Jap MKL

Illustration @japmkl

[japmikel]

THE WIZARD SHALL FALL

And she will destroy anyone who will stand in her way, even Glinda "The Good"

Elphaba in her battle witch form, ready to smite down the imperialist dictator Wizard and his army of Tin Men (giant mechanical armors piloted by Winkie soldiers).

[japmikel]

BATARAZA+ARACELI

Bakunawa Scouts secretly deployed at the West Philippine Sea Border to investigate an anomaly. Rework / update of an old piece from 2016✨️

Kawit font by @aaronxamar✨️

[japmikel]

Anti-Aircraft Unit: Manananggal

The manananggal is a self-severing witch creature that takes flight at night to prey on unborn fetuses and newborn babies in the Philippines. They leave their vulnerable lower half safely hidden when they hunt.

A few Manananggal aided the Huk rebels against the Japanese Yokai invaders as anti-aircraft units, taking down Japanese bombers and Tengu soldiers.

[japmikel]

"Balete" is inspired by summer trips to my home town where we pass by vast rice fields and communication towers along the way. I imagine what could be seen from the road towards the horizon. Initially, I saw a spacecraft landing port but it felt too scifi. I wanted something eerie and supernatural and then I saw a colossal ancient balete grove...and a former dweller who had moved to the city, visits her "home." 

Balete trees are both feared and revered by native Filipinos, believing that they are dwellings of nature and ancestral spirits.

Imagined Realities exhibit at Vinyl on Vinyl | @hello_ink x Pixelworx × @powermaccenter ×@_badstudent

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LAGING HANDA! 01: Summer Storm 

Cover design for a work in progress that features Aborlan, a strange sea scout who was sent to investigate a strange occurrence in a coastal village in Palawan. He was created back in 2016 as part of a print series.

Badass Baybayin font by Lloyd Zapanta

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The Manila Underworld

Quick concept illustration for a classified project that involves dark creatures and sorcerers in the Philippines.

[japmikel]

The CineFilipino Squad

Illustrations I made for the 2018 CineFilipino Film Festival collaterals.

[japmikel]

The Big Issue: Taiwan | issue: 95 | Feature: Southeast Asia

(Cover Illustration by Laura Callaghan)

[japmikel]

Digmaang Dambuhala (Battle of Giants)

The old native god of mountains, Dumakulem (renamed by Spanish conquerors as Bernardo Carpio), was released from his mountain prison to defend the land from invading monsters from the sea. – WWII, Japanese Invasion of the Philippines

Illustrated poster for “Re_Tale: Philippine Tales Retold,” an exhibit by Ang Ink opening this February.

[japmikel]

“Rite of Passage”

Before the Philippines fell in the hands of the Spanish conquistadores, The Maharlika was the feudal warrior class of the Tagalog Region.

For the Maharlika, to become a man and a warrior, a boy begins training at an early age to prepare himself for the rite of passage. During puberty and when the moon is visible in the day light, he must hunt a ferocious beast and return with its deadliest body part as trophy. The more dangerous the beast, the manlier he becomes.

The Maharlika Initiate performs a ritual of sacrifice using a white fowl’s blood to create markings on his skin, as he follows instructions carved on a bamboo cylinder. The blood marks temporarily give its bearer protection, enhanced strength and speed; it can also enchant weapons to acquire magical properties.

The Sarangay was one of the favorite prey of The Maharlika Initiate and although a herbivore, turns hostile and attacks when provoked or threatened; it stands up on its hind legs to intimidate the threat and the natives mistaken it for a half-man monster. The Spanish Conquistadores slayed the few remaining ones for bounty, resulting to their extinction. Their ivory horns were highly valuable exports, traded via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon in the 16th and 17th century.

*This is a work of fiction, intertwining myth and history into magic realism. Magical blood markings and the reimagined sarangay creature were based from folklore. The rite of passage and the extinction of the creature are metaphors for the non-progressive traditions/practices of the natives and the Spaniards’ attempt to destroy the pagan roots of the ancient Philippines while exploiting the land.

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Arnisadores

Illustration for Esquire's article about Arnis, the ancient Filipino martial art of cane combat.

[japmikel]

Tres Marias: The Mountain Diwatafolk of Las Islas

Maria Sinukuan The eldest of the Three Diwata sisters and protector of her domain, Mount Arayat. One of her legend tells that she had a demon suitor who desired her hand. She gave him a test to prove his worth -- to build a stone bridge without any support overnight. When the demon has almost accomplished his task, Sinukuan sabotaged the test by telling the rooster to crow early before dawn. The demon gave up, thinking that he failed.

Maria Cacao

The second of the Diwata sisters and protector of the Visayan dark woods where Chocolate Trees grow. It was believed that when the river overflows, Cacao is travelling through the river on a golden barge to personally deliver dark fruits to the river gods.

Maria Makiling The protector of her domain, Mount Makiling and the youngest among the Diwata sisters. She was also the most popular because she was more benevolent and curious of people than her sisters. She once fell in love with a hunter that caused wrath from Sinukuan. Her eldest sister reminded her of their duty as a Diwata and falling in love means leaving their mountain domains vulnerable. After realizing that the mountain needs her more, she appeared to the hunter one night -- to break his heart. The unbearable pain in her heart caused her to vanish and never appeared to anyone from then on.

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Wounded Little Gods | selected illustrations

from Eliza Victoria’s novel

(Photo courtesy of www.bongbongbooks.wordpress.com)

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The Quintessentials | Illustrated Trading Cards Set

The Scarlet Sorcerer

Affiliation: The Quintessentials Weapon: Fireblood Pen Special Attack: De Profundis Secret Identity: Oscar Wilde

The Cinemancer Affiliation: The Quintessentials Weapon: Luminary and Sound Slinger Special Attack: Ora Pro Nobis Secret Identity: Lino Brocka

The Galactic Gladiator Affiliation: The Quintessentials Weapon: Stellar Magiphone and Tuning Sword Special Attack: Bohemian Rhapsody Secret Identity: Freddie Mercury

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BGMBYN (Bagumbayan) Act I | Selected Illustrations

Bagumbayan Is an illustrated novel set in an alternate Spanish era Philippines where extraordinary bandits began to form a brotherhood that threatens Spanish rule over the land. For inquiries on how to get the book, you can send a message through the facebook page.