My KOMIKON 2015: Jing Opeña & Julius Villanueva
KOMIKON has been one of the main local comic book conventions here in the Philippines. And this November 2015 event was a massive two-day event with new komiks releases from new and old comic book creators, great deals from exhibitors and meeting amazing people all around. This year, Flipgeeks got to ask to from exhibitors and attendees about their experience of Komikon 2015.
Today, we get to feature an attendee – Jing Opeña and an exhibitor – Julius Villanueva (Cold Tooth, Life in Progress) about their Komikon 2015 experience. Their My KOMIKON 2015.
Jing Opeña 
IT Consultant
How was your Komikon 2015?
Medyo sad kasi there are a lot of good reads pero wala na akong budget. A bit tight tight now. I wish I had enough money so I could’ve bought one copy each of the local indies.
What were your most memorable things in the event?
Getting to know the creators of the comics.
What things didn’t you get to do or see?
The [Puti] movie. I missed it! Tapos yung sa artist gallery, Si Ed Tadeo lang nakita ko. Anyways, all is good.
What things did you like in Komikon this year than the last one?
Mas maluwag na siya. Last year sobrang jam-packed. Not that I’m complaining pero mas masarap mag-ikot pag maluwag yung dadaanan.
Are there things that Komikon committee should improve on so they could give you a better experience for next year?
Sana after the 13th month pay yung Komikon.
Should Komikon continue to be a 2-day event?
Yeah. Mukhang okay yung 2-day event. Next time attend ako both days (pag abot sa budget).
Ano ang haul mo galing Komikon?
Just a few indies. Ayoko na kasing dalhin yung box ko, mabigat. Anyways, I have 1-full year (for) next year to save up. So let’s see.
Anong top 3 books/items from your haul that you’re very happy na nabili mo?
-Bleak #1 – I got a 1/1 only cover in existence.
-Trese colored [TRESE komiks, isyu 1: Sa KANTO ng BALETE DRIVE at 13th STREET]
-Sulsi #1-5 set
What did you read first?
Bleak #1.
Thoughts on the new lokal komiks that were featured in the event?
Astig yung mga bagong comics!
What/Who are you excited to meet/do/see on the next comic book convention?
Maganda sana kung merong foreign artist na pumunta para maiba naman – medyo magastos nga lang – but still, the experience would be very very different.
Julius Villanueva
Cold Tooth, Life in Progress
How was your Komikon 2015?
Super happy and super tiring. Happy because there were so many new readers and new faces making comics. ang saya! so much youth. pero super tiring din kasi I was unprepared for the number of buyers I have to print out new books for the second day. Pero worth it naman yung pagod!
What were your most memorable things in the event?
Hmmm… madami. Pero yung nagulat ako was seeing half of my books gone well before 12 noon. I don’t usually sell that much books before lunch.
What things didn’t you get to do or see?
Yung mga various panels. Wala busy and pagod. Also, I wasn’t able to check out the indies. Same reason as above.
What things did you like in Komikon this year than the last one?
Komikon 2014 vs. Komikon 2015: mas maluwag ngayon yung floor. Also, managing yung pila sa Visprint may have helped.
Are there things that Komikon committee should improve on so they could give you a better experience for next year?
Siguro kung gagawing two day event uli, mas maaga sana magstart yung event nung second day (understandbly, pagod na ang lahat by that time).
Should Komikon continue to be a 2-day event?
Yes. absolutely.
Ano ang haul mo galing Komikon?
3 volumes of Bacchus by Eddie Campbell, The End by Anders Nilsen, Windmills ni Josel Nicolas, Drop Dead Dangerous 4, Deceptive Detective by Benj Bartolome and How to Love by Actus Comics.
Anong top 3 books/items from your haul that you’re very happy na nabili mo?
Yung Bacchus, yung Windmills at yung Deceptive Detective
What did you read first?
Yung Bacchus. Matagal ko na syang hinahanap.
Thoughts on the new lokal komiks that were featured in the event?
Yung karamihan ng bagong komiks nabili ko na from other events (Ligaya [Komiks], yung mga libro from Komiket U) I was unable to buy the featured new books except for Josel’s and Benj’s and I have yet to read them. Pero nakakatuwa na ang diverse na ng mga kwento at istorya na tinatackle ng lokal indies. so much greatness!
What/Who are you excited to do/see/meet on the next comic book convention?
I’m excited for books from people who have been inactive in the scene tulad ni Macoy at ni Emiliana Kampilan. Also books from active creators like Josel, Manix and Dark Chapel. also, I want to see more new people. so many new faces and so much skill!
