On the surface, It looks like test shot for CG effects for a movie. The watermark on the video reads Optima Digital which we can assume is the studio behind this video.

The title of the video says AA CG. Could the “AA” stand for Andong Agimat?

You decide.

The new video now deviates from the doom and gloom theme of the first two parts, Apokalipto and Salot and paints a much brighter picture. Senator Chiz Escudero is seen in various activities of community building together with various members and stakeholders in the community, an obvious allusion to his philosophy of everyone working together for the common good.

The video still retains some aspects of the fantastic with strategic flashes of glowing speed lines and the flickering light of the Bagong Sigla logo not unlike a small bright flame.

The third installment ends with the message “Tayo ang Bagong Sigla”.

What’s next?

You remember, of course. The one that goes…

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size.
Catches thieves- just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman.

Is he strong? Listen, bud.
He’s got radioactive blood.
Can he swing, from a thread?
Take a look overhead.
Hey, there! There goes the Spiderman!

In the chill of night, at the scene of a crime,
like a streak of light,
he arrives, just in time!

Spiderman, Spiderman,
friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
Wealth and fame? He’s ignored.
Action is his reward.
Look out! There goes the Spiderman!

To him,
life is a great big bang-up.
Wherever there’s a hang-up,
you’ll find the Spiderman!

Currently, the viral video is enjoying a faster rise in pageviews with the revelation and probably the buzz generated by the first video. Several other prominent blogs (Technogra.ph comes to mind) have already featured the second video catching the new video early in the game.

The video, continuing with its use of comic book style storytelling, further ups the cool factor with a rock oriented soundtrack and makes creative use of camera angles and movement making it very entertaining. It ends with the message “Tayo ang Bagong Sigla” consistent with the 39-year old senator’s advocacy of people empowerment and shared leadership.

With Chiz’s birthday fast upcoming (he will be celebrating his 40th birthday this October 10, 2009) will he be finally declaring his intention to run for the highest office in this country? Throw his hat in the ring, so to speak.

But, like comic books from which his viral video takes its cue, anything can, may, and will probably happen.

This is politics after all.

Itutuloy!

People have been wondering, is it something for a new Teleserye by one of the major TV networks? Is it a new product or service being launched by a company? Or has another player entered the political arena?

Comments by visitors of the YouTube Channel named Bagong Sigla has commented that it’s probably Chiz Escudero while one was asking if that was Noynoy Aquino under that bright red-orange hoodie.

Taking a closer look at the logo that was revealed underneath the jacket and it’s resemblance to the Chiz Nation logo however would lead many to believe that it is Chiz.

Also the voice sounds like it’s his.

Assuming it is Chiz, however, does this mean that he will be running and will be throwing his hat in the ring so to speak? Or is he launching some new movement and hyping it up with a gimmick? Who can say at this point?

Given the way Philippine politics goes, your guess is as good as mine.

I however, love the comic book style presentation.

But I am, of course, a comic book creator after all!

Check out the Bagong Sigla YouTube Channel here.

Some of the highlights of the Metro Con for me was…

1) The Komikero Komiks Anthology 2 sold out really well with only 12 copies left.
2) The largest gathering of Komikeros to date.
3) Fun, fun, fun!

For those who came by to buy the Komikero Anthology and say hello, in behalf of this issue’s editors Gerry Alanguilan and Johnny Y. Danganan, I’d like to say thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts. While you guys are waiting for my stuff to get posted, check out this Metro Con video that Gerry Alanguilan made.

To those who missed the event, hope to see you guys next year!

More articles on this issue:

BenCab Issues Statement
Gerry Alanguilan Protests!
Carlo Caparas is a National Artist!?
How to Become a National Artist

Meanwhile, let’s let the video Gerry made speak for itself.

You can comment directly on Gerry Alanguilan’s blog regarding his views and his video. Click here.

The action, based on the scenes they showed on the teaser, seems to be quite intense and pulse pounding. Action junkies will definitely be pleased.

I just have one minor comment however…

I don’t know about you guys out there but Wolverine looks too…pretty.

My two cents.

That said, I will be eagerly awaiting the DVD’s release.

Presented during Friday’s Marvel Animation panel, attendees of the San Diego Comicon got their collective panties wet with the first showing of the studio’s next big animated project.

It certainly looks impressive…very impressive indeed.

I am particularly excited about this project not only because the Planet Hulk storyline is one of my favorites arcs but also because fellow Filipino comic book creator and all around nice guy Carlo Pagulayan also worked on the comic book.

I can’t wait for the DVD to come out!

He wrote many comics for various publishers including The Books of Magic and the highly acclaimed The Sandman whose 11 volumes remains in print to this day.

Asked why he likes comics more than other forms of storytelling Gaiman said “One of the joys of comics has always been the knowledge that it was, in many ways, untouched ground. It was virgin territory. When I was working on Sandman, I felt a lot of the time that I was actually picking up a machete and heading out into the jungle. I got to write in places and do things that nobody had ever done before. When I’m writing novels I’m painfully aware that I’m working in a medium that people have been writing absolutely jaw-droppingly brilliant things for, you know, three-four thousand years now. You know, you can go back. We have things like The Golden Ass. And you go, well, I don’t know that I’m as good as that and that’s two and a half thousand years old.

But with comics I felt like — I can do stuff nobody has ever done. I can do stuff nobody has ever thought of. And I could and it was enormously fun.”

Read more about Neil Gaiman over at Wikipedia and his blog.