The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Philippines' best comic artists and cartoonists flocked together last Saturday in the annual Summer Philippine Comics Convention held at the University of the Philippines Bahay ng Alumni in Quezon City.

Popularly dubbed as Komikon, the annual comics fair showcased the works of the winners of last year's Komikon Awards led by Martial Law Babies graphic novelist Arnold Arre, Pugad Baboy (Pigpen) creator Pol Medina, Jr., and Kuborikikiam artist Michael David, among others, while the Bayan Knights (Knights of the Nation) comics series was the group spotlight of the convention.

With the theme “Summer De Avance: Tayo'y Mag-Komiks Movement,” the annual convention presented exhibits from renowned comics artists like Manix Abrera, Lyndon Gregorio, Gerry Alanguilan, and Budjette Tan. A comic creation contest was held, with the theme "Who will be the next Presidential Idol?" which is in line with the upcoming May elections.

“Nakakatuwa naman ang Komikon ngayon. Malakas ang benta at talagang maraming sumusuporta sa mga komiks namin. (Komikon was fun. The sales are high and there are a lot of supporters of Filipino comics),” said Abrera in an interview with the Philippine Online Chronicles (POC). Abrera is widely popular for his daily comic strip Kiko Machine and his "silent" comic book 12.

Beerkada creator Gregorio acknowledged the role of the online media in propagating Philippine comics. “As you can see, Filipino comics are highly popular among the youth and there are a lot of Pinoy artists today who now publish their works online,” explained Gregorio.

Meanwhile, Vibal Publishing House Inc. exhibited the work of the late Francisco Coching, who was popular in the '50s with his comics El Indio (The Native). Coching is considered as the “greatest Filipino comics artist.”

Independent comics artists shared the limelight with their more popular colleagues as well, with their works sold at a relatively cheaper price ranging from P20 to P40.

“My comics dwell more on humor than having a plot and they sell quite well in Komikon,” said Arly Pescuela, author and illustrator of independent comics Si Juan Tamad at si Juan Masipag (Lazy Juan and Hardworking Juan).

“Naka-break even naman so far, pero ang maganda eh kapag may natuwa sa komiks mo at may mga oorder ng komiks mo after ng Komikon,” commented Gerilya (Guerilla) comics artist and outgoing Philippine Collegian graphics editor Janno Rae Gonzales, when asked about the sales of indie comics.

Imported Japanese manga (graphic anime-inspired novels), American superhero comics, and classic Filipino comics were also sold and exhibited during the convention.

Photos by Lei De Guzman. Some rights reserved.