After six years of working as a comic artist in the Philippines, Gilbert Monsanto founded Exodus with some colleagues. When Whilce Portacio came to Manila, Gilbert was among the few to be trained in his studio, and for a time served as chief instructor for Portacio's comic art school. His body of work included layouts and pencils for such titles as 'Hazard', 'Loner', 'Tales of Darkness' #1 and 'STONE'.
Monsanto got his break when he penciled Avalon Comics' 'Hellcop' in October 1998. He is the art director for the 2003 revival of the 'Darna' (Mango Comics), and has penciled, inked and colored various issues. He is also the colorist on 'The Philippine Legends.'