In addition, I will add the complete RING strips, in color. 

L.

March 12, 2003, saw the launch of NEW WORLDS, the Philippines' first science fiction and fantasy convention at the Premiere THX Complex,Amorsolo cor Herrera St. in Makati. Organized by Via-Astris, the local Star Trek club, New Worlds contained the booths for Via-Astris, PinoySlayer (the Buffy TVS club), Star Wars Philippines,  The Alliance of Ecletic Gamers and INteractive Storytellers (AEGIS),  Pinoy Harry Potter, the philippine tolkien society, and Pinoy X-Philes.

The event was timed to match the opening of NEMESIS, The tenth Star Trek movie. You can visit more New Worlds pics by clicking here. Use the following userid and password:

userid: scificon

password: thx

More pics from the convention are available here.

L.

Thanks, Anthony.

THE BEERKAMAP

22 Beerkadets participated in the BeerkaMap project. Each member placed their residential location on a map of Metro Manila using Microsoft Paint. You can see the results on the left.

What are the implications of the results? Local chapters, man! And EBs should occur in Mandaluyong.  Because that's MY city.

Heh.

just would like to express how deeply, deeply ecstatic i was to have been part of history again!

don't we just love these first-in-the-philippines events?

i know i really, really do!

hontou ni omedetou gozaimashita to everyone who has made this whole thing possible!

grabe! ANG GALING-GALING! ASTIG!!!
super sustained talaga ang fun. this was really a mean feat!

always so much to see, to meet, to look around, to scream for, to check out, to laugh...i'm so happy na walang "no picture-taking" crap like that.
ang ganda pa ng entrance pass, parang calling card, absolute souveneir talaga. whoever conceptualized this, grabe! HENYO!

i love the stage! super! so far, this was the best stage concept i've seen in the anime events i've been able to witness. galing talaga!
the anime booths were superb! gosh! i was actually able to buy some stuff! plus the food booths din. okay talaga! just right! ok ang prices and not overwhelming. pika-pika, ok ka na!

will this be an every year thing na since it has proven to be so successful this time?

i sure hope so.

i don't want to miss it.

hopefully, pinoy comics will be so successful that we can launch our very own works that will be reckoned with here and abroad.
bah! of course, i love, love japanese anime....pero syempre pinoy pa rin tayo, di ba?

really looking forward to the day na pinoy comic artists' works become animated, made into live action films and will become so successful that will create such a storm worldwide.

again, hontou ni omedetou gozaimashita to everybody who have made this all possible! team effort talaga. damang-dama! it feels really good to have been part of this event. really wonderful! sugoi da na!

- FROM A FAN GIRL !

December 27, 2002 (Happy New Year!!)

The 1st Philippine Comic Book and Anime Convention 2002 (*whew* that was as long as most anime titles) was a BLAST! The Beerkadets, Sadako, Hanya, Mr. Alien, even Lord PMJr. was there! Check out the images by clicking the pic on the left.

SINGLE GIRL Video Captures:

See the infamous episode where Lyndon exchanged fluids with a toilet bowl! PsychoCow had a big laugh as he looped the clip for all to see during the convention. Ya gotta love those Beerkadets. Heh.

Click the image on the left to see more pics.

Hottie Reema Chanco faces off with the cartoonist! Click  the image on the left to see captures, the image on the right to view the special Trabaho Lang strips from BEERKADA.

Try to catch both the Hollywood version and the original Japanese version. 

And don't answer the phone.

L.

1.

Draw on a medium no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches.

2.

Please include the following information:
    a. Full name
    b. Address
    c. Age
    d. Gender
    e. School/Place of work (Optional)
    f. Contact numbers.

3.

Render in an action pose.

4.

There will be two categories: 15 and below/16 and up.

5.

Include the name of your character and other important information you deem necessary.

6.

Digital submissions may be sent to: c3con@culturecrash.com with subject heading: C3 CON. (Digital submissions must not exceed 300KB).

7.

You may submit to: (before Dec. 15,2002)

    a. Culture Crash Comics/JC Palabay Ent., Inc.
                67 Gen. Ordoñez St.
                Marikina Heights,
                Marikina City   1811

                        or

    b. Any Comic Quest, Comic Alley, Anima Animé or CATS
                branch, just enclose in an envelope labeled "C3 CON
                Character drawing contest".



    *Creators will retain the rights and ownership of characters
    submitted, but we reserve the right to use them for
    promotional purposes.

CHOREOGRAPHED FIGHT SCENE

1.

Minors (Below 18 years of age) must have written consent from a legally aged guardian.

2.

Participants need not necessarily be in costume, but costumes are recommended for added effect.

3.

No sharp objects may be used during the fight scene.

4.

Fight scene may last from a minimum of 30 seconds to maximum of 5 minutes. (previously announced as 3 minutes in Culture Crash #9)

5.

Please let us know if you will be participating in this event in advance. You may e-mail us at c3con@culturecrash.com. Please include the following details:

    a. Names and ages of all participants
    b. Length of fight scene.
    c. Equipment you will be using. (prop weapons etc.)
    d. Contact information.


    *You may also contact 687-7694, 687-7704, look for Honey or
    Arlene say that you will participate in the contest and
    just verbally give the above information.

BEST IN COSTUME

1.

Will be judged at the event proper on December 21-22, 2002.
    a. Registration and Preliminary judging will be at 1-3 PM on
        the 21st and 22nd.
    b. Bringing photos of the character you are posing as is
        recommended but not necessary.

2.

Costumed attendees will be given special privileges. (e.g. different entrance, rest area, etc.)

3.

Open category, no restrictions on whatever animé, comic book, video game or whatever character you would like to dress up as. (Be nice if you came as local comic book characters though ^_^;)

4.

Awarding ceremonies and contest proper will be on the 22nd, which will start at around to 4 PM.

5.

Awarding ceremonies and contest proper will be on the 22nd, which will start at around to 4 PM.

BEST INDEPENDENT COMIC BOOK

    Good news to independent comic books! Culture Crash will be providing a booth, free of charge dedicated to independent comic books! Just read the requirements below and enter the contest!

1.

Please include the following information:
    a. Full name
    b. Address
    c. Age
    d. Gender
    e. School/Place of work (Optional)
    f. Contact numbers.

2.

Must be self-published. (not associated with a big publisher.)

3.

Must be in physically readable comic book format (e.g. photocopied reproduction.)
    a. CD-ROM, web-based, and other non-tangible formats will
        not be accepted.

4.

Those interested in bringing copies of their comics and selling them at the event please indicate it in your entries.

5.

Enclose two (2) copies on an envelope entitled "C3 Con Independent Comic Book contest" and submit either to:
    a. Culture Crash Comics/JC Palabay Ent., Inc.
        67 Gen. Ordoñez St.
        Marikina Heights,
        Marikina City   1811

            or

    b. To any Anima Animé, Comic Quest, Comic Alley or CATS
        branch in an envelope labeled "C3 Con Independent Comic
        book contest".

6.

Please submit on or before December 15, 2002. (The earlier the better)

The ashcan will soon be available for ordering from this site, perhaps December. Stay tuned.

Nonoy Marcelo, 63 
By YASMIN LEE ARPON/abs-cbnNEWS.com 


Cartoonist Severino "Nonoy" Marcelo died Tuesday at the Chinese General Hospital in Manila at around 10 a.m. from complications arising from diabetes. He was 63 years old. 


Marcelo, who was born on Jan. 22, 1939, is best known for creating popular comic strips Tisoy and Ikabod. 


He leaves behind a legacy of nearly four decades of work, ranging from newspaper spot cartoons and caricature to lavish magazine artwork and design and comic books. 


In the 1960s, British cartoonist Ronald Searle took one look at Marcelo’s drawings and remarked: "He must have been born with a pen in his hand." 


Marcelo's friend, Pandi Aviado, described him as talented, a good friend and one who likes to joke. Aviado added that aside from being a cartoonist, Marcelo also painted and wrote. He also played the guitar. 


Marcelo grew up in Malabon with his maternal uncle, Jose Zabala Santos, a cartoonist at Liwayway magazine. Santos was one of the pioneers of Filipino comics and creator of such popular characters as Lukas Malakas and Popoy. 


Malang and "Kenkoy" creator Tony Velasquez also frequented Marcelo's house. 


In an interview in April 2001, Marcelo said the first word he learned was Halakhak, referring to a popular comic book in the late 1940s to which his uncle contributed. 


Marcelo's freehand drawing skills were fully developed by the time he entered high school. But he was kicked out of St. James School for being sacrilegious. 


At Far Eastern University, Marcelo’s talent caught the eye of then-dean Alejandro Roces. Roces, whose family owned The Manila Times, took the budding cartoonist under his wing. 


Marcelo did Plain Folks, a gently sardonic look at Filipino family life, for the Times's afternoon daily Daily Mirror. 


He moved to The Manila Times in 1962, where he created Tisoy. The comic strip spun off into two movies and a television series. 


Ikabod started life in the Marcos era, where "Dagalandia" became an everyday breakfast treat for readers. The strip was considered an allegorical depiction of Philippine society. 


The Catholic Mass Media Award recognized Marcelo for his work in Ikabod in 1985. It was one of the few times that a comic strip was recognized as serious journalistic commentary. 


Before his death, Marcelo was working on a book that was to present a history of his hometown, Malabon. The book's working title was Tambobong: A Malabon Voyage, which chronicles his obsession with the minutiae of his hometown’s history. 


He also planned to put up a cartoon museum that would archive the rich history of political cartoons and comics in the Philippines. 


Marcelo at one time said cartoons contributed a lot to the Filipino culture, but this has remained unacknowledged. He said the Filipino language would not have been spread to the Visayas and Mindanao without cartoons. 


Marcelo is also the only cartoonist to be honored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines when the Republic observed its centennial in 1998. The CCP cited him, among a group of 100 Centennial Awardees, for excellence in the visual arts and for helping define national identity by taking a stand on political and social issues. 


His remains lie in state at Floresco Funeral Homes, Gen. Luna St., Concepcion, Malabon. His remains will be cremated on Friday.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One of the books that influenced my life is THE GODFATHER (Mario Puzo). For those who are not in the know, the novel is about a powerful Mafia Don and the son who follows in his footsteps. In it, Michael Corleone, the son, justifies his father's domination through murder and crime because he refuses let his destiny rest on the hands of others and is too spirited to be cowed by the harshness of fate. He is a man whose will cannot be controlled except through death - or utmost reasonableness.

I recall this book now because I just talked with a classmate who cannot think of starting his own business - he can only think of holding a job. For me, the very thought of another person holding your future is unacceptable. That is why entrepreneurship has such great appeal to me.

L.

October 21, 2002

For several days now, I have felt sleepy throughout the day. Taking catnaps won't remove it. Coffee has no effect. And then I found the shocking reason why I'm a daytime narcoleptic: I'm wide awake at night. My biological clock has turned nocturnal on me.

This is great when I'm feeling creative and no one's awake to bother to me but it's deadly when I'm taking a very expensive course. I suppose I can cut down on the creative and focus on the business, but then what would my life be for?



L. 


Some months ago, I spoofed a very cool Japanese horror flick called THE RING. The Beerkadets are passing a vcd of that movie around. And now Hollywood is releasing their version of it. Check out the official site. (I haven't visited it myself because I'm not that crazy.) You might as well check my spoofs. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 18, 2002 
In the second BEERKADETS wallpaper, the other members of the mailing list are featured. If you think the first one was cool, this one is HOT! Guess which magazine cover inspired this wallpaper? I'm also in the process of creating a Beerkadets page as well as my method for drawing Beerkada. 

In other news, Arnold Arre created the art for this year's Webby Awards. I think the theme is Philippine Mythology. Way to go, Arnold!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II've recently asked PsychoCOW to review Arnold Arre's latest opus AFTER EDEN and boy, did her deliver! The following review will be part of the Beerkadets page that will soon be featured in this site. Other contents of the site will be Ana Ng's sickening collection of images that will surely lose your appetite. Beerkadets, anything else you'd like to include in your site? Don't forget to email me.

 From: psychocow@mindgate.net 
Date: Thu Oct 3, 2002 7:44 am
Subject: psychoCOW's unsolicited critique on: After Eden


Before I begin, I'm apologizing in advance. You see, I don't really review
literary works. Different canon altogether from reviewing films. But hey,
what Mr L wants, Mr L gets.

+++

You could imagine my surprise when I saw "After Eden" on the shelves of
Powerbooks Alabang. I have been a long-time fan of Arnold Arre's works;
we're talking about "Batch
72"-in-the-pages-of-the-now-defunct-"Agenda"-magazine long. From "Batch
72", to "Mythology Class", to "Trip to Tagaytay", Arnold's vivid stories
never fail to please. 

And now there's "After Eden", a 254 page graphic novel, sitting in a
Powerbooks, waiting to be read. I actually went ahead and bought the novel
without a second thought. When I started to read it, however, I sort of
wished I read it first. But then again, it's okay. I think.

Yes, there are no Tikbalangs, Aswangs, or spaceships here. "After Eden" is
basically the love story of Jon, a game store owner (what else), and
Celine, who works for an ad agency. The story follows the two as they meet
(again, actually; they were childhood friends), fall in love, break up (no
thanks to their friends), and get back together again (thanks to their
friends). The same old story? Yes and No, actually. 

Arre's storytelling and graphics are as crisp and as vivid as it's always
been. Some might even contend that this is his finest work, but I digress.
You see, I have a big issue with the story itself. Now, I don't think I
have to tell you that you guys have to be under certain modes and moods to
totally love "After Eden". It's one big fairy tale, a fairy tale for
modern times. The prince, the princess, the ogres, the happy ending. It's
mushy at times, cheesy at times, and predictable at times, and it doesn't
apologize for it. In fact, that was the intention from the begining. 

The book incorporates symbolisms more than generously throughout the
storyline. There's Jon and Celine (the romantics), Greg and Lea (The
cynical friends who ruin the relationship, only to piece it back together),
and Mike and Cathy (The childlike friends). Love and Hate are represented
by the Angels and the Devils, and both parties do whatever it takes to
help/hurt Jon and Celine. The story is structured in such a way that it
practically screams "I'm a mock-up". Our protagonists, bored with their
lives, find each other again and fall in love. Their friends, feeling left
behind, plot to ruin the perfect relationship. Although they're
successful, things don't return to how they were. In fact, their
respective friendships disentigrate because of all the damage done. Then,
in a very Deux Ex Macina way, destiny repairs the romance between Jon and
Celine, and they live happily ever after. Oh, did I mention that the
friends fall in love and end up with each other in the end? Oh please, how
fairy-talish can you get?

But I believe that the story was written precisely to feel like a fairy
tale. It's as if Arnold Arre is daring us to believe the fairy tales,
daring us to believe that love will find a way, love will counquer all. A
very optimistic POV, but again, that seems to be the whole point. Yes,
it's rather obvious that Mr Arre is so in love when he wrote this.

What bothers me the most is the fact that Jon and Celine's initial
relationship was undermined by their friends, suggesting that theirs was a
perfect relationship only outside interference can destroy. As if internal
strife wasn't enough for everybody. Yes, I know it's a cynical view. Yes,
I know the book is representational, but perfect relationships don't exist.
Oh well.

But despite all my cynicism, I find myself reading and reading the whole
thing, over and over again. The book has honestly moved, inspired and
saddened me. It made me yearn, it made me dream. I wanted to fall in love
again after reading "After Eden". I wanted to be part of that select group
of couples. I wanted, more than ever, to love and be loved after reading
the book. And most importantly, I dared myself to believe in fairy tales
all over again. In that sense, this book is a success.

So why am I bashing this work if I love it? It's a critique. You'd still
have to be subjective. I also believe my reaction to "After Eden" is a
personal experience. Your appreciation of Arnold Arre's latest work will
largely depend on your views and opinions on Love. 

All in all, I think Mr Arre is challenging all of us to believe the fairy
tales. Whether you do so or not, it's all up to you.


Final Rating: 7 1/2


Huling Hirit:
- Is it my imagination, or do all of Mr Arre's characters on After Eden
have look-alikes on Mythology Class?
- I love that spiel on the clasping of hands. Love the Angel's talkies as
well.
- Mr Arre contends that this story could have happened anywhere in the
world; I disagree, I believe this story is too pinoy. That Big TV thingy
took the cake.
- And yes, everybody ends up with each other and lives happily ever after.
Gosh, how convienient.
- Lastly, there's no fucking way you can come up with a script, shoot,
edit, and finish a commercial in less than a day.