admire has already made a name in the international scene. His clients include Hewlett Packard and R&B superstar Usher just to name a few. The first thing that came to mind was "could there be a humbler and more generous man out there who goes out of his way to offer assistance to someone he doesn't even know?" And I look at his artworks right now with a renewed and greater respect for the artist who knows how's it like. To you bro, thank you. It's great to have people like you around

I promise not to whine in this blog anymore. After all, who am I to complain when others are losing their homes and their loved ones. I can still consider my self a lucky bastard who's surrounded by great people. So now I'm taking this chance to thank you my friends and visitors for your continued support.

If I may, I would also like to thank Liberts, Girl Gf, DD, Mimi, MJ, Tseri, Galatea and to everyone who linked, suggested and featured my works in their blogs and websites for having faith in me. Not only had you given me a chance to do what I do by commissioning me but you've also given me a breather and done an excellent job promoting my work however small you claim that effort was. Just so you know, it's already spreading like wildfire that I might stop accepting commissions for a month or two to make way for an artwork that I'm most dying to paint. This you must watch out for!;)

I didn't intend to make this very long so thank you if you've reached this point. To my friends who are curious about my second attempt at oil painting... enjoy my self portrait!hahaha

"Pono Ko Bal-leng?"
36" x 48"
Oil on Canvas

Just kidding. This goes out to all the people who've left and are too busy to look back. Pono Ko Bal-leng? When are you coming home? Have a great weekend everyone!

PS: Special thanks to Nicole for going out her way to shoot and give me photo references of the kudyapi(two-stringed lute). She doesn't even know me.

Crocodile Tears

I was relieved when I didn't receive any SMS confirmation from the foundation. Not that I had expected to make it to the semifinals but I started to feel insecure about my artwork. The more I looked at it, the more I hated myself for risking a great subject that I could have executed well in watercolor. And showing it to the public is like going out in my boxers and exposing my "sexy" legs. I moved on and promised my self to pick lighter subjects and do better with acrylic next time.

Then I received an SMS yesterday reminding me of submitting my artwork today. It turns out they missed to notify me that Crocodile Tears made it to the semifinals. They could have given me enough time to prepare and find money to frame my work. I only had 250Php(6$) left in my bank account and that would cover my meals til my next commission. But consider me a lucky bastard because I was with MJ(she was wearing pink by the way)yesterday who paid the full amount in advance for a commission that I'm currently doing for her.

"Crocodile Tears"

24" x 36"

Acrylic on Paper

This is Crocodile Tears, my first attempt at acrylic. I learned a lot from this and was deeply humbled by the experience and for making it again to this year's MADE. If you're a Filipino, you can easily relate to this artwork. If you also live in Metro Manila, you can view the actual artwork with the impressive cheap frame on June 5-6, 2009 at the 6th flr of Dona Tytana Building, Manila Doctors College, Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, Metropolitan Park, Pasay City. On your way there, just avoid running into those U-turn "sluts".;)

The Dichotomy of Man

When I finished Crocodile tears, I considered taking a break. But I remembered that I have to make a pen & ink artwork for my dear tita Ces before she goes to New York. Recovering from an ordeal that has mentally and physically consumed me, I reintroduced myself with my pens.

It hurt like hell. My hand was not yet ready for pen work and I had to stop for days in between just to let the pain subside. But I had to get over the pain or else I won’t be ready for tita Ces’s Artemis. After a week I have managed to finish this personal project with still functional fingers.

This is my entry to Wacom and deviantArt’s “Bring your vision to life: The Battle of Good vs. Evil”. After putting this off several times to make way for important projects, I have finally found the perfect venue for this study. It took me one year to make this happen and I hope you guys like it. To those who have deviantArt accounts, you can express your support by adding the Dichotomy of Man to your favorites. Thank you very much!

Up next: the 100th blog post!:)

Birth Pangs

I'm 2 weeks delayed in one project and 3 days in another. I never expected it to be this stressful nor considered having the two of them coincide for a single day. The pressure of being needed in two places at one time and traveling to and fro the opposite poles of the metro is very overwhelming. In fact, I've exhausted all the invectives to myself for pursuing these when from the onset telltales of incompetence were clearly laid out in front of me.

The truth is I'm numb. Numb from the constant badgering of my lady friends, numb from clueless workers who still managed to smile after carrying out instructions the other way and numb from the numbness of a disheartened ally. I've used the N word quite effectively, might as well change the first one with a D. So anyone reading this right now, don't mind me. I just want all these to be over with. Tomorrow!

I wanna get back to painting and have 5 of my artworks "hanged". I miss my pens and my paint tubes; and oh I almost missed retrieving my last artwork from Faber Castel. It turned out that my unfinished artwork, Red Threading 2: Parade of the Trojan Whores, was chosen as part of the Sining Awards exhibit. 

Red Threading 2: Parade of the Trojan Whores (unfinished)

24" x 36"

watercolor

Pono Ko Balleng? (When Are You Coming Home?)

After witnessing Kadayawan and having seen real Bagobos for the first time, I couldn't help but be proud of being one. The intricacy and colors of the patterns in our costume and jewelries are very eye-catching, even the dialect's a treat to the ears. A lanky Bagobo, probably in his 70's, emerged from their hut and reminded me of my grandfather. Seeing him made me want to run away.

I could only fancy how brave my Appu Ole, a full-blooded Bagobo, was during his days. My late grandmother claimed that he had driven witches out of their neighborhood with his bolo. My mom said that he drove my grandmother out of their house using a shotgun. So every time we visit our ancestral home, I enter through the lanai where his portrait wearing a bagobo costume awaits in the living room. His stare alone can make someone's hair stand on end. I admire him for exuding that aura even without having his ears pierced. By the way, he was also an excellent photographer.

Though we are becoming less nowadays due to intermarriage and migration, I'm still hopeful that our culture will be preserved. I hope my uncle and my father who are the last bagobo-speaking members of the family live long enough to teach me the tongue-twisting dialect.

These drawings are my way of tracing my roots. Sent these along with three other artworks to Japan as my entry to the 16th Noma Concours. I couldn't have done that without my dear friends. Thank you and enjoy!

I Didn't MADE It, Yet I'm Still Maningning

I'm just dropping by to inform those who are wondering about Red Threading that it didn't get the special award I was hoping for and I was the most stupidest artist present in the awarding ceremony. I have not been earning enough, still I passed up on the opportunity of selling it to the event's guest of honor. I just stood behind her as she was telling another lady about how much she wanted my artwork. Maybe I was too surprised to see them head directly to my artwork when the exhibit opened. Or maybe it was just a hallucination that I made up. I wish it was the latter. The last thing I heard of their conversation, GOH: "but I really want this artwork" Lady:"maybe there's a reason why he's not selling it." The reason: I'm the most stupidest artist there is.

On more hopeful events, my artwork Phosphenes was selected as one of the 12 semi-finalists in this year's Maningning Miclat Art Competition. It is now on display at Art Circle Gallery, 4th Floor Shangrila Plaza Mall. I just hope GOH drops by the exhibit.


PS. GOH bought the artwork next to mine for 30 grand.:(

20 Years of Toyota Experience… Evolving. Emerging.

I grew up without the luxury of owning a car. My family used to go places on foot or by means of habal-habal, pedicabs, PUs(what we call taxi then), jeepneys and provincial buses. There was an addition when a taxi company came to Davao and eventually introduced the Tamaraw FX. Being the eldest grandchild (who memorized all their 8 contact numbers by heart) of a tightly-knit extended family that goes to church every Sunday, I’d always be the one to call for two units to pick us up.

In 1995, my father purchased a brand new Toyota Corolla. I had envisioned my self stepping out of the car in patent leather shoes and wearing Ray Ban shades as I go to school. I thought we were finally rich but unfortunately it was meant for business. And I just continued day dreaming as I cleaned it before attending my classes every morning. I bought my first sunglasses (an Oakley imitation) with the money I earned from washing it.

"God Bless Our Trip"
16" x 11"
vector art and digital painting with Mickey Mouse

Over the years, I saw the transportation system underwent a transformation and Toyota has emerged as the industry leader. It is the most trusted name in automobile and the driving force in revolutionizing the riding experience for the past 20 years. These can be attributed to their understanding of the Philippine setting and pioneering efforts; and shaping the lives of countless Filipinos in general. As market leaders, they continue to introduce new breakthroughs and innovations in the emerging market. For me, Toyota always takes the extra mile and has gone beyond selling cars and the highest standards. Like the bridled horse - their eyes are always on the road ahead, thrusting forward to an almost hypnotic and unforgettable riding experience. Like the jeepney - that could pack a whole barangay, they bring families closer together and to their destinations. 20 years of unparalleled track record. Toyota. Evolving. Emerging.

Today, our taxi is still in the garage, as efficient and as beautiful the day it was bought… I will be driving it tomorrow. Charing! Tama bang ipilit?

Note: Thanks to Machong Roj for the much needed help!