Thread by @joeyalarilla

Filipino comic book writer, artist and self-taught animator #ArnoldArre started a revolution when he published his graphic novel #TheMythologyClass in 1999, originally as four separate issues.

#Philippinemythology

It won a Manila Critics Circle National Book Award in 2000, making history as the first to win in the Comic Books category.

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass #Philippinemythology

In 2015, Filipino film director @JerroldTarog, best known for directing #HeneralLuna, #Goyo, and the upcoming #Darna, announced that he would direct a film adaptation of #TheMythologyClass.

Here’s hoping we’ll see that movie soon.

#ArnoldArre #Philippinemythology

“Why promote us? Why promote Filipino culture? I’m sure — there are a lot of you here — some of you are probably, you know, storytellers, artists, writers. I’m sure you are influenced by American books or European comics or even Japanese manga.”

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass

“And that’s okay. That’s fine. That’s great. I was influenced by Japanese anime. The point I’m trying to make is that it wouldn’t hurt to promote us, to promote our culture. To tell stories about us, you know.”

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass #Philippinemythology

“Our stories. Our characters. Our history. Because we have such a rich culture and, you know, there’s still so many stories to tell and there are just very few of us, so we need help.”

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass #Philippinemythology

“And if you do, I guarantee, I guarantee 100%, everyone’s gonna be proud of you. You’re gonna be proud of yourself.”

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass #Philippinemythology

“Because not only will you be uplifting our image for the entire world, but, you know, you will be shaping, even creating an identity for us. And that’s a nice thing. That’s a great thing. That’s very, very important.”

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass #Philippinemythology

“So again, the question, why promote us? Why promote our culture? Well, who else is gonna do it for us? Nobody. Nobody except you, me, everyone.”

#ArnoldArre #TheMythologyClass #Philippinemythology