Mitolohiya: a Book in Progress

Uhm, this post is waaaay overdue. I didn't realize it's been rotting in my drafts for years. Lol.

So as I hinted before, here's the digital version of the project I and Jissa Totesora did together for her Dream Project, any artform---illustration, photography, animation, film---that the student is passionate about. Since I share this passion with Jissa, I decided to help out by writing the content for her illustrations. :)

We hope to turn this into a legit book someday, but for now, this is already kind of an accomplishment. XD

Enjoy! <3

The Dark and Fascinating World of Philippine Mythology

I have always been the person who yearns to escape from this reality. The toil of living in it every day is overwhelming and exhausting. It suffocates me. That is why I seek refuge in other realities---books, movies, and fiction in general. This desire for escape is probably the reason why I’m drawn to Philippine myths and legends. Most Filipinos are crazy over  mythos from other countries that they disregard the beauty and magic of their own mythology.

Philippine mythology is more than the aswang that hunt for intestines and unborn babies. It is much more than the clichés movies and television feed to the masses. There is a rich culture behind the tales and legends whispered to us when we were kids. Yes, our parents might have used them to keep us from staying out late. (I read this study that Filipinos use fear as a form of discipline. And hell, it’s effective!) But once I’ve resigned myself to the realization that there's nothing I can do about the dark and the creatures that lurk in it, these stories about engkanto and other lower mythos have become my salvation from the endless torture of the mundane. 


Call me crazy, but I choose to believe they exist. This magical reality---which consists of dark, beautiful creatures hidden from our consciousness---is far more exciting than taxes and 9-5 work schedules. So, why can’t I succumb to its seductive charm?

Of Memory and Apathy

The amazing and sad thing about Filipinos is we forget easily. It might have been a form survival mechanism, but it's detrimental to our awareness and progress as a nation.
One good propaganda is enough to misdirect the masses, worse brainwash them. Just look at how we continually elect criminals to public offices. Look at how we glorify and idolize them.
And what of our apathy? It's frustrating and disturbing how some would dismiss the blatant evidences, exposing murder and human rights violations for what they believe as "economic progress." I know this is too idealistic to some, but no fucking infrastructure or economic improvement is enough reason to take human lives.