Friday the 13th


THE DOLL






Created by Kitty Almazan and Bonsai Fojas
www.nooninoos.multiply.com

THE PORTRAIT


Art by Lady Gissele S. Bautista
http://gizophrenia.deviantart.com/

THE PIN-UPS


Art by Edgar Tadeo
http://www.edgartadeo.com/



Art by Mark Torres
http://mytymark.deviantart.com/


Art by Ivan Despi
http://gaktikol.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://acidhousepost.multiply.com/


Art by Taga-Ilog
http://tagailog.deviantart.com/

THE PREVIEW

coming soon

As I write this, there are just bare three hours left from this Friday the 13th. I was hoping to make this post early this morning, but work prevented me from sitting at my desk for most of the day. So, here you go, although it's a bit delayed... our little way of celebrating this particular Friday.

Many thanks to all the people who contributed to EXHIBIT 13. It always surprises me how people interpret Alexandra; but me and Kajo were most specially surprised with the Nooninoo TRESE doll by Kitty and Bonsai. Once again, thank you all!

p.s. this weekend, TRESE: MURDER ON BALETE DRIVE will be made available at the TOYCON. Kajo will be there to sign and doodle on your copies. I will try my best to escape work and see you there as well.

The Flag Bearer

I have always found it curious that in Philippine pop culture, there has never been a popular flag-bearing character.

In United States, the obvious example would be Captain America; followed by Wonder Woman (with her red, white, blue and star-spangled outfit) and of course, Superman (whose costume follows the color motif of the American flag). They became symbols for the American people during World War II. In the days after 9/11, more New Yorkers were seen wearing their Superman and Captain America t-shirts.







If we take a look at other countries, they didn’t seem to see the need to create such a character. Even when Marvel created characters like The Guardian (a Canadian super-hero) and Union Jack (a British super-hero), they didn’t seem to develop a big enough following and have comic book titles that reached the 100th issue or spin-off to become a TV or cartoon show.

Here in the Philippines, popular characters like Darna and Panday are not “flag bearers”. I guess, more important that wearing the colors of the flag, the Filipino people identify more with the poor, little girl who becomes a super-woman and the struggling, good-hearted laborer who becomes a hero.

Maybe the Pinoy isn’t so interested in a symbolic figure, but would rather side with someone they can identify with.

So, I find it interesting that there are now several characters that proudly wear the Philippine flag and try to fight the good fight.

SANDATA created by Ner Perdina

KALAYAAN created by Gio Paredes

SALAKAY created by Rhardo

THREE STARS AND THE SUN created by Ian Sta. Maria

These characters are currently independently produced and don’t have the massive distribution of a Darna or Superman comic book, but they do have a following. It would be interesting to see how far their creators can take them.

Maybe someday we’ll see Pinoy kids at the playground, pretending to be these new Pinoy heroes instead of tying blankets around their necks and pretending to fly like Superman.

Maybe someday I’ll give it a try and create a hero that would bear the three stars and the sun.

*all pin-ups by Ian Sta. Maria