4. Never reject a job offer, no matter what the pay.

His advice to those starting out: “Don’t worry about the rates you’re going to get.” Always accept a job offer to create even with measly pay as long as your work gets published. Because once you’re published, you’re allowing yourself to be known by editors who will decide to employ you and pay you what you’re worth. “If you play hardball in the beginning and don’t accept that first dollar to get published, nobody will see you. How will people know you have talent? Just get your work out there!”

3. Don’t rely on Western references to communicate local culture

One of the mistakes local artists make is that when they try to talk about something purely Filipino, they refer to Western culture which consequently fails to resonate with the intended audience. “If you want to show a manananggal, don’t go looking at vampire references or Japanese kaiju. Look for inspiration in your immediate environment, draft your characters from locals you meet.”

2. Expose the world to the uniqueness of Filipino culture

Everyone everywhere knows about the Philippines, but only on the surface level. Portacio encourages Filipinos to show the world through their art and stories that we’re more than just Jollibee, adobo, or Manny Pacquiao. “Talk to them about our values. The concept of pakikisama, of kuya or ate, of tropa. The world needs to know about that because they don’t have that.”

1. Get over your “hiya”

If there’s one thing Portacio hopes to eliminate from Filipino culture, it’s the hiya that’s innate within us. He stresses the only secret to eventual success: “Just get your work out there!”

Feeling inspired by Whilce Portacio’s words of wisdom? Go ahead and start creating!

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