A Journey of Lines, Peaks, and Purpose
A Journey of Lines, Peaks, and Purpose
Artist. Adventurer. KaBoonies.
I’ve always believed that art is more than a skill - it’s a reflection of who we are, an outlet for what we imagine, and an archive of memories we want to keep forever. My name is Kumbati Supertiks, and I am both an artist and an adventurer. My hands craft both sketches and campsites, and my stories are told not just through lines and colors, but also through trails, waves, rivers, and mountain silhouettes.
THE BEGINNING
My journey as an artist began way back in elementary, when I joined slogan-making contests, eventually evolving into poster-making competitions. One of my earliest momentous wins was landing a spot in the Top 10 of the Regional Petron Poster Making Competition — I was just a kid, but the couple of hundred pesos I earned felt like a trophy I’ll always keep in my heart.
SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE ERA
My artistic leap came in high school, when one day, I was pulled out of class to join the Provincial Schools Press Conference (PSPC) Editorial Cartooning. The experience and training along the way taught me that you don't need a lot of words to express a striking idea. It made me realize the truth behind the famous line "A picture paints a thousand words.". That single moment turned into four years of commitment, passion, and triumph. I became a National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) delegate from first year to fourth year, representing our humble public school in remote Mindanao. Cartooning became my main craft, and I brought home 2nd place in the NSPC for two consecutive years (3rd and 4th). Those moments, for someone like me, were life-defining.
THE OUTDOORS
Then, in 2002, during my second year in college, I stepped into another world — the outdoors. Mt. Talinis became my mother mountain, and since then, I never stopped climbing, exploring, and immersing myself in nature’s vast and untamed beauty. My adventures were not just escapes, but fuel for the soul.
THE REALITY
But like many of us, life took over. Bills, deadlines, and goals pushed my art to the backseat. I forgot, in a long while, about the gift I was given. Then came the pandemic. I lost my job, switched careers, and began investing in farmland, learning more about sustainable living, THE PERMACULTURE...the kind of life I truly wanted. It was during this turning point that I picked up a pencil again — not to compete, not to impress, but just to draw. To design our farm. To rediscover myself.
That small act gave birth to something bigger: Burger and Bones. A brand that blends adventure, purpose, and art. A mindset that honors slow living, creativity, and connection. A movement that reminds us all: Life is not a Race.
THE PURPOSE
I create artworks from the things I love — not just as memories, but as experiences and proof of life. Each piece is drawn while others and I live it, breathe it, and hike through it. It's not just art; it’s a form of inspiration. A shout. A gentle nudge to influence others toward responsible adventure — to care for the earth, to care for people, and to embrace every journey with respect and intention.
THE MEDIUM
Today, I work mostly on digital platforms using Adobe Illustrator, a software I taught myself in 2021 when we started Burger and Bones. My artworks — found on enamel mugs, caps, shirts, and more — are visual echoes of my personal journey and other kaBoonies: from sea to mountains to memories, from dreams to designs. Through them, I aim not just to tell stories, but to spread positive advocacies — about the outdoors, sustainability, and mindful living. I believe people are often more drawn to art than to plain words, so I use that pull to create small ripples, hoping each piece inspires reflection, responsibility, and action in its own quiet way. Just like this blog, not everybody will reach this part — and if you did, thank you for reading this far. I hope something here sparked a memory, stirred a feeling, or reminded you of who you really are.
THE REMINDER
This post is for anyone who once had a passion, a dream, a talent — something they loved doing as a child — but buried it beneath the weight of adulthood.
It's never too late to become who you might have been.
So here's my call to you, kaBoonies:
Rekindle. Reignite. Return.
Go back to that thing that made you smile without reason. The one you could do for hours without anyone asking you to. The thing that made you feel alive.
Don’t let the speed of the world steal your spark.
Create. Climb. Cook. Write. Dance. Draw. Plant. Explore.
Do it again — not for anyone else, but for you.
Let’s never forget what makes us feel alive.
Thank you, kaboonies, for all the support and shared adventures. Let’s keep climbing, creating, and caring — together.
- Kumbati Supertiks -