Posted December 31, 2014 by LJ Zenarosa in Comics
 
 

The KOMIKON 2014 Experience – From Some Artists & Writers

Last November was Komikon X. It’s the event made way for independent comic book artists, writers and groups. Thus, putting them in a little corner called the – Indie Tiangge. The event also featured a lot of new local comic artists in the main hall, wherein they were amazed on the warm welcome they’ve received from the public and from the local comic book community. So, we checked out to some of them on how they find Komikon as they shared their aspirations and experiences throughout the event. We asked them questions that would reflect their thoughts regarding their work, their perspective about the local comic book scene and their expectations in the future.


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FLIPGEEKS: Is this your first time in Komikon?
Ched De Gala (Hit, You Are Here): First time sa Komikon.
Patricia Ramos: First time namin.
Mika Bacani (Lemon Ricotta Pasta): No, I used to join Komikon with the UP Grail which a comic org from UP Diliman and we did that for maybe a year or two years and now that I’m a graduate I’m doing it myself so no it’s not my first time.
Vaughn Pinpin: This is our first! We’ve been attendees a few times.
John Dela Cruz (Frequency): I think it’s my third one.
Danielle Riña (Dirty Laundry): This is my third as a selling artist.
Mikey (Pixel Princess): First time naming sa indie tiangge pero nag benta kami sa main floor peroanolangparang 25 copies.
Carlorozy (Ang Badass na Buhay ni Lam-Ang): Actually matagal na, 2012 yung first.
Arnold Arre (Mythology Class): [laughs] Fifth? Sixth? I think fifth.
Kevster Manguera (Bloodlust) : This is my third time.
Ardie Aquino (Pad Komiks, Eddie): Actually, 2 years na.
Jon Zamar (Bathala, Digmaang Salinlahi): I’ve been here since 2005
Michael David (Kubori Kikiam): Nung simula pa lang umaattend na ko, nung time na nasa UP pa sya.
Melvin Calingo (Pasig): Ever since nag-start ang Komikon nung 2005, wala pa akong namimiss na event.
Gerry Alanguian (Elmer, Rodski Patotski): I only missed one.
Peejay Catacutan (OSSM Comics, Monomyth) : Three, twice as an exhibitor.
Dibuho Creative Studios (Astral): First time namin.

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If you could choose a song to describe your Komikon experience, what would it be?
Ched De Gala: Uhm… Everyday I’m Shufflin’. Yun na lang.
Jesie Castro: Like a Virgin.
Patricia Ramos: Tingnan ko muna yung iPod ko. Hahaha!
Mika Bacani :Ah yung Pinaikot-ikot ni Mitoy. Baka wala siyang significance pero sige yun lang kasi yung lang yung song sa utak ko ngayon.
Vaughn Pinpin: Money by The Drums.
John Dela Cruz: Oh my God… Uhm, It’s Raining Men? Oh, ngayon mas marami na palang babae so I have to change that.
Danielle Riña: Hospital Bed by Seabear kasi yung childhood ko is spent mostly on hospitals tapos this seems like a safe place parang I remember my childhood a lot. Random. [laughs]
Carlorozy: Tanya Markova. Dahil siguro iyon ang pinapakinggan ko nung ginagawa ko ang early stages ng Darwin’s Association of Delicious Evilness at dahil na rin siguro sa pinaghalong kulet at feelings na dala nun.
Mikey: California Girls by Katy Perry. Hindi ko alam.
Michael: Umm… sh*t isa lang? [laughs] Yung ano, sa Blink 182… ano nga ba title nun? (sings the chorus) Ah! First Date! Yun!
Melvin: [laughs] We Are The World/Children because eto ang mundo natin. Komikon is our own little and wonderful world.
Gerry: Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
Peejay: Bohemian Rhapsody
Kevster: “It’s My Life” By Bon Jovi
Ardie: Um, hirap nun ah. May the Voltes V theme song? Kasi, parang let’s combine, all the creators in one place.
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In ten words or less, describe your comic book.
Ched: Out of this world. Everyday fantasy.
Jesie: Love. Death. UP. School. And Other things. College Basically
Mika: Food and life and corny jokes.
Vaughn Pinpin: It’s personal. A little bit narcissistic and it’s mostly about gags and probably alternative comparatively to anything else.
John: Ghost busters. Coffee. Vampire Slayer. Supernatural.
Danielle: Gestural and expressionistic, cartoony and scribbly and doodlyyun lang.
Carlorozy: Crazy and weird para sakin.
Mikey: It’s about technology and unfulfilled fantasies.
Michael: Masarap, malasa, mamasa-masa, matigas, mainit at malagkit (smiles)
Melvin: It’s a post-apocalyptic action adventure set in… Pasig!
Gerry: Rodski is a classic. It’s a tribute to my wife.
Peejay: (Monomyth is) Blasphemously Fun
Kevster: It’s mysterious and gory.
Ardie: Cartoonish, surreal, slice-of-life.
Jon: It’s about reluctant superheroes, with engkantos and other stuff.
Donna of Dibuho Studios: Uniquely refreshing and steering.

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What advice can you give people so that they could have a more enjoyable Komikon experience.
Ched De Gala: Mingle lang and chill. Wag masyado mag expect much and enjoy langyung process.
John Dela Cruz: Check everyone out. Go chat with the creators , just have fun, look at the art.
Danielle Riña: Get their parang list na yung target artist nila para by the time na madaanan nila yung table they won’t worry if they still have the budget tapos ayun lang be open to other styles kasi mostly puro anime styles yehey!
Carlorozy: Sa sobrang dami na ng komiks ngayon ever since naimbento ang event na ito, I’m pretty sure na mayroon somewhere on the tables na makakapukaw nung atensyon nila. Huwag mahiya na mag-browse at tanungin ang mga komikeros sa premise ng mga gawa nila.
Mikey: Bili-bili rin from unknown artists wag lang established nakasi di mo din alam kung ano yung makukuha mo na mamaya may mga favorite stories ka pala na manggaling sa di pa estabilished na creator.
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What is Komikon to you?
Arnold Arre: Komikon is fun. It’s like ano, parang reunion. Kasiyungmga friends mo from comic books you see them again. It’s fun, you get the chance to meet yungmga readers. Kasi you never get to meet your readers, it’s the only chance to get to see what they think of your comic book.
Michael: For me, Komikon is the best avenue and event para sa kin na mameet ang mga fans ng Kubori. Eto yung nagpu-push sa kin na maglabas ng bagong title sa komiks ko kasi nandito ang main market natin eh, napakagandang motivator ng event rin na to.
Melvin: It’s about the revival of pinoy komiks in general, not just a tradition of stles. Kasi as time passes, iba-ibang styles sa paggawa ng komiks ang pumapasok. Naging melting pot ang Komikon ng ibang artists. Thanks to Komikon, nagkaroon ng boses ang pinoy komiks.
Gerry: When Komikon started, it was like a novelty, like it was something to do just for fun. But as time goes on, mas nagiging significant na siya kasi nagiging outlet na para ilabas yung gawa ng maraming komik artists.
Peejay: It’s a home for geekery! You see a lot of weirdos around and it feels just like home
Kevster: It an art form expressing one’s art style. Its a methodof expressing art into the world.
Ardie: It’s a collection of Filipino artists who have the same love and passion for comics.
Jon: It is a venue for local creators to sell their comic books. In a nutshell, that’s what Komikon is about for me.
Dibuho Studios: It’s overwhelming and festive. It’s amazing to be here and part of Komikon.


LJ Zenarosa

 
Nurse by day but a geek 24/7. Cat Lady who loves wrestling. And can eat lots of sweets -- like a LOT.