Thursday, May 30, 2019

Comics: Nang Mainlove Ako Sa Isang Sakristan

Illustration and Story by: Richard Mercado
Silaw Publishing
(5/5 ★★★★★)

"Two seventeen-year-old boys, Francis and Didoy, get caught kissing at the back of the subdivision chapel. Out of shock, the two boys escape and go on a journey they'll never forget"

The Good:
This is an excellent coming of age story. Francis and Didoy's love story were neatly told along with the struggles experienced by members of the LGBT+ community. The realness of one's dilema of living in an environment wherein your loved ones follows the conservative route really gives a huge stress to an individual was depicted.

There were two great emotional moments portrayed in this book. First is Francis going back home and being welcomed by his mother with open arms saying, "Welcome home anak." It gives the impression that despite everything that has a happened, a mother's love to her child is one of the reasons why she has come to accept whatever her child turned out to be.

The second moment is the pinky promise done by Francis and Didoy. The promise of pure and innocent love in the midst of struggling to know who they are and how to deal with expressing their love in a judgmental world just gives the shivers.
"Now that there's someone who has my back, I will try moving forward, starting with the people whom I love." - Francis
The Bad:
The style of illustration might not get the attention of some who are looking for a hotter depiction of the characters. The weird faces of the characters on some angles on some panels might also give some thumbs down to others.

The Verdict:
Mercado delivers an offensive comic book to strict conservatives due to its title and illustration. But to an open minded individual, this is definitely a simple story of innocent love in a coming of age set-up. A love so pure it will really pierce your heart and make you shed a tear as the conversations about life and love progress.

This is a must buy in those collecting great slice of life stories.
"I thought since he seemed so interested with the sakristan I'd let him join so he would have some friends. I didn't know he was that intrested." - Mrs. Suarez
More of the creator's works can be seen at:
Instagram: @richardmercz

More of Nang Mainlove Ako Sa Isang Sakristan can be seen at:

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