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I dream of becoming a famous comic book artist. What better job I thought is out there, than having to enjoy drawing my favorite characters like Superman, Batman, and the Justice League of America...and at the same time earn big bucks. My dream was to one day work for DC Comics or Marvel. But how am I supposed to do that? I mean…those companies I mentioned is from way across the oceans.

Good thing Whilce Portacio came along and my dream has suddenly changed from unreachable to reachable. So I set out to seek him…the legend himself, as I enrolled at LEARN Center for his art seminar. I was ready to show him my stuff…but alas, how disappointed I was to find out that he was not the one conducting the lessons. It was Gilbert Monsanto. So …what the heck, might as well go along…we are not rich so I can’t afford to back down, I mean enrolment was expensive. So there I was…showing my stuff…to Gilbert Monsanto. He’d give pointers, and show me my weaknesses and strengths…and that’s about it! Sh*@ ! That’s it?!

Then I started looking around and met guys like Eugene Perez, Gary Mayoralgo, Oliver Castaneda, Anthony Tan, Philip Tan, Leonard Banaag, Boy Sicat, Raymond Lee…Gilbert even introduce to us Leinil Francis Yu, that time he was penciling a pin up of Wolverine at learn Center (he was already working for MARVEL). I was DEVASTATED!!! Reality check, rude awakening…call it what ever you like, my skills where no where near those guys’.

But I was determined, I pressed on…continued showing my stuff…learned to accept that GILBERT MONSANTO is my true “MASTER” and not Whilce Portacio. Eventually…my works got noticed…”FINALLY!”

My MASTER noticed me…”Thank you so much MASTER Gilbert!”, you don’t know how honored I was to have been entrusted by you to work on one of your original character ”HELLSWORD”, and to be part of the EXODUS group. Master Gilbert even gave me an opportunity of a lifetime, he endorsed me to Whilce Portacio and had me tried out as a colorist for AVALON STUDIOS.

Unfortunately, I failed to pass. I’m sorry my MASTER for letting you down. I’m really grateful for that opportunity, I learned a lot from watching the VHS tapes of Dan Kemp and Brian Huberlin on Photoshop 101…my first taste at computer graphics…he he he.

That was my first crack at pursuing my dream. I devoted two years in the pursuit of my dream, my parents were all over me asking to get a real job, and forget about comics.

In my reflection I came to the conclusion that maybe comics isn’t for me…at times I felt like I was selfish for thinking about myself, my dream, my goal. I’ve forgotten about the people around me like my parents, and my girlfriend (who by the way is my wife now) who supports me all the way, but wanted me to give up because she can’t stand seeing my frustrations.

So…as much I wanted to continue the struggle, I decided to try my luck in a different Field…and that is “Animation” (which by the way is another topic).

During my stay with companies like, Toon City, Sterling Paper Product Ent. Inc., …Comics never left my mind. My heart made sure that my head don’t forget. So when I first heard of a new batch of young upstarts…young blood, who are full of hope and has lots of fire in them…“BLITZWORX”…I joined. But work prevented me from being active. Until I had to leave the group…the group desolved only to form “GROUND BREAKERS” and currently they publish “Mangaholix”.

Enter…”BAYAN KNIGHTS”!!! Now this is a group that rekindled the flame that is but extinguished in my heart. I am awe inspired by their vision. Theirs was a calling worth serving. And at the heart of the group I saw once again…an old friend…my mentor, my MASTER, Gilbert Monsanto.

Eventually I decided to join the group with a little push from an old friend Jun Joe Monares. I joined Bayan Knights! A heed to my Master Gilbert’s call. A call to all artist who has the “OWER” to make a difference. A call to all artist to unite for a common goal…and that is to revive the komik industry in the Philippines.

Now that is a goal that isn’t selfish. Now I plan on making a second run at trying to achieve my goal…but this time, the bid isn’t just for personal success. It isn’t for personal glory, but rather for the good of all aspiring comic book artist here in the Philippines.

The stage is set, the battle has begun. I am now BAYAN KNIGHT! And I’ve found a new calling. MABUHAY ANG BAYAN KNIGHTS!!!