I know we’re all in the middle of a crazy fucking mess. Everyone everywhere needs support. So I’m signal boosting one of my best friend’s ko-fi so that she can get support from anyone! @mmmerchedesi is an incredible artist and has been suffering through a lockdown in her country that’s worse than most others. If you love her work and want to support her continuing to create amazing art, please consider buying her a ko-fi or signal boosting!
Hi all!!!! Thank you for listening. Suffice to say, I’m in a terrible state at the moment, financially. Due to the COVID-19 situation here in Southeast Asia, my field in the culture and arts have effectively been compromised due to art spaces shutting down. In this spare time I can allot for commissions and 3$ sketches on kofi, which you can find here https://ko-fi.com/mmmerchedesi !
I would be so grateful if you can help me get through these moments, even by donating a bit of kofi, or sharing this message.
My drawing interest includes all forms of characters (which you can see above) and you can commonly find me working on League of Legends/ LoL esports fanart as it is my current interest. I also draw a lot of fantasy characters and Dungeons and Dragons characters/OC’s since I have also been deeply interested in playing/roleplaying for the longest time as well. I love anime. I have been a fan since my childhood. I can draw about just about anything that I can get my interest in, and most of what I love is under the sci-fi/drama/fantasy genre. Currently I have been finishing Saiyuki. I also am a big Star Wars fan. I’ll be watching The Mandalorian soon and may once more do a deep dive in creating SW fanart.
I know that there have been many terrifying things that have been happening all around the world. While the pandemic rips through society, governments take decisive and violent opportunities to pass laws that will allow them more freedom to do acts of terror and limit the rights of its citizens and keep them in a stranglehold, ironically. In Hong Kong, citizens are now ruled over by a new security law that jeopardizes their democracy and freedom of speech. Likewise, in the Philippines, the signing of the Anti-Terror Law is utilized against government dissent and criticism of all varying forms and medium only to arrest protestors for terrorism. This cannot happen, as we are still fighting against this law from fully integrating in a matter of a few days. A portion of your donation will be going to local charities that I personally donate to to fight against a terrifying authoritarian government.
I know 3 USD is not much, but for me, this is more than enough. I will honor your donation and happily continue creating for as long as my will and mind are firm, and my heart is alive and strong.
Two weeks ago I joined Global Game Jam at Ateneo de Naga University. Global Game Jam is an international event where programmers and creatives meet to design and develop a game. This was my first time to collaborate with programmers and the experience was mind-blowing. For three days we camped at the Madrigal building to conceptualize, design, and make our game work. This year’s theme was “ritual”. So our group came up with this game based on an ancient Bikoilano ritual called “Haliya”. From my research, Haliya is the goddess of the moon who tames Bakunawa every time the sky dragon swallows the moon during eclipse. The Balyanas/Babaylans performs this ritual to Haliya to call for the goddess’ help.In our game, the goddess Haliya’s power depends on the prayer gems she collects from her believers. In the mythology, Bakunawa has swallowed the other six moons of the sky. So as the game progresses Bakunawa gives up a moon per level. We also incorporated other characters from Bikol legends to spice up the game.
The local jam was organized by the Information and Communication and technology Center of Ateneo de Naga University. We thank them for the free food and videoke, hahahaha. I hope we have another jam next year.
One good thing about Karaw Craftventure is that they are empowering the women inmates of Naga City Correctional facility to actualize their potentials as productive members of our society. Not only are the women inmates earning from making plush toys, they are also involved in designing. From the initial designs I gave them, they were able to express their creativity in choosing and pairing colors, patterns, and textures. They also maintain high quality control of the products.
This year, I became part of the branding team of Naga’s latest attraction. Que Pasa is not only a barbecue place on the corner of Calle Iglesia and Barlin st, it is also place for art lovers and instagram people. I filled its walls and doors with Filipino/Mexican/Spanish themed murals. Local artists painted the portals inspired with literature written in Spanish language.
Thanks to Carlo and Rica Buenaflor for this opportunity.
