MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Cultural Center of the Philippines Visual Arts and Museums Division presents its final venue grant exhibition for the year, “Komiks: Sining Biswal,” on display from November 15 to December 15, 2022, at the Pasilyo Vicente Manansala (CCP 2F Hallway Gallery).
The exhibit, curated by Randy Valiente, features original works and illustrations by select comic artists and illustrators from different eras. Pieces from the private collections of Alfredo Alcala Jr., Bambi Eloriaga-Amago, Jay Ignacio, Mickey Serafica, Damian “Ian” Velasquez III, Dr. Tedi Gustilo Villasor, and Louie Villegas are also included. It aims to showcase portions of the rich artistic history of Philippine comics and some examples of the prevailing comic styles from various eras.
Participating artists include: Ding Abubot, Bambi Eloriaga-Amago, Roland Amago, Lui Antonio, Ardie Aquino, Alfredo P. Alcala, Kajo Baldisimo, Mitzi Bajet, John Becaro, Jio Beltran, AJ Bernardo, Elmo Bondoc, Jun Borillo, Amado S. Castrillo, Joanah Rose Tinio Calingo, Melvin Calingo, Tony Caravana, Mel Casipit, Ernie Chan, Christine Faye Villanueva Chelaban, Francisco V. Coching (+), Karl Comendador, Alloise Al De Freed, Ched De Gala, M.A. Del Rosario, Meyo de Jesus, Jess Escalona, Rod Espinosa, Rommel Fabian, Aaron Felizmenio, Tenny Henson, Xerx Javier, Jim Jimenez, Lady Storykeeper, Jun Lofamia, Jo Luna, Derrick Macutay, Rey Macutay, Florence Maglalang, Renn Maglalang, Nestor Malgapo, Mervin Malonzo, Lan Medina, Rudy Nebres, Alex Niño, Ed Padilla, Tepai Pascual, Gener Pedrina, Bernard Kenneth Peña, RH Quilantang, Mars Ravelo (+), Francisco Redondo, Nestor Redondo, Virgilio Redondo, Amparo Roxas, Dexter Roxas, Amiel Rufo, Noah Salonga, Mar Santana, Hal Santiago, Rolly Santiago, Donato Santos, Paolo L. Simbulan, Hal Solitario, Randy Valiente, Vicatan, Rudy Villanueva, Antonio Velasquez, EV Yu, and Jon Zamar.
Partly inspired by Western comic strips and comic books, Filipino komiks were first introduced in the 1920s. It gained popularity from the 1970s to the 1980s. However, due to the introduction of new entertainment and the economic challenges in the publishing industry, komiks suffered a decline. There have been efforts to revive the Filipino komiks industry in recent years, especially with the advent of graphic novels and its multimedia iterations, and the resurgence of independent publishing initiatives.
Exhibition hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and are extended until 9:00 pm on evenings with shows at the CCP Main Theater. There will be a special artists reception on December 03 (Saturday), at 11:00 am, with pop-up booths by Libreriangelo, Komikon Inc., Haliya Publishing, MIXD, Chopsoy Comics, ANN Group, and Urban Sketchers Manila until 4:00 pm.
For inquiries, contact the CCP Visual Art and Museum Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1504/1505, email vamd@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Follow the CCP and CCP VAMD social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates.
