Bungot Banwa

And, once more, the dawn finds me awake but wanting to sleep. There's too little sleep in me. I think that haggard feel has made itself visible on this character's face.

In the Hinilawod epic, Bungot Banwa acts like a Baylan of sorts. He initiates the rituals that occur by the Halawod River... a master of ceremonies? I wonder if he is also a strategist of sorts?--like a village elder whose wisdom is sought by the Datu and his people. The history of the Ancients of Panay is a trasure waiting to be rediscovered; much like a fat portion of our history.

He looks wise here albeit, a tad too wary. I'll make some changes to his expressions before adding him to the 2nd volume of the Hinilawod Comic.

This portion of the epic is brimming with characters... I am quite intimidated.

Labaw Donggon in action...

Mr. Labaw Donggon of the Hinilawod Epic. Eldest son of Paubari and Alunsina.

He wants to know why all the sparkly vampires are running away with their tails between their legs.

Manaludtod Dragon for Hinilawod

A preview of my Manaludtod Dragon.

Right now... it's too late in the night or too early in the morning. I have also been browsing through some articles on Biag ni Lam-ang (The Life of Lam-ang); watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand and reading our Hinilawod Script. Thank you Jay, I received the package. This new script with me comes in 3 languages: Ilocano, English and Tagalog... correct me if I'm wrong.

Just trying to plug myself into that state of epic awesomeness--getting familiar with the aesthetic of blood and battles. Excuse me whilst I try to retrieve my brains from whichever corner it has managed to scatter itself. Alright, enough James Joyce-ing and back to business: HINILAWOD.

In our theatrical adaptation Labaw Donggon battles the dragon Manaludtod. This whole battle occurs through a technique called Black Light Theatre. Do your research. The visuals of theatre do not always agree with the pages of a comic. Thus, in the Hinilawod Comic adaptation of this battle scene, things will have to go take a slightly different route.

Aaaand... I'm going through that process of translating theatre into comic pages now. Entertaining and mind-wracking. Let me just say this: 'The inking process is the most rewarding and heartbreaking part of each page.'

Hinilawod Princesses

In the epic of Labaw Donggon, his heart is captured by three maidens... the rest of this tale is for you to discover.

Yes... one of the Hinilawod princesses has to have short hair, because that is cool. Now, I will have to do some research on the Adventures of Labaw, too... I wonder if short hair was acceptable back in their day?

Mr. F. Landa Jocano's book on Philippine Prehistory might offer some clues.

And why is the one princess bound?--well, that is for you to discover. Move over Princess Aurora! I've always wanted to say that.

The Epic of Labaw Donggon

LABAW DONGGON

Production has started on volume 2 of the Hinilawod comic. I'm so glad to have come up with a decent face for Paubari and Alunsina's eldest: Labaw Donggon. This face, other than taking from Erik's face (the guy casted as Labaw in the Hinilawod play) also has roots in a week of UFC, Terminator Salvation, Jason Mraz and The Expendables... I only hope the testosterone from all that managed to manifest on this.

Although, I'm most excited about Manaludtod, the dragon with whom Labaw Donggon will battle with. Need I say 'epic proportions'? SO EXCITED about a dragon with a toothy grin. Will post concept sketches soon. This dragon has got me wrapped around his pointy fingers... I can feel the burn in my cheeks and I want to draw him. NOW.

Sorry about that. Excuse me while I get back to work.

Am fairly satisfied with this. :) Woooo, it's Erik! I wonder who's to be the understudy for this character?

More information on the Hinilawod website.