Restless Mangaka

I'm restless.  Quite recently, things began picking up like HELL!  After the BIG ANNIVERSARY event of the place I work in, I promised myself to stay low for a while and rest.  But oh no...the WORLD does not permit that little idea of mine.  As soon as I finished the event, I heard news that one of my hobbies and passion got nominated for a national convention this coming November.  Not again... -,-

I'm actually very excited but my body is really telling me to rest.  Anyway, let me ask you a question...  If your mind works non-stop and pushes the idea of pursuing a certain work but your body is not willing....what happens?  To me, I MOVE.  My eyes are closing, yet I still move.  That's why I'm UP tonight doing something for the upcoming November Nomination when I'm supposed to be sleeping already because there will be work in the office tomorrow.  REGULAR WORK (something I despise if not for my co-workers).  

Issue 2.5 - THE TEASER

So what is this work that has been nominated?  ICE CREAM INDIE.  It has been presented to the NEGRENSE crowd just this afternoon.  

This LOCAL manga made in Bacolod City is put together by a couple of artists namely, Kouyuki Kun Yelo, Shida Shinpan, Shin Oe, Jay Wong, Jo Ming and Fu Odashima.  There are a couple of stories within this comic per issue.

It cost P50.00 at first and then went up to P75.00 because it became thicker.  I'm currently working as a writer and art director of one of the stories within it, "ROOK OF THE RATS."

Aside from contributing in the stories, I also write reviews and several interviews with local artists and the like.  I love presenting my hometown and telling everyone that, YES...we do exist and we also have our own ideas and we do love our CULTURE.

We are distributed by MUNSTERIFIC INC. - a local 24-hr Convenience Store that can be found all around Bacolod and also in Iloilo...PLUS...Cebu.  Honestly, I don't know what will be the outcome of our going to Manila this November 2011 for the Komikon 2011 Awards.  I hope we can bring some pride to Bacolod.  I'm happy enough that we've managed to get the attention of people from Manila.  It basically means that WE (in Bacolod) are slowly SHINING.

RAW of ROOK OF THE RATS 5.0

Bacolod is slowly rising up...developing through economy and at the same time Culture.  -,- I just hope the government sees the development in Culture though...so far, they don't see it.  Still the Artists here are suffering...still, new art is being snubbed....  Typical Ilonggo Attitude actually but damn...WE NEED CHANGE!  

We do this not only to prove to the world that WE ARE HERE...and that we have ideas...  We do this to inspire younger generations to try and find themselves.  This is an opportunity, a beacon that serves as their lighthouse that their dreams (whatever they may be...) can come true with determination and hard work.  The world might not accept this as fast as we wanted, but they are slowly getting there and I'm elated to know this.

I'm now finishing up several pages for the ISSUE 5.0 of Ice Cream Indie.  I need to finish these tonight since I have regular office hours starting tomorrow... I THANK YOU FOR THE 4-day BREAK!!!  Hahhahaa! Every Filipino is celebrating that!  Anyway, here is a SNEAK PEEK of the 5th Issue.  Thanks for dropping by here...

Before I go, I will be posting several updates of the upcoming Bacolod Cosplay Convention, ANIMOTION 2011 this week...watch out!  ICI will be present too!

Signing off for now,

Cat :3

After Three Years...

This August 2011, one of the 3 biggest malls in Bacolod City is celebrating it's 3rd year anniversary.  888 CHINATOWN SQUARE, a mall that is well-known for it's affordable and great variety of items.  Checking out the mall last week, i should say that it  has come a LONG way.   A year back, there are fewer stores and less sparkle but now, everywhere you look, there's always something interesting that will catch your eye.  People with different hobbies and likes will surely enjoy shopping here.  From thrift-value housewives to avid shoppers, 888 Chinatown Square is the place for you!

There are lots of improvements since last year.  Their AC was upgraded <--- a good thing considering OUR weather here in the Philippines.  The various NEW Stores that were added are very unique and innovative.  More FOOD TRIP awaits everyone who visits the mall!  And I know we Bacolodnons LOVE FOOD!

It's not only the MALL that has been improved.  Celebrations and Events have escalated on a different level.  The 888 Event Center is famous for Cosplay Conventions and Celebrity Nights that feature artists from the NCR.  This year they're really celebrating their anniversary!  They will be having COCO MARTIN and MAJA SALVADOR to entertain the crowd on August 6, 2011. 

Here's the schedule with regards to their 3rd Year Anniversary:

AUGUST 5, 2011 - BATTLE OF THE BANDS by LOVE RADIO 91.9 at 6:00 PM - 888 Event Center
AUGUST 6, 2011 - MOTORCADE with Coco and Maja at 11:00 AM - Bacolod City
AUGUST 6, 2011 - CELEBRITY NIGHT with Coco & Maja and a lot more performers -
                                6PM, 888  Event  Center
AUGUST 8, 2011 - FIREWORKS & GRAND VARIETY SHOW with local performers and a Live
                                Band - 6PM, 888 Event Center

Anyway, contests and prizes awaits those who will be celebrating with the mall!  See ya there!

Signing out,
KATZ

Leaps of Faith

What is Parkour?  Lemme WIKI that one...

Devil Dive.

Parkour (sometimes abbreviated to PK) is a utilitarian discipline based upon the direct, successful, swift traversing of one's surrounding environment via the practical application of techniques, based around the concept of self-preservation. It is a non-competitive, physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, using only their bodies. Skills such as jumping, climbing, vaulting, rolling, swinging and wall scaling are employed. Parkour can be practiced anywhere, but areas dense with obstacles are preferable and it is most commonly practiced in urban areas.

The term "freerunning" is sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably with "l'art du déplacement". While l'art du déplacement aims to enable the practitioner to be able to move quickly and creatively past obstacles, freerunning is a competition sport, with Urban FreeFlow being credited with this change of definition.

In short...it's moving about in the most EFFICIENT and SKILLFUL way in your environment.  A friend of mine is recently bonkers over PARKOUR.  Why?  Well, because it's sooooo KEWL!  I was lucky enough to be able to watch a performance of the PARKOUR BACOLOD last event. 

YES, People...we have a parkour team here in Bacolod City.  PARKOUR BACOLOD has been at it for four years now and they've been practicing in different areas but mainly in the Panaad Stadium where varieties of pole, ramps, stairs and much more challenging courses serve as their training ground.

Parkour Bacolod. ICI Launching Event.

I used to think about it the other way - the Adult Way.  I mean, damn!  They're doing stunts without safety nets or whatnots.  It's freaking me out everytime they do backflips in areas 10 ft high.  Can you imagine doing that without safety nets or an ambulance nearby???  You might tell me that they must have gymnastic backgrounds but hold it right there!  Most of them don't have proper training.  One of the team members told me that it is a way of life.  It's a principle and they take it very seriously.

Most people will not understand these guys as they compete with themselves - their bodies, their mindsets.  An obstacle to them is like a problem in life to conquer and they do it without a doubt.  Once they set their minds to it, they'll jump alright...they'll jump no matter how high...no matter how far...

Parkour Bacolod testing the sets before the event.

The first time I saw a Devil Dive done by a friend who does Parkour, I was like... "FUCK, he's gonna die!!!"  It was so unexpected and I felt like my heart leaped outta my mouth.  But when he landed perfectly down 10 - 12 ft below the edge, everyone clapped their hands...including me...a bit awe- struck and mouth gaping. "WTF!"  

One thing I'm sure of, they got BALLS!  No kidding...  I do my art, I risk not sleeping...  But these guys...they risk their LIMBS...LIVES even!  Some might find it absurd...stupid...dumb...  Sure enough, there are loads of PRACTICAL people around this world thinking of Parkour as nothing but suicide...too many of them, if you ask me...

But for those who are passionate...for those who understand the mindset of such a deep and meaningful symbol of life, for those who understand the invisible realities in this world we live in, for the PK boys who embrace this discipline...it only takes a Leap of Faith...for them to FLY.

I salute you!

katz :3 

  

Shattered in Awe

I am a very...very emotional person.  Mark my words, I will have comments on anything...everything under the sun...and even the SUN itself!  It's been HOT these past few days and along with it is the scandalous news of what happened in the recent Cosplay Event.

What happened? This is what happened...

This was taken from Jeii's Photos.

I didn't want to say anything at first because at the very least, I understand that it is the judges' decision that matters...and it is final.  But my cosplay pride won't let this go really...  It was also fired up by Jeii who passionately talked about it with all honesty.  It made me wary of how, as event managers, we should take our events seriously. 

It's true.  Event Organizers should have enough knowledge of any event they plan to tackle.  Why?  The organizers might not take part it in, but others will...  For a special event like Cosplay, people who enter here are not mere fans of anime or cartoons or movies...or that they just want to have fun and feel the fame and enjoy...  They are artist...and we do know how touchy artists can be...  

Artists are selfish first of all...  Yes, we are.  We can all deny it!  But we are.  Being selfish and having pride in what we do enables us to give our best into our works.  With participants such as these, event managers should be careful.  Cosplayers take events seriously not only because they express themselves in the event...but also because of the COST of their art.

Having a costume made is no simple task.  Having a costume made by YOURSELF is NEVER a simple task.  I remembered spending up to Php 4,000.00 in one of the many costumes I have made.  It's not a pretty price...especially when I'm not even competing.  Yes.  For Cosplayers...an event...or to enter an event is secondary.  BEING a PART of the event...is the first and foremost reason why they are there - having to meet new cosplayers and converse in the art they share.  

I'm not saying it's not about the competition.  Of course everyone wants to win!  But naturally, everyone must BOW to the judge's decision.  And that's why when I choose a judge, it takes me several weeks or a month to think about.  The judges must be balanced.  They are the only ones that have the SAY to choose who among all the outstanding cosplayers are worthy of being placed in a pedestal.  I might comment on some, or you might not like the winner....but the JUDGE, in a cosplay event, is god.

Some of you might react to how I see judges.  But really...don't be a hypocrite.  Judges are the very people that YOU...ME...ALL OF US must suck up to in an event.  So again, choosing them is a VERY, VERY DELICATE MATTER.  I've heard several people tell me that the judges in the recent event were chosen in a whim...except for Lyron of course...  It disappointed me in many levels.  It just shows that the organizer did not give much care about the event.

Another thing that caught my attention is...I do not like the host.  Sorry...nothing personal.  But I didn't even know the names, characters of the winners.  I'm a cosplayer but I'm not omnipotent!  I was there...and I did not hear shit about the winner's profile.  I'm a host too...that's why I can understand.  Again, I do not blame the host.  Hosts are hired...so, it's their job to do their best  in a situation they were thrown into.  It's natural.  Okay, fine!  I blame her a little for not researching! LOL!

The Cosplay Village...yeah...I was actually looking forward to that!  I overheard that there will be lots of tables and chairs for cosplayers and exhibitors to exhibit their wares...  The only group I saw there is Artsylum...  What happened?  Sheesh...  I'm bitter about this because our team, the ICI <--- a local manga artist group, which you should have supported because Cosplayers support manga... --were held off by your conditions.  You did not deliver.  Question, HOW CAN YOU CALL YOUR CONDITIONS EX-DEAL???

It's a free country, that's why I'm commenting.  I'm an event manager, that's why I'm blabbing...  Most of all, I'm a cosplayer...a pioneer...and I can't just shut up when this is waved up at my face, right?  

The event was done haphazardly.  I commend you for trying to uphold Cosplay here in Bacolod...but please...please....  If this is the only thing you could muster, ask for some help.  I won't believe you if you say there's no budget because I KNOW THERE IS...  Let's just say I have many friends who know friends who know....friends....  And I KNOW THERE IS and I even know the amount...per month.  Also, I KNOW WHERE IT WENT.  I'm not suggesting you pocketed it.  Because you didn't.  I'm saying you gave importance to another event...and yet you pushed the COSPLAY EVENT into mediocrity because you can't handle the budget anymore.  WRONG MOVE!!!

My comments are idealistic.  I sure know how I sound because I am an event manager too.  I understand the problems with higher ups, budgets and other elements.  But despite these, you still pushed on...why?  I'm never one to push an event when I see it crumbling...  So why did you?  The effect on people, on event managers such as me, the pioneers and especially how the cosplayers will react is not pretty.  Look at the results now...

Cosplayers, there is nothing wrong if you won.  It's the judges' decision.  Don't blame yourselves for having to see crappy comments or haters.  Haters are normal for cosplayers.  I also want to stress that...

FASHION SHOWS are different from COSPLAY EVENTS!!!

Must I repeat that???

Fashion shows features clothes and models.  Cosplay Events features crafted costumes, props, skills and artists.  DO NOT MIX THEM UP.

I don't have other pictures with regards to the event I'm currently murdering...  I don't have to pulverize it.  SHATTERED IN AWE gid ko!  I hope the next Cosplay event ANYONE puts up will be a WHOLE LOT BETTER!!!!  

More power, Cosplayers!  Take it like a man, event managers! (give Gatorade to self and other event managers...)  Hoping this will fuel more POSITIVE energy...  Don't take this as an insult...this is constructive criticism.  If you're not MAN enough to swallow, then don't. 

Still in shock,

katz :3