The Carver's House

In the March 2009 issue of Real Living , you'll discover: how to use paint to breathe new life into your old household items; must-see art galleries; different color combos to influence your mood in the bedroom; the basics of rendering faux finshes, from marbling to trompe l'oeil; and a whole lot more! Real Living , the bestselling home magazine in the country, is now available for only P140. Get na! Now na!

If there was one thing I learned while working for Real Living that I'm applying in comics is the idea of character in setting--that a place has a life of its own. That setting contributes significantly to the story experience by inviting a reader to immerse him or herself into the new world. If I had taken up architecture in UP during my college days, I'd think that my sense for setting would've then been developed. Setting has always been an important element when I make comics, ever since I started with Flashpoint in 1993, but a lot of it has been on the surface. I didn't study it extensively back then--as long as I gave my settings enough detail, it should be fine. But now, I'm more conscious of history, of design, of detail, of styling, of culture, just through my magazine work. Add to that my conversations with friends who were into interior decor and production design, and I consider myself forever changed as a comics creator. Whenever I'd go to Manila ...

That's right. This is the third year of Real Living magazine's highly-successful December promo. All the furniture and home accessories (from Crossings Department Store no less) you see on the cover can be yours. Unlike in previous years where folks have to send entries by electronic or snail mail, joining the promo will now be exclusively through your mobile phones. Each copy of the December issue has a unique code, and you will need that code to join the contest. So if you like what you see on the cover, get a copy of Real Living . Only P140. Other features in this month's issue: Unique ways to display your photos How to set up a 1920s glam-inspired party The basic equipment you need for your mini-bar Tips and tricks for easy home organizing And a whole lot more!

In the November 2008 issue of Real Living , you'll discover: the dynamics involved in working with an interior designer; 45 stylish and value-for-money gift ideas in the Annual Gift Guide; how to organize a gift-wrapping party; some of the most iconic designs of Charles and Ray Eames; and a lot more! Real Living is available at major magazine outlets for only P140. Get na, now na!

Better late than never... In the October issue of Real Living , you discover: 1) the Best Home Stores for 2008! Over 30 establishments--from value-for-money stores to blow-the-budget shops take the spotlight in the magazine's annual list. 2) the style forecast for 2009! Taking a cue from international sources , Real Living highlights the fearless upcoming style trends ranging from the dramatic to the eco-friendly. 3) Project Runway Philippines judge Jojie Lloren's contemporary-vintage studio! 4) the grand prize winner of Real Living's Best Real Home contest! Jorem Catilo and his wife Sheila transform a small and plain space into a colorful, creative and refreshing sanctuary. ...and more! Real Living is available at major magazine stands for only P140. Get na, now na!

In the September issue of Real Living , you'll learn: 50 mini-makeovers you can immediately apply to your living space How renovating can increase the value of a home-for-sale Tips on organizing your own Wii party How we transformed a living room, kitchen, dining area and bathroom in our biggest makeover yet! and a lot more! Plus, you'll see where we found ourselves running from lifesized dinos, and it's not an amusement park. Real Living: The Makeover Issue is available at major magazine retailers for only P125. Get na, now na!

In the August 2008 issue of Real Living , you discover... 1) Six hot kitchen trends that make "slaving over a hot stove" a more inspiring experience; 2) Three retro styles that you can easily apply to your living spaces; 3) Four homes filled with inspirations that satisfy form and function; 4) The shopping spots Central Istanbul in Turkey, as well as local sources for the Turkish look... ...and a whole lot more! Only P125. Get na, now na!

Do your friends tell you that you have a great-looking living room? Do your relatives say they love your dining area? How about your bedroom? Do you have a sensible, well-maintained living space which reflects your unique personal style? Of course, you wouldn't want to toot your own horn despite what your friends and relatives say, but Real Living magazine wants you to, to the tune of over P200,000 worth of prizes! So if you have a home that your friends and relatives gush over, why not join the Real Living Best Home Contest ? You'll get a chance to win the grand prize of P160,000 worth of products, furniture and gift certificates from high-profile establishments (Restoration, Elba, BoConcept, etc.), and be the cover feature for Real Living's October 2008 issue--great for framing! Two runners-up will be chosen to win over P40,000 worth of prizes each. Joining is easy: 1) The contest is open to homes located in the GMA and CALABARZON areas. 2) Homes that have not been pro...

In the June 2008 issue of Real Living , you'll find: 1) A directory of two dozen new real estate development options for your future dream home; 2) Loads of tips on how to make the most of your small living space; 3) Fancy appliances that bring home living to a new level; 4) How to create your own sexy bedroom; and a lot more! Get your copy for only P125! Now na!

In the March issue of Real Living , you'll find... • must-know basics of garden lighting . • the home shopping haunts along Granada Street, San Juan • tips on implementing Universal Design Principles to your interiors • the color and style trends for 2008 ...and a whole lot more! Buy na! Now na!

...when I render myself scarce. Just like last year and the year before that, I'll be taking a hiatus from blogging, though I might holler from time to time when something comes up. Thank you for sharing your time with me. Sometime in the middle of the month, the Real Living team may head south to Boracay again, thus fulfilling my hidden wish. Let there be sun, please. I must soon plunge headlong into my latest Graphic Classics assignment. Though the deadline is still a few months off, I shouldn't get complacent. I'll be experimenting again, art-wise--a cross between what I did for Siglo: Passion and what I learned from Ben Templesmith. Methinks I'll be able to churn out pages a bit faster. Methinks. The Zaturnnah script is moving, and the more I work on it, the more insights I get. There's the danger of overwriting, but I've got one hand ready to yank a leash in case I'm tempted to stray too much. Just finished writing a "painful" Dodong scene....

That's right. Just like last year's successful promo, Real Living is giving away over P90,000 worth of furniture and accessories courtesy of Our Home. Grab a copy of our December issue to find out how to join. In addition, our latest issue features: 1. Choosing a real honest-to-goodness Christmas tree, if you feel like breaking from the assembled plastic version; 2. Fantastic ideas and products for your kitchen; 3. Prepping your spare room for your balikbayan guests to crash during the holiday season; 4. A quick guide on formal dinner table setups. Plus a whole lot more. For a preview of the December issue, check out samples pages here . Available now at your fave magazine stands for P125. Buy na, now na!!

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.

In the November issue of Real Living , you'll learn: dozens of professional designer tips you can use to improve your living space how interior designers operate and how you can work with them the difference between designer furniture classics and their cheaper copycats Plus, we have a family room makeover, a garden furniture primer, and over 100 holiday and budget finds to guide your Christmas shopping adventure. Now available. Get na, now na!!

The official blog of Real Living magazine just went online! So if you want to check out the home decor and design scene, or at least see what's available in the local market, Real Living Space can give you that kind of fix every week. If you want to get a preview of Real Living's latest issue, you can click here . It'll also give you an idea of my approach to page design, based on the magazine's marketing brief. If there's one fine lesson that I learned from being part of this mag is that having a stylish and attractive room boils down to knowing where to look and knowing what the spending priorities are. For instance, I had spent about P900 on a human anatomy book that didn't give me much, and wished thereafter that I had yanked that gorgeous metallic modern desklamp off the Robinsons Department store shelf instead -- for almost the same price. I could've put the lamp to good use beside my drawing table.

Oliver Pulumbarit recently interviewed yours truly, Gerry Alanguilan , Filomena "Luming" Coching (widow of Francisco V. Coching, "Dean of Filipino Illustrators"), and Regie Ravelo (daughter of late luminary Mars Ravelo, who authored over 300 komiks novels) for an article about the revival of Filipino komiks. The article appears in today's Philippine Daily Inquirer . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In the fourth anniversary issue of Real Living , we once again give out informative and inspiring tips on home decor. Our Budget Issue zeroes in on budget-friendly yet tasteful finds, the basics of kids' room decorating, as well as a shopping stopover in Pasay City. We also issued a design challenge to interior designer Marilen Faustino: decorate a living room for less than P20,000. Get your copy at major magazine stands. Now na! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My second Graphic Classics project "The Mysteries of Udolpho" (adapted by Antonella Caputo) was recen...

In the January/February issue of Real Living , you'll find out: • The different kitchen set-ups that achieve maximum efficiency; • What international designer Karim Rashid recommends for your modern home; • How spending for high fashion compares to spending for home furnishings; • And more! Get your copy now! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Just got back last night from our out-of-town photo shoot, so today's a pretty quiet day at the Real Living area of the office. I came in just to check the Inbox and some of the color proofs that had piled up. I'm going to the gym tonight, as I took a break from my dieting during the whole trip. I wish I could post some photos right now--we've had some pretty breathtaking stopovers--but I can only do so when the April issue comes out.

Win P90,000 worth of furniture and accessories from Our Home! The cover of Real Living 's December issue features all the items up for grabs. If any of you want to find out how to win stuff for your living and dining areas, check out our latest issue, out in newsstands now. Also for the December issue, each of us got the chance to do our own table settings--choose a design theme, souce for products, and put them all together. It's a great creative exercise and showcased the design sensibilities of everyone involved. Anyone interested in finding out the different themes that can be possibly done in table settings should check out the issue--we've got seven in all. The items I used for my "bold traditional" look were from Rustans, Diretso and SM Homeworld. At first I wanted something more whimsical, using comics as a theme, but I couldn't settle on the details of the design. So I went for the other end of the spectrum and went on auto-mode. My co-workers didn...

The Designer Issue: Real Living November 2006 In the November issue of Real Living , you'll read about: How 15 noted designers go about the design process; The formula behind the design styles of three world-renowned designers; The new breed of desk clocks; A bedroom makeover for a hardworking couple; ...and more! It's now available! Buy na!

Real Living October 2006: The Shopping Issue In the October issue of Real Living : We talk about bathrooms: our first bathroom makeover, and three bathroom styles you can adopt; We talk about photo displays: six new ways of showcasing your most-cherished photos; We talk about our choice inkjet printers; We talk about setting up a fright-night movie party; And more! Buy na! Now na!