English Translation of Culture Crash Comics Vol. 1 Issue No. 5
By Theresa Dy Lising
Translator’s note:
[ ] –> Culture notes/Translations
*** –> Page breaks/Separators
Editor’s Page:
Sweatdropping Da Bhoss: S-sim locked?!? I have to get a new number again?!?
***
Orange text: Our sincerest thanks to the terrorists who generously supplied us with the following: M60 for Memer II, Setyr Aug for IQ 40, Commando for Taga-Ilog, HE grenades for J.I.O., and the AK47 for Da Bhoss. But Memer II is still mad ‘cause someone used up his new hairspray.
***
Memer II: Beware of dog!!!
IQ 40: Killed while reloading.
Taga-Ilog: Terrorist, special class.
J.I.O.: Fire in the hole!!! [Unfortunately, it sounds
somewhat like “fire inamoe!!!” when you hear it off Counter Strike ©]
Da Bhoss: So close… yet so far away.
Solstice
Butterfly
Created by
Jerard Felix Beltran
Co-translator:
Jescie James Palabay
Chapter 1:2 Opportunity
Raya: Die!!
AT 1: Homebase, I need assistance. The Oriental Army has retrieved the captive.
AT 2: Homebase, AT-01F will assist AT-01-628… deactivate MDK… I will recover the child.
AT 2: I have to go! [Literal translation: stay here for a while.]
AT 2: But I’ll be back for you.
*: MDK – murder, death, kill.
***
Lt. Herrera: Huh?
Lt. Herrera: Why you…! Come back here!
Lt. Herrera: Hey!
SHAOOOM!! SHAOOOM!! WUUUUUU!
Issho: Rajah, the AT-01 left! Looks like it’s headed your way.
Rajah: Issho, stay with the Proto-Sols. Help ‘em okay?
Issho: Okay!
Issho: Ling, you take care of the cop.
Ling: Alright, already!
Ling: And you take care of the mess.
Issho: Oh, shut up!
***
Rajah: Raya, stay alert! Issho said that another AT-01’s heading your way!
Raya: ?
Raya: …
AT: Watch out!
WHAKOOOM!
Raya: Yeaaarghh!!
***
Joanne: Raya!!
Raya: Joanne…
Raya: Watch out…
Joanne: Huh?
VHMMMM!!
FASHN!
WHUMPH!!
***
AT 2: Solstice neutralized. Secondary initiative?
AT 1: Target Raya. Do not kill. Recover for Homebase.
Raya: Ooowwww!
Raya: Ughuh!
Raya: Ughuh!
***
WHAKOOOM!!
PLISH! PLISH! PLISH!
AT: You’re mine!
Raya: Aargkh!
AT: Human assimilation commencing…
Raya: Akk!
***
AT: Accessing human data… Subconscious data dive…
Raya’s memories: Anak, I don’t want you to go into the Mandirigma… [Anak – offspring; term of endearment used when talking to a child, usually one’s own.]
Raya’s memories: Let’s just let your mother have her way for a while…
Raya’s memories: … Go into medicine instead, love. You still have a lot…
Raya’s memories: Hello, Ma? How’s Baby Jonah?
Raya’s memories: You are a Mandirigma…
Raya’s memories: You will serve under the Regent Orient…
AT: Memory recovery program initiated…
Raya’s memories: Where am I supposed to go?!!
Raya’s memories: Eight years…
Raya’s memories: Solstice access code: gene matrix…
Rajah: Raya!
Raya’s memories: Raya, welcome to the club!
Rajah: Raya!!
Rajah: Raya!
***
AT: Target sighted.
AT: The child is now in my custody.
AT: Solstice ready for assimilation.
Yvette: Ugh…
DOOOSH!
Rajah: You P$#@~* !#@!
AT: Your Solstice is mine now!
AT: Do you still want to fight?
AT: Scan from the Solstice population roster confirms that the child is the daughter of Jonathan Morales. The specimen is in a severe state, but her life signature is 60%…
Rajah: Let me go!
AT: Weapons have been accessed. Missiles are now primed.
Box: Meanwhile…
***
Ling: Why have they been kidnapping children?
Lt. Herrera: I don’t know.
Ling: This will be the fifth, if they manage to get her from us.
Lt. Herrera: Seven if you include the ones from Isabela and Vigan. [Philippine province and city, respectively.]
Ling: Really? Er, wait.
Ling: Issho, this is Ling. Did you hear that? We’ve almost reached Raya. This mech is so cool and it’s… uh, what IS your name?
Lt. Herrera: The police.
Ling: Yeah, sure. The cop’s.
Lt. Herrera: Wait…
Lt. Herrera: Who’s that?
FRRAAATHH!!
FDT! FDT! FDT! FDT!
Ling: Eyeaargh!
***
Ling: …
Ling: Raya?
Ling: Raya?
AT’s Raya: Two down…
AT’s Raya: Heh heh heh.
Lt. Herrera: Ling!!
Ling: …
Rajah: Pε#@~# !~@!
Rajah: Ling!!!
Issho: Ling!
***
Lt. Herrera: You monster! Get away from her!
AT’s Raya: Why? You have a problem with that, copper?
Lt. Herrera: …
AT’s Raya: I would’ve liked to obtain your mind but…
AT’s Raya: It looks like this one’s a lot better!
Red text: A.T.-01
Green text: Human, Mandirigma.
Lt. Herrera: Die, you insect!
PFANK!!
AT’s Raya: You’re dead!!! [Literal translation: Prepare yourself]
Raya, transition: Huh?!
Raya: What?!!
KLIK!!
***
Raya: NOOOO!
PFASH!
VREEEEEEEEET!!
Lt. Herrera: You’re safe.
Lt. Herrera: The saying was right…
Raya: What…
Raya: … What have I done?
*: Solstice Issue 4, p. 6 – ed.
To be continued…
Music Page:
Taga-Ilog: Hey… there’s still some space! May I greet?
Voice: NO!!!
Taga-Ilog: Hello to my Mom and Dad, May, Melissa, Michael, Yayan, Brownie, Muneneng…
***
Taga-Ilog’s shirt: I love monay. [A popular bread that looks like a miniature hamburger bun.]
One Day, Isang Diwa
Story and color assists by J.L. Palabay
Art by E.A. Damaso
Chapter 5: Blue Flame
Diwa: !
Diwa: Jun! Clarissa’s in danger!
Diwa: She’s at the waiting shed! Hurry!
Jun: Benjo, I gotta escape!
Benjo: ?!
Benjo: Don’t cha worry, Jun…
Benjo: … I’ll take care of ‘em!
***
SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!
Jun: Diwa!!!
Diwa: Leave it to me!!!
sheee…
VWOOOOOOM!
***
[2 page spread]
Driver: $#*%!!! We’re gonna turn over!!!
SKRITS!
James: Clarissa, look out! Here comes the truck from my script!
Guy: James?
Clarissa: !!!
BA-BEEP!
James: The hell with it! I’m not gonna die in issue 5…
SSHHHMMMMMM
FA-WHOOM!
KA-KRANG!
***
SKRASH!!!
THUMP!
KREESH!
KREESH!
***
KRAK!
Jun: Eng?
SKSH SKSH SKSH
***
Jun: Uhhh…
Jun: W-what!??
Clarissa: …
Clarissa: !
Clarissa: EAAAHHH!!! Pervert!!!
SLAP!!!
WAK!!!
Clarissa: Oops.
Clarissa: Jun! Jun! Are you okay?
Jun: I’m ok… And you? Are you okay?
Clarissa: Yeah. Thanks to you…
***
Jun: Ummm…
Clarissa: Ulk!
Jun’s devil: Great positioning! Jun Morales, three point!
Jun’s angel: Jun! Right yourself! Right yourself! Right yourself!!!
Jun’s devil: Woo Hoo!!! Nice going! Smooth, man! [Literal translation of second sentence: “My idol’s really great!” But this is what it means in this context.]
Diwa: They look so cute!
Jun: E-he-heh…
Clarissa: Uhhh… Thanks again. Were you hurt?
Jun: I’m ok, but my back stings a bit…
***
Clarissa: Jun, your back’s bleeding!
Clarissa: You have a lot of scratches. Why does it look like you have a big scar?
Jun: Oh that’s nothing. It’s something I got when I was little.
Clarissa: Oh, I see.
Jedd: Clarissa!!!
SKSH SKSH SKSH
Clarissa: I’m ok, Jedd. Thanks to Jun.
Jedd: …
***
Jedd: Thanks, man. C’mon, let’s get you to the clinic.
Jun: Why’s he thanking me for Clarissa?
Benjo: Jun! What happened, man?
Jun: Benjo?!? How’d you get away from the SPC!?
Jun: And why do you have a bra on your head?
Benjo: I got it from the truck wreck. This sells for a lot y’know!
Jun: And that thing on your arm is…?
Benjo: Oh, that! I’m now a member of the SPC. Hehehe!
Benjo: !!!
CLARISSA IS HERE!
ding! ding! ding!
Benjo: Hey! You’re Clarissa! I’ve seen you on the spy photos and tapes. You’re even more beautiful in person!
Benjo: I’m Benjo! I’m a member of the SPC and I’m so honored to meet you. Jun’s my best friend.
***
Girl 1: Darn! I thought there was an anime showing here…
Girl 2: Let’s go home.
Benjo: Blah! Blah! Blah! …
Guy: They say these guys are Heugene’s classmates…
Leo: This way! Clarissa’s this way! Leave those bleeding men in the truck for later…
Cloaked figure: Hehehe-heheh-hehehe-heheh!!! …
Diwa: !
Diwa: W-why are they here?!
Box: Will Benjo’s bra fit him? How come it looks like there are naked men in the background? How indecent! And who’s the man wearing the blanket? It isn’t even cold in the Philippines! To be continued…
Comics Page:
Da Bhoss: … I cannot accept… that I you will be gone from me… [lyrics to another cheesy local love song.]
***
IQ40: I thought we were doing How to Draw Anime Anatomy? I even stole this from a Shaolin Temple…
IQ40: I’ll make the most of it… Hi to Miaka! I love you!
PASIG – Chapter 5: The Bounty Hunter and the Rogue
Story and Art by Taga-Ilog
Narrative: It’s already starting to snow… the time when crime abounds.
Narrative: The mines are closed during this time of the year so people need to find another way to make money.
Narrative: Which is why there is a rise in the number of people who make it into the bounty hunters’ list… Narrative: Fine by me.
Narrative: At least we’ll have enough money to get us through this winter.
FUU
Guy: This is as far as I go. Just go until the next corner and turn left.
Mina: Thanks.
Narrative: Dante… I wonder what’s happened to him? It’s been three weeks since he left…
Narrative: I had a hard time explaining to Trisha and Mina why he’d left… I think they’re still angry with me until now.
***
Narrative: Hmpf… Why am I even thinking about him?! Work! Work! I gotta catch my latest target!
WPWP
Mina: Here.
Mina: W-what?!
Guy: Am I the one you’re looking for, miss?
KE-KRAG
Guy: I heard that you found out about our plan to ship signo out of Pasig… I didn’t know that my bounty hunter would turn out to be such a babe.
VRRRR
Guy: Too bad you have to die…
Guy: Maybe you’d like to go out on a date first…
***
Mina: Sorry, but…
SHF
Mina: … You’re just not my type.
CHA CHK
Guy: You’re dead!!!
VRRRRR
Guy: Son of a… stand still!!!
Mina: Ha!
KRAAAGGGGGG
TP
***
BKAM
KRGGG SHHH
PTNK TNK
TSHHHHHHH
Guy: P@#$+!!!
BA-BEEP BA-BEEP BA-BEEP BA-BEEP
BKOOOM
Guy: Aaahhhhh!!!
Guy: Oomph…. You would’ve been cute, but…
Mina: Heh…
***
Mina: WHAT?! How come I only get 500 pesos?! I thought the bounty on this idiot’s head was 200,000 pesos?
FWAP
Guy 2: They took the money used to fix the machinery you broke from your fee.
Guy 2: You should be thankful that you actually had money left over… Otherwise we would’ve had to pay for the rest…
TSHH
Guy 3: The problem with you, Mina, is that you content yourself with catching criminals with low payout. Why don’t you continue looking for Dante?
Guy 3: I heard the bounty on his head was raised again…
Guy 1: Hey, hurry up, woman! I need to go to the toilet!!!
Guy 3: You’re just wasting your time on the small-time criminals that you’ve been hunting.
***
Mina: H-he’s just too wily… besides, it seems to me that we’re just being made into his executioners. It doesn’t even say here what he’s done to deserve this. [Literal translation of last sentence: It doesn’t even say in his data which law he’s broken.]
Guy: We’re bounty hunters, Mina… not cops. The only difference we have from mercenaries is that we don’t have master to tie us down.
Guy: You’d better forget your principles if you want to earn anything… Opportunity doesn’t make a habit of falling at your feet…
KE RASSHH
***
Guy 1: …
Mina: !!!
Mina: Are you okay?!
Guy 2: Dante…
HWOOOOSH
Guy 2: … He’s outside!!!
Mina: D-Dante…
Mina: …
***
Guy 1: Hehehe… great timing! It’s been a while since I’d gotten a large bounty!
SHK
Guy 1: To each his own, man! His head’s mine!!!
Mina: N-no…
TMP TMP TMP
Guy 2: !!!
***
Guy 1: Uh, uh, uh… Don’t come any closer… This slave’s head is ours.
Guy 2: Or would you guys rather that we fight to determine who gets to kill him…
Guy 3: Damn it! Those two hogs beat us to it again!
Guy 4: Hmpf… Your day will come…
Guy 2: Well, should we get on with it now, Dante?
Guy 1: Hurry up, bro, so we could get an early dinner… I’m starting to get hungry…
Guy 2: Five minutes… Is that okay with you?!
Guy 1: Yeah.
***
Narrative: Renno and Isiah… Two of the most feared bounty hunters in Pasig… Possibly in all of Luzon. [Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines, located in the north.]
Narrative: I’ve heard a lot about them even when I was still in training in Bataan.
Narrative: Isiah… a cyborg. His feelings are likely as cold as his fist.
SKZZ TTT
Narrative: The money that comes with each hit doesn’t matter to him… as long as he beats his opponent.
Narrative: He finds joy in the pain that he inflicts…
Narrative: Joy in each drop of blood that falls to the ground…
Narrative: The perfect warrior.
Narrative: I know that Dante’s experienced in fighting… but against a person who doesn’t have any more reason to live… I’m not sure if he’ll manage to get through this like he did against Charen…
Narrative: I’ve made a lot of wrong decisions in my life… Now’s my chance to right some of those wrongs…
Narrative: I just hope that this won’t be another mistake.
To be continued…
Fan Manga Page:
[Fragments only]
Da Bhoss: How come I don’t get to do the review?! It’s unfair!!!
***
On Marissa…:
Entry: Marissa….. A Victim?…..
Response, second paragraph:
Lucia, have mercy! What’s next? Wow! You’ve got the CCCom touch… you’ve left it hanging!!! You’re storytelling is great. You should improve on the consistency of your artwork, though. Your drawing loses its quality towards the end but all in all, it’s great! Are we related? You’re truly a Beltran! Whoooh!
Cat’s Trail
Story and Art by: E.A.
Damaso
Episode 2: Feather’s Peak
Narrative: … This is no ordinary guy. He suddenly pops up at Featherwoods, saves us using magic, and he doesn’t even look like a wizard…
Narrative: … And he acts as though he knows everything about this place. He even knew about the mysterious, giant Ragnarok. How did he know the time of its arrival? And how did he know where it was going?
Narrative: Aside from that, he’s also experienced in the use of various equipment, like the grappling hook. He actually got the right tempo for the throw despite the strong wind. And I thought the only place where they taught people that was in the thieves’ guild. Where’d he learn all this? …
Narrative: Who are you?
*: Thieves’ Guild
***
Butler: Hff… Hfff… Hff…
SHOOOOO
Airee’s narrative: Just who are you?
Butler: Let’s go down. There’s a cave there where we could rest.
Airee’s narrative: There he goes again… it’s like he knows this place down pat…
Butler: C’mon!
Butler: It’s a good thing I brought some extra rope…
Airee’s narrative: I don’t even know your name…
Butler: Slowly, slowly…
Butler: … It’d be really humiliating if we got into trouble now… He-he!!!
***
Butler: Here. This is the cave I was talking about.
TPP TPP
Airee: It’s so dark in here.
Butler: Don’t worry about it! I’ve got just the thing…
Airee: Hmm…
Butler: !
Butler: Hmmm… You’ve been watching me for a while now!
Airee: Ulk!
Butler: I know…
Butler: You like me, don’t ‘cha?
Airee: WHAT?!?
***
Butler: I was just kidding! …
Airee: C’mon, Polaris!
Polaris: Tsk… tsk… poor kid.
Butler: Wait! Stay there. This place gets even darker inside…
Airee: Huh?
Polaris: Was this monkey born here?
Butler: I’m back.
Airee: Where’d you get those?
Polaris: Yup, he was born here alright…
BLAG!
Butler: Here! Cots and blankets.
Butler: We should get some rest. You guys ARE tired, right?
Airee: Who are you?…
Butler: … We still have some time before the sun rises…
FFF FFF FFF
Butler: Oh, I’m Butler. I’m pleased to meet you…
Butler: … Airee. Polaris.
***
HAAAA?!?
Airee and Polaris: You know who we are?!?
Airee: Are you a spy? Are you even human? What are you?!!
Butler: E-heh… wait a minute…
Polaris: I think it’s time that we cleared things up…
KRAK!
Butler: Uh… wait… aaa… I can explain… Umm…
Butler: Could you please calm down?
GRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Airee and Polaris: OK. Start talking.
***
Butler’s narrative: You left me in Manira, remember? I’d wanted to know more about you, so I thought of a plan to do so…
Butler’s narrative: After a few minutes, Sheriff Poppy came along asking the entire city questions about you…
Butler’s narrative: That’s when I thought of a plan…
Butler’s narrative: North Stallions are fast and they could surely catch up with you… So I pointed out the direction where you were headed with one condition…
Butler’s narrative: … They had to take me along with them.
Butler’s narrative: They actually managed to trap you in an ambush, but I’d left even before that happened.
Voice: Oh, Judas! [A curse phrase.]
Butler’s narrative: It was a good thing a caravan en route to Featherwoods happened along the way…
Butler’s narrative: I managed to hitch a ride.
Airee: How’d you know that they were gonna take us to Featherwoods?
Butler: Truth be told, I just took a wild guess. Featherwoods is the closest to where they caught you.
Butler: It’d be impractical to take you back to Manira…
Butler: Then I saved you and now we’re all together!
HE… HE… HE… HE… HE… HE… HE…?
***
Butler: Ngek!
BRAK!
Airee: It was your fault that we got caught in the first place!
Butler: Wait a minute. I just realized something! Why do you always hit me? It hurts, you know!
Polaris: Let’s just sleep on it…
Airee: Yeah. See you tomorrow, LAME-O!
Butler: A…
Voice: Airee Collette…
Airee: W-who’s there?…
Voice: … We’re not quite though yet…
Airee: You again?!?
Voice: He-he!
Airee: Ummphh!…
Airee: Why can’t I breathe?…
Voice: Didn’t I tell you that you belong to me?
Airee: Just who do you think you are?!? S-stop it already!!! I’ve had it!!!
SHRIIIP
Airee: Hff… hfff… hff…
***
Butler: Ummm…
Butler: Ha?!?
Butler: Hups!
Butler: Good morning!!!
Butler: Ngek! They left me again!!!
Butler: Oh, NOOOO!!!
Butler: Hff… hffff… hff… hff…
Butler: I wonder where they went? They don’t know the dangers of this place…
***
Butler: They didn’t use the rope to go down… and it’s too steep around here to climb down without any equipment…
Butler: It’s also unlikely that they went up since the Ragnarok’s still there…
Butler: Oh, no!
Butler: The lamp’s gone! I’m sure they took the tunnel going down…
Butler: … I have to get there before they get into trouble!…
Polaris: Hmm…
Airee: Wowee!!! This tunnel’s huge! So what do you think, Polaris? ‘You think there’s treasure down here?
***
Polrais: Oy! Stop drooling over the prospect of wealth…
Airee: Huuuu!!! As if YOU don’t want any…?
Polaris: At least I’m more levelheaded than you are!
RRRRRR
Karin: What will happen to our heroes?
Karin: Will Butler make it to them in time? Just who or what is stalking them in the dark? And where could Sheriff Poppy and his henchmen be? Find out in the next chapter!
Guy: Hey! Your stew’s starting to come alive…
To be continued…
***
Cat’s Trail Extra
Airee’s narrative: … A deserted castle…
Airee’s narrative: … All it’s riches, only for me…
Airee’s narrative: … Is this only a dream?
Reasons Why They Hate Culture Crash Page:
[Fragments only]
FYI:
Ping Lacson is a senatorial candidate as of the release of CC5.
Pugad Baboy © [Pigsty] is the name of Pol Medina Jr.’s (PMJR) fictitious subdivision, as well as the series, filled with obese inhabitants.
Third question’s answer, paragraph four, lines four and five, quotations:
“You know, my character kinda resembles your character…”
CCCom Graffiti Page:
[Fragments only]
Voice: Where’s JIO? He might make a mess…
JIO: Finally managed to sneak out!
JIO: Hello to my cousin Dianne, Kathlene! Hi Mommy, Daddy, Mia, Joed, and to my older brother!
JIO: Love you, Ledluna.
Caption on Vinson Ngo’s work, last
sentence:
Thank
you, everyone! [As translated from a regional dialect common to the central
Philippines.]
Caption on Dino G. Belardo’s work:
ODID Duo Jun and Diwa… look out for Clarissa, Jun!
Caption on Erwin Esmeria’s work:
Oh my Gawd! Raya’s naked!!! Solstice and PASIG characters Heavy Metal Style… Nice! Er… do you make T-shirts?
FYI:
FEU – Far Eastern University
Letters to the Staff Page:
[Fragments and those entirely in Filipino only.]
Nanette’s letter:
Thank God I finally got a copy of issue 4. I had to fight another girl for it, ‘cause I was the one who saw it first. She was also a CC fanatic. But enough about her, she’s not that cute… I’m cuter (hehehe conceited).
I saw the ordering form, but I find it a little steep. Does it really cost Php 85 there in Manira, er, Manila? (Gee, it’s getting contagious.) Because it only costs Php 80 where I am.
Do you still have issues 1 and 2?
Eleonor P. Cruz’s letter: [Second paragraph]
I read about the “all price high” of your comic. It’s okay by me (as long as you guys don’t disappear), but I’m a little miffed because the National Bookstore I went to didn’t have it, and I only found it at a 7-Eleven store, which is why I missed issue 2. Too bad, ‘cause One Day, Isang Diwa happened to be the cover. But I will be proud if I could get a copy of issue 2. Because I don’t wanna miss a thing (I just had to sing, right?). That is, if you guys still have stocks. I’ve been collecting comics since I was in grade six, until now in sophomore high school.
Janice Barcenas’s letter:
To the CCCom staff,
How are you? Why’s issue 4 like that? I only got mine last February. The National Bookstore branch nearest to my house used to carry it, but now I have to go over to either Greenhills or Megamall just to buy a copy.
But it was worth it because I liked the transformation of your comic. I like the new paper, primarily because I kept getting my fingerprints on the old glossy paper. But that’s a thing of the past! More pages, more illustrations, better coloring effects… happiness! With a centerfold, to boot! I liked the combination story at the end where you guys were even included. Ha, ha, ha! Mina, like me, doesn’t know how to cook. As a whole, it’s really nice. That was simply great! Keep up the good work… you respectable illustrators, magnificent colorists, and tearjerker writers!
Thanks for listening.
A CC comic buyer.
Response to Janice Barcenas’s letter:
Thanks a lot, Janice! Hmmm… it’s a good thing you were willing to wait a while. We’ve gotten mixed reactions on the new paper issue. Some like it, some want the old paper back, but as of now, there are more people who like the change. But you guys have to know that if we were to go back to using the old paper, you’d end up paying more for the old paper and the same number of pages, as in the first 3 issues. Janice also told us a little of her novel entitled “Tale of Yukan.” It’s a little like Rurouni Kenshin. We’ve run out of space, Janice, we’re really sorry!
Francus Clement D. Qualantip’s letter: [Last two paragraphs]
I was at the Anime Explosion 2000. I came even though SM Megamall was quite far, also despite the rain. I was able to get there thanks to the MRT [Metro Rail Transit]. I saw Ms. Yuu Watase in person (thanks for the info on her) and I was really awed by her. I also saw you guys there. At first, I’d wanted to buy a copy of issue 1, but there were just too many people surrounding you, so I went to National Bookstore to buy a copy of issue 2. Php 75 struck me as a little expensive, but I bought it anyway. When I opened it, I was wowed by the contents. ODID, Cat’s Trail, Solstice Butterfly, and PASIG – it has a true Filipino flair! As for the price, Php 75-100 is fine. After all, if I can save up for a cell prepaid card, I can easily save up for a monthly comic. Is it true that Filipino’s comprise the staff that creates the anime that we watch on TV? If it’s true, then good for them! Very creative! Just like you guys. Looks like Japanese animation, but with a Filipino twist! But I still don’t have a copy of issue 1… could I just ask for one?
I’m really impressed by your writers. I saw the SPC in issue 2 and they were angry when they saw Jun with Clarissa. Could you please explain this, though: “Why was the H missing in New Technology in the last cover?”
Response to Francus Clement D. Qualantip’s letter:
We had a typo in issue 1’s cover where “New Tecnology” was printed instead of “New Technology.” On the subject of issue 1, please see the editorial page as to how to order it.
A lot of anime passed through Filipino hands during the animation process, like Dragon Ball Z, GT, Slam Dunk, Trigun, and a host of others. But even Filipino artists who aren’t into anime are good, right?
Doreen Molina’s letter:
Hi, people!
Well, I kinda like your comics. Actually, I have all four, and I’m excited whenever a new one comes out! I liked ODID, PASIG, and Cat’s Trail.
I first saw it in a bookstore. I liked the cover, so I bought it, plus, it wasn’t that expensive. Now, I collect it.
I would like to suggest that you guys lengthen the stories featured. They’re too short! That is, if you wouldn’t mind, hehe. The stories are exciting! Keep up the good work!
Response to Doreen Molina’s letter:
As of now, we can’t really lengthen the story features. Sorry, Doreen, but even we are getting impatient. We hope that we can straighten out our production schedule, so you guys wouldn’t have to wait so long. Thanks a lot! Sorry, but we ran out of space for your drawing.
Nikki Lou Palafox Pernes’s letter: [Last paragraph]
I wish you luck! Hope this leads to an international comic book and, eventually, animation! I’m really proud of you guys, and I am promoting your stuff to my parents and classmates. I don’t care how much it costs, as long as it’s your work, it’s okay! And don’t push yourselves too hard, ‘cause we could wait a decade! I’m really waiting for your answer, don’t make me turn into a Stan! (Eminem)
Ivan Edward D. Francisco’s letter:
You know, I immediately bought the comic the first time I saw it. I thought it was a manga, but it turned out to be Filipino made! It’s in a class of it’s own. Perfect! I’m so impressed, even my friends. We love your comic a lot, it’s even nice to read over and over. It even takes my mind away from my problems! The stories are great, even the babes! Here’s what I have to say:
Solstice Butterfly – Hi-tech! Cool!
PASIG – serious story, but beautiful. (This is what I look for in stories.)
Cat’s Trail – I love this the most. I can’t wait for the next installment.
One Day, Isang Diwa – Cool! Great story, illustrations and overall art!
I hope you guys continue the articles on hobbies, new technology, video games, gimik [outings], fan manga, etc. I also look forward to these! Well, that’s all guys! Congratulations, and keep it up!
Dann’s letter:
Hello! My name’s Daniel Seno from Camarines Norte. All I can say is that the Filipino once again triumphs!!! World-class quality. I was browsing a month ago for a comic magazine when I saw CC. I thought I’d try it (since the magazines here have plastic packaging). I bought the third issue. My older sister said that it was nice since it gives a boost to Filipino artists. She was also the one who encouraged me to send my drawings to comic magazines, but I haven’t tried that. Maybe when my drawing have gotten better. My favorites are ODID and PASIG. I wish you guys would come up with action figures. That’d be cool!!! Kudos!!!
Response to Dann’s letter:
Thanks, Dann! Dann asked for drawings, but we couldn’t really give out stuff through the mail. Good luck on your art!
Culture Crash™, Solstice Butterfly™, One Day, Isang Diwa™, PASIG™, Cat’s Trail™ and the other names, logos and all related characters in this translation are ™ and © 2001 Culture Crash Comics/J. C. Palabay Ent., Inc. and their respective owners.