Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
Manila, Philippines.

How about your schooling? Had you gone under any art training?
I took up Architecture in college. I thought that’s one course that can actually affect the visage of the earth.

There’s something ineffable just by tracing photos or on other people’s drawings, and that’s how I started. The hand and mind have some learning connection that we couldn’t assimilate just by reading how-to-draw books. After that its simply practice, practice, practice.

How long have you been working professionally in comics?
It has been more than 5 years since I jumped aboard GHG. I do a lot of layout work for other pencilers.

What things -- both in art and otherwise -- have you worked on, besides comics? Are comics a full-time gig for you or part-time?
Aside from architectural work early after graduating, I also worked at my relative's hardware wholesale business. But I’m full time now in this industry, hopefully it’s a steady gig.

Talk about how you broke into the business --was it easy? Hard? Ups? Downs ? Any interesting anecdotes?
Similar to other illustrators, we scribble a lot and make ourselves a portfolio to show around. But for a time, I was disengaged in drawing until I was encouraged again after seeing many comicbook movie adaptations. I did some searching and finally ended up here at GHG Manila office and coincidentally, David Campiti was around at that time. Showed him my portfolio and was hired.

There are still a lot of great illustrators out there. Its humbling to see what they can do. I believe that given the chance to work on projects that we feel passionate about, will help bring out further potentials within.

When you held your first published work in your hands, how did you feel?
My drawings look awful! I was ashamed to show it to anybody. The only good thing is that I noticed the errors, thus I was able to amend accordingly in future works. I also wish to ‘see’ how other people see my drawings. Getting too familiar with your own work causes one to lose that valuable initial perception you get when looking at another’s drawings.

 How did you settle on the style(s) you're currently using? If you have multiple styles how did you develop them?
Initially, my drawing style is heavily influenced by martial art comic books from Hong Kong. But through the years in GHG, David would instruct me to adapt to western art styles. I’m certainly grateful for the insights I’ve learned from Dave.

Once in a while, my old style would slightly show up within the pages like requiring more panels to execute motions, hands and stance, panel layout and perspective. But contrary to my style’s representation, I am not a Manga illustrator, in fact it’s a struggle to do Manga. I simply applied Manga effects (like tones and speedlines) on western art. It feels like a dramatic combination.

How did your parents take to the idea of working in comics?
Hesitantly, because I have my own business to run. And in a family where work stability and finances are strong issues, its hard to prove that this is really a job. Its sort of breaking the chain. Leaving a long time position with great responsibility and jumping into an unassured line of work is scary.

How would you describe your work space? Is it part of your home, or do you go "to the studio"?
My workplace is at home, in a private study room. It’s unlike a typical illustrators’ room where you see posters, toys and tools scattered everywhere. It’s very quiet, clean and organized which contributes to that professional attitude one needs to have to work in this industry. And I wish to continue working here instead of going someplace else.

What job are you the proudest of?
I wouldn’t use the word ‘proud’, but it’s those small efforts I do for people that’s gratifying.

What are you currently drawing? Comments on that project?
I’ve just finished the series on Battlestar Galactica for Dynamite Entertainment. Before that, I did some illustrations for a gaming website.

Looking back, I wish I could redo some of my BSG works. I was unfamiliar with the BSG universe when I started. Kevin Fahey, Clay Carmouche, Robert Napton and Greg Pak are sure quiet writers; Brandon Jerwa was great to work with too, especially when he gave me liberty to make up a few pages of action scenes. Hope I could have more of that in the future.

Talk about your family: Parents, siblings, home situation.
I’m single, living with my mother and brothers. All of us are always striving and busy working. I imagined I will still be drawing (or writing) on my deathbed. There’s none in our family tree who reads comics except me and my youngest brother.

What projects do you hope to work on in the future?
Obviously, those familiar titles that we all know.

Magnus Robot Fighter would be a great book to work on. I think it’s published back in the early 90’s. It’s got martial arts, great robot-smashing action, and unconventional architecture. Those specs really fit my style.

I also notice that superhero comic books these days have fewer battles. Its sad sometimes when you flip through your favorite comics only to see 22 pages of powerful characters talking. I really hope I could get to work on comicbooks with lots of intense fight scenes.

Where do you see yourself in five years? ten?
I hope I’d still be drawing or writing at the sideline while managing a publishing studio.

What is the interest in comics where you live? Do friends and neighbors know you draw comics for a living? How do they react?
 Back in high school, (right when Image publishing is about to go public) I belong to a small circle of friends that are into collecting and all those geek stuff. But one by one, they lose interest after getting married. It’s a pity though; the books that are being published these days are getting more and more interesting.

What's 1 thing you'll always find in your refrigerator? 
Ice.

What's your favorite food?
  Sandwiches.

What are your favorite interests --Movies? Music? TV? Any hobbies? Sports?
I love books. If I go to a mall, I go straight to the bookstore and could spend the whole day there. I enjoy audio books too like self-help, history and literature, biographies, university courses, strategies and investments, and fictional novels. These audios are an awesome deal especially for people who work long hours alone.

Have you ever thought of writing your own stories?
Yes. I did one when I wasn’t engaged in any rush work. A children storybook entitled “Of buts and again.” It’s up on sale at Lulu.com.

Someday I would have to put into paper the fragmented ideas swirling in my head. There’s one concept that I’m certain it’s unique because so far there’s no books like it yet. Hope it’ll see the light of day.

What's an average day in your life like?  Walk us through a typical day.
I discipline myself to a typical office-hour routine. Starting by writing my goals for the day and then going to bed around 11. It’s always gratifying to have a sense of accomplishment by the end of the day.

Do you have any great, unsold projects in your files that nobody's gotten to see published?
I’m sure what I consider trash here will be someone else’s treasure. I practice here and there, doing 2-4 pages of sequential art on my own. I also enjoy doing concept designs on traditional characters.

If you weren't a comic-book artist today, what would you be?
Businessman. My family has this solid mold of who we’re suppose to be.

Have you taught comic-book art or had any assistants?  If so, talk about that.
The GHG studio here used to hold short random seminars annually. I’m always told to teach layouts and storytelling.

The single thing you'd most like to be remembered for in your life is...?
It’s not an issue for me if I’ll be remembered. I only hope that I may be beneficial for the people around me to know Christ as savior.

Any other tidbits of info about you that you like to share?
I couldn’t think of anything, but for the moment, I’m wanting a colorist who could help me bring out the art style that I’m aiming for.

 

 

LIST OF CREDITS
Guinea Pigs
The Witness (unpublished)                                                               
Xena Warrior Princess (covers and layout)
Red Sonja (layout)
Vampirella (layout)
Astonishing Fantasy Worlds by Christopher Hart
Bionicle ad (storyboard)
Space Ace (layout)
Battlestar Pegasus
Battlestar Galactica Origins # 1-11
Battlestar Galactica Ghost Squadron