New "tick-talk" on the block

Keep fighting---Kuris

Keep sharpening--Taburnok

Keep the dream---Zyra

Keep the passion--Zen

Keep fishing---Tang

Keep the faith-- Dads

Best of K-talk (part 2)

Kuris gets hotter and bigger with every new post of Kuris Talk. It's simply obvious that the readership and visitors of this humble blog is increasing for the very reason that they love what they read about each one of us. In fact, they were surpised that Ilonggo animators who were born-artists and expert in making stunning visual graphics are also good in telling their stories. They were touched, inspired and could read through the lines of every sentiments we revealed. The readers claimed that Ilonggo animators are indeed exceptional, creative and brilliant not only with their craft to entertain visually but to entice emotionally with their tell-all, sincere and real stories. Some readers even compared this blog to a reality show that unvieled the realities of life--less pretense, less vanity, straightforward and exciting to read. Yes, I think for one reason, we decided to make this blog not only to tell the world that we are gifted or we are good in what we do but to show that we have our own individual stories, more realistic than a primetime soap opera. Blogging is free and so is our free-thinking, open-minded perspective in life. I must say that people cannot underestmate the power of blogging these days. Who would have thought decades ago that there will come a time that everybody can make their own online diary as a spin-off from the traditional way of chronicling their lives in a dusty little old diary book? The internet is big as life these days especially when it comes to its influence for pop culture and lifestyle. We are so blown away and surprise to the healthy response of every visitors who leave both postive and negative comments in this blog. They became the spice of life for us, to re-ignite our passion and pursue our dream of telling the world that--"Hey, an Ilonggo animator can also do this and make something great with his talent". Though some commentators thought they can pull us down and tell-it-straight to our face to give up everything, they were wrong. In fact, they didn't affect us they way they want it to be...they even made us more stronger and determined to prove them wrong. Our journey isn't going to be perfect without our good friends and commentators who keep us steady to sail our ship in the ocean of possiblities. Our friendship and bonding was strenghtened by the passion that brought up our dream to start something great out of scratch. We left an impression and inspiration that would forever leave a mark in the Ilonggo history no matter how other people try to scratch it off the wall.

Our gratitude goes out first to God. He knows we are capable of making great things. He gave us a sense of purpose though we are still struggling with our imperfections and flaws in life. We may not be perfect as saints and still finding the light along the way, but God knows he is the main reason we are fighting for our dream. Our family, mentors in WVCST and TESDA are also the moving force in our pathway. They gave us the chance to envision a bright horizon waiting for us if we just try a little bit harder to walk straight forward. And yes, to the readers and commentators of this humble blog who feed us with courage to tell our stories truthfully. Thanks for hanging around with us.

With coming of the third phase of Kuris Talk and posting of our individual artworks in Kuris Art, it is worthy that we summarize the best lines, dialogues and words spoken by Kuris Animators. We knew that for a short period of time, we already made some legacies and had fun playing the game of life. We were the best of friends who continuously struggling to overcome the worse within each of us. We never regret anything at all because regrets are only for fools. The road is endless, the possiblity is infinite and yes, life goes on...and so our stories should be! Read on peeps...

Amado Caporal Jr.: Sharpening his gifts for Ilonggo animation

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

Hypothetical question—if you’re an art tool, what would you want to be and why?

Gusto ko mangin Lapis eh! Siyempre ang aton imahinasyon ginadrawing ta, kon magsala ginaerase ta kag liwaton para magobra liwat sang mas nami pa gid (I want to be a pencil. Of course, we draw our imagination and when we commit mistakes, we erase it to make a better one).

Let’s talk about your career as a freelance artist, is it hard?

Very hard. There are lots of freelance artists out there that compete with each other to gain projects and clients. You see, with all the harship of life these days, artists tend to compete in order to survive. But I try to be patient and let my workmanship speaks about what I can do for my clients. Luckily, almost all of them are satisfied with my work and they keep coming back because they know how I give my best in everything I do. It doesn’t matter if my clients would pay high or low rate, I try to make sure that I could satisfy them with my output.

IN MY OWN WORDS:

Sharpening his gifts has never been easy. As long as he can remember, he has been doodling and scribbling every time he holds a pencil since he was young. Until now, Amado remains passionate in what does best-- arts. His artistic growth was nurtured with challenges and inspiration to prove himself better in a world of possibilities.

Aladin Lacsina: The Big fish of Kuris

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in your training in 2D animation?

Damo gid ako nabaton nga corrections halin sa akon maestro sang una. Natun-an ko nga natural gid ang corrections bilang animator nga tani sa sunod dapat magimprove pa gid ang obra ko. Natun-an ko man nga magpasensiya kay bisan may talento ako kulang pa gid ini para magin maayo nga animator. Dapat indi kami mag-untat praktis sa pagdrawing. (I recieved a lot of corrections from my teacher before. I learned that corrections are natural as an animator that the next time around I should try to improve my work. I also learned to be patient because even if I have the talent it’s not enough to become a good animator. We shouldn’t stop practising in drawing).

If you were to compare your group “Kuris” as a fish, what would it be and why?

Siguro, kami nga mga Kuris animators pareho sang “Dolphins” kay mabinuligon. Gusto namon ginashare ang amon naman-an sa iban pa nga gusto mangin animator, may maayo kami nga handum kag gabinuligay kami sa tanan nga oras (Maybe, we Kuris animators are like Dolphines because we are helpful. We want to share our knowledge to those who wanted to become animators, we have good dreams and we try to help each other at all times).

IN MY OWN WORDS:

Though he loves to catch fish as one of his partime jobs in his quiet provincial life, Aladin Lacsina is gifted with untapped abilities to share something BIG in the spawning of the newest cultural achievement of Ilonggo artists, in the promising animation trend as part of Kuris Animation Unlimited, Inc. His strong determination, daring innovations and fun-loving nature makes him another “ace” in the sleeve of a group of uprising Ilonggo animators to quest for their dream. A dream he gladly shares with all his heart as they try to go fishing for better opportunities right in the middle of an ocean filled with great possibilities for hopeful animators like themselves.

Diosdado Aguilar Sketches the other side of his soul

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

What does a Pol Sci graduate have to do with animation?

Actually, both arts and political science are different fields of interest. But as an artist, animation is the expression of my artistic side and a way to express my sentiments about life since we are animating the reality about society and humanity. I am also confident of my social life as a pol sci graduate who doesn’t stop thinking how to help others especially my fellow animators. Both fields of interest made me see that life is full of adventures and discovery.

How do you respond to some people who put down animation since it doesn’t yet have a big market in Iloilo?

Actually, wala kasigoruhan ang kabuhi (actually, there’s no guarantee in life). Life is a gamble. We can’t achieve something if we won’t try our best and check how far we can go. How can we boost and create awareness of the existence of animation in Iloilo is we won’t do something about it. I think we need to make good projects, show them how talented we Ilonggos are and be innovative as much as possible. Whatever they say about animation it’s up to them. All we have to do is to be optimistic and try to avoid being pessimistic in everything we do.

IN MY OWN WORDS:

No other Kuris Animator has much wisdom and sensibilities like Diosdado Aguilar, Jr. or simply “Dads” to his groupmates. It is not surprising why he posses a stretchable patience, good decision-making attitude and broad minded way of thinking since he was considered by the younger Kurisans as their “little dad” in the group. Though there may be times that they might not agree with the way he sees things and situations, but Dads has a big heart and optimistic point of view that contributes to the strength of Kuris Animation Unlimited in pursuing their passion, fighting for their dream and stay hopeful amid the storms that cover the horizon.

Janelyn Minerva: Kuris Animator’s real girl power

IN HER OWN WORDS:

As a member of Kuris, what do you think is the most important and most valuable project you did?

Ang BEQUEST siyempre ang pinakaimportante nga amon nahimo nga project subong kay ginadala namon ang ngalan sang bilog nga Iloilo kag sang mga Ilonggo. Isa pa ang TASI kay ini ang una nga school mascot nga naobra sa animation diri sa Iloilo kag dungog man sang WVCST (of course, The BEQUEST is the most important project that we did right now because we carry the name of the whole Iloilo and the Ilonggos. Another one is TASI because it is the first school mascot that was made into animation here in Iloilo and the pride of WVCST).

What's the toughest part of your training in 2D Animation?

Siguro, tama gid kakulang sang facilities kay kis-a nagahulatanay kami sa pagamit sang computers kag scanner. Kon training lang medyo kaya ko man ang ginapdrawing sa amon nga clean-ups kag in-betweens. (Maybe, it’s the lack of facilities because sometimes we wait each other to have our turn with the use of computers and scanner. When it comes to the training, maybe I can manage doing the clean-ups and in-between drawings).
IN MY OWN WORDS:
She’s not a Spice Girl at all. She doesn’t even wish to be part of pop culture fanatics. But Janelyn Minerva, the girl with the impressive artistic passion for animation surely has some spicy attitude that can bring down the Kuris boys back to their knees and begging for her flamboyant presence to stay. Her positive perspective in life and kindhearted nature has become a strong element for the group’s staying power to stick together through tough times. Kuris has never been this great without their resident girl power hanging around to inspire them and dream big.

Elson Balila II: The TASI creator leaves artistic imprint

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

You’re the one who suggested Kuris as the name of your group, what makes Kuris special?

Para sa akon lain gid ya kon Ilonggo nga tinaga ang ngalan sang grupo para mapabalo ta sa tanan nga tunay kita nga Ilonggo animators kag ginapadayaw ta ang aton kultura (for me, it’s different if Ilonggo term would be the name of the group so that we could let them all know that we are real Ilonggo animators and we are proud of our culture).

What comes in your mind when you design the model sheet of TASI?

Wala lang a…ginpanumdum ko lang siya nga isa ka bata nga puno sang paglaum kag damo gusto mabalan kay simbolo man siya sang isa eskwelahan ka WVCST. Ginhimo ko lang siya cute ka ang iya maso daw pareho sang mga anime characters nga ginalantaw ko sa TV (just nothing…I think about him like a kid who is full of hope and willing to learn more since he was a symbol of the school WVCST.I made him look cute and his mace just like any other anime characters that I used to watch on TV).

IN MY OWN WORDS:

If you give yourself superhuman abilities, cloak your body in a tight-fitting rugged costume, and defy the standard of what is “common” and “normal”, will it make you a Manga hero? I guess, it does, but that doesn’t make you an overnight sensation on TV among kids who grew up with Japanese Manga or Anime. Anybody can make their own character, design their own plot or fight their own villains by holding a pencil and start doodling using one’s imagination. But the catch is: you’ve got have bigtime luck and let a producer discover the artist within in you, then, produce an animated cartoon series for your created character. Olsen Zen Wolvesteel is one of the brilliant original animated characters created by Elson Balila II, a born artist, an amateur Ilonggo animator and founding member of Kuris Animation Unlimited.

TEASER/END STATEMENT: As the third phase of Kuris Talk begins next week, get ready to read more escapades as Kuris reveals their experience in making their dreams come true and how it feels to be trapped in a small room much like Big Brother House… and catch up with their Kuris Art segment. They will share their secrets in drawing and animation one by one.