Access the whole comic here! https://bit.ly/TemporaryHaven
A prophecy heralds the end of the world and a hero who saves it. As time passes, the world of Everescape grows more dangerous, and destruction is becoming imminent. As the chosen one, only you can save the world and stop the impending doom. As the hero this is your destiny. Fulfill
it,
SCAN QR Code for
no
matter
the
cost.
COMPLETE ARTBOOK
https://bit.ly/Everescape
Click on the logo to visit the website
ANITO: AVATARS OF THE PEARL Designing Characters Inspired by the Natural Resources of the Philippines Anito: Avatars of the Pearl is a collection of digital illustrations featuring ten (10) character designs that personify the natural resources of the Philippines. It aims to capture the interest of Filipino youth on the natural resources of the Philippines, especially amidst the popularity of iconic characters and during the pandemic wherein younger generations cannot travel to witness the resources conveniently. These characters are known as diwatas, who dwell in the natural attractions of the country, and engkantos, who represent their respective endemic wildlife species.
The Artist Bettina Mari G. Jiongco is a Senior High School Grade 12 student in the Arts and Design Track from De La Salle University Integrated School (Manila). She specializes in digital illustration, photography, and video editing, but is open to the exploration of different art mediums. Through her artistic skills, she produces works that exhibit her creativity and promote the Filipino culture. Jiongco was able to present her illustrations in the 15th DLSU Arts Congress Exhibition, for instance, and will soon be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts degree in De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde. In the future, she hopes that her art may inspire youth such as herself and empower the Filipino people.
Agustino Paoay Lake Model sheet The Paoay Lake is the largest lake in Ilocos Norte and was believed to be the location of a wealthy barangay named, San Juan de Sahagun that sank due to an earthquake. It was said that the people of the barangay became blinded by greed, except for the humble Juan and his wife Maria who were told by a voice to flee the barangay before it sank. The artist reinterpreted that Maria bore a child named Agustino, who is now a diwata that inhabits the lake, rehabilitating a diverse species of birds, plants, and fish. Despite being one of the youngest diwatas, humans and other diwatas have regarded Agustino as unapproachable because of his intimidating aura and the fact that he was born after a catastrophic natural disaster. But in actuality, he just enjoys the peace and ambiance of his lake alone with his many winged friends. Agustino’s design is based on Spanish colonial era Ilocano people. He wears a magical annangá, which is a raincape made out of nipa palm. His blouse and staff have patterns similar to inabel fabric and the shape of Paoay lake, and his color palette consists of green, blue, and beige, mimicking the colors of the lake and its surrounding plants.
Brainstorm Sketch
Aya Philippine Crocodile Model sheet The Philippine Crocodile, generally called buwaya, is a critically endangered crocodile species. Which can still be found within the Luzon rainforest. Ancient Tagalogs believed that the buwaya is responsible for bringing a deceased person’s spirit into either Maca (heaven) or Kasanaan (hell), through a tomb on its back. The artist was inspired by this myth, leading to the creation of the character, Aya, who is a free-spirited and audacious engkanto that collects souls around the Philippines with her barong bolo. She believes her role is merely the transportation between two spiritual planes, unbeknownst to the true concept of death. Aya’s design is inspired by the Mangyan people of Mindoro and the physique of the Philippine crocodile. She has a headdress and hair reminiscent of the crocodile’s head structure, alongside crocodile scales and a tail. She wears an upper covering similar to the ulango of the Alangan tribe and the linagmon of the Buhid tribe while her skirt’s structure is derived from the ramit, a short skirt worn by female Mangyans, and finally, her color palette has the green, brown, and tan hues of the Philippine crocodile. Brainstorm Sketch
Bahandlao Chocolate Hills Model sheet The Chocolate Hills of Bohol is a famous geological formation declared as the third National Geological Monument of the Philippines. The hills were believed to be the boulders used in a fight between two giants, but it was also believed that the formations were the teardrops of a broken-hearted giant. The artist reimagined the legends to be about the strong giant diwata, Bahandlao, who had a lovers’ quarrel with another giant wherein they threw boulders at each other which led to the formation of hills. Bahandlao became depressed that his tears fell onto the barren hills, suddenly giving life to them and turning them into a habitat for animals and plants. This slowly motivated him to move on and take more time for himself by resting underneath the hills until the time is right. Bahandlao’s design is based on pre-colonial Boholano people and the geology of the hills. He has tattoos similar to that of pintados, but with domed patterns representing the famous geological formation. He also wears a pudong and a loincloth, with limbs covered in greenery and rocks, emphasizing his physical strength. Bahandlao’s color palette is akin to the yellow and brown color of the hills on a sunny day, with a touch of green.
Brainstorm Sketch
Calo Rafflesia Philippensis Model sheet The Rafflesia philippensis is a species of parasitic plant found within the Mount Banahaw National Park in Calabarzon. It is also called the ‘corpse flower’ due to its pungent odor similar to rotting flesh that attracts pollinators. The artist designed the engkanto, Calo, based on the rafflesia. He is silent but deadly to his unsuspecting victims. Calo has the ability to monitor and apprehend evil engkantos who dare to harm innocent humans, diwatas, and engkantos. Hence, he has a serious demeanor and a mysterious unknown origin. Calo’s design is obtained from both pre-colonial Tagalogs and Visayans. He wears a jacket called kangan, and a loincloth. He also has tattoos and patterns identical to the distinguishable spots and petals of the Rafflesia. The engkanto wields an Itak Tagalog and wears the traditional headgear of salakot, as the artist establishes that engkantos of flora and fauna would wear hats, unlike Animalia engkantos that wear headdresses and masks. The bold red and yellow color palette of Calo is the colors of the rafflesia and a part of his characterization as a dangerous engkanto. Brainstorm Sketch
Halisay Taal Volcano Model sheet The Taal Volcano, located in Batangas, is the second most active volcano in the country. Long ago, Lakan Taal, a respected elder, forbid his people to climb the summit of the mountain but they decided to ignore his instruction and believed that the summit is full of gemstones. The artist envisioned that Lakan Taal was actually hiding a young diwata, Halisay, who he raised as his daughter in the confines of the summit. The sudden appearance of the townspeople caused her great distress that she accidentally released her strangely powerful abilities, harming the people and forming the volcano. She grew up guilty of what she had done but, slowly and surely, she controls her abilities so that it may not happen again. Halisay’s design is based on pre-colonial Tagalog people and the smoke and ash often produced by the Taal Volcano. She wears a baro and a tapis with designs simplifying the shape of the shores between the volcano and the Taal Lake. She also wears a shawl called talukbong that magically flows like a cloud. Colors of green and gray are in Halisay’s palette representing the volcano and its active emissions. Brainstorm Sketch
Juni Philippine Eagle Model sheet The Philippine Eagle is a critically endangered species of eagle that is endemic in eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. It is the national bird of the Philippines and the symbol of hope and inspiration for the Filipino people that the artist was inspired to design an engkanto called Juni. He comes from a lineage of Haribon engkantos that are known as leaders and protectors of the forest. However, they failed to protect themselves from unknown forces which caused young Juni and the remaining to flee. Years had passed and the trauma still lingers within them but not for the fearless and resilient Juni who still believes that they can take back their territory. Juni is inspired by a variety of pre-colonial Filipino designs. He wears a feathered mask shaped like the head of the Philippine Eagle, a bahag similar to Cordilleran garments and feathered accessories structured like Lumad bali-og ornaments. He wields a spear known as sibat, with a tip designed like the Visayan winged dagger called balaraw. Besides having Haribon wings and talons, his color palette consists of the eagle’s warm brown and white hues contrasted with blue representing the sky in which the eagle flies.
Brainstorm Sketch
Ligbuhayan Luzon Blue Tiger Butterfly Model sheet The Luzon Blue Tiger Butterfly is a species of the Parantica butterfly that is endemic to Luzon. Butterflies being the souls of dead relatives is a common superstitious belief in the Philippines, which motivated the artist to create the engkanto, Ligbuhayan. Ligbuhayan has the unique ability to conjure butterflies that serve as temporary earthly vessels for the souls in the underworld. He is also one of the few engkantos that are very close to humans. After a human with a good soul passes away, their soul turns into a butterfly that approaches Ligbuhayan, who listens to their life story and lets them visit their relatives for a short amount of time. The gentle engkanto’s design is reminiscent of the Ifugao people. Ligbuhayan wears an ikat woven scarf, a loincloth called wanno, and a mumbaki decorated headdress sculpted similarly to the antennas of the butterfly. He also has the wings and dark-colored limbs of the Luzon Blue Tiger Butterfly. His clothing and skin have striped and wing-like patterns influenced by Ifugao textile patterns while his color palette is comprised of the butterfly’s black and blue shades. Brainstorm Sketch
Mago Philippine Tarsier Model sheet The Philippine Tarsier is a near-threatened species of Tarsier that can be found in the islands of Maripipi, Siargao, Basilan, and Dinagat. The legend involving tarsiers describes them as pets of the spirits that inhabit balete trees. Mago is the engkanto that the artist designed to be the dweller of balete trees and the second-in-command to the Haribon engkanto. Her enhanced vision and the ability to magically conjure arrows make her a skilled archer. Mago serves as the voice of reason and logic to the over-optimistic Juni, but despite her powerful eyesight, she often can not see the bigger picture, preferring to act far away from potential dangers. Mago’s design is based on the Waray people who generally have pre-colonial Visayan designs. She has pintados tattoos patterned after the long fingers and toes of the tarsier. She has a baro-like brasserie and a bahag shaped like a leaf. Her gold armbands, ankle bands, and accessories are inspired by the branches tarsiers would hold on to. Her hair and mask represent the tail and head of these primates, respectively. Lastly, Mago’s bow and arrow is known as pana at palaso, with blades shaped like tarsier ears.
Brainstorm Sketch
Maria and Cristina Maria Cristina Falls Model sheet The Maria Cristina Falls is located in Iligan and is the primary source of hydroelectric power for the city’s industries. Legend has it that it was named after twin sisters that loved each other deeply, reinterpreted by the artist as daughters of a female human and a male diwata. Maria grew up to be the protector of her father’s river while Christina has powers of electricity but refused to use them since she fell in love with the Sultan’s son. The sisters have such opposing worldviews that it led to a conflict which made Cristina fall from a cliff. Maria saved her sister leading to the creation of the falls. The sisters apologized to each other, realizing that despite being opposites, their familial love is what kept them together. Maria and Cristina’s designs are both inspired by the Lumad people, mostly the designs in the Kaamulan Festival, a celebration of different Lumad ethnic groups. They wear abaca woven clothing, with different sleeves and skirt sizes that fit their personality, bali-og accessories that symbolize the twin waterfalls, and tassels that illustrate the falls’ vertical movement. Maria has a matching kampilan sword while Cristina has lightning-like tattoo on her wrist.
Brainstorm Sketch
Pamela Siargao Island Model sheet Siargao is an island located in the Philippine Sea, off the coast of Surigao Del Norte. The island is a popular tourist destination and surfing spot which inspired the artist to personify the island as Pamela, a bright and optimistic diwata that welcomes humans into her island. She also has the magical ability to surf around her abode and grow palm trees. Pamela is one of the friendliest and most hospitable diwatas that humans always come back for her island, but she is naive, and so, some humans take advantage of her kindness. The artist designed Pamela based on the Mamanwa people. Mamanwa traditional clothing has geometric patterns such as diamonds and triangles that the artist redesigned for the character to be patterns that imitate the waves of Siargao. Pamela wears a baro-like shirt and bahag-like shorts which resembles swimwear. She also wears strands of bali-og beads and a skirt with accessories made of palm leaves. Her blue curly hair represents the waters around the island, while the pinks and yellows of her palette are similar to the breathtaking sunset scenery that can only be found in Siargao.
Brainstorm Sketch
As part of the younger generation, the artist faced several difficulties during the COVID-19 lockdown but thanks to her family, she was still able to travel out of town often to take a break. It gave her a newfound appreciation for the natural resources of the Philippines, but others may not afford to travel and experience such attractions, so they would rely on the media and entertainment online instead. Therefore, she created this artwork for her fellow Filipino youth to appreciate the natural resources of the country and to be entertained by the stories surrounding it. Overall, the artwork proves that we can still adapt our Filipino culture and traditions into contemporary art and media. Especially in the pandemic wherein we became exposed to new ideas and concepts from different cultures that we forget our own Filipino identity. It also proves that it is possible to promote environmental awareness wherein it is not just about the crisis and issues surrounding it, but it is also about the beauty and abundance of nature, the reason why we strive to protect and nurture our environment. Hopefully, these characters will be able to inspire Filipinos to learn from the past while looking forward to the future.
Thank you for reading!
ANITO: AVATARS OF THE PEARL