00:00 Now, there's a new Kavogue superhero that will slay the day.
00:05 Meet Badinger Zee, the fabulous crusader of the world who dons a dazzling cape as he fights
00:11 against oppression.
00:12 Badinger Zee represents the LGBTQIA+ community and stars in a new comic book, Badinger Zee
00:18 and the Akla Assassin, written by award-winning filmmaker Real Florido.
00:25 And Direk Real joins us now in the studio to tell us more.
00:28 Good morning, Direk.
00:29 Thank you so much for being here.
00:31 Good morning.
00:32 I like it when you say Akla Assassin.
00:33 Is it right?
00:34 Yeah, yeah.
00:35 It is right.
00:36 Okay.
00:37 I mean, it's like, you know, I think 2023 has not ended for you.
00:41 It has, you know, just transcended to 2024.
00:44 I mean, amazing things have happened to you in 2023.
00:48 And then this one, for one, is how long was this in the works before you finally, it's
00:54 released, right?
00:55 Yeah.
00:56 So, we already announced, it's gonna hit the shelves on the 19th via the Comiket at
01:04 the Market Market.
01:06 So that's where we're going to start releasing copies.
01:11 So we only, it's only available in printed copies.
01:16 Okay.
01:17 How long was this in the works?
01:18 I mean, when did you start thinking about and said, you know, I think I want to do,
01:22 you've been so busy.
01:23 You've done movies.
01:24 I mean, you've also done TV work.
01:28 So when did this whole thing come into being?
01:31 Well, the material is actually inspired by a play that we did back in college in Pamantasan
01:37 ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
01:38 So it was a play by my organization.
01:43 And then, a decade after, maybe a decade after, I took the IP and started working on it.
01:53 So it's been in the works now for quite some time.
01:58 And especially right now that comics, Pinoy comics actually is now having a resurgence.
02:04 A lot of Filipino artists, comic artists, visual artists are working in this kind of
02:11 medium.
02:12 Would it be easier for somebody like you who's also a screenwriter to do comics?
02:19 Well, I think because I know how to do a storyboard as a director, it helps a lot.
02:26 And I know how to write like maybe a three-second material to like a two-hour film.
02:32 So it helps in condensing the message.
02:38 And also because I grew up reading comics.
02:42 So it helped me in identifying how to really tell the story in this kind of storyboard.
02:51 So what is the story of Badinger Z?
02:54 It's about this bullied military student.
03:00 So he went away.
03:01 Umalis talaga sya dun sa military school niya because he was forced to be there because
03:07 he's gay.
03:08 So when he went back home, he discovered something in the forest.
03:16 Like it's a, well, I don't want to tell anything, but he discovered that he is actually a superhero
03:25 called Badinger Z.
03:26 Okay.
03:27 So he found something.
03:28 Did he have to like also transform?
03:29 How did he transform?
03:30 Yeah.
03:31 That's something that you can see in the comics.
03:35 That's one of the highlights of the comics.
03:39 And because there's a lot going on, it's divided into four series.
03:45 So the first volume, that's why it's entitled Badinger Z and the Akla Assassin.
03:50 So it's going to be divided into four.
03:53 The first of four will be released this 19th.
03:58 So here we'll be introducing the character.
04:02 How he comes to be.
04:03 And how he discovered his power.
04:07 What is his power?
04:08 Are you allowed to share?
04:10 Yeah.
04:11 He has superpowers because he's not from here.
04:15 He's not really from here.
04:17 So there's like a technology that is embedded in the thing that he will be discovering.
04:24 Oh, interesting.
04:26 Which is from his mother planet.
04:28 Oh, interesting.
04:29 Okay.
04:30 I thought that he would transform because he...
04:33 Yeah, but the main message here is, I think it's already, I have to say this, because
04:41 Badinger Z is a superhero that doesn't want himself because his form is a gay superhero.
04:49 So he's conflicted that way.
04:51 So he has to embrace that.
04:52 So he's happier being the other self, but he has to come to terms with who he really
04:58 is.
04:59 Who he really is.
05:00 So that's a prevalent issue amongst the young members of the LGBTQ community.
05:05 And that is something that I want them to identify with, that they're being seen, they're
05:10 being heard.
05:11 And most especially now that, you know, because in mainstream media, in the Philippines, it's
05:17 always LGBTQ members are sidekick.
05:20 If not sidekick, the punchlines.
05:22 But here, we take the center stage.
05:25 We are superheroes because we too can be heroes.
05:28 Every day you see heroes and you don't know they're members of LGBTQ.
05:32 I think you're going to be busy.
05:33 I mean, after this, it's not going to end, I think.
05:39 Hopefully people will embrace it.
05:42 Hopefully they get the message because in the end, it's about humanity.
05:46 And you seem to be enjoying it.
05:48 I mean, as you're telling me about the story, you seem to be very passionate about it.
05:53 I mean, you are a film director and I'm sure you're an expert.
05:57 We know when it comes to storytelling, you've done, okay, let's go through all of your accomplishments.
06:03 Your first one was First Kusitha.
06:05 Yes, yes.
06:06 That's with Tita Nova Villa.
06:09 It's still, you know, you can see it on Netflix right now.
06:14 That was 2014.
06:15 Oh my, that's, you know, pretty much one of your debuts.
06:17 The other was one of, in Sinemalaya, tama pa, Sinemalaya.
06:21 And then, Will You Be My Ex?
06:22 And then you have award winning, you were producing the Iska.
06:25 Yes, with Teodor Boborol.
06:28 The lead actress won several awards, Tita Ruby Ruiz.
06:32 She won several awards here and also in New York, internationally because of that film.
06:36 And quite recently, you had an award for Tell Her.
06:39 Yes.
06:40 In Germany.
06:41 The film won in Germany in Della Awards as Best Film Feature.
06:45 So yeah, it's quite a year for me.
06:48 It has been.
06:49 I mean, you've always, you know, with that, where are you seeing yourself?
06:54 Now in 2024, are you going to be doing more movies?
06:57 Do you have movies lined up?
06:58 Yeah, I have an upcoming movie.
07:01 I think it's already released.
07:05 Wujenelin Mercado.
07:06 And I think that's going to be my last romantic movie.
07:09 Because I want to focus more on the stories that I want to tell.
07:15 Okay, so what are they?
07:17 What are the stories that you want?
07:18 It's about, you know, family.
07:19 Okay.
07:20 And also, you know, some stories that are very unique, I think, that is my voice.
07:27 But Rom-Com is okay.
07:28 I love it.
07:29 But I think I don't want to be branded in that arena.
07:33 So I'm trying to, you know, delve away.
07:36 How about branded as a comic master?
07:38 Well, I don't know.
07:39 Because I don't draw.
07:40 You know you don't.
07:41 You'll just read the story.
07:42 Yes, the story.
07:44 So for this comic book that I've been working on, I'm collaborating with a very talented
07:51 Cebuano folklore comic artist.
07:54 His name is Alfred Galarosa.
07:56 And he's really, really good.
07:57 And I hope you can discover his works.
07:59 His works are beautiful.
08:01 Also with additional illustrations by a very talented multimedia artist from Davao, Germaine
08:10 Tublo.
08:11 So, you know, I think now the key is to really collaborate with like-minded people, with
08:17 other artists who have penchant to tell really, really good Filipino stories.
08:22 And there's a lot out there.
08:23 I mean, there's a lot.
08:24 And it's our time.
08:25 It is definitely our time.
08:26 It is our time.
08:27 So how can we get a hold of the comic book?
08:29 I mean, you said it's coming out, pa.
08:30 Yes, on the 19th.
08:33 Will be in Comiket next week, starting Friday to Sunday.
08:37 That's 19th of January to the 21st.
08:40 So I will be there personally.
08:42 I hope you can find time.
08:45 If you want, I can sign the comic book.
08:47 And it's just 149 pesos.
08:50 Super mura for buying that kind of art.
08:52 Yes, yes.
08:53 So I hope you can go there.
08:54 Support local.
08:55 Yes, support local artists.
08:57 Support our artists.
08:59 And yeah, I'm very excited to introduce you to Vadinger Z.
09:03 I love it, Vadinger Z.
09:04 Thank you so much, Direk Real, for joining us this morning, for sharing your passion
09:08 and the things you love to do.
09:10 We wish you all the best.
09:11 Thank you so much for having me.
09:12 Come back again and tell me about the next series you're going to happen to Vadinger
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