English Translation of Culture Crash Comics Vol. 1 Issue No. 6

By Theresa Dy Lising

 

Translator’s note:

[ ] –> Culture notes/Translations

*** –> Page breaks/Separators

 

Editor’s Page:

 

Memer: Yay!  I now have a Galvatron!  After 10 years, Air Raid now has an opponent!

 

One Day, Isang Diwa

Story by J.L. Palabay

Art by E.A. Damaso

 

Chapter 6: Rain

 

Jun: Haay…

Jun: …It’s already been a week since the accident.

Jun: The SPC haven’t been on my case since.

NGASAB!  NGASAB!  HIIIGOP!!!  NGASAB!  [CHEW!  CHEW! SLURP!!! CHEW!]

***

NGASAB!  SHARAP!  SNGARF!  SNGORK!  Etc. [CHEW! DELISH! SNGARF! SNGORK! Etc.]

Jun: And this nut.  How’d he become an SPC all of sudden?!

Jun: Everything should’ve been ok.  I’d managed to save Clarissa.  But it was all ruined by this…

Jun: Huh?

Jun: Ha!  Mikaela looks so cute.  I wonder what Tammy’s really for.  It sure is one big security blanket.

***

Leo: Jaime, make sure that my notes are complete.

Jaime: Yes, boss.

Leo: Domeng!  Massage!

Domeng: Yes sir!

FAPAPAPAPAP

Leo: As I was saying, my darling Clarissa, this reminds me of the weather in Melbourne and the Netherlands.

Leo: All things considered, I’d rather go back to the Caribbean… or perhaps go yachting in Monaco this time?

Clarissa: Leo, let’s just talk later, okay?

Laura: Naturally!  This is the time for listening, not for arrogance.  Why, it is not our aspiration to become an ignoramus such as yourself… Nardo! [‘Nardo’ is another potential nickname for ‘Leonardo’ locally.]

Leo: N-Nardo?!!

Leo: It’s LEO! L-E-O, LEO!

Leo: My name is Leonadro Jardin dela Rosa…

Leo: …the most handsome creature on the face of Earth…

Leo: You may address me as Leonardo or Leo, or…

Laura: I prefer Nardo.

Ms. Mayumi: OR I CAN SEND YOU TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE, MR. DELA ROSA!!!

Leo: Oh…

Leo: …damn! [Lit: dead]

***

Jun: *Sigh*, Leo’s in trouble again.  Probably lost his cool with Laura once more.

Jun: I wonder why those two hate each other so much?

Jun: They’re always squabbling.  Maybe it’s because Leo’s always letting out hot air.

Jun: Then again, he’s always been very generous.

Jun: I hope we go out for Japanese food again…

Jun: …Like last week!  Ebi tempura and sushi! Or maybe Italian!!

Jun: Good grief!  Even I’m starting to be corrupted by Leo!

Benjo: Hey!  It’s (master, boss, pal) Leo!  Looks like he’s in big trouble!

Benjo: I hope it isn’t too major.  So we can have free Japanese food again or maybe Italian!

Benjo: Right, Jun-boy?

Jun: Uh, r-right!

NGUYA! NGUYA! [CHEW! CHEW!]

Jun: Bad omen…

***

Jun: Clarissa, Laura, Alex…

Jun: Those three are always together.  Practically inseparable.

Jun: Especially Alex.

Jun: Alex’s okay too.  Of the three she, seems to be the easiest to get along with.  I think she’s also the most fashion-conscious of the three.

Jun: Clarissa…

Jun: It’s so hard to find you by yourself…

***

Jun: Huh?!!

Jun’s devil: My baby caught me red-handed!

Jun’s devil: Laying in the grass with her

Jun’s devil: Wasn’t me!

Jun: Geez!  I never meant to do that.

Jun: I felt something, but it was only after that that I actually realized what I’d touched.

Jun’s angel: …It’s the time to give thanks to the Father, Son, and Spirit…

Jun: I was too confused to know what I was doing.

Jun’s devil: Wasn’t me!

Jun: …I really didn’t know… I didn’t mean for it to happen…

Jun: Forgive me if I did do something wrong.  If only to be able to talk to you alone.

Jun: But that’s unlikely to happen.  She’s always with someone.  After classes, she’s accompanied by either Jedd or Leo…

Jun: If only I had your phone number.

Jun: Why’d Jedd thank me for saving Clarissa?

Jun: It can’t be because she’s his girl because Leo’s still trying to court her.

Jun: Or maybe it’s because they just decided and Leo still doesn’t know!

***

Jun: Jedd… Diwa and I still haven’t talked about what’d happened to you and what she did…

Jun: Did Jedd even know what’d happened to him?  Maybe it’s possible for Diwa to lock his powers again.  Speaking of which, I wonder where Diwa is?

Ms. Mayumi: Class, I’ve been informed that classes in the elementary and highschool levels have been suspended! [The Philippine school system consists of 6 years in the primary (elementary) level and 4 years in highschool]

Ms. Mayumi: But, Mr. Dela Rosa…

Mina: C’mon, Dante!  It’s starting to flood in Pasig!

Dante: Mina, where’s my BB gun?

Ms. Mayumi: …May I have a few words with you before you leave?

Guy: I can still catch Buraimon [on TV].

Leo: B-but ma’am!!

Alex: Bye, Leo.  Take it easy, ok?

Someone: Hurraaay!  No more classes!

Benjo: Don’t worry, pal.  I’ll stay with you as long as you give me a lift home and take care of my lunch.

Leo: Good grief!!

***

Laura: Are you going home, Clarissa?  We could stay a while and bask in the essence of the season.

Clarissa: I think this time I have to go home.

Alex: Me too.  Maybe next time…

Alex: Too bad.  It’s nice hanging out at school.

Laura: Is someone going to accompany you home?  Jedd is not in attendance, and I believe it’ll be a while before Leo is allowed to leave… or are you planning to wait for him?

Clarissa: I’d look really shameless if I did.  Besides, I can go home on my own.

Clarissa: Jun!

Jun: Clarissa?!!

Jun: U-umm, what’s up?

Clarissa: Are you going home?

***

Jun: Ah… eh… yeah.

Clarissa: Would it be okay if we go together?

Jun: Uh, okay.

Jun: This’s a prefect opportunity for me to ask for her number…

FWAP!

Clarissa: The jeep’s here.  C’mon, Jun.

Clarissa: We could share this umbrella.

Jun: Uh, okay, thanks!

***

Jun: This’s also a good time to ask for her number…

Jun: I hope you don’t mind [sharing the umbrella] Clarissa.  I left my umbrella at home.

Clarissa: It’s ok.

Jun: I should ask for her number, but how?  It’s almost time for us to part ways…

Clarissa: Jun, has it ever happened to you…  like you had a really good friend…

Clarissa: …Who suddenly left and you’d eventually forgotten…

Clarissa: …But it seems like you’ve been looking for that person for a really long while?

Jun: H-ha?

Clarissa: Oh, nothing.  It’s just that I didn’t have anything to say.

Clarissa: Jun, why has it been a while since we last went home together?

Jun: Huh? Ah, eh, it’s because I didn’t feel like tagging along whenever Jedd or Leo are with you.

Clarissa: But it’s ok.  We’re all friends, right?

Clarissa: Well, this is where we’re supposed to part ways, right?  Tell you what, I’ll walk you home since you don’t have your umbrella with you.  I’ll just double back later.

***

SPLISH SPLISH

Jun: I’ll be fine.  I don’t want to trouble you any more.

Jun: Thank you very, very much, Clarissa…

Clarissa: Call me when you get home, okay?  If you catch a cold on your way home, it’ll be on my conscience!

***

To be continued…

 

 

PASIG – Chapter 6: In Fists of Steel

Story and Art by Taga-Ilog

Co-plotter and color assists: J.L. Palabay

 

Isiah: Prepare yourself!!!!

SHAAAA

***

FWAAP

Isiah: Good-bye, Dante.

SHWWP

***

KRG!

FMP!

SHOOOO

THWAAP!!

Oof—

Isiah: Heh, heh… you’re an excellent opponent, slave….  If I was still a normal man, my neck would’ve already snapped.

***

PLIP  PLIP  PLIP

Isiah: You wouldn’t take it against me if I decided to cheat a bit, would you?

HFF  HFF  HFF

Renno: Great!!!  Finish him off, brother!!!

Mina: “Cheat?!”  What did he mean by that?

Mina: Dante’s a good fighter… but against a cyborg?!  He doesn’t even have a weapon… maybe…

***

SHIRRRIIP!

THWK!

Isiah: So, what do you think?  Heh Heh!!!

Mina: Damn!  I have to do something!

CHK

Isiah: Did you know what I had to go through to get this arm?  To no longer feel anything but pain from the cold?  Heh heh heh….

Isiah: It’s funny, but it’s times like this when I don’t regret for turning myself into a cyborg.

***

BK-AM!

HFF  HFF

Isiah: How dare you!!! [Lit: bold, i.e., very bold]  I said no one is to interfere!!!

Mina: Nngghh!  Let me go!!!

Guy: Mina!  Are you crazy?!  You’re gonna get yourself killed with your antics!

***

Isiah: Do you not know the punishment for betraying your fellow bounty hunter…

Isiah: Is death?!

Dante: NOOO!!!

FWWSHHHHH

Mina: I’m hit.

Mina: C-cold.

Mina: Not like the cold from the snow around me… it goes into me faster… in my bones… I almost couldn’t feel the pain…

Mina: Mom, Dad, Trisha, Mina…

Mina: Forgive me…

***

KR-KRK! KIK

Isiah: What?!

THNK THNK KE-BRRKK

***

Dante: Ngghhhhh!!

SHLLKKKKK

Isiah: Heh… heh… Very good, Dante… It’s no doubt that you’re better than the rest of your kind…

Isiah: Renno… give him the dog tag of the slave we hunted the other day… a deal’s a deal…

Isiah:  The slave won.

***

Renno: B-but, bro, I can fight him…

Isiah: Next time, Renno… he’s not like the other one… you don’t stand a chance…

Isiah: Dante…

Isiah: Thanks for accepting my challenge…

Renno: Hmpf!  Why’re you willing to give your lives for this piece of trash?

Renno: Catch!

Dante: What happened to him?

Renno: He wouldn’t surrender so we were forced to finish him off…

Isiah: Maybe the warrior’s blood in his veins wouldn’t let him be beaten by just anybody.

***

Isiah: Everyone… leave him be for now… the first one to open fire will answer to me.

Dante: Mina…

Isiah: Heh… ‘till next time, slave… ‘till next time…

Mina: You won, Dante.

Dante: Don’t talk… you shouldn’t have gotten yourself involved…

Mina: I-I’ve never seen Dante like this before…  so caring.  I’m glad to know that he was with my sisters all those years that I’ve been away.

***

Mina: Silence…

Mina: In the short time that I’ve stayed in Pasig, this is the first time I’ve ever felt peace like this…

Mina: The pain’s gone.

Mina: I can no longer feel the coldness of the snow around us.

Mina: Peace.

To be continued…

 

CC Com Graffiti EX: [segments]

 

Ann Marjorie Sia’s illustration:

Mina: Dante… please… change the design on your boxer shorts!!!

Dante: What design would you like?  I have butterflies, spiders, cats, wild boars….

 

Fan Comics: [Those in Filipino only]

 

BLAZING COURAGE

                Actually, this story is a cute shojo one with action thrown in… like Flame of Recca.  I like your execution, Argie.  You certainly made your pages come alive.  The artwork is also very clean.  The black frames are also ok, but sometimes they aren’t right for the scene (the ‘frameless’ panels look like they’re always in the dark).  But it’s a good thing to experiment too, so no problem.

                I’m happy to see that Argie also used ‘live narrators’ (like Karin of Cat’s Trail).  I find it very funny and just plain comedic.

                If only we were able to see the first parts of the story, we’d understand it better.  Argie only gave us half of episode 21 so I couldn’t really comment on the story.  So far, I think it’s promising. Final comment: Are you already on episode 41?  Wow!  Wish I also worked that fast…

 

MEMER II EXPOSED!!!

                Hey, Ilog, look at this… I didn’t know Keroberos was with IQ 40!  Cute!  He’s really the one worthy of being photographed….  What?  That wasn’t Keroberos?  Who?  That was Memer II?  Corny!  I want my money back!

                Ilog, were you the photographer in this one?

 

LOVE DARE

Willi: Jalyn, please tell me you love me. [Lit: please confess to me]

Jalyn: But…

Willi: If you won’t be my girlfriend, I’ll jump off this bridge.

Jalyn: … o-ok, Willi, o-ok…

Jalyn: OK!  Jump already!

Willi: Huh!?

 

                Huhuhu… poor Willi…  not only was he shot down, but he was also made to jump [off the bridge]!  Hehehe.

                The color rendering as well as the lighting were beautifully done.  Keep up the good work!  And I hope Willi’s still alive next time so he could get shot down again!

 

Fast Fact:

 

FYI: ‘Liwanag’ means ‘brightness’ or ‘light’.

 

Cat’s Trail

Story and Art by: E.A. Damaso

 

Episode 6: Search

 

 

Taga-Ilog on How We Draw 6

 

 

 

Hong Kong Animé Convention:

 

FYI: “Panday” means ‘blacksmith’ and is the title of an old Filipino fantasy story that actually came out as an animated feature during the 1980s.

 

Solstice Butterfly

Created by Jerard Felix Beltran

 

Chapter 1:6 Deciding

 

Raya: ….

Lt. Herrera:  You’re safe.

Raya: I read those words from her lips.  That’s all I remember….

Raya: I could feel each beat of my heart….

Raya: In every beat, in every breath, I was slowly losing my mind…….

***

Raya: My eyes failed me.  In an instant, everything went dark.

Raya: I couldn’t even feel myself….  Only the coldness in my hands.

Raya: I have touched Death.

***

Raya: A week has passed…

Raya: But I still find tears… still…

Raya: Just because of something I never meant to happen…

Raya: …Just this…

Raya: This is the only thing she shot at? A nano-circuit?!!

Raya: After I killed her, they said I went amuck…

Raya: I didn’t even know that my mind imprisoned itself…

Raya: Did I really lose my mind?…

Raya: I found out too late.

***

Raya: I destroyed the AT-01 that tried to assimilate Rajah.

Raya: We saved Yvette, the kid the Americans took hostage….

Raya: …And I….

Raya: …Fainted.

AT-01: Unit AT-01 628 reporting.  Mission accomplished.  The prisoner is safe.

AT-01: Unit integrity is 20% functional.  Host soldier’s integrity is at peak rate but is unconscious.

AT-01: Unit AT-01 628 is returning home and signing off.

***

Raya: I lost consciousness…

Raya: …That’s what they said…

Raya: Did I manage to do all that?

Raya: I’m a prisoner of fate.  Cursed by my own cruel destiny!

Raya: I wish this is all a dream!

Raya: I CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE!!!

Raya: I wish I could wake from this nightmare!!!

Raya: I don’t want to be a Mandirigma [warrior] anymore…

***

Voice: Raya…

Voice: Are you ready?

Raya: What’re you doing here?!  GET AWAY FROM ME!!!

Voice: Are you dressed?

Joanne: Come on, Raya!

Joanne: We’re supposed to go shopping, remember?

Joanne: Rajah agreed to be our chaperone!

Rajah: C’mon, Rays.

Rajah: I’m still supposed to buy you…

Rajah: …Huh?

Raya: …Thanks…

Raya: …For finally coming.

***

Box: Meanwhile…

Box: At Fortress Bonifacio…

Voice: Mongolia, Korea, China, Japan, Bangladesh, Myanmar…

Box: …seven levels underground…

Voice: …Malaysia… they’re taken over most of the Orients.

Voice: Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam and we are the only ones that remain free.

Voice: That concludes our report, General Mahabharati.

Gen. Mahabharati: Hmm…

Gen. Mahabharati: Thank you, Ringgo…

Gen. Mahabharati: …Four states remain…

***

Voice: Sir, we have an update regarding your daughter.

Voice: A promotion awaits her and her comrades.

Gen. Mahabharati: Her first encounter happened in Bataan last week.

Gen. Mahabharati: She beat an AT-01 and captured a unit, fully intact.

Voice: We will not demand that she relinquish the captured armored tech, as per your orders, sir.

Gen. Mahabharati: Well done…

Gen. Mahabharati: My girl’s already going to be a major.

Raya: I look good, don’t I, Daddy?

Raya’s Mom: Stop moving so much!! Or I’ll pinch you (on the inside of your thigh)!! [A common threat]

Gen. Mahabharati: Oh, you two (mother and daughter)!

Gen. Mahabharati: I miss you both…

Raya: Ouch!  I bit my tongue!  Gimme a number?!!! [In Filipino society, it’s said that someone is thinking/talking about you when you accidentally bite your tongue.  You ask for a number and the letter that corresponds to that number is the first letter of that person’s name.]

Rajah: I wonder who remembered her?

Joanne: 117, 701, 672!!! [For those interested, the letter is ‘J’]

***

Joanne: It’s been a while since we last went out.

Joanne: C’mon, let’s celebrate!

Rajah: Where d’you wanna eat?  My treat!

Rajah: ‘Something wrong, Raya?

Joanne: Raya?

Joanne: Don’t worry.  They’re fine.  Take it easy.

Raya: Really?  Ling, Yvette, and Herrera?

Joanne: The hostage?  I heard that she’s doing fine.  Her family thanks you for that, Raya.

Joanne: Thanks to you, Yvette made it to the hospital.

Joanne: And Issho is with Ling at the recovery station.

Raya: And Herrera?  Where is she?  She’s the cop that helped us, right?

Raya: Joanne?

***

Voice: Ah, miss…

Raya: Huh?

Voice: Are you by any chance Raya?  Raya Mahabharati?

Raya: Yes… why?

WHAP!

Girl: By the way, I’m Luna.

To be continued…

 

Animé Celebrity Spotlight:

 

Mr. Mahiro Maeda:

 

FYI: ‘Crispy pata’ is pork thigh deep fried to a crispy golden brown, while ‘tahong’ literally means mussels but, in this case, it refers to mussels stewed in mild vinegar and ginger.

 

Words from the winner: JM ‘Saito’ Chua: [interview only]

 

CC: What could you say about your victory?

JM: I didn’t expect to win because, compared to the Hong Kong representative, my costume was so simple.

CC: Well, congratulations.  What could you say about your overall experience with regards to cosplay events?

JM: Overall, the events were ok.  My only complaint is that the efforts put into the organization of events were fragmented.  If we only we could do what they did in Hong Kong and organize a unified and truly major event….

CC: What would you say to those people who would like to cosplay?  Words of encouragement from the champion (laugh)!

JM: Just do what you feel like doing, y’know?  Don’t think about what other people would say.  Because it’s not like you’re doing something wrong or something that could hurt other people, right?

CC: How is your experience as a cosplayer different from your other experiences?  What was good, what was bad, what was special about it?

JM: What was most special about it would have to be the people.  I can’t forget them that easily.

CC: What was your prize?

JM: (Laughs) I have no idea.  My friend said it was on a website saying that I got a seven-day Japan tour, all accommodations paid, and five thousand Hong Kong dollars pocket money.

CC: So what would you look forward to most about going to Japan?

JM: Basically travelling and seeing the sights.

CC: Any last messages for your friends?  For the cosplayers?  For those who want to cosplay?  For everyone?

JM: Do what you want while you still have time.  Because opportunity won’t wait for you.  Maybe tomorrow, the day after that, it’ll be gone.  That’s it!  Just do what you want to do!

CC: Okay!  Thank you very much and congratulations!

 

“Do what you want while you still have time.  Because opportunity won’t wait for you.  Maybe tomorrow, the day after that, it’ll be gone.”

 

CCCom Picture Gallery: [Only those with Filipino, labeled top to bottom, left to right]

 

Picture 1:

Top three Hong Kong Animé Convention finalists, of course, we know who wins! (Treat!  Treat!)

Picture 2: CCCom Pic of the Month!!!

Final Fantasy Movie heroine Dr. Aki Ross with Grey… um… I mean, blue guard at the AXN Convention.  Man, you’re gonna be in for it with the missus when you get home!

Picture 4:

Bitoy with Da Bhoss and Memer. He, he, heh.  So, he reads Culture Crash!

 

Letters to the Staff: [fragments only and those purely in Filipino]

 

Nikki Jumawan’s letter:

                To the CCCom Staff:

                Congratulations (Wow!  Sounds almost like you just graduated) for putting out the nicest comics… wait… what do you call that?  Ah!  Mangga [mango]… the thing that’s tastes good in bagoong. [A dip made from fish or tiny shrimp usually with a strong smell and taste.]

                Eh… how much is this manga?  I read that the price of the comics got higher.  Imagine, they cost Php 85.00 now!

                It’s cruel, I know, but it doesn’t matter: besides being really nice, I just borrow my sister’s CCComics (being older does have advantages)!

                You guys are so good!  I LOVE IT!  I LOVE IT!  I LOVE IT!  I will always remain faithful to animé and CCCom!

 

Eleonor P. Cruz’s letter: [2nd and 3rd paragraph only]

                I read about the “all-price-high” of your comic.  It’s ok for me AS LONG AS YOU GUYS DON’T DISAPPEAR.  But I’m a bit miffed because I can’t find it at National Bookstore, instead, I found it at 7-Eleven.  I missed issue 2!  And to think, One Day, Isang Diwa was the cover.  But I’ll be proud if I can find a copy of issue 2 because I don’t wanna miss a thing (did I just sing?) that is, if you still have it in stock (I’ve been collecting comics since I was in grade 6 and now I’m in my second year of highschool).

                I think I’ll end this here because I’m sure there are a lot of other people who’d want to have their letters posted, so I’ll give way to them.  I’m nice that way. (Yeah, right!)

 

Reply to Eleonor P. Cruz’s letter:

                Well, you could order back issues for Php 100.00 each, but you should know we’ve been getting complaints so we decided to try out a courier service, we’ll let you know how that pans out soon!  As for how to use the materials, we’ll get to that… eventually!

 

Mark Lester Quintana’s letter:

                Too bad you guys decided to publish this type of magazine only recently!  I could’ve learned earlier on how to create my own manga.  I have a comment, uh, no offense, ok?  Please moderate the nude pics included in the magazine.  You can’t help having youngsters reading this.

                I also sent in my drawing from my own manga: GX Mystery and Generation Soldiers II (and there’s another: Pretty Princess, but I forgot to include it!)  I hope you guys publish them.  If that happens, I’ll be really happy!

                I’m counting on you!

 

Reply to Mark Lester Quintana’s letter:

                Please understand that not all fan comics are printed.  But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a chance of making it in future issues.  As for the issue on nudity, well, please just don’t attach any malicious thoughts to them, like in the “How We Draw” section that Memer did, that was necessary to emphasize the importance of body proportions.

 

Krystel Paloma’s letter:

                Good day!

                I’m Krystel Paloma, a Filipina and very much into animé and manga (especially Japan Mode).  I’m one of your fans in General Santos City.  I just wrote to say hi (I would’ve sent an e-mail, but I didn’t have the time and money).

                I was able to buy a copy of issue 5 and I read it immediately.  I think you guys made a mistake: How come there are no posters for ODID and Solstice Butterfly?  Did they forget to put it in?  Who’s the character from Solstice featured on the cover?    I don’t know her.  And who’s the pirate with Airee?  Is she her ally or something?

                ‘Till next time, farewell.

                Yours truly,

                Krystel Paloma

 

Reply to Krystel Paloma’s letter:

                You are one of those unfortunate many whose issue 5 posters were missing.  It’s because they were inserted instead of stapled, so many people were tempted to just take them.  There’re also those times when they fell out, which is why the posters in the next issues are once again stapled in.  The girl featured on the cover of issue 5 already came out in this issue and the pirate with Airee is Whompers, also debuting soon!

 

Carlo S. Isidro’s letter:

                ‘You guys doing ok there?  Thanks for your help!  Why?  I was one of the people who interviewed you guys for our term paper in English about the making of CCCom issue 5.5.  We got a perfect score, by the way.

                Thanks again.  Really.

 

 

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.