The Carver's House

After what seemed like forever, the Film Academy of the Philippines released its official list of nominations for the 25th Luna Awards. The Luna Awards is the Philippine equivalent to the Oscars, wherein industry practitioners call the shots. For this year's race, Star Cinema's Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo earned top nods with eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress. In close second is Unitel Pictures' Inang Yaya with six noms, including Best Picture, though director duo Veronica Velasco and Pablo Biglang-Awa weren't cited. The three other Best Picture contenders are Centerstage Productions' Kaleldo , Star Cinema's Sukob , and MLR Films' Kubrador . These three films earned four nominations each. A total of 26 films bagged nominations, with both commercial and indie films represented. To me, the oddity of the lot is Sukob . Apart from Picture and Director nods, the horror hit's other two nominations are for Supporting Actor a

If you haven't seen this yet, be prepared for a good chuckle. Animation shorts from MTV Japan featuring two rabbits in prison. There are 20 installments, I believe, across a number of videos up until the rabbits escape. It's a nice respite.

The opportunity to play "fashion model" at work sometimes lands on our lap. Yesterday was special because it was our annual "class picture," where the Real Living staff glams up a few notches, and does crazy stuff in front of the camera, complete with lights and backdrop. It's primarily for documentation, really, but who says we can't jazz it up a bit? Ika nga nila, pang-professional. Parang pina-salon . The results are great for Friendster. Thing was, I found myself investing in a formal outfit. Steep price, but pretty much worth it considering it looked good on me. Plus, having another option apart from the usual Barong Tagalog was much welcome. In this photo taken by Ocs Alvarez, I asked editorial assistant Kathleen Valle to tug at my tie, just for fun. And Kath, who's quickly getting used to the magazine life, took the challenge like a pro. The picture came out pretty good, I believe.

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I don't have any pictures. Har har! Touched down at the Mactan International Airport yesterday at around 3:15 in the afternoon and went straight to SM to check the National Bookstore branch there. After that I went to Osmeña Circle to look for a hotel. The Century Plaza Hotel wouldn't have been my choice if I wasn't in a hurry--it was already 5:30pm. It was okay, since I'm not very picky, but it wasn't worth the price. This morning I called up the front desk and asked about the breakfast that came with the package. The receptionist said that the restaurant was still closed--at10:00 am--and that they were willing to get breakfast from Jollibee. Now I didn't mind that the bathtub drain wasn't working, but hotel breakfast courtesy of Jollibee??? Anyway, I'm back at SM for my book signing. If just one person gets his or her book signed, I'll be happy. If no one shows up, then it's still okay. I got to Cebu on my own, and went around on my own without

The are social networking sites, and then there are specialized social networking sites. One of those is Comicspace , where many a comics fan or creator are already a member of. Another site that's piqued my interest of late is Sketchfu , a site where you get to exercise your artistic skills via a digital canvass. Unlike that interactive monstrosity that is Facebook , Sketchfu only requires you to draw, or browse through other's masterpieces and leave a comment or cheer. The control panel for the canvass doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. The brush sizes are very limited, and so's the color palette. And, if you're using a mouse, be prepared to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if you're thinking of creating something ambitious. (Gets me one step closer to procuring a tablet. Hmmm...) Learn how to draw cartoons, comics, and anime at Sketchfu! The image shown is one of the few drawings I've done on Sketchfu. As I've said in other posts, I'm not too

Amazon recently released its e-book reader, christened Kindle, a portable device that can store up to 200 books, magazines, and other publications which a user can download through Amazon. Downloading is done through the mobile phone network, not WiFi. Its plus-features include a non-glare screen, thanks to e-paper technology. The unit's weight is comparable to ordinary books, and it has a built-in dictionary in case you want to look up a word. More research can be done through a link to Wikipedia. You can also annotate pages and change the type size. There are no monthly charges--you only pay for the unit and the books you buy or the newspapers and magazines you subscribe to--since Amazon pays for the access. And what you order supposedly makes it to your Kindle in a minute or less. Sounds like a dream come true for many reading aficionados--imagine bringing a whole library of books on a long trip. But Amazon wants you to dole out $399.00 for the convenience, and because its funct

If you guys have the time, do check out this online novel by a good pal o' mine, Palanca-award winner David Hontiveros . His dark fantasy novellas Takod , Craving , and Parman are still available at the bookstores. The online novel is entitled Pelicula . What's Pelicula about? Well, take your average Joe named Luis Conrado who shot to fame playing the role of a superhero in one of those fantaseryes . But Luis Conrado's got powers. Real superpowers. Thing is, he's not the only bloke in the showbiz industry with superpowers. And some of them are pretty nasty. The first few chapters are now online. Do check them out. The site will be updated weekly. Also at the site, a gallery of Habagat (that's the name of the superhero). With illustrations by me, Ian Sta, Maria, Kajo Baldisimo, Bow Guerrero, Ronnie Tres Reyes, Dennis Crisostomo, Arvie Villenia, Reno Maniquis, Oliver Pulumbarit, Aldin Viray, and Edgar Tadeo. If you know anyone who might be interested in the story,

In English, "Comic Connect," "Comicon Connection," etc. It would make a nice name for a Pinoy Comics Consortium, eh? Anyway... During the past Komikons, parati akong late. Kaya this time, pinagsikapan kong gumising nang maaga kahit tatlong oras lang ang tulog ko. Okey lang 'yun dahil minsan lang sa isang taon ang Komikon. Sinigurado kong gawing sleeveless ang aking suot, dahil base sa experience sa mga nakaraang Komikon ay pagpapawisan ako ng katakut-takot. Pagdating ko sa UP Bahay Ng Alumni, ang itinanghal na "Hall of Justice" ng iilang taga-UP, agad-agad kong hinanap si Jonas Diego dahil ipinagkaloob niya sa amin ang bahaging espasyo sa kanyang malawak na mesa. Thanks a million, Jonas! Ang guwapo mo! Tamang-tama at nandoon si David Hontiveros, ang manunulat ng Penumbra novellas. Dalian naming isinet-ap ang aming bilihan. Maya't-maya'y sinamahan kami nina Marco Dimaano (Angel Ace) at Elbert Or (Bakemono High), pati na rin ni Steven Pabalina (D

Hindi ko ito kinakaya. Napatunganga na lang ako, sabay blush. Maraming maraming salamat kay Dennis Villegas at sa Filipiniana.net at naisama si Zaturnnah sa Top One Hundred Pinoy Komiks . At may bidyo pa , na siyang ipapalabas sa darating na Komikon (sa Sabado na po 'yon!), 'yon po ay ayon kay Sir Dennis. Kung Komikon ang pag-uusapan, may Zaturnnah posters at iilang libro na ibebenta, kasama ang mga Penumbra novellas ni David Hontiveros. (Mayroon ding bagong gawa si David, pero saka na namin ilalantad 'yon.) Susubukan po nating ilako ang One Night In Purgatory , 'yung una kong solo komiks na nailimbag noong 2001. Maghahakot pa kami sa bodega.

Dancing to: Lovestoned--I Think She Knows (Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds) One of the more flattering hats-off I've received this year was courtesy of a fine bunch of writers who created a gay superhero and dedicated the story to me. How humbling is that? Project: Bhloom is an online novel-in-progress about a hunky Pasig River boatman named Edong who through the proverbial twist-of-Fate (very Claremont, that) gains the superhuman ability to... ummm... generate flowers. The concept and writing are unapologetically campy and gay, though ironically the original idea came reportedly from a straight guy. The name of the group responsible for the project is the lisp-inducing "Pangkat Flower Puff." Do give the first few installments a read and see if it piques your interest. I imagine, however, that the readership would be particularly specialized. In short, kabaklaan ito. Intellectualize only if you feel the urgency to do so.

Ever get the feeling that you don't belong anywhere? That whatever bond that exists is no more solid than the smoke connecting fire and air? Ever tire of building bridges that go mostly unused? Worse, bridges that collapse because someone gambled against the load limit. Ever found the need to talk and realize that ears are pinned elsewhere? You find a comfortable corner and engage yourself with yourself, sharing tales and dreams, the folly of a fool meant for microscopes. Ever ached over not being able to explode when you feel you need to? With every buried thought trailing behind you, in a swirling gown train of mist 10 tons heavy. Ever stood at the gates of others' good intents or promises, finding yourself doubting sincerities? But find yourself paying the entrance fee still, because your two feet depended on it? Ever been in a state where you're not certain who you are anymore? And because of that, you feel that no one really knows the real you. Ever felt that, in the e

Lions for Lambs is one of those movies that can make us head into that existentialist zone, where we question the choices we've made and figure out what direction we ought to take in the future, all in the name of living the full, meaningful life that our grandchildren can be proud of. More than just commentary about how apathetic the world has become, the film attempts to reach into the individual, pulling at conscience strings and prodding the viewer to take a long, hard look at his place in the state of things. And this is the primary problem with this Robert Redford-helmed film. While I like talkie films, Lions For Lambs is talk without internal progression or transformation. About the only character who has goes through some kind of intense dilemma is Meryl Streep's veteran journalist. But it's a debate movie overall, better meant for the theater stage than on the silver screen. To its credit, however, the verbal exchange isn't entirely boring, and I appreciate h

Listening To: Don't Make Me Come To Vegas , Tori Amos (Scarlet's Walk) Due to uncontrollable circumstances, the Zaturnnah musical in Cebu won't push thorugh next week. Tanghalang Pilipino informed me that the show will instead take the stage in the first or second quarter of 2008. But I will still go to Cebu later this month for a book signing, at least to help drum up interest for the show. Instead of the 18th, the signing will take place on the 25th, 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the same venue--National Bookstore, SM Cebu. Who's gonna be with me? No one. Bahala na. Hwek hwek hwek.

The highlight of the afternoon's session with Ben Templesmith was a quick demo by the man himself of how he creates a piece of art. Fiddling Photoshop on his Mac, Templesmith pieced together various graphical elements with one of his raw illustrations to come up with the kind of searing artwork we get to see on his comics pages. His method is deceptively simple, and yet one still needs a keen sense of light and shadow as well as color and texture to do the job right. The moment I got home, I made a quick sketch and tried out his system, resulting in the image shown here (click to enlarge). Templesmith said that he doesn't mind others copying his style (such a darling, isn't he?). An artist, however, would benefit more if he or she added a personal spin to the method. It can be a great addition to the creative arsenal. The session was held at the CSB School of Design and Arts building, and it was great to rub elbows again with some of our local artists and creators. I felt

Forwarded to me via email. Another one for the ladies... ---------------------------------------------------------- 1. WHY DO MEN BECOME SMARTER DURING SEX? (because they are plugged into a genius) 2. WHY DON'T WOMEN BLINK DURING SEX? (they don't have enough time) 3. WHY DOES IT TAKE 1 MILLION SPERM TO FERTILIZE ONE EGG? (they don't stop to ask directions) 4. WHY DO MEN SNORE WHEN THEY LIE ON THEIR BACKS? (because their balls fall over their butt-hole and they vapor lock) 5. WHY WERE MEN GIVEN LARGER BRAINS THAN DOGS? (so they won't hump women's legs at cocktails parties) 6. WHY DID GOD MAKE MEN BEFORE WOMEN? (you need a rough draft before you make a final copy) 7. HOW MANY MEN DOES IT TAKE TO PUT A TOILET SEAT DOWN? (don't know.....it never happened) 8. WHY DID GOD PUT MEN ON EARTH? (because a vibrator can't mow the lawn)

I started conceptualizing the Zaturnnah sequel way before the musical or the movie ever turned up. And, as I had mentioned in a previous post, putting a sequel together isn't easy especially when it wasn't in the grand plan to begin with. But here I am, halfway through the 2nd act of the sequel script, and I'm making one delicious discovery after another. Going through my old files, I found this (click on the image to enlarge): It's part of a scene between Ada and Lester, and it's going to be in the sequel. I drew this sometime during the first quarter of 2005--nearly three years ago!--just before I was accepted at Summit Publishing. While it's tempting to ram my head through a brick wall for being too slow, I content myself with the thought of not rushing this story through. The sequel syndrome can be a terrible thing and, with the new knowledge I've been getting over the recent years, I'm glad I waited this long. Enough about putting a story together o

Got this gem from Gibbs' blog . Nakakatawa.