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Jul

15

“Pinoy Komiks” at St. Paul University, Manila

Filed Under Dr. Rizal, Elmer, Humanis Rex!, My Art, My Comics, Philippine Comics, Photographs, Timawa, Video Blogs, Wasted | 13 Comments

Last July 10, 2010, I was invited to attend the freshmen initiation at the St. Paul University in Manila. The theme of their initiation was “Pinoy Komiks”, and I had been invited to give a talk on the history and the state of the Philippine comics industry.

I did not hesitate to agree because more and more I try and grab the opportunity to talk about Philippine comics to those who may not be completely aware of its history, its significance to Filipino culture, and the state of the industry now.

I was glad that the organizers of the freshman initiation at St. Paul this year decided on “Pinoy Komiks”. This speaks to me of how much komiks is still very much ingrained into our culture, whether komiks is around or not.

The theme was reflected through costumes the freshmen were be required to wear.

What I wasn’t prepared for was that the freshmen of the Nursing Department paraded in costumes based on characters that I had created. There was a group that dressed up as chickens, like on Elmer. There was a group that dressed like Apolaki Warriors in Timawa. There was a group that dressed like the characters in Humanis Rex! There were several Johnny Balbonas and an Eric (from Wasted). There were several Lastikmen (I wrote Lastikman for Mango in 2004). Even those comics that haven’t been published yet like The Marvelous Adventures of the Amazing Doctor Rizal, and the Adventures of Miko and Jec-jec were well represented.

For the first time perhaps in San Pablo City history, someone actually dressed up as the statue of the woman carrying a bilao located at Doña Leonila Park in San Pablo (as she is drawn in a Miko and Jec-jec illustration).

I was so surprised that for a long time I didn’t know how to react. I absolutely had no idea that they were going to do this, and I have to admit that it touched me deeply. I found myself shedding tears, no matter how hard I tried to fight it back. It had been so unexpected. I came in there with no expectations other than to give a talk on comics. What I saw was more than I could have imagined.

I wish to thank Michelle Sto. Tomas and all of those in the Nursing Department who gave life to my characters. I wish to thank all the students and teachers and administrators of St. Paul who organized the event as a love letter to Philippine comics.

Thanks to Jan Philippe Carpio for recommending me to the organizers in the first place. Hope to meet you soon, buddy!

For the rest of the photo gallery, click on the slideshow below:

And of course, here’s the inevitable video!

Once again, thanks to St. Paul University, Manila! That was truly a memorable day for me.

Comments

13 Responses to ““Pinoy Komiks” at St. Paul University, Manila”

  1. hazel chua on July 16th, 2010 9:12 am

    Again congrats!!! Very remarkable!

  2. Dexter Entera on July 16th, 2010 4:40 pm

    I can just imagine what you were feeling at that time… totally wicked! More blessings!

  3. azrael on July 17th, 2010 12:26 am

    hahahaha ang galeng
    nakakatuwa naman

    sabi ko na eh… gerry alanguilan convention
    congrats! :)

  4. wynna medina on July 17th, 2010 8:00 pm

    I am glad you had both a personally and professionally encouraging encounter with our students. I hope their experience of that day inspire them to know more about our many artists and to develop their own creative gifts.

    Thank you for joining us on that day.

    Wynna Medina
    SPUM President

  5. Nyssa Grace on July 17th, 2010 8:10 pm

    GAWA KAMI NI GERRY! GAWA KAMI NI GERRY! GAWA KAMI NI GERRY!

    thank you po Mr. Gerry Alanguilan :D

  6. dennis on July 18th, 2010 7:38 am

    Wow, such tribute! Di ka na ma-reach Gerry! Congrats!

  7. Melissa Lucero on July 18th, 2010 1:03 pm

    Thank you mr. gerry for coming. I am really happy that you enjoyed what the college of nursing has prepared for you. We are truly honored to have you as our komikero.

    More powers to you and to the world of pinoy comics.

    Godbless.

    Melissa Lucero
    President, College of Nursing Student Council

  8. Kathrina Vidal on July 18th, 2010 1:17 pm

    kahit wala ako dun dahil sa duty, masaya ako na nanalo ung baby namin (sya ung female version na timawa! hehe)!!!

    tnx po Mr. Gerry
    ^_^

  9. Patria D. Fortes on July 18th, 2010 2:19 pm

    Isa pong malaking karangalan ang paunlakan ninyo ang aming imbitasyon na maging bahagi ng aming Freshmen Initiation. Maraming salamat at nabigyan ninyo ng karagdangang kamalayan ang aming mga estudyante tungkol sa sining ng komiks.
    MABUHAY KA G.GERRY ALANGUILAN

    Patria Fortes
    Student Affairs Office

  10. Tanya David on July 18th, 2010 10:02 pm

    Galing naman ng St. Paul University, sana sa ibang unibersidad din ay magkaroon ng similar exposure.

    Tanya D
    UPManila

  11. Michelle Anne N. Sto. Tomas on July 19th, 2010 3:29 pm

    Wow! Thank you Mr. Gerry for accepting our invitation! We were very glad to have you! The Filipino nation must be blessed to have a fellowman as artistic and as passionate for the Philippine Comics, like you!

    More power and God bless you more!

    Michelle Sto. Tomas
    Vice President – Internal, Supreme Student Council
    St. Paul University Manila

  12. Pilar on July 19th, 2010 8:42 pm

    OH MAN. My current dorm is just near Taft, and it’s a walking distance to get there. SAYANG. D8

    Seems like you’re still popular as ever, hehe. Congrats, Gerry. :D

  13. noel cervantes on July 21st, 2010 9:37 pm

    GREAT MAN!