Clem Arnold Lawrence Arre (born September 2, 1971) is a Filipino comic book writer, artist and filmmaker. He is best known for his graphic novels The Mythology Class (1999) and Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat (2006), and adult animated short films exploring themes of death, resistance, and the timeless struggle for freedom.
Career The Mythology Class, which blended ancient Philippine mythology with modern urban legends in a contemporary aesthetic, has been described as "genre-breaking", and has the distinction of being the first graphic novel to win in the Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards Comic Books category.
Arre's other titles include the romantic comedy After Eden (2002), Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat (2006), and "Martial Law Babies" (2008).
Aside from his comics work, Arre did numerous design and illustration jobs for various clients such as the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines. He also took part in local and international group exhibits and has had a one-man fantasy-themed show, Mythos in 2000.
In 2007, producer Tony Gloria of Unitel Productions optioned the film rights to Arre's novel Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat. Arre has mentioned in an April 2014 interview that the project is still under development.
In 2011, Arre studied the art of animation and made a 4-minute short film titled Andong Agimat: Kanya ang Kalye based on the main character in his book Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat. In November 2011 he was commissioned by Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to make an animated music video for Kaninong Anino in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Filipino hero Jose Rizal. The following year, he was commissioned by Rock Ed Philippines and the NHCP to make an animated music video for Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine National Anthem which was broadcast on national television on June 12, 2012, Independence Day (Philippines). In September 2012, he did a series of educational animated videos titled Tandaan. Kalayaan. Alagaan. to mark the 40th anniversary of the Philippines' freedom from Martial Law. The series was commissioned by Rock Ed Philippines and the National Youth Commission (Philippines).
In July 2013, Arre finished his first 20-minute animated short film titled Milkyboy.
Awards Arnold Arre has won National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle for his graphic novels The Mythology Class (1999), a four-part action-adventure miniseries and Trip to Tagaytay (2000), a one-shot future fiction short story.
Milkyboy went on to win awards at the 25th Gawad CCP Para Sa Alternatibong Pelikula in November 2013, the 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) in November 2013, and the 30th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) in May 2014, where Arre was awarded the Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award, presented to a short film that demonstrates innovative and original use of cinematic language and vision.
Personal life Arre is based in Quezon City and is married to graphic designer Cynthia Bauzon.
Works
Animated films YearOriginal titleEnglish titleAwards2011Andong Agimat: Kanya ang Kalye Best Animation, 1-5 min. Short Film Category and Special Jury Prize at 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) 2011Kaninong Anino Best Animation, Music Video Category, 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival)2012Lupang Hinirang: The Philippine National Anthem2013Freedom from Martial Law Series2013Milkyboy Winner, Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award, 30th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
1st Prize Winner, Animation Category, The 25th CCP Independent Film & Video Festival
Best Screenplay, 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival)
In Competition, Golden Kuker-Sofia Animation Festival
Graphic novels Self-published Year of releaseTitleNotes1999The Mythology ClassWinner, Best Comic Book - 19th Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards 2000Trip to TagaytayWinner, Best Comic Book - 20th Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards 2006Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat Film rights optioned by Unitel Productions in 2007
Published by Adarna House Year of releaseTitleNotes2002After Eden 2005The Mythology Class Special Collected EditionWinner, Best Comic Book - 2000 Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards
Published by Nautilus Comics Year of releaseTitleNotes2008Martial Law Babies2019The Children of Bathala Volume 12021The Children of Bathala Volume 2
Commissioned Work Pencils, Inks and Colors for "Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby" by Gerry Alanguilan (2014, Komikero Publishing) Pencils, Inks, and Colors for "Stargazer" by Luis Katigbak (2014, The Philippine Star) Pencils, Inks and Colors for La Perdida, Graphic Classics Volume 20: Western Classics (2010, Eureka Productions) Pencils, Inks and Colors for A Whisper in the Dark, Graphic Classics Volume 18:Louisa May Alcott (2009, Eureka Productions) Pencils, Inks and Colors The Wit of Porportuk, Graphic Classics Volume 2:Jack London (2006, Eureka Productions) Illustration for Graphic Classics:Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (2002, Eureka Productions) Illustration for Graphic Classics: H. P. Lovecraft (2002, Eureka Productions) Cover for Graphic Classics: Jack London volume 1 (2003, Eureka Productions) Pencils and Inks for Lastikman (2004, Mango Comics) Pencils and Inks for Baguio, 1966, Siglo: Freedom (2003/2004, Mango Comics) 21-page comic for Graphic Classics:Jack London volume 2 - The Wit of Porportuk (2006, Eureka Productions) Illustrated for Cast:Issue 10 by Jamie Bautista (2006, Nautilus Comics) Illustrated for Cast:Issue 11 by Jamie Bautista (2007, Nautilus Comics) Illustrated for Private Iris
Design projects Album packaging illustration: Year of releaseTitleNotes1996Revenge of the Fishlips KeltscrossReleased by BMG Records Pilipinas, Inc.2001Little Monsters Under Your Bed The ItchywormsReleased by Viva Records2001One More Ryan CayabyabReleased by BMG Records Pilipinas, Inc2002Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab Ryan CayabyabReleased by BMG Records Pilipinas, Inc2004Great Original Pilipino Music Ryan CayabyabReleased by BMG Records Pilipinas, Inc2004The Eraserheads Anthology The EraserheadsReleased by BMG Records Pilipinas, Inc2004Bomb Threat Sexbomb GirlsReleased by BMG Records Pilipinas, Inc Finalist, Best Music Packaging Awit Awards2005Sharon Sings Alcasid Sharon CunetaReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2005UltraelectromagneticJam Tribute album for the EraserheadsReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment Finalist, Best Music Packaging Awit Awards2006The 2-in-1 Series: Sandwich SandwichReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Yano YanoReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Color it Red Color it RedReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Sugar Hiccup Sugar HiccupReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: The Company The CompanyReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Wolfgang WolfgangReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Francis M Francis MReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Razorback RazorbackReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Mojofly MojoflyReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006The 2-in-1 Series: Grace Nono Grace NonoReleased by Sony BMG Music Entertainment2006All Seats are Taken The Pin-up GirlsReleased by Sutton Records2006Eraserheads Anthology Two The EraserheadsSony BMG Music Entertainment2006Bandang Pinoy, Lasang Hotdog Tribute Album for HotdogSony BMG Music Entertainment
Others: YearProjectNotes2005–2006Wall mural for RF OnlineCommissioned by Arc Worldwide/RF Online Philippines Situated at the basement level of SM Megamall from November 2005 to May 2006
Awards 19th Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards (1999): Winner, Best Comic Book, The Mythology Class 20th Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards (2000): Winner, Best Comic Book, Trip to Tagaytay 22nd Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards (2002): Finalist, Best Comic Book, After Eden 25th Gawad CCP for Alternative Film and Video (2013): 1st Prize Winner, Animation Category, Milkyboy 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) (2013): Best Screenplay, Milkyboy 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) (2013): Special Jury Prize, Andong Agimat: Kanya ang Kalye 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) (2013): Best Music Video, Kaninong Anino 30th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (2014): Winner, Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award, Milkyboy
Exhibits Mythos (2000)- Crucible Gallery, SM Megamall Filipino Art and Artists Exhibition (2001)- Gallery 139, Glorietta 4 Filipino Art and Artists Exhibition (2001)- San Francisco and New Jersey, USA Episode 3 Group Exhibit (2003)- Robinson's Galleria ROMIX Italian Comics Festival (2003)- Rome, Italy
Education St. Martin Technical Institute, Mandaluyong (1978–79) Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, Mandaluyong (1979–80) Cainta Catholic School, Cainta, Rizal (1980–89) University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City (1989–94)
References
Publishers Adarna House, publisher of After Eden and The Mythology Class Special Collected Edition Nautilus Comics, printer and distributor of Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat
External links