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May

11

Why Tony DeZuniga Mattered A Lot to Us

Filed Under Comics Artists, COMICS CONVENTIONS, Filipino Artists, Video Blogs | 20 Comments

In the last 10 or so years, appreciation for an earlier generation of comic book creators has grown here in the Philippines. It’s something that I personally feel very happy for because there a lot of things to admire in the decades of work that the men and women of Philippine comics have done. In many ways, they all matter to us today, we who currently work in comics. They *all* matter, no exceptions.

Tony DeZuniga mattered a lot to us because he became one of us. He joined us at our conventions, he hung out with us, interacted with us, and by doing so, he showed that he embraced us and accepted our contributions to the comics industry.

He was our friend.

And when he fell ill, the local comics community quickly gathered to help. We really could do no less for any of our friends.

On a personal level, I found Mang Tony’s presence at conventions gave me a sense of security. He was a rock. An anchor. A steady presence I knew I could count on. He was there every time without fail. I knew that if I went to a comics convention, he would be there. And that was comforting to me.

He was, and still is a huge inspiration. I’m not exactly a very young man anymore, but whenever I think of Mang Tony, who was still active and still pushing his artistic boundaries well into his 70′s, it was terribly, terribly inspiring. I wish I could be as active and creative when I reach his age.

Now that he’s gone, I have no doubt that he will continue to inspire us. And while our conventions may seem empty now without him, as if something would always be missing, his memory will help keep us going, and keep us making comics.

Thank you very much, Mang Tony for believing in us, and for accepting us, and for making us feel good about being comic book artists.

Comments

20 Responses to “Why Tony DeZuniga Mattered A Lot to Us”

  1. Danry Ocampo on May 11th, 2012 9:42 am

    Well said Gerry.

  2. Wan on May 11th, 2012 9:47 am

    very well said Sir Gerry

  3. frbarba on May 11th, 2012 10:05 am

    damn, damn, damn…hes one of the good guys, so glad ive had the honor of meeting him

    have a blessed trip mang tony

    http://youtu.be/HVdIkFCFINA

    http://youtu.be/9JVV6U9oSi0

    http://youtu.be/1N-wBcJj7-k

  4. Sandy on May 11th, 2012 10:18 am

    A friend indeed. To see him sketching at komikons alongside all the younger artists was very inspiring to see. I am blessed to have been his friend. I will miss Mang Tony dearly.

  5. WILLIAM on May 11th, 2012 10:41 am

    kaya siguro pati ang langit ay umiyak ng malakas kagabi kasi nawala na po ang isa sa mga haligi ng komiks :(…paalam po

  6. Mark on May 11th, 2012 10:52 am

    Mang Tony inspired those who would pick up a pencil and draw. He will surely be missed. His greatness and big heart will never be forgotten.

  7. Jiggy Cruz on May 11th, 2012 11:24 am

    Thanks for this post Sir Gerry… Mang Tony will be really missed

  8. Mel Casipit on May 11th, 2012 11:48 am

    Isang haligi ng pinoy komiks at inspirasyon sa lahat. Paalam Mang Tony.

  9. Philippines news: Comics artist Tony de Zuñiga dies at age 71 | Pinas.Net on May 11th, 2012 3:06 pm

    [...] the world loves him so much.” His friend and fellow comics artist, Gerry Alanguilan, said in his blog that De Zuñiga gave him a sense of security and someone he could count [...]

  10. Jonah Hex Co-Creator dies | The ProPinoy Project on May 11th, 2012 5:18 pm

    [...] Filipino Comic Book writer and artist, Gerry Alanguilan (@komikero) talked about him in a blog post. Here’s a video that @komikero [...]

  11. Comics artist Tony de Zuñiga dies at age 71 | News| Celebrity News | Philippine News | Tagalog Movies on May 11th, 2012 7:43 pm

    [...] the world loves him so much.” His friend and fellow comics artist, Gerry Alanguilan, said in his blog that De Zuñiga gave him a sense of security and someone he could count [...]

  12. JONAH HEX co-creator Tony DeZuniga has passed away at 79 | BigFanBoy.com on May 11th, 2012 7:46 pm

    [...] read Gerry’s full post about Tony on his site HERE.  It breaks my heart to write this, as I had genuinely hoped to have Tony back in Big D once more, [...]

  13. Veteran Filipino Comic Book Illustrator Tony DeZuniga dies « hzbelgeel.com on May 11th, 2012 8:54 pm

    [...] artist, Gerry Alanguilan (@komikero) talked about him in a blog post. Here’s a video that @komikero [...]

  14. Jonah Hex co-creator Tony DeZuniga passes away at age 79 | Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources – Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment on May 11th, 2012 9:19 pm

    [...] was, and still is a huge inspiration,” cartoonist Gerry Alanguilan wrote on his website. “I’m not exactly a very young man anymore, but whenever I think of Mang Tony, who was [...]

  15. Legendary Comic Artist Tony DeZuniga Dies - ComicBookTherapy : ComicBookTherapy on May 11th, 2012 10:33 pm

    [...] world loves him so much.” His friend and fellow comics artist, Gerry Alanguilan, said in his blog that De Zuñiga gave him a sense of security and someone he could count on. “And while our [...]

  16. Paul Garcia on May 12th, 2012 12:53 am

    Tony will be missed! LONG LIVE TONY! I hope the upcoming Komikon will honor thy name! Thank you for Black Orchid and Jonah Hex! Y maestro Gerry, buen escribado!

  17. Tony DeZuniga is a hero for Pinoy comic artists | loQal - Arts and Entertainment | Philippines on May 12th, 2012 1:59 am

    [...] his Komikero.com blog,  Alanguilan wrote a piece dedicated to the late DeZuniga, whom he said was more than a comic book [...]

  18. Weird Crime Theater - R.I.P. Tony DeZuniga on May 12th, 2012 7:03 am

    [...] http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/4171 [...]

  19. Philippines news: Comics artist Tony de Zuñiga dies at age 79 | Pinas news library on May 12th, 2012 11:01 pm

    [...] the world loves him so much.” His friend and fellow comics artist, Gerry Alanguilan, said in his blog that De Zuñiga gave him a sense of security and someone he could count [...]

  20. Ian Toledo on May 13th, 2012 4:32 am

    Mang Tony, a pioneer, condolences from the states.