Pounding The Keyboard

        Around two years ago, while we were busy preparing the first set of Black Ink graphic novels that we’d release, I asked our publisher if we could come out with a comic book that had short stories in it. A 60-page comic book which would be divided into three 20-page short stories.   All the comic books we were readying then were all 60-pages and I knew for a fact that there were a lot of komiks readers that didn't have patience for long stories.         The publisher immediately approved my suggestion and named the comic book Shortcuts.   You can’t find a more amiable and approachable boss than   the publisher of Black Ink, who incidentally, is also the publisher of Precious Pages and Lampara.        And it was decided that aside from a traditional (or Western-styled) Shortcuts komiks, we’d also be working on a manga Shortcuts.   The first traditio...

       Today is Holy Tuesday, three days away from Good Friday. For many, this is the week to be holy (pun intended). The week for an individual to repent or show how good a christian he is. Ask a priest or any religious person  and they will most likely tell you that the following things are not allowed this week(especially on Good Friday and Black Saturday):        Gorging        Meat        Sex        Porn        Cursing        Vices        Loud music        R-Rated films        Dirty thoughts        Singing (loud music)        Dancing (to loud music)        Bathing (just ki...

The comic book/manga adaptation of Fortune of the Heart ( a Precious Hearts Romances novel) I made for Black Ink Comics is now out in the market. Fortune of the Heart (the novel) is written by Heart Yngrid, a bestselling PHR author. This comic book is one of my last few works for BlackInk Comics, so it’s a definite collector’s item. He he.   Yup, I am no longer a part of Black Ink and most likely won’t be contributing to them anymore. Released simultaneously with FOTH is the 4 th installment of Tonio Tikbalang , created by Jake Vicente. I am not sure if these comic books are available in National Bookstore but you can absolutely purchase them from any Precious Pages Bookstore outlet (which you can find in SM Malls). Click this link: http://phr.com.ph/stores.php for their branches. And here is the Facebook page of Black Ink Comics: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BLACK-INK-COMICS/479112765434082 Please support Filipino-produced books and comic bo...

"Pain is weakness leaving the body.”         Who wants pain? No one but the unrepentant masochists.         What I thought was a simple muscle pain or cramp in my right arm(upper part, where triceps grow) a few weeks ago turned out to be a pinched nerve (or so I believe). I haven’t gone to a doctor but the symptoms I found in the internet fit mine.   Yup, who needs doctors when you’ve got the ever reliable internet? The internet also says that a pinched nerve usually goes back to being unpinched after a few days. But there are cases that it will take some time to heal.   Weeks, sometimes months—arrghh!         Well,   I’m almost numb with ibuprofen and cold therapy but the pain persists.   The pain is quite bearable most of the time (the arm just feels numb ) but wait till you move it the wrong way or something or someone bang i...

        My sister is currently pregnant with her third child. And you know what’s the most laborious task during pregnancy? No, not the pregnancy itself. Or the delivery—but the naming of the baby. Tee-hee.This is the reason, I think, why some kids are just named after their parents.          My sister’s four year old daughter already has suggestions: Maya if the baby’s a girl and Julian if it’s a boy. When asked, my niece (who speaks a lot better English than me) said, “Well, I got it from the cartoons I was watching.”         My sister wanted to know If I had names in mind.         Nonchalantly, I said the first two names that cropped up in my mind.   “ David if it’s a boy and Josephine if it’s a girl.”         “Why Josephine?” she asked.       ...

         Valentine’s Day is over and lovers all over the world must still be reeling, sore and tired from all those—what? You don’t know what Valentine’s Day is? You must be one of the bitter ones. Well, Valentine’s day is this overrated, corny and highly-commercialized occasion when you’re forced, uh,   okay, inspired, to show   your love to your beloved. The association of motel chain operators highly approve this occasion.          Why would someone need a “special day” to express his or her feelings to another person   is beyond me. You’re in love? Then by all means smother your beloved with your love.   Tell her how you love her everyday; send her sweet messages; tell her how you find her very pretty ( kahit bagong gising siya at hindi pa naghihilamos ) and how you truly appreciate every thing she does; tell her how grateful you are that you’ve met her;   give her s...