Countless Pinoy artists  have been paying tribute to this great man since then and I am just awed with what they come up. Here are some of the most unique and most amazing Francis Magalona tribute pieces I’ve seen online these past 12 months.

This is FrancisM Tribute by Dexter of DeviantArt. I instantly feel in love with the piece. It became my desktop wallpaper not just for days and weeks but for several months.

When I wanted to write an entry about Kiko’s passing, this was the tribute image I decided to use. I liked it so much and thankfully, artist Jannus Llaneta was cool about it and gave consent. This remains as one of my top favorites. For me, this captures not only his love for the country but also his courage in facing the Big C.

Featuring the infamous Three Stars and a Sun logo plus Kiko’s Happy Battle era image, I’m guessing your reaction as you saw this was the same as mine – “Wow, that’s cool! I want one!” Ayin Gurling customized this using fabric paint and permanent markers… Really awesome!

This one’s inspired by one of my favorite songs from Francis – Cold Summer Nights, just in case you missed it.  Its a cool wall vinyl created by another DeviantArt user who calls himself Supermanisback.

As the image indicates, this one’s by Edgar Tadeo and was done way back 2005. For those wondering, Francis once had an album called The Oddventures of Mr. Cool. On top of that, Kiko is also a huge comics fan himself so an Iceman caricature is simply appropriate.

Speaking of comics, here’s a panel from the pages of X-Men Legacy #266, also inked by Edgar Tadeo.Of course, this isn’t the first time the FMCC logo appeared on a Marvel title. Super star artist Leinil Yu also managed to insert it at other books such as Ultimate Wolverine Vs. Hulk plus the best selling Secret Invasion. Any DC sightings I might’ve missed, guys? Post it on the comment section below, just in case. I’m really not aware if there’s one.

Now to cap it off, here’s a heart-warming video from Perf De Castro, a friend and frequent collaborator of Francis M himself which he recorded just a few hours after hearing about Francis’ passing. This almost drove me to tears. The emotion’s there as he plays the entire song. After watching this, I think I now know better what it means when they say “play it with feelings”.. Thanks for sharing this powerful piece with us, Perf.

Related posts:

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3. 5 Things I Wont Forget About Francis

Cant wait for it?.. That’s not a problem at all. Head over to NPR.org now and listen to the whole album for free.

Yep, you read that right, the whole album!  Not just a few tracks or a few-second snippets but all the 16 tracks of Plastic Beach. Go click the link now.  The album’s available there for just a week so don’t delay, my friend. Just don’t forget to come back here and tell me your thoughts about it, ‘kay?… Okay.

As for me, I noticed Gorillaz relied more on their hiphop and electronic influences than their alternative roots for this album. So more synthesizers and rhymes than guitars for the band this time around. Expect to hear tons of guest artists throughout Plastic Beach too (Snoop Dogg and the likes).

This is a cool Gorillaz album and could provide some good background music for me as I do my work. I’d have to admit that “On Melancholy Hill” stands out pretty well among the other tracks though.  But don’t let the sad title deceive you. This one’s a really bouncy song. It takes me back to the 80’s for some reason. Haha!

And before I forget, carrier single “Stylo” features Bruce Willis on the video, yes. So go ahead and check out Plastic Beach now. You know you want to. Who doesn’t love the Gorillaz anyway?

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Now what about that? Is that awesome or is that awesome?.. Haha! It’s a 14-feet Optimus Prime clothes drying rack made out of scrap metal.

Looking at it, I can’t help but imagine how envious serious collectors are for this one. No this couldn’t be bought in the store (duh!)… The guy just did this for his son who’s a big Transformers fan.

Aw, that’s sweet. You cant have a cooler Dad – and hanging clothes can never be as exciting as having this outside your home!

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The poster here has the details about where and when will this happen (plus the name of the participating bands) so if you have the time – and some fifty bucks on your pocket- you might want to check this out.

Actually, this is a shameless plug since our new band, Fireside, has been invited to play as well. Yep, we’re pretty excited to rock it out.

Maybe I’ll show you some pics and/or videos of the gig just in case we get to bring a camera along.

So hope to see you there, guys… Raise your fist and support the scene!

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You can bet that this book, uh, stinks! Hahah!..

Anyway, I think I’m gonna try to look for this one again the next time I go and maybe pick it up just for fun

Sir Fartsalot Hunts The Booger is written by Kevin Bolger.

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I admit I liked the Toy Story 1 better than the second but being a Pixar fan,  I definitely  don’t mind giving this third film a try. I’m thinking it would be cool to see how effectively could Pixar  deliver their promise of introducing fourteen new characters for Toy Story 3, two of which are Peas-in-a-Pod and Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton himself).

This should be fun.. Anyway, let’s let the official trailer show us more!

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Its the Caped Crusader’s utility belt prop replica, baby yeah!..

Too bad this belt can’t be worn since its just for display purposes. It would have been awesome to cosplay as Batman and then wear this. I’m sure Adam West would be proud!

Want more details about it? Google it up, you lazy boy! Hahah!..

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If there’s someone who should be surprised about this, it should absolutely be me. First, I’m more of a Marvel boy than a DC dude. Second, I’ve never been a Green Lantern fan since being a kid (I always believed “Lantern” was too lame a name for a superhero). Lastly, I can’t shake up the thought the concept of zombies and multi-colored heroes (Power Rangers anyone?) wasn’t too interesting a combination for me.

Yet Blackest Night grabbed me by the neck and never let go – from the time I first started reading it. I’m officially hooked. I can’t wait for the last two issues!

Geoff Johns is a genius indeed. Yes, I know I use that word a lot but hey! What do you call a guy who made a seemingly-awkward concept work? You can bet I’m a Green Lantern fan now. Plus more willing to check out other titles from DC Comics.

Here’s some of my many favorite scenes, most of which made me say “whoa” out loud, led me gasping for air or simply made me crack a smile!

Die, you bad Bat Signal!

Coolest Flash line. Ever!

Now this is the part where we say “It’s Morphin’ time” right?

Something unexpected – its just too awesome!

Blackest Night is written Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ivan Reis (pencils) and Osclair Albert (inks).

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The idea of doing comics strips about call centers might seem like a natural one for Hazel. Besides, she has always loved drawing and creating comics… plus she works at a call center herself!

However, the result was nothing short of brilliant! The comic strips started becoming popular not only to her fellow call center agents but also got to find its way on the pages of Manila Bulletin.

Boys and girls, lets meet Hazel Manzano as she answers a few questions about the past, present and future of Callwork comics.

Mark Rosario (MR): Hi, Hazel. I recently visited your blog and saw old comics pages you did when you were a kid. They looked fun! Haha! What age did you exactly start to draw and what motivated you to keep going through the years?

Hazel Manzano (HM): I started drawing when I was very young. It was even before I went to school. My first comic was done when I was 5. I didn’t scan it ‘coz may nakahubad. Hahaha. Naliligo na scene. At the age of 7, I was selling my drawings for 1 peso. I was published at the age of 16 in Philippine Junior Inquirer.

There’s no need to motivate myself in drawing but in doing comic strips, my influences are Baltic and Co., Pupung and Beerkada. I also loved reading my mom’s comics like Dennis the Menace, Harvey like Casper, Spooky, Hot Stuff, Lotta, Audrey etc. I also love Disney and DC.

MR: Now let’s talk about Callwork. When did you start making these Callwork strips? What were the initial reactions to it?

HM: There is something about the way how the company and managers treat their people and something about the people treating their job. There were too many issues – people managers were still young and doesn’t know how to manage well, agents were also young and it’s either they aren’t that serious with their job or cannot cope up with the stress. Basically, there aren’t much process yet implemented in this young organization/ industry.

There were so many new jokes and issues that I decided to collect my experiences since 2002. I executed this plan to be a comic strip in 2006. Hindi pa nga Callwork ang title e. “Talakatologist” pa ang title niya dati which was published in our company magazine. Then I realized na masyadong mahaba so naisip ko gawing “Callwork” named after “After Call Work” or ACW. ACW is the button you press if you want to avoid the next call coming in in your phone. If you are using callwork, it means that nagpe-petiks ka or mahina kang agent at di ka pa tapos mag-notes sa previous call.

I was then an Operations Supervisor when I made Callwork. So unang nakabasa is mga agents ko at natawa sila kasi mga experiences namin yun as a team. Then I let my sister read it tapos di niya nagets. Yun yung time na naisipan kong i-level up na yung humor writing/story telling skills ko kasi hindi natatawa yung kapatid at mom ko. I said “dapat mga outsiders magegets din ‘tong mga jokes sa call center.”

After I revised almost everything, (yeah most of the first few strips of Callwork didn’t appear in the book except for the training scenes.) I decided to publish it in my blog. I think mga December 2006 yata yun when I mailed the samples to Manila Bulletin then February 11, 2007 lumabas na ang Callwork sa Bulletin. November 2008 ko ni-launch yung book.

MR: The book’s been out for more than a year now. What has changed since those early days of the strip? And you’re aiming for a wider distribution now, right? That’s really cool.

HM: Yup, one year. Within that year, I was lost. Di ko na naasikaso yung distribution, marketing and collections ‘coz of my job in the call center. Most of the time, I depend on other people to sell, deliver, or distribute the books to other centers. To date, Callwork: A Call Center Life already sold 2000 copies. I still have around 1000 books here at home and I decided to use these remaining stocks for provincial areas. Marami din kasing call centers sa Pampanga, Baguio, Cebu, Batangas etc. and I think I really need to reach them out these coming months. I think I still have a lot of opportunities kasi ang target ng government this year is 900,000 call center employees and I want them to be aware na merong Callwork.

Many changed in terms of the drawing style. I always tell myself kung kaya i-improve yung art, go! Kung kaya lang. Di ko pinipilit mag-practice kasi busy din sa work. Pero ang goal ko kasi ma-perfect ang human figure and background. In terms of story telling, medyo kampante na ako dun.
I have some good and bad reviews. It doesn’t matter. When I made Callwork, alam ko maraming matatamaan dito. When I write a story, I just wanted to get it out of my chest. I’m the type of person who doesn’t care what other people will think.

MR: I’m aware you won as the Best cartoonist for the Komikon Awards last year. What does that mean to you? Has that affected how you approached the newer strips this time?

HM: It was really a surprise kasi dalawa lang naman ang naglalaban talaga before sa Komikon awards – si Pol and Manix. Tapos eto ako, sobrang newbie. It means a lot to me. It also means I should go on and make more comics. Hahaha.

I think ang kagandahan nitong Callwork is that kahit hindi komiks reader, napapabasa. Marami niyan. Nakakatuwa kasi may mga umamin sakin na they hate reading. They don’t read books at all. Napabasa lang daw sila sa Callwork. Hahaha

MR: You’re working on Callwork book 2 already. When does this come out and what can readers expect from you this time around?

HM: Yes, Callwork book 2 will come out this April 17 Summer Komikon. I already finished the lay out of the book. Although may mga pending comics pa na di nagagawa for this book. Cover is almost done, coloring na lang and fonts.

MR: I’m excited! Now tell our blog readers where they can find you online and how they can either pick up or order a copy of Callwork.

HM: Callwork: A Call Center Life is available in selected National Bookstores, Powerbooks and Comic Odyssey Galleria branch. You can also follow me at http://twitter.com/callwork or email me at hazelmanzano@yahoo.com.

MR: Thanks much for the time, Hazel. More power to you and Callwork!

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Emerging from the ashes of Civil War, Secret Invasions and current event Siege comes The Heroic Age.

What’s the difference? Well, the comics will now be more all-ages than dark. Plus it wont be as confusing for newer readers – you won’t be required to know years and years worth of comics history just to enjoy reading the titles.

Lets let some Marvel top guns explain it better…

“Our heroes have experienced some of their greatest trials and tribulations recently, but now there’s going to be a renewed hope among their ranks… As our heroes emerge from the darkness, the Marvel Universe is going to be a more optimistic place than we’ve seen in a quite awhile. But doesn’t mean we’re making things easy for our characters!” – Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer & Editor-in-Chief Marvel Entertainment LLC

“We’ve been working out the details of THE HEROIC AGE for about a year now. The plan is to give old and new fans alike the perfect place to jump into the Marvel Universe without feeling like they’ve missed out on anything that’s come before. If there’s a Heroic Age banner on one of the books, we’re serious when we say ‘the Marvel Universe Starts Here!” – David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales & Circulation, Marvel Entertainment LLC

Cool! Bring it on, Marvel!

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