MANILA – From its humble beginnings at the UP Bahay ng Alumni in 2005, Komikon has grown to become the largest comic convention in the Philippines. This year, Komikon celebrates its 11th anniversary by again bringing together comic book artists and fans at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City.
The convention showcased various works from local artists and authors including Danny Acuna, Lyndon Gregorio, Budjette Tan, and Gerry Alanguilan, “Patay kung Patay” trio Mike Alcazaren, AJ Bernardo, Noel Pascual who released the volume 2 of PKP, Arnold Arre who launched Local Color, A Philippine Fantasy Coloring Book and Manix Abrera who released his compilation of News Hardcore comic strips entitled “Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan” and sent lines of fans snaking around the convention hall.
This year’s special guests Mico Suayan, Omeng Estanislao and Raykosen went on stage to talk about their how they got into comic book writing and their experiences in attending comic conventions from different parts of the world, inspiring all the budding and aspiring comic book artists present.
Young illustrators and writers also flocked to all the Komikon panels featuring Budjette Tan and Jaime Baustista who gave tips on how to write comics, Lyndon Gregorio and Ace Vitangcol on their struggles in self-publishing and how they succeeded, Emil Flores and Carljoe Javier on the school of comics, Paolo Herras and Carlo Vergara on trying different platforms, and Rico Rival and Danny Acuna on the state of the comic industry then and now. The conference rooms were all so full, an organizer had to guard the doors and warn incoming people that all seats were taken, and to step out in case you feel a little out of air (someone actually fainted)!
The sheer number of geeks and comic book fans who filled the halls of Bayanihan Centre during the 2-day convention speaks of the continuing success Komikon year by year. We know that we could only expect a better and better future for the comic world.
This event is presented to you by KOMIKON Inc., sponsored by Comic Odyssey, National Book Store and Jack ‘n Jill Chippy; with special thanks to Art Initiative, ArtWhale.ph, Quantum Amusement, adobo magazine, TV5 Originals: Tanods and event partners UP Grail, Komiket, Goethe Institut Manila, and Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.
See you at Summer Komikon 2016!
