Welcome to Guhit Pinoy

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia opens Guhit Pinoy Art Exhibit

Honorable Antonio Villamor, Phillipine ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will officially open the art exhibit of Guhit Pinoy Filipino Illustrators Society on September 26, Wednesday, 9:30 pm at Nojoud mall (located near Intercontinental Hotel) in Riyadh, KSA. The exhibit is a back-to-back showcase of talents among non-Saudi and Saudi artists.

The event, organized by Special Events (S.E.) Productions and FAR Limits, in cooperation with Nojoud mall management, is part of the establishment's celebration of the RAMADAN FESTIVAL 2007 which coincided with the Saudi National Day held on September 23.

"We are glad to open this kind of exhibition especially that it has become the talk of the town," said Nojoud Mall's General Manager Fahmi Emran. "People want to know since the idea is so nice. With the success of this activity, we are planning to organize more varied events quarterly.

Dr. Mohsin Al Hassan, media consultant for Nojoud Mall, added that they are very thankful to the Guhit Pinoy group for the support it has extended for this occasion.

The week-long event will also feature coloring and drawing contests sponsored by MAPED, STAEDTLER and AL YUSR Installment Company and to be participated in by students from invited international schools and institutions for the differently-abled children.

The Filipino artists featured in the exhibit are Natalio Alob, Rod Aquino, Mario Bactol, George Besinga, Ismael Esber, Ramero Firmeza, Nes Gelito, Mario Sta. Maria, Richard Mascunana, Willy Mendoza, George Pontino, Jr., Manny Pantaleon, Val Pabulos, Rico Rival, Edbon Sevilleno, Mel Versoza and Lito Ysip

These members of Guhit Pinoy are mostly from the comics industry, animation, book publishing and a few from advertising agencies.

The group has ever wanted to acknowledge the hospitality of their second home, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , particularly its royal families and its people. It also wishes to further strengthen the Philippines-KSA relationship altogether.

All of these have become realizations through this art exhibit. The artists individually conveyed its reverence to their adoptive fatherland by interpreting and showcasing its rich culture. Varying themes about Arabian traditions, history and way of life are depicted using different techniques and media.

NoJoud malls' Media Consultant Dr. Mohsin Al Hassan, General Manager Fahmi Emran with organizer Ran Basanta of S.E. Production.

Philippine Embassy Riyadh Invites Guhit Pinoy

Last friday afternoon - August 31, 2007, Guhit Pinoy was invited at the POLO OFW Leaders Lounge (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) to attend to their ongoing seminar - "On-site Labor Education Program For Community Leaders". This is part of OWWA's initiative to make the Community Leaders as partners to help OFW help themeselves and be aware of labor laws on their respective country host. Apart from this the Guhit Pinoy has a different agenda with the Philippine Embassy Labor Attache Mr. Rustico SM. dela Fuente, inviting Guhit Pinoy to exhibit their works at the diplomatic quarters in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Along with this the embassy would like us to paint a mural depecting the contribution of the filipino workforce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This will serve as a gift of the Philippines to the Kingdom. The mural is said to be hang in a designated hall at the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor building. To us this will be another historical legacy, and will set another milestone in our endeavor.

Guhit Pinoy members who attended the seminar: Rico Rival, Natalio Alob Jr., and Edbon Sevilleno.

Guhit Pinoy Welcomes Rico Rival - Scene 1 (Tipon-tipon)

Our guest of honor Mr. Rico Rival finally arrived, with Mario Sta. Maria (Memac Ogilvy) and si Darwin (J. Walter Thomson). Galing pa ng trabaho si Mang Rico. Welcoming them is Edbon Sevilleno.

Sumonod na nag-datingan ang mga poging mga graphic designers galing sa ibat-ibang agencies. Si Ismael Esber pala nasa bakasyon.

Kamustahan Blues na kay Mang Rico! From left: 'Yan si Arden at Gilbert ng Publicis, at si Juan Tapel ng AP7 McCann Erickson.

Diretso ka agad si Mang Rico sa computer para sagutin ang mga bati online... naka babad si Mario Macalindog at Randy Valiente sa Webcam ng YM. Si Meyo naman nag parating din ng bati. At 'yong isang bataan ni Hal Santiago sa Hongkong naka online din. Tumawag din si Val Pabulos extending their warmest welcome to Mang Rico from Guhit Pinoy Jeddah. Mga bati galing kay Ness Gelito, George Besinga, Mel 'Lakay' Valdez, Romy Villanueva, Ronnie de Guzman, at Sonny delos Santos.

Sina Mang Rico, Manny Pantaleon, at Darwin.

Another Pogi shot nga d'yan!

Para naging art exhibit na rin ang party, marami art collection kasi 'tong venue na 'to.

Lito Ysip with Mang Rico.

Our friends from ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel corrrespondents Mr. Christoper Laviña with wife Marilyn. On the side from left: Manny, Edbon, from right Mel Verzosa and wife, and Nono Verzosa.

Ang poporma ng mga 'to ah! from left: Lito Ysip, Arnold (Grey), John Lanot (Memac Ogilvy), Arman Lising and Joy (Grey), Gilbert, Nono, Nasser (Intermarkets), Kiko at Edgar.

Kalahi Band isang tugtug nga dyan? Sige na!

Guhit Pinoy Welcomes Rico Rival - Scene 2 Tsibugan

WOW! Tsarap! Ready na ang tsibug at mainit pa! Special thanks pala sa mag asawang Albert at Celia sa kanilang masarap na catering services. Lahat na sarapan!

Mario, Lito, at Manny.

Tsibugan Blues na! Manny ituloy mo lng, babawi-in natin yan sa storyboards! Hehehehehehe!

Ang Kalahi Band.

From left: Boy Sarmiento (Intermarkets), Mel Verzosa, Darwin, Mang Rico, At Nono Verzosa sa likod. 'Bat palagi kang nasa likod?

Sige kain lang kayo mga Sir! Kowboy lng tayo dito.

Knights of the orange table.

Mga waswits! Kaya pala tumataba kayo... ganun pala kayo humatak! Joke lang ha!

Pa cute nga dyan?

Guhit Pinoy Welcomes Rico Rival - Scene 3 (Tugtugan)

Tugtugan Blues na! With the Kalahi Band - mga tunog pinoy original songs.

Kalahi Band singing songs from the heart, mga damdaming OFW's. Isa na dito ang famous controversial piece na " Ginagong Bayani".

V.I.P.'s from left: Darwin C., Nono Verzosa ( Impact BBDO), Lito Ysip (Drive), Rico Rival, Rod Aquino (3 Points), and Mrs. Mel Verzosa.

Ala Elvis naman si Mel!

Ito na ang tatlong itlog ng Guhit Pinoy! Si Boyet, Boy, at Mel.

Si Manny nasa keyboard.

Sige na! Wala daw silang praktis. Kahit ano! Uy wala kantang kahit ano! Beatles na lang! OK!

Feel na feel!

Akala nyo tutoo no? Tawanan ang lahat! Nag ha-high and low kasi si Boy.

Pwede na rin! Masaya na!

Palakpakan! Tuwang-tuwa ang lahat, lalo na ang guest of honor! Welcome po Mr. Rico Rival! Sabi ni Mang Rico... Count me in sa Guhit Pinoy!

Guhit Pinoy Brief History

Members of Guhit Pinoy are mostly from the comics industry, animation, book publishing and a few from ad agencies from the Philippines.

The first wave of Filipino comics illustrators who came here in Saudi Arabia during the early 80s are those hired by Saudi local advertising agencies just after the construction boom. About that time the infrastructure in this oil-rich country was almost done. It was then followed by the business growth in the region that was rapidly changing the landscape up to the present. This was also the time when international ad agencies started doing their shares in the market.

Among the first hired Filipino illustrators were George Besinga, Ernie Patricio, Mel Versoza, Nilo Praico, Val Pabulous, Nes Gelito, Pons Amurao, Freddie Fernandez, Ismael Esber, Vir Torres, and Max Merto. All came from the Philippine Komiks Mainstream during the 80s and the 90s when the industry was about to die-out. The second wave was composed of illustrators from different sectors of the industry. The third wave of comics illustrators were recommended by fellow peers. They were Sonny de los Santos, Many Pantaleon, Joey Salvador, Gil Magtalas, and among others.

The demand of Filipino illustrators is still on-going. We dominate the market and we are respected around ad agencies. Here, we are informally known as "The Filipino Mafia" of the creative community. Later then we officially organized and named our group Guhit Pinoy. (Pinoy is a shortcut slang of the word Filipino). Since then with a little help from our friends online, we have now members around the globe. Our objective is simple…to boost the morale of our fellow Filipino Illustrators and artists world-wide. World Class ang galing ng Pinoy! Join us all in that quest!

komikero Journal

Special thanks to Gerry Alanguilan for introducing Guhit Pinoy on his Komikero Journal.

komikero

Gariela Silang Series by Mel Verzosa

"Gariela Silang" by Mel Verzosa

"Ang Pag-aklas" by Mel Verzosa

"Pagtutuos" by Mel Verzosa

"Konbento" by Mel Verzosa

"Gariela Silang" by Mel Verzosa

Guhit Pinoy March 16 Jam/Meeting

Nag Pansit Bihon Jam na naman ang mga Guhit Pinoy Members. Dito po kami nag titipon-tipon sa lugar na tinatawag naming SeSiPi (Sentro ng Sining para sa Pinoy). Basta nasa sining ka welcome ka dito, Guhit Pinoy - mga debuhista, Tunog Pinoy - mga musikero. at Pinta Pinoy - mga pintor naman, at Arte Pinoy sa mga teatro.

Ang nasa Larawan...Mario Santa Maria (naka-upo) from left: Mel Versoza, Edbon Sevilleno, manny Pantaleon, Ismael Esber, at Boy Sarmiento. C Nonoy Alob sa next picture.

Actually the purpose of this meeting ay para sa panawagan ng Kongreso ng Komiks na ginanap recently. Parte ito sa isang Komiks Caravan Exhibit na iikot sa buong arkipilago ng ating bayan, sasali po ang Guhit Pinoy sa panawagang ito.