Happy Holidays!

My family Christmas card.

Hurrrrr....due daaaates....

Me after another all-nighter trying to make deadline. Not sure how I got that ear bite though. Probably should have that checked.

I'm hungry.

Back into the drink.

Yup. Here we go again.

safe, non-partisan editorial piece for my portfolio.

Gifts.

I'm that weird dude who actually enjoys gift wrapping. That means I spend too much time working on something that will inevitably be torn to shreds the next day.

Working on a 4 year old boy's birthday gift.

SKETCHBOOK: Because I couldn't sleep.

I screwed up my body clock chasing deadlines. Again.

Clean up was done after I got my rest. Doing a dinosaur book and seeing a lot of fun dragon illustrations on G+ most likely led me to this idea.

Maybe the CBCP will like this

My tribute to Philippine archbishop Oscar Cruz, scourge of the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) & hero to critics of a certain bowler hat wearing, Rizal quoting tour guide.

I drew him kneeling in deep prayer to show my contempt admiration for his bigoted sincere beliefs about family & faith. I also added inverted hearts on the bottom half of the sketch to represent his disrespect compassion for the common Filipino mothers. By defending them from the onslaught of responsible family planning evil, Western propaganda and cancer inducing condoms, the man is a joke hero.

Ribbit

A glimpse of what's to come in the future (sort of).

Dad,

I drew this at the Heart Center that first week after your 16 hour surgery. It was done on a wooden bench that I would soon get acquainted to for the next 3 weeks. I even drew a few details on the type of surgery you had.

"Papi" (or pappy) was how you wanted Ali to call you. "Lolo" (grandfather) sounded ancient and belied your outlook on seeing life through youthful exuberant eyes. I admit that my thoughts were on wanting to see you enjoying Ali's company as you watch her grow up.

I don't think I gave you the best eulogy. I'm not one to be shy to speak in front an audience, but like always, my worries about doing you proud got the better of me.

Yesterday, on Father's Day, I visited your grave alone for the first time since the funeral. What I will remember that day is how hard it was to walk back to the car at the end of the visit. I turned back twice because walking away reminded me of the last day I saw you.

It was a Friday morning. I was finally flying back to Davao after 4 weeks in Manila doing hospital night shifts for the family. I remember getting up from that now familiar wood bench & opening the door to say goodbye to you. From that small crack of the door, I saw that your eyes were closed, as they normally were the past few weeks. There was a nurse in the room, her back to me (and you).

At that moment, I convinced myself two things: One, that you were asleep and you needed the rest and Two, that saying my goodbyes would symbolize more than what it normally meant. I closed the door, walked away and told myself that there was no need to bid you farewell. You needed the rest and I will see you again rested & recovered.

You passed away 3 days later. It never dawned on me until yesterday how much walking away that Friday morning affected me. I'm not one to dwell on regrets, but to be honest, I think about taking those extra four to five steps into your room and speaking to you.

It would be tempting to end with some cute line about maybe I didn't have to say goodbye that day because, in some way, you already knew and that I will still see you again in some form of higher plane, but that wouldn't be honest of me.

Yesterday, at the cemetery, turning my back to you reminded me about failing to speak to you when I had the chance.

I wish I spoke to you. Told you I'd be back, to stay strong & that everything will be ok. In hindsight, I'd thank you for everything you've given me and, even if I didn't admit it, how much your approval meant to me. I may have tried to be different, but I wanted to emulate you in more ways than you can imagine.

Last year was the only time we shared Father Day together. I just wish Ali will see me as highly as I saw you. I have big shoes to fill, but you've prepared me for it. Thank you.

Rondooooo!

During the recent playoff run by my beloved Celtics, I did this sketch of Rajon Rondo. Initially, I only meant to do a two page spread with some dynamic figures in mind.

After a few exasperating minutes wrestling with roughs of men in awkward jumping poses that did not make any sense, I settled on the easier route of doing a basketball sketch. I used to do a lot sketches of my NBA heroes back in high school, but I had not done one in years. I was due.

Unfortunately, the team was eliminated from the playoffs two days after drawing this. Sorry, guys. There's always next season.

Update: Rajon Rondo himself shared my sketch on his Facebook & Twitter account. That's purty damn cool.

The plan in Angkor

My master plan in Cambodia was to spend a good deal of the day sitting on ancient stones or large tree roots as I sketched the ruins of Angkor.

So much for that idea.

I ended up spending most my days walking from one ancient site to another. There was so much to see. By the end of the day, after taking a beating from the sun, the rocky trails & finding myself wandering the intricate temple hallways, I was defeated.

I did make sure to do at least one (though admittedly stylized) sketch of Bayon.

Pickle, the hotel's perpetually sleeping dog was also nice enough to pose for me.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Last March, I took a much needed break and travelled to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat & nearby sites.

The ancient sites & ruins definitely did not disappoint.

Of course, Stanley came along for the ride.

Gave my tuk-tuk driver (and architecture enthusiast) a one-on-one sketch tutorial.

Visited the floating village in the massive Tonle Sap Lake.

And did a 45 minute hike up a mountain to see the fascinating Kbal Spean ruins.

Siem Reap's a great tourist town with friendly people in a country rich in history. All in all, a worthwhile trip to take. If you plan a visit, I recommend staying at Rosy Guesthouse, an affordable, clean guesthouse with a wonderful staff who will make you feel at home.

It's been busy couple of months

Three months into the year, and this is my first post. Work deadlines from multiple books & publishers are coming in fast & feisty, hence the lack of updates.

March will probably have a similar hectic sked, but so will a long awaited out of country vacation. Expect to read something about that here. More to come.

a few of the sketches I did for various titles in 2011.