Where to buy "Elmer" and "Where Bold Stars Go To DIe"

These two books from Komikero Publishing come highly recommended by yours truly.


From Gerry's blog:

ELMER is now available at the following outlets:

Sputnik!, Cubao X, Cubao
Comic Odyssey, Robinson’s Galleria
Comic Quest, Megamall, Northmall and Festival Mall
Planet X, Glorietta 4
Druid’s Keep, Gateway Center, Magallanes
Solidaridad Book Shop, Padre Faura, Ermita

Where Bold Stars Go To Die is now available at the following outlets:

Sputnik!, Cubao X, Cubao
Comic Odyssey, Robinson’s Galleria
Comic Quest, Megamall, Northmall and Festival Mall
Planet X, Glorietta 4
Druid’s Keep, Gateway Center, Magallanes

Summit Media Job Openings

MANAGEMENT SERVICES ASSOCIATE

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Engineering (Industrial), Business Studies/Administration/Management, Economics, Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of solid work experience in the field of MIS work and procedures review and simplification.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in IT/Computer - Network/System/Database Admin or equivalent. Job role in IT Executive/MIS or Management.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT – SMART PARENTING

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Creative Writing, Journalism, Fashion, or any related course.
• Excellent communication and WRITING skills.
• Must be female; 21 years old and above.
• Must know how to write and should be very interested and knowledgeable in parenting issues and / or concerns.
• Dynamic, creative and flexible.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT – COSMOPOLITAN

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Creative Writing, Journalism, Fashion, or any related course.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Female; 21 years old and above.
• Knows how to write and should be very creative and artistic.
• Dynamic, creative and flexible.
• Interested and knowledgeable in topics related to women’s lifestyle and fashion.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT – WOMEN’S HEALTH

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Creative Writing, Journalism, Fashion, or any related course.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Female; 21 years old and above.
• Engaged in or interested in health & fitness activities
• Dynamic, creative and flexible.
• Loves topics involving health, fitness, & women issues.

STAFFWRITERS – YES!

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or equivalent.
• Well-versed and highly-interested in local entertainment (Showbiz);
• Excellent communication skills;
• Having contacts in the local entertainment industry will be an advantage;
• Ability to effectively handle pressure and manage time efficiently;
• Creative and deadline-driven;
• At least 2 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.

STAFFWRITER - SPOT.PH

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Creative Writing, Journalism, Fashion, or any related course.
• At least 2 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Journalism or any related field.
• Applicants must know how to write and should be highly interested and knowledgeable in the hottest destinations in Metro Manila

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR – TOWN & COUNTRY

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Editing & Publication, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or any equivalent field.
• At least 3 years of work experience in the Publishing Industry or any related field.
• Must know how to write and should be very knowledgeable in fashion, arts and culture.
• At least 25 years old.
• Very competent in writing and possess copy editing skills.
• Strong leadership / people management skills and can work well with deadlines.

COPYEDITOR – SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

• Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media, Linguistics/Languages or equivalent.
• At least 2 year(s) of extensive working experience in the field of advertorial copy editing.
• Applicants should have excellent of the English language.

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT – TEEN’S TITLES

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Business Studies/Administration/Management, Marketing, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or equivalent.
• At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
• Extensive experience in brand management, marketing and promotions.
• Adept in doing marketing research and events.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Marketing/Business Development or equivalent. Job role in Brand Management or Market Research.

TELEMARKETER (CLASSIFIEDS)

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Business Studies/Administration/Management, Marketing, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media, Humanities/Liberal Arts or equivalent.
• At least a year of experience in the field of telemarketing / advertising sales.
• Possesses very good communication & client-handling skills.

CREDIT & COLLECTIONS SUPERVISOR

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Business Studies/Administration/Management, Finance/Accountancy/Banking, Commerce or equivalent.
• Preferably Supervisors with 2 years & up experience specializing in Finance - Credit & Collections or its equivalent

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE / ACCOUNT MANAGERS (PEP & ADVERTISING)

• At least a Bachelor's Degree in any field.
• At least 2 years work experience in the field of Marketing, Advertising or Sales Industry.
• Excellent prospecting skills, highly persuasive, and sales-oriented.
• Articulate and can deal with clients well.
• Patient, self-driven, hardworking, and highly capable of multi-tasking.
• Accustomed to working with monthly sales quotas and can handle pressure well.
• Fun-loving, dynamic, and outgoing.

VIDEO PRODUCTION SPECIALIST

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Computer Science/Information Technology, Art/Design/Creative Multimedia, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or equivalent.
• At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
• Relevant experience in the field of video/multimedia production, design and editing.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Arts/Creative/Graphics Design or equivalent. Job role in Multimedia Designer or Others.

ACCOUNT MANAGERS (ADVERTISING/CLASSIFIEDS – DIGITAL / PRINT)

• At least a Bachelor's Degree in any field.
• At least 1-3 years work experience in the Marketing, Advertising or Sales Industry, or any related field.
• Excellent prospecting skills, highly persuasive, and sales-oriented.
• Articulate and can deal with clients well.
• Patient, self-driven, hardworking, and highly capable of multi-tasking.
• Accustomed to working with monthly sales quotas and can handle pressure well.
• Fun-loving, dynamic, and outgoing.

DISTRIBUTOR SPECIALIST (CENTRAL VISAYAS)

• Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Business Studies/Administration/Management, Marketing or equivalent.
• At least 1 year of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Sales - Corporate or equivalent. Job role in Distributor/Channel Sales or Regional Sales.

SUBSCRIPTION COORDINATOR (Contractual)

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Business Studies/Administration/Management, Marketing or equivalent.
• At least 1 year of working experience in the field of sales / account management.
• Experience in doing field sales and subscription will be an advantage.
• Preferably, candidates who possess a network of contacts of school officials / representatives.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Sales - Corporate or equivalent.

DIGITAL ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER (WOMEN’S WEBSITES)

• At least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Business Studies/Administration/Management, Marketing, Mass Communications, Advertising/Media or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of extensive working experience in the field of "ONLINE MARKETING & BRAND MANAGEMENT".
• Experience in doing digital advertising will be an advantage.
• Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.
• Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Marketing/Business Development or equivalent. Job role in Brand Management or Market Research

Interested parties should contact the following:
rad.santos (at) summitmedia.com.ph
paolo.cuerpo (at) summitmedia.com.ph

Would you want an E-book reader?

With the e-book market growing by leaps and bounds in the Western world, it will be a matter of time before we'll be seeing e-book readers in our friendly neighborhood electronics shops. Amazon recently opened up its Kindle device for international markets, while Barnes & Noble entered the fray with its Nook reader. Sony has been churning out improvements for its own devices, while the industry is holding its breath for the 2010 release of Plastic Logic's own "Kindle killer," the Que.

Then there's rumors of the Apple tablet which can conceivably blow everyone out of the water.

During a photo shoot a couple of months ago, a stylist toted a Kindle, and the device looked like a must-have. She took me through the features and I was excitedly intrigued despite the price.

White lights: (from left) Amazon's Kindle, Barnes & Nobel's Nook,
Sony's e-book reader (images from edopter.com, apcmag.com, and biztoolbelt.com)

Having an e-book reader does have its benefits. Bibliophiles and book hoarders can stuff dozens of titles in the compact device. Battery life supposedly lasts for over a week between charges. The add-on wireless service--for the Kindle and the Nook, for instance--saves on shopping and browsing time, too. And the e-ink non-glare technology purports squintless reading pleasure.

But would I really really really want an e-book reader? I'll know the answer once these babies start flooding the local market. For now, I'll content myself with the traditional book, complete with the seductive scent of printed paper.

Reunion: A Short Comics Story

(click on the image to enlarge)

Something of a different tone from yours truly. For the rest of the story, visit the Komikero Komiks Anthology blog.

Google's New Toy: Building Maker

While select few have been making their rounds of Google Wave, here's another potentially time-wasting, but nonetheless cool, app from the Mountain View, CA idea factory. Google Building Maker lets users create three-dimensional renderings of structures found on Google Earth. View the video below then give the app a test run--and try to not be addicted while you're at it.

Video of Alleged Gay Bashing

 

Two Million New Pinoys a Year???

If there's one thing that struck me deep with the Ondoy experience is the thought that there are simply too many Filipinos. We're hitting 98 million, and will reach the 100 million mark in less than two years. That's more mouths to feed and more bodies to shelter. How can our 300,000 square-kilometer country possibly handle the stress?

According to the CIA website, our birth rate is approximately 26 births per thousand people. Our death rate is approximately 5 deaths per thousand. Doing simple math, we're piling up about two million new Filipinos a year. Two million is more or less the population of Taguig, Las Pinas, Paranaque and Mandaluyong combined.

The average age of the Philippine population is 22 years old. This means most of our population is either still in college, trying to find jobs, or starting out in their careers. If they can't find jobs, they'll be among the seven million who are unemployed. (Seven million is over half the population of Metro Manila.)

Plus, when these people are able to afford homes, where will these homes be?

During the week after the flooding, a man on the radio made a comment about the tragedy that beset Provident Village in Marikina City. The man said that maybe the river was reclaiming what was rightfully hers. Another friend said that Eastwood City, which wasn't spared by the rising waters, should not have been built there in the first place. And what about those subdivisions buried by landslides?

More people translates to more trash and more land use. If we don't curb population growth, reduce waste, and free up the land that Nature requires for her to breathe, we should expect to see more nature-related tragedies. Nature has been good to us, but we've taken her kindness for granted and are paying for it.

The simple solution is to reduce our population growth rate to a negative. Right now we stand at approximately 1.96%. (Countries like Japan, Russia, Germany and Italy have negative growth rates.) Reducing our population growth rate will be a tremendous undertaking, but we don't have much of a choice.

I had imagined a child asking her parents, "If you're having a hard time taking care of me, why did you make me?"

UNDERPASS: A Summit Media Graphic Anthology

Set to launch this coming KOMIKON 2009 (October 18, Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall), Underpass is a graphic anthology featuring dark fantasy stories from some of today's greatest Pinoy comics creators.

Sim by Gerry Alanguilan
Judas Kiss by David Hontiveros, Budjette Tan and Oliver Pulumbarit
Katumbas by David Hontiveros and Ian Sta. Maria
The Clinic by Budjette Tan and Ka-jo Baldisimo.

The full-color anthology, which is Summit Media's first foray into Philippine-produced comics, will retail for P250. After the Komikon, Underpass will be available in major magazine shops.

A Streetcar Named Desire

From the Tanghalang Pilipino press release

Tennesse Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Streetcar Named Desire, translated by Orlando Nadres into Filipino as Flores Para Los Muertos, will be brought to life on stage as Tanghalang Pilipino’s third offering in its 23rd Theater Season that celebrates “Women of Substance.” The play, which will be performed in English and in Filipino, opens on October 2, 2009 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and runs for four weekends until October 25, 2009.


A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos paints the staunch character of Blanche Dubois, whose complicated psychological makeup as she confronts reality is a sure challenge to any substantial woman actor. Perhaps Williams’ greatest masterpiece, the play’s recurring theme is the constant and often dangerous conflict between reality and fantasy, actual and ideal. Blanche Dubois, the main character says, “I don’t want realism; I want magic.” Blanche’s deception of others and herself is not from malicious intent, but rather from a heart and spirit broken by adversity and forced to retreat to a kinder, purer time that no longer exists.

Multi-awarded TV, film and stage director Floy Quintos directs the cast which includes Eula Valdes as Blanche Dubois in the Filipino version and Ana Abad Santos as Blanche in English. Playing Stanley Kowalski, the role made famous by Marlon Brando in its original staging and film adaptation will be played by Neil Ryan Sese in Filipino and Reuben Uy in English. Stella Kowalski will be performed by seasoned stage actor Mailes Kanapi in English, and theater newbie Meryll Soriano in Filipino. Also included in the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire / Flores Para Los Muertos are Paolo O’Hara, Jonathan Tadioan, Marjorie Lorico, Paolo Cabañero, Jerald Napoles, and Tara Cabaero.

What is Happy?