Tag: 2010

Harvey Montecillo Tolibao is a native of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines. He went through a rough time as a child who struggled for art – literally. It’s a great story to hear from Harvey himself, what he went through to join numerous art contests. That was then.

Harvey is now known for his work on STARWARS: Knights of the Old Republic issue 12. He assisted artists like Carlo Pagulayan, Stephen Segovia, Lui Antonio and others. He worked for the studio Glasshouse Graphics for 5 years and finished his contract last December 2009.

What can he say about David Campiti and Glasshouse Graphics? “David actually aims to help artists, but sometimes, because of the gossip and misinformation, the relationship between the agent and artist becomes not good. To the extent that would lead the artist to become a freelance rather than to have an agent. So what I learned when I was in GHG, fairness and honesty would lead a company to a very productive, more competitive, progressive studio.” He continues to say, “ Those guys are really great, very patient with us…I’m the type of person who always ask a lot, I’m very eager to learn and have a never ending search of knowledge. And all this curiosity make me realize that in the business you don’t only have to be a good artist or illustrator but you have to have discipline, you need to follow deadlines and be creative to survive in this industry.”

So how has he been since his career move to comics? “It turns out well that I help my family financially and send my brother and sister in good schools. It all turns great.” He says it’s every artist’s dream to work and be published internationally and quotes, “…having this kind of job would have a very big responsibility not only that you’re bringing your name but you’re representing the country. But totally it ROCKS.” When asked if he was offered to work abroad, he said, “Yeah, there are some. I would absolutely grab the opportunities if it would be a win-win situation.”

Since his break into comics, Harvey receives numerous fan mails. “I have a Deviant Art account and FB, and thru this I can keep in touch with them. I help some of those who ask for tips and tricks in illustrating. So these sites help a lot.” When fans ask for advice, he says, “LUCK IS WHEN OPPORTUNITY MEETS PREPARATION. So you need to keep doing the things you love most, you need to understand and believe on it, for someday this would bring you to a LIFE you can only dream of.”

Harvey loves drawing fantasy and sci-fi stories. He would love to work on “Lord of the Rings” type of artwork and said, “I might say Frank Frazetta characters.” But will Harvey ever do a local comic? “Yup. Actually,I already aired the title when we have the chance to guest in NU107 with Jiggy Cruz, Gerry, Arnold. The book is called PAYONGMAN, Hopefully next year the book would be out in the market.”

Hear more about Harvey Tolibao and other special guests this coming November 13, 2010 at the 6^th Philippine Annual Komiks Convention (KOMIKON 2010) to be held at the Star Mall Trade Hall. Visit the Official Komikon Website and Komikon @ DeviantArt or join the Official Komikon Group in Facebook for updates on the event.

KOMIKON has featured a number of artists on its stage since 2005. We are excited to have as one of our special guests this coming November two generations of artists in one family! We bring you father and son cartoonists, Jess and Manix Abrera.

Jess Abrera is one of the pioneers of The Philippine Inquirer (PDI), working there for 24 years. He is the chief cartoonist and comics editor of The PDI where his comic strips A. Lipin & Pinoy Nga! are published. Making politically themed strips, we asked him if he ever received any threats. His answer was, “Yes, at hindi lang threats mga awards pa!”  True enough, Mr. Abrera received the National Book Award from the Manila Critics Circle for Pinoy Nga! He won Best Humor in Cartoons from the Catholic Mass Media Award (CMMA) and Best Editorial Cartoon in 2006, 2007 and 2008 entering him into CMMA’s Hall of Fame. He also received the grand prize for children’s book illustration in 1987 for the book Handyong from The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY).

Sir Jess is really a funny character. When asked about when he started drawing, he answered “Noong caveman pa ako nagdrodrowing na ako sa mga caves. 70’s”. He said the first few comics he like were Walt Disney comics, local comics and…uhm…porno…comics.  Before he worked for the newspaper he did serious illustration of animals at the UP Natural History Department, was an advertising artist, a children’s book illustrator, and goes on to say “dance instructor, tailor, conductor ng bus, bugaw at marami pang iba. Ang kulit mo, ah!”.

Like his father, Manuel Abrera also graduated in the UP College of Fine Arts. Manix graduated with a major in Visual Communication last 2003 and is currently taking his Master’s degree in Fine Arts.  He was an artist for the university paper The Philippine Collegian his whole college life. He is currently famous for his comic strip Kikomachine that comes out daily in The Philippine Daily Inquirer. He has published 5 compilations of his strips and also a graphic novel entitled “12”. When asked how he felt when 2 of his works became finalists in the Neil Gaiman Graphic/Fiction Awards, he said “Nakakaiyak!!” Manix is also known as a musician. He now plays for the band Gorgoro. We asked Manix how he wants to be known: as an artist or a musician. He answered, “Mabait na bata na lang. hehehe”.

Manix started drawing when he was a kid, drawing mostly robots. Is he a fan of comics? “Sobra! hehe.” he says,“Naaalala kong mga sobrang nagustuhan ko talaga mula pagkabata hanggang ngayon ay Calvin and Hobbes ni Bill Watterson”. Watterson is one of his favorite artists saying his strips were simple yet deep.  But of course, his first favorite artist is his dad. “Tatay ko. Ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya.” Manix says his dad is a big influence on him being an artist.  Sir Jess says, “No, ang influence nya ay si Aga Muhlach”.  Was Manix pressured having his work published alongside his dad’s? He answered, “Sa simula syempre pressure hahaha, pero ngayon oks naman na”. How does Sir Jess feel that his son is also into comics? “I feel like a human being.”

Sir Jess says that comics before were purely entertainment. “Ngayon may LAMAN at ang sikat yung artist hindi yung writer”. To end, we asked sir Jess what he could advise young cartoonists. He says,”Maglinis sila ng ilong”.  As for Manix, will he be in comics forever? He answered, “Hm, stick sa comics at band. Pero kung sakali mang mag-full time job ako bilang anuman, tuloy pa rin silang mga malapit talaga sa puso ko na ginagawa ko hehe”.

Now this is just an interview. Get to meet them in person and know more about them on November 13, 2010 at the 6^th Philippine Annual Komiks Convention at the Starmall Trade hall along EDSA-Mandaluyong.