Meet the HALO HALO Team
Meet the dynamic team behind HALO HALO, where our shared passion for storytelling fuels our dedication to bringing Philippine narratives to a global audience. Our experienced professionals, from varied backgrounds, bring a diverse set of skills to the table, creating a synergy that is truly special. With a respectful nod to the avid fans of anime, manhwa, and comics, we're introducing a rich selection of Filipino stories, weaving them into the colorful world of global entertainment. Our team's extensive knowledge and genuine love for what we do ensure that each story we craft not only connects with our audience but also proudly showcases the intricate beauty of Filipino culture. We're excited to share these stories with you, inviting fans from all corners of the globe to join us in this new chapter of entertainment.
SHARLEEN DEE SY
Chief Executive Officer,
CTO & Co-founder
HALO HALO ZODIAC: TIBUWAN
Meet Sharleen, our mastermind CEO and CTO, with a remarkable talent for crafting technology and building teams that seamlessly mix art, creativity and innovation. She fosters an environment that maximizes inventiveness and encourages collaboration. Sharleen has worked with industry luminaries like the late Stan Lee, alongside major players such as WB, Cartoon Network, Universal Studios, Wattpad, Alias|wavefront, MGI Software, and Delrina. With a unique blend of engineering, gamification design and artistic expertise, Sharleen is recognized for pioneering cutting-edge technology products, including Maya (3D), CYBERWORLD, Stan Lee 3D, Boneville 3D, Pokémon 2000 (3D Game), PhotoSuite, WinFAX, and more. As a respected industry influencer, she ignites positive transformative change on a global scale, championing responsible and ethical AI for creative empowerment. With her shared fan perspective, Sharleen's "Fans first" commitment is apparent as she actively nurtures communities where fans become integral participants in the creative process.
WHILCE PORTACIO
Chief Creative Officer
& Co-founder
HALO HALO ZODIAC: TANGLAWA
Meet Whilce, our visionary Chief Creative Officer and a comics legend celebrated for his groundbreaking work and unwavering support of Filipino artists and creatives worldwide. Whilce's remarkable journey, underscored by iconic collaborations with artists like Jim Lee and reaching a significant milestone with his co-creation of the legendary character Bishop during his tenure at Marvel, is a testament to his profound impact on the industry. As a co-founder of Image Comics, Whilce's significant contributions, including pioneering work on "Wetworks', have shaped the comics landscape. His unwavering commitment to the craft, demonstrated through notable projects like Spawn and collaborative endeavors with Marc Silvestri's Top Cow, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. At HALO HALO, Whilce is at the helm of our creative team, forging an extraordinary new universe inspired by Filipino Mythology, alongside a team of some of the best creatives from Marvel, DC, Image, Webtoons, animation, and more, a testament to his unending commitment to storytelling and artistic innovation.
CECILIA LIM
Chief Business Officer,
President & Co-founder
HALO HALO ZODIAC: TANGLAWA
Meet Cecilia, our trailblazing President and Chief Business Officer, bolstering HALO HALO's executive team with over two decades of corporate and technology legal expertise. With a background rooted in law and business, she's amassed over 30 technology patent submissions and committed over 20 years to Florida Power & Light, a Fortune 200 company, where she played a pivotal role in strategy and innovation. Cecilia's diverse skillset extends to her role as Co-founder and CEO of Kwento Comics, an all-female, all-Asian comic book company, where she infuses Filipino and Asian mythologies into contemporary fantasy stories. Her prior roles encompassed responsibilities in the Information Management Department of FPL, where she directed strategic initiatives, managed high-volume transaction reviews, facilitated dispute resolutions, and provided critical insights for the FPL Procurement Department. Cecilia's involvement at HALO HALO brings a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to our team, strengthening our mission to be an innovative and creatively energetic hub, synchronizing with the complementary skills of our founding team.
Hank Kanalz
Chief Operating Officer,
Publisher & Co-founder
HALO HALO ZODIAC: ARAWI
Meet Hank, HALO HALO's accomplished Publisher and COO, with an impressive 35+ years of leadership in the comic book industry. After helping to found Image Comics, Hank's professional journey has taken him from a Line Editor at Marvel Comics to Senior Vice President of Content Strategy at DC to Publisher for Clover Press. Throughout his distinguished career, he consistently drives pioneering creative endeavors, including launching DC's foray into digital comics. Hank's key positions at DC included General Manager of the WildStorm studio, SVP of Digital, SVP of Vertigo and Integrated Publishing, and SVP of Publishing Strategy. Hank's editorial highlights include overseeing a line of comics for Marvel Comics, launching DC's manga line, overseeing the launch of DC's Middle Grade and Young Adult graphic novel line, and editing many comics ranging from Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight to World of Warcraft. Hank's wealth of experience reinforces the HALO HALO team, strengthening our mission to share captivating stories with global anime, manga, manhwa, and comic book enthusiasts.