THE HORSE SOLDIER
A Wartime Secret
Sandie Oreta Gillis grew up in the Philippines before migrating to Canada in 1983 at 23. She enjoys writing about her roots and draws inspiration from her country of birth's beautiful works of art and culture. Sandie holds a degree in Mass Communication, majored in broadcasting at the University of the Philippines, and co-hosted an early morning talk show at Radio Veritas in Manila.
Sandie co-authored her first published book on legendary artist Sofronio Y. Mendoza in SYM: The Power of Struggle with Alfredo Roces in 2010. This year, the author celebrates a vibrant Indigenous community in her latest book Weaving Our Dreams: The Tboli People of the Philippines. As an arts advocate, she actively promotes awareness of Philippine arts, heritage and culture while living in Canada. She co-founded the Narragila Culture and Arts Foundation and serves as Board Director of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group.
Norman Belen is an animator, illustrator, and educator whose career began in 1987 after training with Tokyo Movie Shinsha, a leading Japanese animation studio. By 1991, he became one of the first 3D animators in the Philippines, helping to shape the country’s emerging digital animation industry.
He later moved to Singapore where he worked on the award-winning series Rats 2099: The Young Heroes. As a storyboard artist, 3D animator, and character designer, he helped bring the show’s acclaimed pilot episode to life. Norman also illustratea a variant comic book cover for Supacross, created by Jerry Hinds.
Now based in Canada, Norman’s work has been exhibited nationally and featured in Kampala to Canada by Taslim Samji. With over fifteen years in arts education, he has mentored young talents in both traditional and digital media. A Dimaslang III InternationalARtist Group member, Norman continues to explore visual storytelling though painting, digital art, and mixed media. www.artofnobel.com
About the Cover, Book Design, and Layout Artist
Mary Ann Manuel is a Filipina contemporary artist and designer who explores beauty, emotion, and self-discovery through bold colors, layered textures, and expressive compositions. Her art reflects personal narratives and broader social themes, capturing the richness of human connection.
Originally from the Philippines, Mary Ann moved to Singapore in 2016 and later to Canada in 2018, where she now works as a freelance graphic designer, artist and entrepreneur. She has contributed illustrations to Datu Shishir Inocalla’s comic book The Man Behind the Shell and created branding materials for various clients worldwide.
In 2021, she won First Prize at the Milan Art Institute Competition for her piece Pursuit of Happiness. Her artwork has since been exhibited in Venice, New York, Berlin, Dubai, Switzerland, and across Canada, and featured in publications such as Artist Close Up, BC Housing Central, and Kampala to Canada.
Mary Ann is a member of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, the Federation of Canadian Artists, and the Milan Art Club.