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Oct

19

The Madness that was Komikon 2009

Filed Under Bold Star, Books, Comics Artists, Elmer, Family, Filipino Artists, Komikero Group, My Art, My Comics, Philippine Comics, Photographs | 21 Comments


Live Auction for Flood Victims

That’s Jonas Diego and me on stage yesterday, auctioning a variety of stuff including original artworks, signed sketchbooks by Leinil Yu, etc. The online auctions, the live auctions, as well as the caricature auctions conducted by Mr. Hugo Yonzon at the Podium have so far raised more than 80 thousand pesos!

The photo above is by Carlo Pagulayan. See a whole gallery of photos from Carlo here.


The Komikero Angels

That’s our two tables before the hall opened to the public. From left is Arlan’s wife May, Ilyn, Edjee and Zara.



The Francisco V. Coching and Alfredo Alcala Exhibits


Arlan Esmeña, Dr. John A. Lent, me!


Veteran Komiks illustrator Jun Lofamia at the table.


A visit from my brother Noel and nephew Robin.


Arlan and me at the table with Robin and Charles Tan.


Edjee and Jiggy Cruz


At the Summit Panel for UNDERPASS with David Hontiveros, Oliver Pulumbarit, Ian Sta. Maria and Kajo Baldisimo. Budjette’s hands are to the right of David.


With Jun Sabayton


Danny Acuña


Gilbert Monsanto exhausted at the end of the day.

As I previously predicted, this year’s Komikon was INSANE! A lot of terrific new books came out including Trese 3: Mass Murders, Bayan Knights #3, Francisco V. Coching’s EL INDIO, and our two books “Where Bold Stars Go To Die” and ELMER Collected Edition didn’t fare so bad either.

I’ve read TRESE and it was an incredible wrap up of the first 13-issue run. With multiple issues devoted to one story, it gave Budjette and Kajo space to explore the origins of TRESE and oh my God what an awesome origin that is. Highly Recommended!

However, Manix Abrera pummels us all with his marvelous “12″. It’s a full color graphic novel of 12 short stories told without words. Manix’s beautifully insane imagination is on full display. I was brought to laughter, to tears, to disgust, to euphoria. To me, this is far and away the best release of Komikon. It elevates cartooning and comics in the Philippines to a whole different level. Cliched as it may sound, but this is an instant classic. An absolutely brilliant classic. Manix, I hope you live a VERY long life because my life is now all the more richer knowing you will be around to create things like this. Thank you.

“12″, Trese, and the many other new releases in this Komikon alone makes me very very happy for the Philippine comics industry.

Photos from Jiggy Cruz.

Photos from Edgar Tadeo.

Photos from Jonas Diego with the Komikero group as the day winds down.

Comments

21 Responses to “The Madness that was Komikon 2009”

  1. Jonas Diego on October 19th, 2009 4:07 pm

    Yes, this was a good one indeed! Ayos tag-team natin sa auction. :D

  2. Aldrin on October 19th, 2009 5:48 pm

    It was nice to finally meet you in person, Sir Gerry. More power to Komikero and the rest of the burgeoning Filipino komiks industry! :)

  3. Jerome Dizon on October 19th, 2009 6:54 pm

    Congratiolations Gerry, mabuhay kayong mga Komikeros. I just hope that my beloved mother in law made it there and grab me my books.

  4. John Beatty on October 19th, 2009 7:03 pm

    I miss all of the RP more than you guys know. When I was there, life seemed more exciting. I know I was only there for a short time…but I connected with it.

    Bella wants to go back and see her family in a bad way…I expect that. And next year we will.

    The US economy is so bad it’s hard to save money to come and not work while I’m there and have money for when I’m back home already!!!

    You guys [ and girls! ] are like a big family to me…I appreciate all you helped us with, and have not forgotten that.

    Wish I could have been there…

  5. Gerry Alanguilan on October 19th, 2009 7:19 pm

    Thanks John! We miss you too! We definitely plan on making 2010 a much BIGGER and much more INSANE year for comics. It’s going to be a great time to be here.

    Jerome, she definitely did. But I don’t remember if she just got Bold Stars or Elmer as well.

  6. jerome dizon on October 19th, 2009 7:42 pm

    Good to know that she made it to Komikon. I got the complete individual issues of ELmer so it’s all okay if she didn’t get me one. Now, all I have to do is text her and ask which goodies I will be reading soon.. ooohh.. hope El Indio is one of them hehhe.. I will buy a copy of ELmer collected, and 100 yrs of comics when I come to The Philippines April next year… sana me KOMIKON sa april :)

  7. Ruel de Jesus on October 19th, 2009 8:54 pm

    I passed over Manix’s “12″ because I thought it was rather expensive at P500 – my loss I suppose but I’m comforted by the fact that it will (probably) be available in bookstores soon so I can get a second chance at it.

    Hope you sold a lot of “chickens” and “bold stars” yesterday Sir Gerry – thanks for signing my copies for me! :)

  8. Gerry Alanguilan on October 19th, 2009 9:09 pm

    Hey Gumby… yeah, I sold a lot of Bold Stars…. I feel like such a pimp. Thanks to you and Rey for dropping by! :D

  9. kc cordero on October 19th, 2009 9:45 pm

    gerry,
    masaya nga. maganda pati ang benta ng mga creators. good venue hindi mainit. ang gaganda ng komiks mo, sir :)

  10. Pinoy Comics USA on October 19th, 2009 10:33 pm

    GERRY,
    YOUR INSANE DESCRIPTION FITS. CONGRATS.
    ROD

  11. paolo ferrer on October 19th, 2009 11:57 pm

    Hi Gerry!

    I’m a HUGE Coching fan and I’ve been praying for someone to restore his works and bring it back to the people so that the current generation can appreciate our komiks heritage. Thank you so much for doing this to El Indio. You, sir, are a true komikero.

    Unfortunately for me, I was unable to attend last weekend’s Komikon. I will DIE if I do not get a copy of El Indio. Where can I purchase a copy of the book? Are you planning to restore some of his past works like Sabas or Lapu-lapu? If so, how can I help out?

  12. Gerry Alanguilan on October 20th, 2009 12:04 am

    Paolo, I believe El Indio will be available soon at bookstores. We are planning on doing Barbaro next, but due to the process of digitally restoring each page, it will be quite a while. And yes, Lapu Lapu, and others just might see the light of day. The best help you can do is to help us promote the books so that they make enough money to warrant more. Thanks very much! :)

  13. Reno on October 20th, 2009 10:57 am

    You finally have a clear photo of Dave Hontiveros’ hand. :)

  14. Gerry Alanguilan on October 20th, 2009 12:47 pm

    Reno: ha! ha! Oo nga ano?

    Salamat Jonallinyang! Nakakatuwa naman message mo hehe. Magdedeliver ako sa mga comics stores next week, pero right now meron na sa Comic Odyssey sa Robinsons’ Galleria.

  15. Monpochi on October 20th, 2009 6:40 pm

    Nakakapanlumo na ngayon ngayon ko lang nalaman ang mga gawa niyo Sir Gerry. Bumili ako ng “Where Bold Stars..” nung Komikon and i have to say misleading ang visuals, akala mo yung “L” ang iiral sayo pero along the whole way ng pagbasa you feel for the characters. (Add to that, nakikinig ako ng Choir music… waw, dagdag sa ambiance ng pagbasa! specially dun sa “Heaven” scenes).

    Agree-ng agree ako dun sa letter nyo sa huli at i have to say na accomplish niyo yung may nudity nga pero once na na sift mo yung story ng maayos, may sense.

    Ngapopala, pwede po bang malaman kung sino yung mga bold stars na nag “cameo” dun sa scenes nung nasa “Heaven” si Daniel? Parang ang namukhaan ko lang ng onti dun parang si Ara Mina (yung nagturo kay Daniel sa kinaroroonan nung babae)… o mali? :P

    Pag nagka pera naman ha huntingin ko naman yung Elmer haha, balak ko sanang bilhin nung Komikon kaso ayoko namang maubusan ng pamasahe. Isa nyo na akong Fan~

  16. Borgy on October 22nd, 2009 1:06 am

    Insane is appropos, but mostly it’s because the people involved are the craziest bunch of people (moi, included @_@ … which is a great honor being counted among). Kung lahat lang ng tao gaya natin the world would be a much better place… and far more interesting to live in. Sana lalong lumaki ang future komikons (to rival the ones in the States). And we don’t even need the presence of a certain “National artist”(bada-bump!) to make it legitimate and proof that ‘Buhay ang komiks sa Pilipinas’(bada-bada-bump!) ^_^

    Pero di ko pa rin nabili lahat ng gusto ko waaaaa!! X_X

  17. Nick Nichelle Dael on October 22nd, 2009 8:46 am

    Sir Gerry, wala bang para sa Cebu? :)

  18. Gerry Alanguilan on October 22nd, 2009 10:34 am

    Hello Nick! Aabot din ang ELMER dyan sa Cebu eventually through National Book Store. 1-2 months siguro.

    Pero kung may mga frends ka dyan na interesado rin sa Elmer or Bold Star, pwede kayong kumuha sa akin ng deretso. Bayad sa bank and then Air 21 or LBC ko sa inyo. Kahapon lang nag send ako ng 4 copies sa Zamboanga to a comics club there. :)

  19. Gerry Alanguilan on October 22nd, 2009 10:37 am

    Nagkakamali ka Borgy. Di mo ba nakita si CJC? Andun sya! Ito evidence o…
    http://hellomictest.blogspot.com/2009/10/interesting-characters-at-komikon.html

  20. Nick Nichelle Dael on October 23rd, 2009 5:10 am

    Sir, please email info on how to pay including the shipment cost. Thanks.

  21. Gerry Alanguilan on October 23rd, 2009 8:29 am

    Nick, if interested, please email me at gerryalanguilan@yahoo.com subject line ELMER or BOLD STAR. This is so I can keep track of all the orders and keep ordering details (like my bank info) private. Thanks!