JP B. Bantigue

DESIGNER • DEVELOPER • DREAMER

Siopao Bun, an indie comic by KC Salvador

Siopao:Bun indie comic illustrated by KC Salvador, based on a short story by JP B. Bantigue

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A comic adaptation from early memories

Siopao Bun is an indie comic I created with KC Salvador. It’s based on a short story I wrote sometime in the mid-2000s. Like many of my early pieces, it came from a personal space—equal parts reflection, awkwardness, and idealism.

Back in 2005, I reached out to KC on DeviantArt. She was a Sydney-based illustrator and fellow creative. I asked if she’d be interested in turning the story into a comic. To my surprise, she said yes.

Suddenly, something I had written in isolation began to evolve. What we made was a black-and-white, slice-of-life comic about a boy, a girl, and the quiet chaos of connection.

How collaboration shaped the story

KC’s art brought a light, expressive charm to the comic. We made a few tweaks—changing names, trimming scenes, and letting some moments play out visually instead of through narration. But the core of Siopao Bun stayed the same.

Andrew rushes to school but is stopped by troublemakers, setting off the story's tension.
A chaotic morning leads to an awkward encounter, as Andrew tries to spot a mysterious figure among his peers.
As school ends, both leads begin noticing each other—hinting at a budding story between them in this Siopao:Bun comic collaboration.
Paola gets swept into the school day chaos while being teased about a crush, unknowingly drawing closer to the story’s central connection.
A collision at an unfinished sidewalk causes a funny but fateful meeting between two characters.
The comic shifts to comedic banter as Paola scolds the boy for ruining her day—and her hair.
Tensions rise as both characters argue, laying the foundation for their push-and-pull relationship.
A flashback to the siopao shop shows Paola working, revealing the connection that ties past and present in the Siopao:Bun comic collaboration.
On the way home, Drew offers to walk Paola, showing early signs of protectiveness and care.
Conflict erupts as Drew gets attacked by bullies, bringing a dramatic turning point to the story.
After the fight, Paola thanks Drew for protecting her, and a quiet emotional moment passes between them.
A lighthearted sequence of shared ice cream and soft glances shows their growing bond over the following weeks.
Paola gives Drew a gift and says goodbye—revealing that she’s leaving and may never return.
A series of seasonal changes reflects Drew’s emotional landscape as he continues life without Paola.
Drew hears a reflective inner voice encouraging him to move on—closing the Siopao:Bun comic collaboration with a hopeful tone.

That process reminded me that stories don’t have to stay locked in folders or left unfinished. They can be shaped by others and become something more. In this case, collaboration made the piece feel more alive.

You can read the full comic here on this page. If you’d like to show some love to the original pages, visit KC’s DeviantArt and drop her a kind comment. This was one of my earliest finished collaborations—and it still brings back a lot of creative nostalgia.

Thinking of teaming up?

If you’d like to collaborate on an illustration, comic, or creative project, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s do this!