Bong Redila - Baryotekacid

Fables in Melag

2011-09-26T21:39:00.002-04:00

Fables in Melag Starts today!
Click the following link to read the first story.
Liwaliw (The Tour)

"The Cutest Way to End a Ramones' Song" - 8" x 10", Watercolor

2011-08-22T01:08:00.009-04:00

Ready for the show at Bear and Bird's Cinema Creep on October. I will be expecting a lot of blood and gore on this exhibit so I did something unpleasantly cute instead (at least that's what I think anyway). If you're familiar with the 1989 film "Pet Sematary" you know this scene.

"The Cutest Way to End a Ramones' Song" - 8" x 10", Watercolor

Now that this is done, I can go back to my book project.

another sneak peek

2011-08-07T01:40:00.010-04:00

...and she thought it's going to be a perfect night.

Children's Picture Book + Comics

2011-07-25T23:11:00.009-04:00

I am so excited to announce that I just created another blog and it's called "Fables in Melag". The new blog will contain all sorts of short stories in comics form that I will be doodling from my sketchbook or maybe from anywhere and any material that I might be using. So please do visit it for any updates at
http://fablesinmelag.blogspot.com/

In the meantime, remember the blog that I posted months ago about "Late Night Ballet"? (>>please check here) Well, here is a sneak peek on that children's picture book that I am currently working on. I am now halfway on finalizing all the sketches and hope that I will be starting to paint next week though I am still contemplating on whether to do it in ink or watercolor. (black and white or color) hmm.

Sketch Book: "The Tour", pen and ink

2011-07-13T20:54:00.003-04:00

"Why think about that when all the golden land's ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?" - On the Road. Jack Kerouac

Sketchbook: "Remedy" Ink and Watercolor

2011-07-01T23:15:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, Dr. Jose Rizal

2011-06-19T00:55:00.003-04:00

When little boy Pepe rode a boat to cross Laguna Bay, he accidentally dropped one of his slippers and was immediately swept away by the strong currents. Instead of crying, Pepe intentionally threw the other slipper into the water. The father asked him why did he do that? The young Jose Rizal said: "A slipper is useless without its mate."

Sketchbook: June 12, 2011

2011-06-12T19:13:00.002-04:00

Sketchbook: "The Arrival of Captain Favian and His Latest News"

2011-06-10T11:02:00.003-04:00

Sketchbook: "Flight" • Watercolor and Ink

2011-06-09T11:52:00.004-04:00

Sketchbook: "Boka Boka" - Watercolor and Ink

2011-06-08T19:00:00.007-04:00

Dylan Monkey & Squishy Face + Pham Kids

2011-04-15T21:06:00.016-04:00

I - Coffee Shop

Eight months ago I met Kim Pham thru an online ad she posted somewhere. At first I was hesitant to reply to her email because when I tried Googling her name something 'horrifying' information came out (yeah, you try). But I made a gamble to meet with her in person anyway and the best and safest way was a rendezvous in a public place.

I really dread to say it but I'll say it anyway, Starbucks. "Why in the world did I choose Starbucks to have a business meeting? You know you've always thought that that's where those poseurs, wannabe authors, pretentious artists and rich frappucino lovin spoiled brats hang out. Why can't it be that cuban cafe down that corner over there where an old hobo making love to a true monster of a caffeine with his nicotine-stained mouth while holding a newspaper, the real mccoy of wireless, laughing at a Doonesbury?" -- > That's me by the way talking to myself when I was driving to get to the multi-billion dollar enterprise coffee shop to have a business meeting with a person whose name terrified the hell out of me when I googled (yeah, I'm telling you! google it!)

Well, it turns out Kim is actually a wonderful young and smart lady.

II - The Family
Kim Pham and her sister, Thuong (I call her T), started Pham Kids, LLC, a children's book family-owned company whose main goal is to come up with a series of interactive book apps with a core purpose of educating children, boost their creative brain at an early age by encouraging them to ask questions, generate their own ideas, and use basic critical thinking to solve problems.

With T as the producer and the main writer of the books, Kim as the co-producer, Ngan Pham as the editor and animator, Lee Pham on marketing, Mr. Loc Pham (the father) in software development, everything was ready and all the seats were taken except for an illustrator. That empty seat is where I, a non-Pham, sat and joined the ride on a trip to Humonkee.

First sketch of Humonkee.

III - Illustrating Dylan Monkey & Squishy Face
Dylan Monkey & Squishy Face are the two main characters of the interactive app that the Pham sisters created. It is mainly based on T's two sons, Dylan and Dustin, and her everyday adventures with them. You can read more about the inspiration behind the book by reading the writer's article HERE. -->> http://www.dylanmonkey.com/inspiration.htm

The process of illustrating the book was so much fun for me especially when I did the watercolor textures since I have a borderline obsession with paint textures - most especially the free flowing textures of a water in watercolor, ooohh. Unfortunately for me they decided not to use the watercolor skies that I did and used a real photograph of blue skies and clouds instead.

Doodling, doodling, doodling. That is the first step that I do after reading a scene and finding the right feeling and emotion of what the line is saying on that particular page. After finding the right positioning of characters and how they should act and interact with each other in a page I will then fine tune a cleaner sketch of the very rough drawing and repeat the process on to the next page until all the sketches for the entire book are done.

IV - Layers and Layers...
Approved sketches were then line drawn in Photoshop making sure all characters and stage props were in a separate layers. And since the characters had to be animated their eyes, heads, tails, limbs and so on had to be in a separate layers as well. Multiple keyframes for movements were an additional layers too. Not to mention each and every texture and colors are in each layers.

The final illustration goes to Ngan who does the beautiful animation and then finally goes to Mr. Loc, the wizard that made the interactive app work perfectly stable so children will enjoy and won't have difficulty playing around with it.

So without further adieu, you may see the final result at Pham Kids website and let your funny kids enjoy a funny app.

I would like to THANK the Pham family for giving the opportunity to work with them on this project.

Late Night Ballet (Update)

2011-03-31T14:15:00.004-04:00

Last week I have been staring at this painting, Late Night Ballet, for days and just last Monday a light bulb popped out from my head with crystal clear "ting!" sound. I grabbed my notebook and pen then began writing a new children's book. This time the story is based on this watercolor piece.

Like The Dewgazer and the Dewdrop Fairy it will be written in Lyrical Ballad for children, sort of a long Nursery Rhyme. At this moment I am in the process of editing the rough draft and hopefully start illustrating this weekend.

Late Night Ballet • 11.75" X 5", Watercolor

"Panunutan 6" • Pen & Ink

2011-03-16T15:59:00.003-04:00

"Panunutan 5" • Pen & Ink

2011-03-16T15:52:00.010-04:00

"Soorinder" Pen and Ink

2011-03-08T09:52:00.004-05:00

Where were they when I wanted to join them?

"Ismyuski?" - Pen and Ink

2011-02-25T00:04:00.011-05:00

A long time ago a kid told me, while he was out alone hunting for birds in the wild with his slingshot, someone poked him in his back before he heard a giggle.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-11T23:48:00.007-05:00

WOW! It has been a long time since I posted something here. Now it's 2011. I've been busy finishing up a children's book/apps, I will be posting some more of that great news soon. In the mean time this is a card I illustrated for my daughter's Valentine's Day class party.

Please Click HERE for a larger view.

Oneng's Diorama - Eeyore's Lucky Day

2010-10-13T15:05:00.006-04:00

Oneng and I just finished her school project which is a Diorama. Students were to choose a book that interest them and make a diorama of their favorite scene. My daughter chose a Winnie The Pooh book titled "Eeyore's Lucky Day". The scene she chose is when Christopher Robin and the gang found a rainbow up the hill which finally made Eeyore (who's having a gloomy day) smile for the first time that day.

It was such fun helping Oneng building the shoebox art. And I am so excited for her when she'll turn this in to her teacher next week. Such excitement on my part that Arceli, my wife, noticed it and told me "Why don't you wear Oneng's uniform and turn it in yourself?"

Bear and Bird "Monsters Under My Bed" + a New Planet

2010-10-03T18:30:00.005-04:00

The show at Bear and Birds was packed last night. It was insanely crowded that I had to go down to Tate's Toys and Comics instead which I totally enjoyed, unfortunately I couldn't find that Mazinger Z that I was drooling for but, man, that UFO Grendizer that they're selling is like a candy that I would love to suck eternally, it looks delicious. My friends Kim and Lance were there too and were amazed as well.

Here's some photos of the event courtesy of Amanda of Tate's.

And yes! I met new friends one month ago, sisters Kim and Thuong, and they've introduced me to a NEW PLANET which I will soon be discussing here once the citizens of that celestial body would allow me.

But for now, here is one of the many sketches I made while visiting there. Such a nice little peaceful place.

There are Monsters in the Gallery

2010-09-12T20:34:00.003-04:00

I will be attending Bear and Bird's "Monsters Under My Bed" this coming October. My watercolor "Sleepplayer" will be there too along with artworks by South Floridian artists. So if ever you're in town on that date, please visit the gallery and check out the pieces. You might also be interested in comics, books and toys. They have absolutely amazing collection of toys and books. God knows how much I wanted to bring home that giant Mazinger Z.

Anyway, I was suppose to submit "Late Night Ballet" but Arceli, my wife, insisted that I have to go with the "Sleepplayer" piece, because it's her favorite and I love her. (And I have to listen to her. That's that! okay?!) So see you there.

"Sleepplayer", 9 x 10, Watercolor on paper

(update) Batchoy

2010-09-12T14:34:00.005-04:00

I would like to say thank you to Kyle Davis for purchasing "Batchoy". It is one of those pieces that's so hard to let go. I just totally adore those two characters that a huge oil painting of it is lingering in my mind. Once again, Thanks Kyle, and I am so glad you love it to as much as I do.

Batchoy at Gallery Nucleus

2010-08-28T08:26:00.006-04:00

Last April I did a sketch while waiting for my dinner at a Chinese Noodle House. You can read an archive of the blog I made HERE. Anyway, I made a watercolor of the sketch which is called "Batchoy" and it is now at Gallery Nucleus, selling it to benefit World Wildlife Fund. You can visit Gallery Nucleus' website at www.gallerynucleus.com and click on Power in Numbers. Or you can go straight to the artwork by clicking the link below:
http://www.gallerynucleus.com/pin/9970

'Batchoy', 2010, 5 x 7, Watercolor on Paper

Show Time

2010-08-18T16:48:00.007-04:00

Another watercolor project on the way. "Show Time" Inspired by one wet evening at a carnival in the Philippines.

The amazing thing about going to a carnival as a young lad in the Philippines way back in the 70's was seeing those so called "The Enchanted Shows". There was this instance I saw a sign that says "The Monkey Man". The huge sign was painstakingly decorated with a really nice but freaky mural of a giant gorilla-looking man eating a bloody live chicken. When I went and saw "the show" I was amazed and at the same time terrified to see such a hairy and terrifying creature. As a kid I though to myself with amazement "where in the world did they found this 'thing'". And I was also sad and felt sorry for the furry or rather hairy creature to be captured and caged like that.

Weeks after the carnival, when I was in the market with my mother, I was happy and relieved to see The Monkey Man out from its cage, enjoying the fresh air of freedom. I was glad to see him as a Jeepney conductor.

Dewgazer Online Shop

2010-08-15T22:50:00.002-04:00

I'm in the process of setting up an online store for my art. You might want to check out some pieces that are already there and are available to purchase at www.dewgazer.com. I'll be adding more stuff and tweak the design of the shop a bit. Thank you.

Illustration Friday: Star Gazing

2010-08-13T13:19:00.001-04:00

My submission for this weeks Illustration Friday: Star Gazing is an old watercolor piece from "The Dewgazer and The Dewdrop Fairy", a children's book that I made as a present for Arceli. You can read some more info about it HERE.

Late Night Ballet • 11.75" X 5", Watercolor

2010-08-12T21:36:00.006-04:00

Here's the finished piece for yesterday's post. "Late Night Ballet" was inspired by my daughter's mini-obsession with ballet. At nights after doing homework she'll stay in her room, crank up the radio with Mozart Minuets, and does her plié, pas de chat, petit saut, jumping and so on.

This piece, as I mentioned on my last post, will be submitted on an art exhibit this coming September here in South Florida.

Late Night Ballet • 11.75" X 5", Watercolor

New Piece + Upcoming Exhibit

2010-08-11T17:29:00.013-04:00

Here's a new sketch that I am going to paint tonight. It is for an upcoming show which will be held here in South Florida. I will post more detailed info about it in an appropriate time. All I can say is that it is going to be a 'monster' event. :)

UPDATE: Please see finished painting HERE

Redila Studio (New Home)

2010-07-21T11:19:00.007-04:00

Still setting up my new studio. A lot of things to do, still.

A big thanks to Gerry Alanguilan who was kind enough to give me a high res file of The Marvelous Adventures of the Amazing Dr. Rizal teaser art, I was able to print it to a 6 foot poster with clarity, I can even see some pencil marks, love it. It's been so long since I promised him that I will be hanging it on my new wall when I moved to a new studio (I think it was February of last year).

I will also be making poster sized print of my "Dr. Rizal" painting and hang it there too.

James Christensen + Renwick St. James

2010-07-02T09:32:00.007-04:00

I went to the public library and borrowed A Shakespear Sketchbook by Renwick St. James. Lovely book with of course an amazing artwork by James Christensen.

Christensen and St. James colaborated before with Voyage of the Basset, a personal fave of mine.

To my surprise, when I opened the book, it was signed by both the author AND the artist.

Two String Serenade - 5 x 7, Watercolor

2010-05-29T01:01:00.004-04:00

I have a watercolor piece up in Gallery Nucleus called "Two String Serenade". If you are interested in purchasing this artwork just visit their site. Not only you'll enjoy my art you are also helping UNICEF. Thank you so much.

Illustration Friday: Equipment

2010-05-19T10:37:00.002-04:00

Here is another sketch for a watercolor project called "Love". I think this is appropriate for Illustration Friday's theme for this week because ultimately "Love" and the embrace of a mother is the most powerful equipment humans experience.

"Love" - 5 x 9, graphite and crayons.

Illustration Friday: Fearless

2010-05-11T02:28:00.000-04:00

"Sleepplayer", 9 x 10, Watercolor on paper

My Sketch Board

2010-05-08T16:14:00.005-04:00

People are curious where did I get all the rare vintage stickers on the back of my Sketch Board. Unfotunately, I couldn't find those anywhere myself. That was my first plan - to cover my board with old stickers and memorabilia from my childhood. But since I couldn't find one single item, I painted it myself.

Sketch: Batchoy

2010-04-26T20:50:00.003-04:00

I always bring my sketchbook with me when I leave the house, so when we went to a chinese noodle house today for a dinner I did this sketch about Batchoy for me to paint in the future. One of my favorite Filipino dishes, Batchoy is always so perfect for a rainy days and cold mornings or nights but it also nice chowing it is to end the day with a sunset like tonight.

Illustration Friday: Ahead

2010-04-25T01:10:00.005-04:00

"Daisy'n Confused", is a sketch intended for a watercolor piece. Thought it's nice to submit it 'as is' for IL: Ahead.

An Imaginary Friend - 9 x 9, Watercolor

2010-04-20T08:31:00.003-04:00

Please don't forget, April 22, 2010, Earth Day.

Hide and Seek + Ghibli + Nucleus

2010-04-17T23:30:00.009-04:00

Who doesn't love Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro? It is one of those films, along with Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso, that I kept on watching over and over before I became a father. Now that I have a 5 year old daughter, another reason for me to continue watching it.

"Hide & Seek" is a painting I did paying tribute of how playful, simple, and gorgeous that film is. And I am proud and honored that it is featured in Nuclues' blog for their Ghibli inspired exhibit. Please do check out Nucleus Gallery.

"Hide and Seek" - 11 x 14, Watercolor on paper

My Corel Painter Brush Set-up

2010-04-14T21:18:00.028-04:00

Last year I got my very first Wacom tablet and for the first time I made a digital painting on Corel PainterX. You can see painting and the time lapse video of the process HERE.

Some friends then asked me what brushes I used. I actually used one brush on that piece from tablet sketching to painting large areas, just different sizes. Right now I am still endlessly experimenting on brushes that I can use on both Photoshop and Corel Painter.

As for my "Dr. Rizal" painting... Here is the set up that I made for that. I also made a downloadable file for you to install.

You can download my brush >> HERE. <<

TO INSTALL, DRAG FILES TO THE FOLLOWING:
PC - C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel Painter IX\Brushes\Painter Brushes\Oils
Mac - Library\Application Support\Core\PainterX\Default\Brushes\Painter Brushes\Oils

Hope this helps. Please feel free to comment on some corrections or any other helpful suggestions. Thank you.

Click on each image for a larger view.

Lullabies & Fairy Tales 3 - Pool of Tears, Watercolor

2010-04-08T14:51:00.014-04:00

I have always been fascinated with Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. I remember the old book with an illustration by John Tenniel when I was in Junior High. It was one of those books in the library, besides Gustave Dore's Ryme of the Ancient Mariner, that I kept on opening.

"Pool of Tears" is a watercolor piece I just finished last night. Took me about 4 hours to finally decide to put down my brush.

A special note to add is that the White Rabbit on the painting was inspired by a good friend of mine, Dante. I met Dante together with his pal Zoe thru another good friend and a brilliant artist, Emily Grandin, who introduce me to them fine lovable folks. Thanks Emily. Oh, and Thank you, Dante, for posing for me. :)

Dante as the White Rabbit

Please click image for a larger view.

Lullabies & Fairy Tales 2 - Little Miss Muffet, Pen & Ink

2010-03-22T02:20:00.004-04:00

Little Miss Muffet, 11 x 14, Pen and Ink

Lullabies & Fairy Tales 1 - Humpty Dumpty, Pen & Ink

2010-03-18T11:39:00.006-04:00

This is the latest personal project I've been working on this couple of months. I've been holding this monstrous itch of illustrating bunch of traditional Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales for quite some time now since I thought of it years ago. Now finally I am starting it and, boy, what a relief.

So here we go. The first one is Humpty Dumpty. Pen & Ink on 11 x 14 Bristol.

Dr. Jose Rizal

2009-12-11T23:04:00.026-05:00

I finally got a chance to play with my very first Wacom. This is also my first time working on Corel Painter. At first I wanted to work on Photoshop for this piece but thought I wanted to challenge myself and try an unfamiliar workspace. I'm working with a new tool, I might as well work with an application that's new to me. I've heard so much good things about Corel Painter X when it comes to digital painting. And it is. The brushes are GREAT.

As for the Wacom Intuos 4, it's extraordinary.

Anyway, "Dr. Rizal" is an illustration I did to play with my new toy and for me to pay tribute to our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. I did the pencil sketch months ago and actually made a pastel painting. The digital painting I did took me approximately 8 hours to finish, thats including learning some of the basic tricks on PainterX and the electronic tablet.

Here's the sketch and the digital painting. I've also made a time lapse video just to satisfy my adventurous spirit. lol. (another first time app I used called iShowU)

Sketch: Gemma of Pines

2009-11-07T20:48:00.003-05:00

Sketch: Mr. Foyer of Sawgrass

2009-11-07T20:40:00.009-05:00

Sketch: Old Alexandria, VA

2009-11-06T22:18:00.001-05:00

www.bongredila.com is online

2009-10-29T09:21:00.003-04:00

As you noticed I changed the color of my blog and the head as well. It is because of my Website.

There are still some minor adjustment that I have to tweak such as the missing captions and some additional images on "Gallery 1". And for some reason there's a bit of a script problem that when viewing at Safari the gallery images opens up in odd sizes.

But for now, please visit my online portfolio at www.bongredila.com. Thank you.

Background by the way is a sketch I made called "The Selfish Giant: The Discovery" (by Oscar Wilde), the sketch of course was inspired by one of my favorite cartoons when I was a kid. Check its IMBD -> here.

A Collection of Poems by Brandon Avery Clarke

2009-10-15T10:43:00.007-04:00

I enjoy doing illustrations and artwork to accompany a poetry - working and illustrating poems by Brandon Avery Clarke is a pure bliss... and a pain in the cheek muscles I must say. His work is so brilliant that you'll realize the ache on your face is caused by you smiling from beginning to the end.

I started illustrating this project in the early part of September (I think). And all's well and dandy collaborating with the bright minded Mr. Clarke.

You should watch out and remember this gentleman's name. Just a word of advice.

Image below is when I worked on one of his poems called "O'Me O'My". I'm so much in love working at nights 'til dawn. The world is sleeping and peaceful, just me sipping hot coffee while listening to NPR podcast and perhaps Ennio Morricone. I always try to make sure I'm not that sleepy enough to dip my pen on my coffee cup instead of the inkwell.

The Dewgazer & The Dewdrop Fairy

2009-09-29T23:16:00.017-04:00

It was in 2000 that I made this book for my girlfriend. The Dewgazer & The Dewdrop Fairy.

It's basically a story about how we both met composed in fairy tale fit. Divided into 7 chapters, the book was originally written as a short poem, but due to my mind's constant bothering my goodnight sleep to add more spice, sugar and a bit of colored flavoring into it. And Boy, it went on like that for a couple of nights until the short verse transformed into a 175 line Children's Ballade.

Handmade and book bound, artworks in each page were done in watercolor and ink including the written poem. I gave the finish book to my girlfriend's birthday on April of 2001.

And in 2004 I was reading The Dewgazer & The Dewdrop Fairy as a bedtime story to our beautiful daughter.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Henson

2009-09-23T08:46:00.012-04:00

I am 38 years old now and I proudly admit that I am one of the countless number of humans who had been thought how to sing, read, write and be creative by all kinds of friendly monsters.

I remember singing "G" with George and Grover under a tree.

I remember laughing when Bert was so annoyed while Ernie was counting firetrucks when counting sheeps to fall asleep won't work.

I remember when I was around 7 years old, I made my own sock puppet, hid behind the sofa and let my own monster sang.

September 24 is Jim Henson's birthday. And I thank him for crafting me into what I am today.

Sigh.

This is my daughter singing "Rainbow Connection"

Bayani Cafe: August 2009

2009-09-10T20:56:00.003-04:00

Bayani Cafe: July 2009

2009-09-10T20:51:00.006-04:00

I totally forgot to post this one. Please click on image for a full view.

Editorial Cartoon: August 2009

2009-08-08T11:11:00.006-04:00

Know more about this sickening issue here. You may also sign the "Carlo J. Caparas is Not Qualified as a National Artist Petition" here.

"At the Park" - Watercolor on paper

2009-08-07T14:57:00.003-04:00

Kuwatro Kantos, 1998, 40 x 30, Oil on Canvas

2009-07-27T00:16:00.010-04:00

An old piece I did back in the late 90's. I believe I gave this one to my fellow artist, CJ Urquico.

Illustration: Tado and Pigsa, watercolor, 9 x 12

2009-07-23T13:28:00.003-04:00

Joy and KC - Acrylic (Dripped) on Panel, 18 x 20, 2008

2009-07-22T19:56:00.006-04:00

Editorial Cartoon: December 2008

2009-07-22T13:46:00.000-04:00

Last December's Cartoon.

Caricature

2009-07-22T13:42:00.005-04:00

This was a birthday gift for a friend of mine. I forgot when this was made.

Editorial Cartoon: May 2008

2009-07-22T13:41:00.001-04:00

Editorial Cartoon: June 2008

2009-07-22T13:03:00.003-04:00

I will be posting some old stuff this week. Here's the first one. A not so old cartoon for Mabuhay News.

A Visit to the Smithsonian

2009-07-15T08:23:00.013-04:00

We are in Virginia this whole week for my wife's conference. Once again while my wife's at her meetings my daughter and I stroll around. Yesterday Oneng and I went to visit Smithsonian. I had to say I was awestruck at the National Gallery of Art. I felt like I was going to faint when I was looking at Renoir, Cassatt and other masters' works upclose. Seeing those brushstrokes and those canvas textures, as an artist, is one f**ng orgasmic trip, man.

Editorial Cartoon: July 2009

2009-07-05T10:44:00.007-04:00

Click image for a larger view.

Bayani Cafe: July 2009

2009-06-27T17:41:00.009-04:00

Click image for a larger view.

Green T Newsletter

2009-06-17T19:47:00.016-04:00

My wife, Arceli, is a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) and a green advocate, started a newsletter for her work about eco-friendly topics, tips, news and such. Im so proud of having a wife with a dignified passion.

A few months ago she had the chance to speak in front of a crowd on Earth Day Celebration. My daughter asked her what exactly she's been talking about to the audience. Arceli told her about how she's "trying to save the planet earth." My daughter replied with excitement "WOW, Nanay! are you a superhero? I wanna be like you!"

I made an illustration for a new column for her latest newsletter about how we should be turning off our lights, computers and other electric powered machines if not in use.

Click HERE to read Arceli Redila's newsletter.

Editorial Cartoon: June 2009

2009-06-07T09:12:00.002-04:00

Sketch: Editorial / Bayani Cafe June 2009

2009-05-26T22:17:00.001-04:00

Online Comics and Tweeneling

2009-04-14T10:40:00.014-04:00

A web comics I did for an online group's website way (way) back. The plan was to make all characters to be an actual members of that community with inside jokes as a theme. Unfotunately the site is now defunct but the group (proud to be a member) still exist

When I was a kid I’ve always imagined Larry Alcala’s Siopawman moving everytime I read each panel of the strip. Prabanggogag was my first online comics and I thought if I was going to make a comics strip exclusively for computer monitor viewing, why not use the technology available? So I asked myself back then - What CAN'T I do to a printed comics that I CAN to a web comics? --- ANIMATE! (I call ‘em Tweeneling – Tweening a panel (of comics), a poorman’s version of motion comics. Or should I say a Lazy bastard’s version of motion comics.

I don’t want to put animation in every panel because, I thought, that would be too busy to look at. Just one loop of a subtle movement is fine with me.

Though I couldn’t just do a Siopawman comics at least I have my own comics to Tweenel. I would probably use Tweeneling on Bayani Café for my blog one of these days.

Editorial Cartoon: April 2009

2009-04-11T12:37:00.009-04:00

Former Guam Governor Carl Gutierrez will be running AGAIN is one thing -- but running with Senator Frank Aguon? Aww... Best Friends Forever now are we? (Read)

Bayani Cafe April 2009

2009-04-08T21:14:00.011-04:00

Sketch: Bayani Cafe April 2009

2009-04-06T22:33:00.002-04:00

Bayani Cafe: March 2009

2009-03-29T20:29:00.007-04:00

Bayani Cafe for Mabuhay News March 2009 issue is, somehow, my simple salute to comics.
Salamat nga pala kay Gerry Alanguilan.

Editorial Cartoon: March 2009

2009-03-28T17:10:00.008-04:00

This is the latest editorial cartoon I made for Mabuhay News. Introduced by Sen. Matt Rector, Bill 48, basically would require employers to pay $40,000 to GovGuam for every contract worker they hire from foreign countries like the Philippines. Presently, an employer only pays $1,000 for ever H-2 worker it hires.

I will be posting the actual Mabuhay News Editorial article about the bill as soon as I have the copy. For now, you can read about Guam's Bill 48 here and here.

Orlando, Florida

2009-03-24T14:52:00.001-04:00

Just a glimpse of our tiresome yet pleasurable trip to Orlando. I gave one camera to my daughter that actually took nice images. It's fascinating really. Handing camera to a child and giving them the opportunity to take photos can give you the chance to know what interest them. We were standing in the line for a carrousel ride then the next thing I know, I saw her walking away, stood before a safety sign and took a shot. The collage photo below is a sample of her shots.

Driving home at dusk with my wife and daughter, all worn-out, slept halfway through the 5 hour drive.
The sun at the back offering its tender goodnight.

On the way home, I drove to a wrong exit and as usual I made a u-turn. Typical. (Kawawa ako sa alaska ni misis)

Sketch: Oneng

2009-03-15T21:16:00.001-04:00

This was taken when we went to Disney Orlando (3 years ago?). It was so damn hot. Tired and exhausted, you can sense that she wasn't enjoying every minute of our last hour in the park that day.

We will be going back there this week and Oneng is now 5 years old. And boy, she's extremely excited. My wife, Arceli, won't be going with us to visit the park since she will be staying in the hotel for a conference. She's crossing her fingers that Oneng and I won't get lost driving because I will be my own navigator. She adores how I drive yet she knows how bad I am at going to where I want to go without making a lot of u-turns.

Bayani Cafe

2009-03-14T02:26:00.004-04:00

Bayani Cafe is a comic strip I created way back in the late 90's for the monthly Filipino-American newspaper Mabuhay News based in Guam. The strip first appeared in the paper with Eli, Feli and Teri as the main characters slurring corny punchlines with waitresses and fellow barflies while drinking in a bar called Bayani Cafe.

Eli, Feli and Teri, (names drew out from the title of Dr. Rizal's El Filibusterismo) first appeared as the main characters of Bayani Cafe.

Presently still running together with my editorial cartoon, the scene now revolves outside the Cafe with my three old pals out of sight.

Panaginip ni Nanay at ni Oneng

2009-03-11T09:49:00.000-04:00

"Panaginip ni Nanay at Oneng" - 17 x 30, watercolor & ink on paper

I visited a house once with a group of people and saw this brilliant original print by Mucha hanging on the wall. It was so strikingly beautiful that I spent almost the entire visit standing there while every one was walking around touring the huge house. I was absolutely impressed by this collection as a matter of fact jealous even. I was so jealous that I had to own one. But of course with a master piece like Mucha's the price probably is the same as the Porsche Carrera GT parked outside the house's driveway.

"Panaginip ni Nanay at Oneng" is way out of Mucha's brilliance but at least it's my own Art Nouveau pinoy style ready to be hung on our wall. Art Nouveau is not my style, I just wanted to own one but couldn't afford a Porsche.

Yes! I am Ryan Redilla

2009-03-10T10:57:00.003-04:00

"Panaginip" study • pencil on paper

An old friend of mine asked me once, "when will you make your own site?" I have been working with computers as a graphic artist for almost 20 years now but for some reason I have been hesitant to make one. Ego maniacal that I am, still always had this scary thought of letting my identity read by a stranger.

Another friend of mine, and this time a high school classmate, miraculously stumbled upon me on a site. "Are you the same Ryan Redilla from Dagupan City National High School?" he emailed me. His name of course I remembered and I replied with such happy words: "Tangina mo!, Ako nga si Ryan Redilla. Kamusta na?! Booninam animal!" Ryan Redilla... I have never heard of that name for so long. With no facebook nor friendster account, it's really hard for some of my old acquaintances to track me online because back in the Philippines in my school days I was Jose Ryan "Bong" Redilla, with a double "L". Before my family moved to Guam we had to wait 8/10 years (can't recall) for all the paper works to be processed and waited another extra months for an extra paper to be worked on. And that extra paper works were to clear and prove all the necessary materials of our migration papers that we are same family written and being petitioned on the paper. Because for some odd circumstances our family name on the INS papers only has one "L". Not sure sure who to blame: The employee with a bad hangover who took care of the paper signing or perhaps it was my lolo, who signed the petition papers, that had sanmig bilog the night before (Never really asked my parents what the real reason was. Pretty sure my father will explain it on this blog).

What ever the reason is. Klasmeyts! Yes! I am Ryan RediLLa, Kamusta na? Bok-kitito animal!