Ink and html
By: Ruel S. De Vera

IT ALL began rather simply for comic book artist Gerry Alanguilan. "The main purpose of the site was to serve as an online portfolio of my work. I had hoped it would be something I could show people who might be interested in hiring me for various illustration jobs." After all, this 1989 architecture graduate from the University of Santo Tomas has emerged as one of our best comic book talents, having injected humor and vigor into independent comics like "Crest Hot Butt Shop" and that classic of cathartic violence "Wasted." Gerry, 34, is a top-class inker for American comic books such as "Wetworks," "Stone," "X-Force" and "Wolverine," among others since 1995.

But Gerry's homepage (http://www.alanguilan.com/sanpablo) has become much more since it was put up in 1997. After Gerry added a message board and an on-line journal, his homepage has become the number one clearinghouse for ideas about comic books, with fans and creators logging in from here and abroad.  The posts can get passionate and fast-paced, with Gerry weighing in frequently and firmly. "I'm happy people like visiting and discussing on the site," he says.

Beyond the message board, Gerry also regularly features a Filipino comic book "Artist of the Month" as well as articles about comics on the homepage. "I want Filipinos to be proud of the work we've done in comics."

Gerry's fans can look forward to many things this year. A movie version of "Wasted," directed by Noel Lim, is due for release, as is a new paperback. He is inking fellow Pinoy Leinil Yu's art for the Cliffhanger/DC Comics limited series "High Roads." With the US-based company Comics Conspiracy, Gerry has just seen his first international exposure as both penciller and inker in the one-shot "The Ochlocrat." He is also planning a project with Alamat Comics "that tackles the legends of the seven lakes of San Pablo City." Gerry, who grew up in and works out of San Pablo, says he wants to "create lasting work that celebrates our roots."

Surfers can peruse his art and opinion on the site, and Gerry promises more new art work and articles for the discerning Filipino comics fanatic. SIM recently engaged the talented Gerry in this manic and mundane e-mail discussion.

SIM: Why should the average Filipino web surfer visit and click on alanguilan.com/sanpablo?

Gerry: I would like them to go if only to let them know that Filipino-made comic books are still very much alive, and have no intention of disappearing.

SIM:  If you could come up with an email addy that would properly describe you, what would it be?

Gerry: gerry@komikero.com probably. I checked and komikero.com is still available. Who knows, maybe I'll buy it one day if I can afford it.

SIM: What is your favorite site on the web?

Gerry: Right now it's Pinoy DVD. (http://www.pinoydvd.com) I like it because it's one of the best online communities I have been a part of, and I've been part of a lot. I'm also a DVD freak so it's a great place for me to talk DVDs with like-minded people like me.

SIM: What is your favorite site in the world?

Gerry: I haven't been around too much, so my choices are pretty limited, but Sampaloc Lake here in San Pablo is pretty much the place for me at the moment.

SIM: What is your favorite digital gadget?

Gerry: My DVD player. I think DVDs are amazing because they are probably the best way to show movies at home. The pictures and sound are absolutely stunning first and foremost. But what makes them even more appealing are the extra features that can be included like commentaries, deleted scenes, trailers and so much more.

SIM: What is your favorite analog or non-techie possession?

Gerry: My comic book collection, especially the ones by Frank Miller and Alan Moore.

SIM: What is your favorite food or beverage for getting all wired up for the day?

Gerry: Favorite food is probably chicken adobo, with relyenong bangus a close second. For drinks, I really like iced tea. I don't know if that gets me wired up but I don't really need anything to drink or eat to get wired up.

SIM: What is your all-time favorite comic book?

Gerry: "Daredevil: Born Again," with "V for Vendetta" a very close second.

SIM: What's the thing you love most about the Internet?

Gerry: To be absolutely honest, it's the speed in which information gets transmitted. If there is something I want information on for a comic book I'm doing, I can just put a few queries on google.com and in just a few minutes I'd get what I'm looking for. I think it's just amazing.

SIM: Conversely, what do you hate most about it?

Gerry: Because I had gotten used to email, I feel sad that I've lost interest in writing actual letters using pen and paper. As for the Internet itself, what I don't like about it is there is so much misinformation going on. Many sites purport to say the truth, when they really don't. Even I have been victimized many times by emails that I get which turned out to be hoaxes.

SIM:  If you could have any super-power, what would it be?

Gerry: Heh, heh. This is actually the plot of a comic book I want to do. It's quite complicated, but to put it simply, I want to be able to fly.

SIM: How much has the Internet and digital technology personally changed your life?

Gerry: It really has changed my life a lot. It has affected my work a lot too. With the Internet, I can easily send and receive artwork via email as opposed to FedExing it. Deadlines have become easier to deal with and I don't have to live near my co-workers just to do my work. In a way, it has also helped me be a bit more diplomatic.

SIM: Is the Filipino truly ready to be wired?

Gerry: I think we're born ready. I can say that because I was able to adapt to the Internet quite quickly, and use it like I had been using it my whole life.