I went to the Komikon 2008 yesterday as a media man and I’m there to do a photo coverage of the event and also to support Filipino komiks. I arrived late and I’m already getting worried that some komiks that I’m planning to grab might be out of stock, so I prayed and let the komiks gods help me arrive on time and discard away from bad elements on my way to UP Diliman. As soon as I receive my media ID pass at the registration area, I started to roam around and took some photos, the venue is already jam packed and I position myself next to a portable air cooler just to absorb some cold air and prepare for a hot and crowded convention for Filipino Komiks.
(you may read more below for the entire story)
Filipino Komiks and indie comics are getting rare now a days, many people are still clueless that there is still pinoy comics circulating in the mainstream and underground market. Most of the hot and interesting comics are being released in events and convention, comic creators and publishers are taking advantage in releasing their new comics and titles in every convention, because the comic readers and target market of their titles are already in there, and then after they will continue re-releasing the titles in the local stores. People are not aware of the Komikon, but as time pass by, different visitors and not the same market are now gracing and attending the event. I got a talk to one of the customers in Chocolate Kiss Café, I was having my afternoon tea with Mark Cerbo, and while eating I’m checking out some of my komik hauls from the event, the old guy asked me if there is still another event tomorrow, then I told him that the event is one day only and its an annual event here in UP Bahay ng Alumni, I just told the guy that he can bring his family there and do check out the event, because komiks materials are being sold there and also artists and writers are present to meet the fans.
My idea and concept for making the Komikon is true, the building of the new market of readers are starting to grow, but the time is very slow and at least we can see some changes and good result, and for me Komikon saves the Philippine Komiks and not some guy who is grabbing credit for saving and reviving the entire Filipino comics industry, if he can make a convention as big as the Komikon and continue support the artists and writers here, He can get all the credits and I will label myself as the babbling blogger aahahaa. Congratulations to the Komikon organizers mainly the Artists’ Den core group members, been with them for years and I’m glad after I left the organizing team on its first year, they now stepping up on the next level via learning from the experience of past Komikons. The event should be called the Komikon convention week. Because they have lots of activities, symposiums and exhibits for 5 days before the main event. Now I’m excited what will be their next installment next year,
First I roam around the exhibit area, and saw the Alfredo Alcala Legacy exhibit, I just got a talk with Alfredo Alcala Jr. for a second and he just told me that Tony deZuniga just left and I missed it, and then I told him that I’ll be back and look for my coverage partner Mark Cerbo in the area. Just say hello to some comic artist friend and take pictures, I’m studying the event and the crowd flow, so that I know where to start and go to some areas that has lesser crowd. Then I visited Gerry Alanguilan’s booth, there I got my first Komikon comics stuff, he gave me a copy of Elmer book 4 and I’m very happy and excited to read it after the event. Then I met Arnold and Cynthia Arre, been waiting for them and got my Martial Law Babies graphic novel signed by Arnold, and then Leinil Yu was there too, the GHG people, and it was like a big reunion every year.It’s a fun gathering and its like one big happy family exchanging kumustahans and news to each other.
There are a lot of story that I like to post, but I’ll just post some great news I got from the comics people.
Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah book 2
I just got a talk with Carlo Vergara and I bump onto him at the 2nd floor of the venue taking a coffee break at Chocolate Kiss Café, I got news from him that the 2nd book will be released nex year, If my ears are correct, I think it will be on July 2009. And after the release of the book, a theater play will be produced a year after of the book 2 release.
Trese book 3
Saw Budjette Tan taking a cool break infront of the air cooler, and because I’m at the indie comic booth checking out some stuff, I talked to him and my chance to have a little chat and talk about the book. He said that Trese book 3 will be available on the end of January 2009 or maybe February. I ask if there will be a possibility for a tv series or movies, but he just said that were proposal and they are still studying it. It will be great if it will be tv series or movie , but Budj said that they will finish and do more Trese comics as time permits them, because Budj and Kajo are super busy artist with their own day jobs.
Elmer compilation and Wasted new edition
Gerry Alanguilan confirm this with me about the Elmer book compilation, he just told me that he forgot to add me in the thank you section for Elmer book 4, and he just been reminded when I showed up at his booth, I laughed and told him, that’s okay, more important is that Elmer 4 is here. He just said that Elmer book compilation is now on plan and will be released next year and my name will appear there hahaha. So cool! I forgot to ask him what kind of format of the compilation or if we are expecting some added pages or a sequel. A new Wasted comics compilation will be released next year, I just saw a post from his blog announcing a new reprint and maybe a packaging. Hmm I smell Hard bound hahaha. More power Gerry!
Comic project from KC Kordero
After grabbing Kc’s comics Filipino Independent Komiks issue 1 and 2, I took the chance to ask him his upcoming plans and projects, he told me that he just stop making comics for this year and do some study for a comic release for 2009. He said that 2008 is not good time for production and business, and I feel that there something got to do with feng shui or he got an advice from a business consultant. But the great news is that Kc is back and he just released another comics for us after Filipino Komiks issue 1 and Sindak horror – comics magazine.
News from Pol Medina
I saw Pol Medina taking a break in front of his booth, and because that the crowd of the event is getting lesser in the afternoon, I talked to him and told him that I was the guy who emailed him about the Pugad Baboy figurines, because some fans contacted me via multiply.com and want to ask if I know someone who sells the P-gurines merchandise of Pugad Baboy, I think it is the Polgas mini statue. Then Pol told me that he stop the production of the mini statues and he will resume producing more maybe next year. He shared to me that because of the busy sched, he has no time to make more and it’s a hand made by him personally. I told him that he should try these statue custom makers and I told him about the pinoy statue makers, and he said that its not easy and its very hard to handle. But then I realized that he is right, he got in time to postpone the statue and merchandise distribution, because my mind said that in these generation, statues and toys can now be pirated, at least he is on the right track making his own merchandise customized with his personal touch. But then after a photo op and talk ahahah, He told me that there will be another autograph session event in Powerbooks maybe early next year. But then a fan I’ve met years ago in one of his event signings, suggested to me that I should suggest to Pol for a Pugad Baboy convention for its anniversary, but I know Pol likes the idea and he told me that time he wants a laser light show at the opening hahaha. Will try to ask if he is open for that idea again. And forgot to mention him that he should try blogging.
Comics creation subject in DLS CSB
At the DLS CSB booth, I got a talk with Benjie Marasigan, chairperson/professor for Bachelor of Arts in Animation (ABANI) under the School of Design & Arts (SDA, and he gave a dvd copy of sample animation of their students, and he also showed me to check out the comics created by their students, those comics serve as their thesis for their comics creation subject, he said that the special subject is still open and he is the professor, the only man available for the class. He said that if there’s anyone in the profession of comics creation who would like to teach or be a guest in their class, just contact him and they are open to it. He told me that after Gerry Alanguilan as for the 1st teacher of the subject, Benjie takes over and continues the class for other batches. If there’s anyone here who would like to teach in DLS CSB, just contact me and I will direct you to Benjie.
I will end my coverage of the Komikon, I have a short video clip of Gerry Alanguilan at the panel discussions, but the sound is not clear, so I will make a subtitles and upload it in my YouTube. It’s sad that I didn’t took some videos and interviews, the area is dark in my video camera and the its hard to get a good light source. But its okay there is still next year and I learn a lot from the event. I will post lots of comics reviews of the indie comics I bought at the event, will post that here in my blog and also at Komiks News Now Philippines.
See you all in Komikon 2009!
more photos in my album at
Komikon 2008 - the exhibit, booths, attractions, people and comics PHOTO COVERAGE
Komikon 2008 - the people, artist, guest and komiks personalities
and check out Gerry's coverage at http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/913
Wilson Tortosa's coverage at A Summoning At Komikon 2008
my komikon hauls
My ID
Sandy Sansolis of Comic Odyssey
Rico Rival and Guhit Pinoy
with Gerry Alanguilan
with Arlan Esmena
Gorgoro
Ariel Atienza, Mark Cerbo and me
Gilbert Monsanto
Taga Kanal
Edgar Tadeo and Jay Anacleto
Jomike Tejido
Hazel Manzano
Culture Crash
SKP
Ramon De Veyra, Arnold Arre, Cythia Arre, Leinil Yu, Harvey Tolibao and me
Transformers Philippines boy Mark Cerbo, Joriben and Chris
Eisner award winner Lan Medina
customized Dunny by Pol Medina
for more info about Komikon, visit www.komikon.blogspot.com
