All U need is positivity

Lyndon and Marx did a great job with the posters, hehe!

Bryan gets done with the in-betweens for the exhibit

Kuris posters ready for exhibit

Kuris guys on the go!

Better in Time

God, this is it. The answer that we have been waiting for finally arrive today. The sleepless nights finally paid us some emotional reward, the reward of feeling appreciated and understood by what we do best.

9:30am: THE LETTER

I woke up late. My head's on the internet thinking about friendster, yahoo news and this lovely little blog. Urduja is gonna be shown by wednesday and the Kurisans are anticipating the animated film. We are so curious what would it be like to watch an all-Filipino production animated film for more than one and half decade since Ibong Adarna. After having a glimpse of the internet stuff, I was surprised to find a letter addressed for Kuris in our kitchen. It's from NCCA (National Commission for Culture and Arts). They responded in our project proposal a month ago. As I read it silently, my heart skip a beat when they mentioned great interest in our concept and aspiration to make LAPIS into a full-length film. But what left a piece of sadness inside me was when they said that our proposal would be hold back until the end of the year as soon as we complete our requirements including SEC registration, complete full script, comprehensive storyboard and many other legal papers needed to process the project. So they send back the proposal along with a promise that once we are ready with everything, we may soon have our dream project. I know that my proposal was written with sincerity, dynamic thoughts and creative visions from a group of amatuer animators hoping to get close to their dream one step at a time.So I have faith that we have convinced them that our proposal has outmost relevance with their objectives to highlight the real talent of Filipino artists, for Ilonggo animators in particular.The future is coming and we know that we have the chance to fulfill another chapter of our quest, our destiny.Thank God for the good sign, this is all we need for now.

4:30pm: THE CONFIRMATION

There's no room for blame and regrets.We knew what we've been through since we finished The BEQUEST a few months ago. If we let failures pull us down, our last grasp for hope is gone. I brought the letter with me and hoping I could meet the group to show them personally about the letter. Though I texted them earlier about the news, I think it's better that I'll meet the group. We accidentally met outside Robinson Mall. Marx, Lyndon and Elson just finished their mall-strolling while I was going inside to buy some blank CDs. Instantly, I showed them the letter and Marx grabbed it with excitement. He said he's keeping it for a while. At that very moment, they finally believe that what we are doing with our passion has outmost importance and purpose. We never wasted our talents and sacrifice for nothing. But we need more time and effort to prepare for everything if we really need to get closer to our dream. We have each other and our talents that could save us from the possible despair and failures. We were never a failure after all, we have showed them what we can do best as Ilonggo animators. With such great hope that inginited inside us through this letter, Marx, Bryan and Jay left me promise that they are ready to manage their time between the special project and the possible work for LAPIS once our proposal is officially approved. Likewise, Lyndon is leading another important project for a commercial module wherein we will insert animated scenes. I entrusted him with this project since everybody is doing their own thing. I will reveal more of this commercial project in the coming posts. Well, our day ended with hope for each of us... the best is yet to come and we need to work hard for a dream as we get better in time.

10:30pm: THE EXIT
We're tired from a long day. The rest of the gang are taking a nap at Marx's room. I have to get home now.

Scratching soundtrack

special project freaks!

Cut, cut, cut… stick it up!

Tatang and Bryan checking up the in-between frames to be posted for the exhibit

Sleeping pills isn’t gonna work for Kurisans when it comes to insomiatic nights

Lyndon and Marx scratching up the old Kuris posters to make a good collage piece

Kuris guys waiting for me at La Paz Plaza

Amado’s finest Kuris Styrofoam logo for the team

Potential Breakout Song

Marx's room was so empty except for a few sleepless people hollering around. Guys, music please and get on with the beat.

Bryan should have played the guitar. He's good in doing that aside from his artistic stroke. Brynh isn't here to grab the imaginary mic and do the vocals. No way, Marx and Jay could do the vocals professionally. They should stick in keeping up the beat of the drums and doing the artistic graphics. Lyndon knows best what would be the good sound to rock the room tonight. I'll be contented in listening and laughing out to your craziness with music (or supposed-to-be-music). Cut the crap... this is what you get when you're in a team of artistically-active artists and part-time gifted music-makers. When your friends have the guts, you could possibly compose and create a "potential breakout song" that shows artists can make music and drop-dead graphics all at the same time.

This is a part of the nonsense potential breakout song…

pick up your pencil and unleash your reveries

in a piece of paper cloaked in empty spaces

fill it up with your guts, premonitions and attitude

reveal the fullness of your artistic magnitude

rock your senses every time you present your life's canvas

cover it up with hardbound shading and imaginary clash

trace the rugged lines and clean it up in a lightbox

your artistic stroke is as powerful as pandora's box

animate your inhibitions

believe in your intuitions

tonight...

Life-today summary: I caught up with Jay, Bryan, Tatang, Marx and Lyndon at La Paz Plaza while planning to go Gaisano. But instead, I treat them with a lunch in a nearby carinderia. They consumed 10 plates of rice and three plates of main courses (sud-an). I got home to get our materials for the exhibit. When I get back at Marx's house by 3pm, I started cutting our posters and artworks to make an art collage in a 20X30 illustration board. Amado's newly-made Kuris styro logo was drop-dead gorgeous for us. Tatang assembled the selected in-between drawings from BEQUEST for the other 20X30 board. Two hours later, we submit it to our animation instructor for an upcoming exhibit on June 23-27 (I think). He was trilled we made it on time for his deadline. From the way he disclosed the conversation, we may be the last one team standing for the cause of our craft and passion these days. The rest, they just disappear like X-men's Nighcrawler teleporting exit. Finally, we sing and made a great little song last night with this crappy guitar. It was a potential breakout song for us...

Storytelling- end.

Guess what-- there' no P.S. in this post today. But I might spill the guts of Shrek animator next time!

Funky inspirations

We love to do another animation exhibit like Dinagyamation, I hope this is it again, hehe!

Songbird Regine V. is the voice behind Urduja.

A scene from Urduja, the 2^nd Pinoy animated film set for nationwide release on June 18!

First centerfold spread page of X-men#2 comics…rocking cool art!

X-men#2 Cover, Jim Lee rocked comicdom in the 90s.

This is JIM LEE, my all-time favorite artist—Hex

Let’s forget about Ang Lee’s less popular Hulk coz here comes a better one—see it, June 13 worldwide!

Kuris hotshot artists—Elson and Hex are ready for the special project challenge!

Seven Stuff

Why are we inspired to chase our dream? for me, the answer remains heartfelt. It started within us and we have the choice to follow it with hope.

Having an online diary like this little blog in the vast realm of cyberspace, we have the freedom and outlet to express our sentiments day after day

or chronicle our journey every step of the way. As a team of born artists and creative souls, we realize that being bonded together has relevent responsiblities

and commitment to follow. We are not just a group of people, we are friends as well. In friendship, we've got to learn to trust each other and open our heart

to everybody in the team who wanted to express themselves.

So what inspired us to dream? for us, we just love what we do and understand each other in an unconditional way. I know we're not perfect and no friendship is perfect but we are willing to

take the chance until we get closer to our dream.

Right now, there are seven things that makes Kuris Animators inspired to live, to dream and enjoy each other's company:

SEVEN Racil Kenshin invited the group to take a trip to Aklan and visit her in their fiesta on June 23. We wish we could be there to be with our precious little girl in the group

who is a wise budget officer, hehe. Marx and the rest of the gang missed her little blabbering during those tough times we've been through. I'll text you girl if we are sure to come, okay!

SIX Everybody agreed: we love to watch the new Incredible Hulk Marvel movie this week (June 13-showing date worldwide). Everybody wishes me to have lots of money or could have my

allowance so that I could afford to treat the whole group to watch the film at SM Cinema. Bryan and Jay can't wait to see how the new Hulk smash tall buildings and comes out in mean-green-face.

FIVE Marx and Lyndon enjoyed reading my new X-men comicbooks which was bought by my brother as a gift. They go crazy over Jim Lee's dynamic artworks in X-men#2. In fact, they would love to copy his artistic style

and stroke as well. Relax guys, you'll get it better if you have patience to practice, hehe.

FOUR The Kurisans love to open the blog every time they are free from work. Yes, they are overwhelmed to the positive and encouraging response to the interviews, artworks and other stuff in this blog.

I think we don't need to have our own website soon since this blog gave us a lot of inspiration. But then, the plan to have a website isn't going to be shelved soon because we will have it in no time. I swear.

It's going to be much better than most people are expecting even the nega peeps who reads this blog. They won't sleep until this space is shut down. Well, nega peeps your dream isn't gonna happen soon, hehe!

THREE One of our former mentor invited us to showcase our artworks and animated projects again for a special exhibit which he didn't mention yet where or when. But he gave us a deadline until Saturday, June 14 to submit the requirements. Sometimes, we are a bit frustrated with exhibits because we're not always getting the reward for our artwork and expectations. Some of our members really need a stable job or steady project to continue their living. It would be better for them if their source of income would be related to animation or just any art-related work as long as the whole team sticks together. But we have to deal with the realities of life. Iloilo is not yet a haven for animators and good opportunities is not much available here. But God has its own way to keep us together... we can make it.

TWO Urduja fever is here to stay (nationwide film release-June 18). Yes, the Kuris guys are excited to watch the film. Why can't we resist the excitement and applause? Why not, it's another milestone for Filipino animators who wanted to show the world what they can really do with their gifts. We don't care if others are clamouring as Walt Disney copycat... who knows there might be unrecognized Filipino animators involved in those films done by Disney in the past. This is our time to have our very own Filipino animated movie and we will surely watch it at SM Cinema.

ONE The Kuris project boys are waiting for their project salary this week. Knowing that they have risked and did their best, we are inspired by their optimism and perseverance to prove their talent further. As for the selected few members who were asked to join the expanding special project (Tatang, Lyndon, Elson and Amado), we are hoping to experience the pressure and fun being together. We are open to improve our skills and learn new things through the upcoming project. We know that we are somehow ready to go to the next level. But behind all of these project excitement, the rest of us are asking Jay, Bryan and Marx not to forget their promise to treat us after getting their pay. We wont' rest until they fulfill it, hehe!

P.S: If you don't like what you read here-- don't open our blog, you'll gonna get migraines if you internalize our bloggings. At least we can "walk straight" without traces of angst in our faces and could tell ourselves that we don't need to hide in anonymity while eaten deep inside by envy. Take it easy and embrace reality.

insomniac mutants

Tatang please pay attention to the camera... Lyndon looks busier than I thought.
Marx, Bryan, Elson and the gorgeous Jaylord (who acts crazy again) at the Danger Room, hehe!

Come on guys, don't give me that mean look...I'm just taking some pics here, hehe!

Uncanny night

Intro: Life is a gamble. We always have to risk to get what we want in life. Even if it takes to climb mountains, our passion is always alive. But beyond anything else,
we share a friendship that has been tested by sacrifce and difficulties. We did something great and relevant through our friendship and our dream, nothing can take
the experience from us. Being Kuris Animators, we had fun under the sun.

Today, we only think of what we can do for the team. Go Uncanny Kuris!

Ronelo Hex: I stayed at home for the whole day. My brother, a seaman by profession arrived last week for a short vacation. We shared lots of talk and one particular passion-comicbooks.
In fact, he bought me three various x-men comicbooks for me. The best one (X-men #2 drawn by the legendary Jim Lee) was borrowed by Marx yesterday hoping he could share the same admiration
I had with Jim Lee. He sketched the X-men dynamically and beautifully. He was also one of American comicdom's prominent Illustrators. My fascination for his artworks started when I was in
high school.Until now, he takes my breath away every time I see his artworks. Don't ever think that I am one big over-confident artist. But I must tell you that my artistic stroke
was inspired and somehow have similarities with Jim Lee's works. I wanted to be his long-lost clone, hehe.

Marx Kadulom: What did he do today? Yeah right, he borrowed my beloved X-men#2 Comics. He wanted to copy Jim Lee's style in drawing and comicbook Illustrations. I know him too well. Marx has
big potential to become one of the best comic artists someday if he has the passion to enhance his talent. Before, I noticed this silent guy is very observant when it comes to drawing and exuded fine stroke.
In fact, if he didn't became an animator for Kuris or took up Nursing a few years ago, he could have been a comicbook illustrator. He amazed us with his dynamic animated works for Nino, The BEQUEST's main character as inspired by
The Avatar of Nicktoons. I happened to drop by their special project work tonight and I saw the other Kuris guys again. We walked a few kilometers at around 10pm to buy some dinner for everybody (pork inasal and rice-good combo for a generous guy who
spend his last money for us, hehe).

Aladin Samuragi: Mr. Miagao Kuris guy who loves fishing lately is here in the city again to join the special project team.I've heard he was texted by marx last Friday to start his assignment and had some little practice.
I have trust for this humble guy when it comes to responsibilities and commitment because he doesn't stop until he finish the job.He was indeed trying his best to cope up the new gadgets they were taught to use. He was trying so hard
using tablet and tech pen. But I know he's an arist and he'll be fine especially when we talk about his passion. Yeah, I remember his selfless effort when we are doing The BEQUEST before, the guy is very patient. His patience
will bring him far in life someday. But for tonight, we need to share a few sticks of pork inasal and packed rice to enjoy a fun-filled dinner with the group.

Lyndon Sly: Since last week, we were struggling hard to catch up with another sideline project I entrusted him. This guy is very persistent and is not afraid to risk. Though he was not around when made our previous projects, but who can deny the
talent and perseverance of this guy. He has gone through a lot of hardship in life, lived like a nomad and used his versatile talents to survive everything. He even confessed before coming to iloilo last week that he spend a few months living
in the mountains with his nomad artist pals. He was talking a lot of advenures and travels in the foot of Mt. Kanloan. One time they were caught by a rescue ranger in Mt. Kanlaon when they attempted to go near the volvano crater even if the
authorities prohibited treking near the crater. Now he's here, excited to take part in the new project we were tasked to lend our talent.As of this writing,
he was coloring his hentai drawings (for the sideline job I was mentioning earlier). Go ahead pal, impressed them, hehe.

Elson Zen: He was also around tonight with the team. As usual, he was so concerned with his low-batt cellphone and music stuff, hehe. That's the way he is and we enjoy his company. I think I made a mistake when we were asked to put his name in the list of those who wanted
to join the special project from our team. Supposedly, he should be under the list of graphic artists but becuase I was in a hurry, I included him in the computer programmers, hehe. Oh well, he was trying his best to cope up. Though the hard work isn't starting yet, I know he will
enjoy everything. The guy did a lot of great work in the past which include designing the model sheet of TASI and taking a part in The BEQUEST. Aside from talents, he also has a sense of humor. Most of the time, he acts funny and crazy when paired with Bryan and Brynh, hehe.

Jaylord Iron Warren: Amid his family problems of not impressing his mom for his persistence in animation and our projects, Jay is still optimistic with everything he does. I wish I could do something for him. I know how it feels when family problems is bothering you emotionally. But what can we do that's
the burden that we need to face as stuggling artists and animators. Sometimes, Jay shares his financial problems to us but that's okay with us. Each of us has the ear to listen and comfort each other. On the other hand, if I told him that I have a collection of
the new TV series of 3D/2D animated Transformer, he would jump and beg to borrow it. I'll take it as a suprise next day. I want him to be happy, you see.

Bryan Bravo: This quiet Kuris member always impress his project heads with his well-done art graphics. He has unique ways of doing things and bringing it out-of-the-box. Though he is serious sometimes, I know he has lots of good things to say about his craft and passion.
Every time I was watch him working, I always learn new things from him. Sometimes, I wish I have some of his unique ways in graphic arts and digital style of coloring. The guy is also the best animator of the team. He has brought our works to the next level amid the
lacking of standard facilities. I always say that he's a maverick. But his weakness is his silent nature and reserved personality--he's shy or hesitant to express his opinions most of the time. But we are proud of him even if we don't need to say it all the time.

Tonight, we will work until the dawn. No sleep and lots of laugh together after sharing a dinner of pork inasal and rice that we bought outside. I wish there's a lot of coffee tonight. Anyway, who needs it when we always knew that we can't sleep when the gang is having fun just like the old times.

in-your-face-backlash T

Artwork#8: My Hex poster. No need to say anything. I know there are some little flaws when it comes to the face structure but yes, I am vocal of the defect. The art speaks for itself. No need for any wordy descriptions.

Artwork#7: Treybor’s best of the best. I think this is one of your best-colored artwork. But we realized that the awful-wrongly-done-body-structures of your flying anime characters are covered and concealed in special-effects colors. Nicely done with photoshop. So how about the hand in the middle holding a sword? Oh, I see special-effects really did well in masking the special-defects-structures, hehehe! In Ilonggo: balik-awot ang body structures ka drawing mo to!

Artwork#6: Treybor’s Wing Man. Take a look closely pal, I thought it doesn’t look a man-with-a-wing but a worse version of “Condorilla” (an afternoon radio drama) and yeah, I think it looks like an over-cooked-turkey-duckling-with-fur, hehehe!

Artwork#5: My most powerful superhero creation--Captain Solar. Well, I want to talk too much on him but it was drawn using colored-pencil and has not been touched by photoshop. So, it’s a very raw artwork.

Artwork#4: Treybor’s Boxing scene. You call this boxing? My goodness, it looks lousy with the execution of the action. Oh yeah, the lines are fine but the characters seemed dehydrated, hehehe!

Artwork#3: My creation—Solar Superheroes. I wanted to be versatile with the character’s movements. एकाच one of them has their own powers and poses. No Prada heels this time, nega peeps!

Artwork#2: Treybor’s “Defender”. Look at the awful-side-view character and the crocodile-like-dragon monster? Looks freaky and wrongfully-done by someone who claims to be good, hehe!

Artwork#1: My Phoenix drawing five years ago. I guess, I’m confident of the body structures of the characters.

Toxic Denial

“come on homo where is the blog of our deviant art you said youll post it side by side lets see lets post at least five works of mine and yours”

Treybor, the desperate artist (squealing a challenge in the comment section with awful grammar)

The attitude of comparison is so human nature. Like war, chaos, violence, crime, racism and hate, all of these toxic realities are human nature. Men are bound to destroy himself and the world around him with the absence of morality and righteousness. But we are given the freewill to change everything. Everything around us are subject to change if we set our heart for that change which begin with a single step and finding the light of truth.

I am not preaching here nor debating with anyone. I just want to prove that I am soul of reason, a man of conviction and a seeker of justice, equality and affirmation. I just want to speak up what I am made of and how I defend my existence from other people’s venomous homophobia. My intro is not crap, Treyvor. I am not dragging you again in a verbal tag and wordy blabbering-juggernaut you created inside me the moment you spilled your toxic accusations against me. This fighting freak against your appetite for shallow homophobia and double-standard judgements is the monster you created that bites back in your neck. Do you truly believe that I believe in your denial it wasn’t you who spilled the bad beans in the comments section or your acidic SMS side comments in someone’s cellphone? Your self-defense is total crap.

I realize now that “I” and especially “we” cannot ever impress you with our persistence to fight for our dreams। So please, don’t write your next comment stating-- “I have nothing against Kuris…”. It’s obviously another lousy “toxic denial” to use. And the other “toxic denial” that you must tattoo in your nutshell is: “you will never ever get even with me when it comes to creative artistry”. You can call me copycat, fag, drag, witch or blabbermouth and gather your cohorts inside your cyber backyard to throw spears of foul languages. But you will never crush my spirit and my convictions to expose your black, rotten gums. Wipe your mouth lost puppy, the rabies is raging in your system. It’s obviously clear now: your schemes and conniving cohorts hollering around the cyberspace are not effectively breaking me apart with your suppose-to-be discouraging comments.

Postscript: As for the appetizer, I choose some of my ugly, lousy artworks to be posted beside your artworks to make the game fair। And for the dessert galore, I choose one of your colored artwork to stand beside my best one. Tick tock, the firecracker is ignited. The bomb would come up later once the show is over. There‘s

nothing fishy with this post pal, malaw-ay gid an obra mo ya, hehe!

Now click the link below to read the whole verbal tag in my personal blog!

http://rslphoenix.blogspot.com/

I generously posted your deviantart URL (http://treybor.deviantart.com/gallery/) in case my readers and other commentators would check the rest of your awfully-crafted works।

To make the game fair again, here's a link to my deviantart.com artwork gallery in case you want to compare my works with this desperate homophobic fool.

http://rslphoenix.deviantart.com/

Cosmic portal

Spawning a Universe

A dream started it all. From the first day each of us picked and learned to scribble with our pencil, we knew we were destined to become someone else, a part of a collective artistic force of maverick artists willing to risk and go beyond our limitations. The dream taught us to find each other, share our thoughts and a strong friendship that spawned a parallel universe of imagination.

It was more than a year ago when we were gathered to train for a 360-hours 2D animation course offered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Iloilo under PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST). We were the second batch of trainees that pursued to learn the expanding craft of animation industry in the country. Filipino animators were known for their skills and passion for animation though they were just commissioned or contractually employed by various international animation companies. I guess, Ilonggos are good and gifted as well in this craft.

When we started to call our group “Kuris” which is an Ilonggo term that means “scribbled line”, each of our gifts and talents were somehow collected into one thought, dream and ship that would explore the ocean of possibilities as we chase our goals. We wanted to inspire budding young artists not be afraid to use their God-given gifts and passion to make a difference, create a distinct cultural impact and legacy even in the most simplest way. And I must say now--it was truly fun and life-inspiring experience to share, live and dream together with your fellow artists. We graduated on October 19, 2007 at SM City Iloilo, the first-ever graduation held in the city’s biggest mall. During that affair, our dream to inspire is igniting inside us as we showcase our first animated group project “The Adventures of TASI” and the compilation of our individual projects—Kuris Universe.

Like Marvel Comics, Walt Disney, Cartoon Network, DC Comics or Nickolodeons, we compiled each of our original animated characters as part of our individual projects as one presentation, revealing our distinct artistic style, stroke, inspiration, reveries and personalities to become an imaginary parallel realm that we called KURIS UNIVERSE. Each of these unique characters shares their own original stories, saga, conflict, battles, origin and destiny that would reflect the deepest recesses of our souls.

As TESDA Iloilo Provincial Director, Mrs। Lorena Yunque used to say, “the intro seemed poetic…”. It was indeed poetic for us and definitely represents our collective dream to inspire and find our place under the sun. In this realm, we are free to express ourselves, fight our own personal battles and change the world in our own way. There’s something for everyone who loves animation and cartoons. We hope everybody can relate and find themselves in the characters we created to live life with passion, happiness and dreams.

I’d also love to credit Brynh de los Reyes for doing the animated concept and drawings for the Kuris animated intro. It rocks greatly with Bryan Jandonero’s editing and artistic retouch. It was used in almost all of our animated projects and music videos. But yeah, we‘re going for innovation coz’ this year we will have a new Kuris animated intro that’s gonna be more stunning and creative with 2D and 3D fusion courtesy of Marx.

Today, we once again share a fragment of our artistic soul. A piece of our thoughts and imagination through Kuris Universe...thank you for believing in our dreams!

So if you’re dying to see it again, will you click the video below?

Historical mark

countdown to Urduja

As Ilonggo animators in Western Visayas such as Kuris have been making waves in the region with their first animated short film "The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang" since January this year, one mega-budgeted full-length animated film is coming to show the world-class talent of Filipino animators through "Urduja". The film is a perfect inspiration for every Filipino to be proud of his cultural heritage and homegrown talents. "Urduja" is based in the legendary story of a real warrior princess who lived in Pangasinan sometime in 1350-1400 where she ruled and protected her kingdom called Tawilisi. She fell in love with a Chinese man named Lim Hang and fought like a man against the invaders of their homeland. As local writers and film critics testified earlier, this animated film is a groundbreaking innovation in Philippine film-making, an inspiring collaboration of the brightest local animators since it is done in traditional 2D animation (hand-drawn) and yes, iconic entertainment stars were involved to give life to a timeless tale. Asia's songbird Regine Velasquez will breathe life to the voice of Princess Urduja while Cesar Montano will play the voice of Lim Hang (the love interest of Urduja). Micheal V and Allan K was tasked to play the voice of Kukut and Tarsir (I think both characters are endangered species in the country such as wild mouse and tarsier). Eddie Garcia and Johnny Delgado will give voice to the Elder Chief of Urduja's kingdom and the cruel leader of invading pirates, respectively. I've heard from a good friend mine who is a PR writer of Urduja that it took 11 years for Tony Tuviera, executive producer of the animated film to fulfill his dream.More than 300 animators dedicated their talents, effort and passion to make this film possible. But amid the cruel criticism that it's another copycat style of Disney's Mulan or Pocahontas by some insecure commentators in www.youtube.com where the film's teaser trailer was shown, Urduja stands out and remain as one of the most inspiring animated innovation in Philippine history. As struggling animators in the region, we know how difficult and challenging to make an animated project especially if it involves budget constrain, lack of manpower and time element. But I know it's better to start something from scratch and dream bigger than life just to express your artistic passion than nothing at all. For our part as amateur animators in Iloilo City trained only in 2D animation through TESDA and WVCST's generosity to sow seeds of hope, we've been through a lot of pressure and discouragements from the start of making The BEQUEST. But we hold on tight to our dream and our friendship just to fulfill what we wanted to do in life. It was truly a historical event to create a simple animated short film project with the fusion of 2D and 3D animation that exudes deep cultural impact to our fellow Ilonggos. Unlike Urduja, we made the animated short film for only 60 days (2 months) with only 15-20 amateur animators using low grade facilities but backed up by passion and determination. Dinagyang as a world-premier festival was given another innovative concept and mark through our effort. Likewise, the short film was shown in the region's biggest mall- SM City Iloilo where more than 500 spectators came to see what was considered as the grandest animation event in the region so far. Until now, we are still sailing in the ocean of possibilities and hoping fate would bring us closer to our greatest dream--to become full-pledge animators.

With Urduja's inspiration, our passion ignites like a candle in the dark hoping to find the light at the end of the cave. We know our dreams and sacrifice will not be wasted for nothing for as long as we know how to stand up, chase the chance and believe in our dreams wholeheartedly.

There's only 13 more days left before the nationwide theater premier of Urduja. The youtube teaser trailer we've seen a few months ago and the promising feature of Korina Sanchez's Rated K about the film last week was enough to excite our thoughts. I must say it's a brilliant animated film not to miss peeps (sleepless nights, here we go again). From the looks of its trailer, stunning animated visuals, well-written storyline, flashy special effects and colorful backgrounds
it would surely entertain moviegoers. I also advice to refrain watching pirated DVDs to be sold a week after the showing. Believe me, you won't appreciate the visual highlights with a gloomy, foggy film stoled from a nearby cinema. So mark your calender, Urduja will be shown on June 18, 2008 everywhere!

Check the full-length trailer of “Urduja” below

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Reformat

10 HOURS BEFORE REFORMATING:
All words and pictures. Such a "not-so-art-related" blog since it is owned by a group of self-proclaimed Ilonggo animators...like somebody said. I wish he was right but I beg to disagree this time. This blog is our online diary that chronicles our life's journey as dreamers and unique souls. Read on how we define our life today by reformating the Kuris laptop. My laptop is the also the group's property since it has been there to help us fulfill our dreams in the past. Until now, even in its difficult times already, this useful thing has been vital in ensuring we can move mountains not only a few months ago but almost everything we do. We already to abused its healthy state during the making of Lapis trailer and The BEQUEST by installing some heavy 3D programs. A month before our Dinagyang short film was shown at SM, i pawned it in a nearby pawnshop just to cope up with our draining meal budget of the group. We can't survive the storm and the challenge if we don't lose it for a while. But I promise to myself that if we got the money, we will get you back again. 35 days after, we got you back through Janelyn's sacrifice. She borrowed money from her sister just to get hold of the poor thing again and let her take care of it. When I already got the money from my bro who was so generous, I instantly paid Janelyn. Now, here you are in my arms. A little bit stressed and drained from overwork but still helping us finish our task and fulfill our passion. You were like Marx's laptop that was always there to help us get through the day and impress our clients, friends and admirers during lectures or special request presentations of our animated projects. You were like us--drained, struggling, hoping, believing and trying to do your task you were programmed to do it. I think our passion and dream have already been programmed by fate to show us what to do with our gifts---inspiring other dreamers and the world around us. So if someone said this blog is so wordy, they should think again--it's about our life's journey and it's sentimental sometimes to chronicle every step of the way.
Today, I visited a generous man and his family who offered me a little part time job that would make use of my artistic talent. He was supposed to be contacted by the group a few months ago for some part time commission-based projects but I lost his number. Last weekend I found his number isomewhere in my old crappy bag and so I called him...Now I’m here hoping to pick up some sideline projects that could help the group. He houses an artist who was a member of another team that scattered due to lack of leadership or its leader move somewhere else. Familiar reader who knew us can eventually get the point of my riddle now.
Anyway, this lone artist is doing good so far and we remain good pals amid the team-rift in the past. As for my part, I was coping badly with the photoshop techniques I forgot when I focus in writing and marketing stuff away from my supposedly graphic-art-training. I'm back in the fold again, I guess. Meanwhile, the Kuris "special-project" boys (Marx, Bryan and Jaylord) are free from work load until Monday since their finished modules will be submitted by their project heads to their clients. Lyndon who celebrated his birthday last night with another birthday guy, Kyle visited Marx today. I think he's going to sleep in Marx' house tonight. Bryan and Jay are going home to take a break from the pressure. I never heard anything from Janelyn, Racil, Dads, Elson or Aladin but I guess they're all doing something with their lives. When the next project in school opens, probably the team will see each other and et busy again.
I got home tonight from my new sideline job bringing some exciting and surprising news. I think I'm going to get drooling with these thoughts: the new boss asked me to make hentai, hehe. Was it because my art porfolio folders shows some sexy superhero-looking girls? I scratched my head and laugh at myself silently. In the past, I told my self that I won't do this coz it's not my thing. But it seems my artworks are actually seductive for other people. Give me a break, I won't do it! But I guess, Marx and Lyndon would be the one who will do the task for me. I got their interest and confirmation when I called Marx in their landline phone. Marx's hands are itching to do these stuff (but who knows I might do some few pieces tonight, hehe). I remember the boss was telling me earlier that these stuff sells like hotcakes in the cyberrealm. Okay, I can't argue about the internet's moral standards anymore. The cyberzone is a democratic parallel world that plays god right under the nose of the outside world's laws or morality.

5 HOURS BEFORE REFORMATING:
All the best words and pictures (music videos, downloaded movies and programs) are going to be erased. I have to write everything in the blanks CDs or it's gonna be forgotten for the rest of our lives, hehe. Well, the very reason that we are going to erase everything, the collective data I treasured most for the past few months including the lethal virus in my laptop is because we will reformat it. We need to clear the overloaded Kuris laptop so that Marx and Lyndon can work for the commission job I scrapped away. "Kanugon man sang kwarta kon mabato pa sa sobra ko kapisli sa project!", hehe. Okay, you win this time guys and I must say goodbye to my favortie stuff in my laptop. Let's do this together and start something useful to earn. After all, we are artists and art is boundless in its real sense. See you guys at exactly 11AM in Marx's house.

P.S. (again?): I wish we could post our Big-Brother-inspired article one of these days. We know that it's gonna be a mind-blowing story for those project mates who were evicted by the group after a heavy votation, hehe. I heard that we did the real thing---namedropped those who passed the test and those who we're emotionally evicted. Sometimes we don't want to be honest but that's reality TV tradtion, hehe.

Old K-pal returns!

Kyle, Lyndon and Sir K having a good laugh at the Computer Dept. with some Kuris guys.

Stop and stare

I think we're getting better these days. Not that we are capable of acheiving all our aspirations and plans as a team of creative artists. But we realize that respecting each other is the best thing that could ever happen in a circle of friends. Yes, we are not perfect with everything. In fact, some of our plans are going down the drain and might be scrappped due reasons that we can't avoid. We somehow understood our limitations and weakness. But I still know that Kuris animators are keeping the faith. Along the road, we lose someone or something but we truly know that we will get something in return. Patience has always been part of our journey as struggling artists, animators and creative souls. Somewhere along the way, we know how to stop and stare for a while then figure out where we are going.
Today might be one of the best days in our journey because no matter how we try to avoid each other, fate has its own way to bring us back to where we should be. Lyndon was one of the most misunderstood trainee in the second batch of animators. He was often misjudged by people who don't understand what it feels like to be an artist who live his life only to express his soul and passion. But that's the way he is--brutally honest, expressive, less pretense and seriously funny most of the time. He came back today from Negros to meet us and join the special project team in WVCST Computer Department. With the impressive performance of Marx, Bryan and Jaylord, the project instructors and staff somehow realize that Kuris has some talent-factor that needs to be harnessed. We are grateful for Sir Karlo who has the final say of what we are capable of and how committed we are when it comes to passion. I'm glad that Lyndon will be joining the team with Kyle, Amado, Elson, Aladin and me to provide our artistic talent in making sure the project would have a big leap. Listening to Lyndon and his stories when he was away for the past few months is something admirable.Doing freelance art jobs and travelling to find himself again was an uplifting story to listen. At least the man is sincere to tell that he lived a simple and frugal life. We know that once being part of Kuris is something he couldn't find somewhere else.
Sir Rolly, the project head somehow knew that we will be doing good for their endeavor. Furthermore, before our sensible converstation ended, he asked me to submit a one page testimony how animation changed my life and what good it did to me. So, I instantly suggested that we already have those kinds of stuff here in our blog. I've been writing about us and everybody in this blog to prepare the team for a much wider challenge in the future. I know for sure that there will come a day that my wordy, overdramatic posts (according to nega peeps) will have its vital use to tell our stories with more realistic approach. Yeah, I heard he's going to submit our stories to TESDA and GMA (I just can't figure out if he was referring to Pres. Gloria or GMA network, hehe) after he gave me his email. It's up for him to choose which story deserves to be given attention.
Earlier, we met in school at around 11am, Marx and Lyndon just had their little chit-chat whe they saw me. After talking to Sir Karlo who instructed us to come back in the afternoon to meet Sir Jun who will put our name in the list of graphic artists that will join the project, we decided to go to Marymart Mall. Lyndon is going to meet with his old pal who has a gothic shop at the third of the mall. Wow, the place totally rocks. I mean, we saw lots of cryptic and gothic stuff from tattoo designs to macabre artworks (after all the shop is named Macabre). Later, we go to San Agustin to help Marx impress his beloved GF who asked his assistance in processing the dropping and widrawal form because she wants to transfer to CPU. Well, talking about love stuff, I think it's something I refuse to define.
Since we didn't get lucky to fulfill what we came for in San Agustin, we decided to go back to WVCST hoping we could catch up for the meeting with Sir Karlo and Sir Jun. We waited for Amado and Kyle at Grecels before going inside the school. Gosh, Lyndon was persistent to buy me a bottle of Redhorse, the same with Kyle and Amado who were late. Well, it's another one-bottle drinking session first before going to the meeting (just another Lyndon's way of taking easy with life). The meeting went fine and we are assured that our project heads will not regret in getting us for the task. But before we leave, I showed Sir Karlo what our blog looks like in his laptop connected to the internet. He was amazed it was indeed true that this little blog in cyberspace picks up good readership and comments (and bad ones as well, hehe). I think the good start of our blog convinced him to make his own blog that evening (I taught him how to do it). So, Mr. Sira has his own official blog now linked to our own.
But the best surprise before we bid bye-bye to each other was when Lyndon and Kyle announced that it's their birthday today. So that's the reason they invited us for another round of drinking session at Kyle's house. Well, sorry guys maybe later coz' I've got lots of stuff to do for our blog. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY guys! You deserve to be happy and earned our respect for having admirable talents.

Postscript (not again!): I have to tell you "T" that this is not another manufactured story in the blog. None of any older posts are manufactured. Everything is genuine. We write our heart in every post, period. And yeah, I like the way you play "cat-n-mice". Sir K was right, I have take it easy on you and the rest of nega peeps. My premonition is quite clear and vivid even via SMS. I might have Jean's TK tickling inside my head for real. Enjoy the day without backlash coz' after all you've been civil even with your comouflage charade.Let's be realistic: you still love to read us even if you don't want to, hehe!

Kuris Talk: Kyle Philip Ocate

A poster of Metal Boy (at the comfort room) that he personally created for Kuris Universe

One of his artistic creations… I bet the colors rocks!

Tattoo anyone? Hehe

Metal Boy is a responsible family man who loves the craziness of an artist’s life.

Does he looks like a Metal rock god?

Metal Boy talks better in this exclusive chat

Kyle Philip Ocate
The Metal boy is now an animator
by Ronelo Ladiao

Don't trust your first impression if you would try to have your first glance to this funky artist without knowing him personally. His looks and get-up can sometimes disguise and hid his true potential as an artist, and now a certified hotshot Ilonggo animator. The outside world can often be judgemental for true-blooded artists who wanted to express their inner sentiments, definition of lifestyle and interpretation of gothic culture. As part of Kuris, an uprising team of amateur Ilonggo animators, he's not called "Metal Boy" for no reason. Most of time, he rocks silently with his funky aura and wackiness as a good pal of everyone in the group.
Kyle Philip Ocate, a 25-years-old versatile artist, tatoo designer and certified animator always leave a distinct mark in everyhting he does. The eldest son of two siblings by the couple Pacifico and Fely Ocate from San Juan, Molo, Iloilo City is considered a maverick artistic soul since he was young. Having a childhood dream of becoming a great tattoo artist, Kyle proves that he has indeed a deep passion for arts. He finished his elementary and high school education at Colegio de las Hiyas de Jesus and Central Philippine University. Later, he took up BSMT course at St. Therese College before fulfilling his ambition of becoming a certified tattoo artist and doing lots of visual arts stuff for various clients. After college, he married Rogie and had a daughter with her which they named as Skyla.
When he heard about the granting of 2D animation scholarship at Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Iloilo under PGMA- Training for Work Scholarship Program. He didn't have any doubts to try his luck to expand his skills in arts and improve his craft. After passing the admission test, he joined the second batch of Ilonggo animation trainees at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) where they were trained for more than five months since April last year. Since he has a day job, Kyle was part of the night class in the second batch trainees where he met his bestfriends--Lyndon and Romel, two another dynamic Kuris animators. On September 19, they showcase their first animated group project, The Adventures of TASI at Marymart Mall in time for the IT Week event. The project was done for more than two months. On October 19, he recieved his certificate of completion at SM City Iloilo during their graduation ceremony. The affair gave them an oppurtunity to show the compilation of their individual project for the first time in public and later named their group as Kuris, an Ilonggo term which means "a scribbled line". Though he became busy with his other day jobs and freelance projects, Kyle often visit his fellow Kuris animators in the production of their first commercial venture work on The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang, considered as the first Ilonggo animated short film in Iloilo City. It premiered at SM Cinema 7 on January 25, 2008 after 60 days of hard work and sacrifice. These days, Kyle is open when it comes to his communication and bonding with the group every time they need his help. He always knew that his talent is one of the potential force of Kuris Animation Unlimited.

This time, we will uncover the secrets of Metal Boy and how does he percieve his artist life in this candid chat...

Ronelo Ladiao (RL): First, can you descrbe yourself in five words?
Kyle Philip Ocate (KPO): Morbid, macabre, gothic, unique and wierd (laughs).

RL: What type of music do you listen to and who are your favorite music artists?
KPO: I'm a certified fan of old school rock music since I grew up with family members who are so inclined with these kind of stuff like my cousins and uncles. Oh, my favorite rock bands are Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath.

RL: So if ever you were a rockstar, who would you wish to be?
KPO: DIMEBUG of Pantera. He's a metal-god for me.

RL: Okay, let's talk about your favorite visual artist, is there anyone you admire most?
KPO: I like the artworks of Paul Booth. He is considered as the father of macabre representing underground art.

RL: What inspired you to be interested in arts when you were young?
KPO: Naimpluwensyahan gid man ko sang mga tiyo ko kag mga pakaisahan nga may talento sa gothic arts kag namian mamati rock music. Samtang gadako ko ti naanad naman ko sa amo ni nga klase sang art kag music eh (I was really influenced by my uncle and cousins who has talents in gothic arts and likes to listen to rock music. When I was growing up, I got used to these kind of arts and music).

RL: So who do you consider as your rolemodel as an artist?
KPO: Ang cousin ko nga napatay na nag nakahatag sang dako nga inpluwensya sa akon bilang artist. Ang iya mga artworks nagarepresentar pirme sang "cause and effect" theme nga naghatag sa akon interest para madevelop ko man ang akon talento (my deceased cousin gave me big influence as an artist. His artworks always represents a "cause and effect" theme which gave me interest to develop my talents).

RL: Can you tell me your forte and specialty in arts?
KPO: I like to make tattoo, clay figurines, visual arts such as canvas and portrait using mixed media. I've been earning a living through these stuff for a long time now.

RL: Okay, so can you tell us how was experience in 2D animation last year?
KPO: Baw katoluyo pirme eh kay naupod ko sa night class. Masadya tani kon timprano pa kami buy-an. Pero masadya man gihapon a kay gabayluhanay kami mga ideas sa amon hilig (I always felt sleepy since I belong to the night class, It could be enjoyable if we end the class early. But I still enjoy it since we exhange ideas with each other about our passion).

RL: So, you were called Metal Boy because this is the original character your created for your individual project, tell us something about him?
KPO: When I was in elementary, I have a favorite comics character with similar powers like Metal Boy. So, when I was asked to create an original character for our individual project, I wanted to give life to my imagination about an alien robot who fell from space after he was chased by a group space terrorists and he found by a boy. The boy was his chosen one to inherit the powerful armor which gave him superhuman abilities to protect earth from terrorist invaders. He become a famous hero that everybody called Metal Boy.

RL: Final question, what makes you comfortable and contented as a member of Kuris?
KPO: Kuntento man ko basta ara lang kanday Romel kag Lyndon tani pirme. Isa pa mayo man ang achievements sang amon group kag handum pa namon makaobra sang madamo nga projects sa ulihi (I'm contented as long as Romel and Lyndon would always be around in the group. Another thing, our group have good achievements and we hope to make more projects someday).
For comments, email us at kurisanimators@yahoo.com