Events: Asia Pop Comicon Manila 2017 Schedule

Asia Pop Comicon (APCC) Manila is on a roll as it ventures into its 3rd year.

The biggest annual pop culture convention in the Philippines and region is back for the 3rd time. It will be held from August 25-27, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

More information about Asia Pop Comicon 2017 can be seen at:

https://www.asiapopcomicon.com/manila/

Movie News: Film Adaptation of Arnold Arre's Mythology Class Is Now In Development

The film adaptation of Arnold Arre's Mythology Class is now in development. This is one among the big announcements made during TBA Studios' Launch Party at EDSA Shangrila Hotel last July 26, 2017.

It was said during the event that the graphic novel would be adopted into a live-action film. The film will be directed and written by Jerrold Tarog and the screenplay will be co-written by Jade Castro. No official release date has been mentioned yet.

As a teaser to this upcoming movie adaptation, Arre has created an animation of the Mythology Class with the song "Milenyo" by Peryodiko playing in the background.

A nice trivia was mentioned wherein it was said that The Mythology Class was the source of inspiration by the band, Peryodiko, in creating the song "Milenyo".

The Mythology Class Official Animated Video / music: "Milenyo" by Peryodiko

Events: Indieket 2017 Schedule

The 6th annual Indieket is back this year for another round of indie komiks goodies. Indieket 2017 will be held on August 5, 2017 (Saturday) at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, Pasig City.

This is one market to be in search for that local comic book gem that awaits to be picked up by the big local publishers.

More information about Indieket 2017 can be seen at:

Facebook Event Page: "Komikon Indieket 2017 (Official)"

  

Essays: Looking Back 2 ~ Dirty Dancing

Written by: Ambeth R. Ocampo

Anvil Publishing

(2.577/5 ★★★☆☆)

"To a people who are blind to the lessons of the past, Ambeth R. Ocampo is the one-eyed king. Sure, he has his critics, but all the time, he is entertaining, fresh and bracing, not stodgy or stultifying like some academics with their voluminous footnotes and explanations.

He always makes historical figures come alive, blemishes and all, and with his curious eye, makes our heroes very human and not the mythic figures that we want to make of them. Ambeth makes history enjoyable reading while at the same time makes it anchor us to the past and therefore, and hopefully, prepares us for the future."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         - F. Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature"

The Good:

Ambeth gives us his second compilation of essays pertaining to our history.

This compilation takes in the meaning of the names we have and of our business and streets. Perspectives on the 1966 Beatles concert here in Manila, and even the laws passed by the Revolutionary government that can give a surprise to some for its existence were written in this book. An example is the law on price-control measures and the law forbidding the whipping of school children because of the notion that it degrades their human personality.

One of the best entries is entitled "Aguinaldo Was No Puppet", which takes us thru the interview of Major Younghusband, a British officer. In his interview with the President of the Revolutionary Government, Aguinaldo emphatically declared  that he and his followers had fought for complete independence and that they would shed the last drop of their blood in securing it. It gives readers a different angle of how Aguinaldo think aside from the ones that we had come to learn of him of not fighting for complete independence for our country until it was already too late.

The second best entry pertains to the essays regarding the Beatles in Manila. The way the band was threatened at the Malacañang reflects the pre-dictatorial tendencies of the Marcos family that our nation would soon have to endure.

The Bad:

Although it is important to know the story behind the names of places, business, taxi cabs and the ones that we own, I think it is too much to have 8 essays worth of discussion regarding it in this compilation. It just prompts one to finish that essay at once or just skip ahead in order to be done with the essays on names.

The Verdict:

This second book of Looking Back takes us to another side of history. It opes more of the dirty little secrets that our ancestors have been dancing with us for a while.

The best that reflects how our history unfolds comes from a quote from the Beatles during their press-con here in Manila. They were asked of what they will be doing ten years from now.

"Why bother about ten years from now? We don't even know if we'll be around tomorrow!"

* Breakdown of Rating:
★☆☆☆☆ - 1, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19
★★☆☆☆ - 2, 8, 12, 20, 21
★★★☆☆ - 6, 7, 16, 22, 23, 26
★★★★☆ - 15, 17, 24, 25
★★★★★ - 3, 4, 5

Events: Komiket South

The Komiket experience is slowly spreading down south as the Filipino Komiks and Art Market arrives at Buku-Buku Kafe, SM Southmall on May 27  -28, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Be sure not to miss out this event for those living in the southern part of Metro Manila. Entrance is Free!!

* Buku-Buku Las Piñas, Upper Ground Level, SM Southmall, Las Piñas (near Door 5)

More information about Komiket South can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Komiket South"

Events: Winners of the 35th National Book Awards

This year's results are now here. The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) have recently announced the winners of the 35th National Book Awards.

These are the winners for the National Book Awards for books published in 2015:

Novel in English

Locust Girl: A Lovesong

by Merlinda Bobis (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Novel in Filipino

Si Janus Silang at ang Labanáng Manananggal-Mambabarang

by Edgar Calabia Samar (Adarna House, Inc.)

Short Fiction in English

Recuerdos de Patay and Other Stories

by Caroline S. Hau (The University of the Philippines Press)

Short Fiction in Filipino

Sa Mil Flores, May Isang Hostes at iba pang Kuwento

by Rosario de Guzman-Lingat (Ateneo de Manila University Press)

Nonfiction Prose in English

Arsenio H. Lacson of Manila

by Amador F. Brioso, Jr. (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Nonfiction Prose in Filipino

Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga

by Jack Alvarez (Visprint, Inc.)

Essays in English

Re: Recollections, Reviews, Reflections

by Luis H. Francia (The University of the Philippines Press)

Essays in Filipino

Titser Pangkalawakan at iba pang angas sa social network underworld

by Joselito D. Delos Reyes (Visprint, Inc.)

Anthology in English

Habagatanon: Conversations with Six Davao Writers

edited by Ricardo M. de Ungria (The University of the Philippines Press)

Anthology in Philippine Language

35 Kuwentong Klasiko

(Adarna House, Inc.)

Poetry in English

Maybe Something

by Isabela Banzon (The University of the Philippines Press)

Poetry in Filipino

Mula Tarima Hanggang at iba pang mga Tula at Awit

by Ericson Acosta (The University of the Philippines Press)

Criticism in English

Past Mountain Dreaming: New Essays

by Gémino H. Abad (The University of the Philippines Press)

Graphic Literature in English

Kare-Kare Komiks: Short Comics

by Andrew Drilon (Anino Comics, an imprint of Adarna House, Inc.)

Graphic Literature in Filipino

News Hardcore! Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan!

by Manix Abrera (Visprint, Inc.)

Graphic Literature (Wordless)

Light

by Rob Cham (Anino Comics, an imprint of Adarna House, Inc.)

Translated Book

Sa Atong Dila: Introduction To Visayan Literature

by Merlie M. Alunan (The University of the Philippines Press)

Food

Panaderia: Philippine Bread, Biscuit and Bakery Traditions

by Amy A. Uy and Jenny B. Orillos with recipes by Jill F. Sandique (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Professions

Laws for Life

by Gianna Reyes Montinola and Ma. Victoria Rotor-Hilado (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Social Sciences

Tradition and Transformation: Studies On Indigenous Culture

by June Prill-Brett and edited by Delfin Tolentino Jr. (Cordillera Studies Center)

Art

Inabel: Philippine Textile from the Ilocos Region

by Al M. Valenciano, Regalado Trota Jose, Dr. Norma A. Respicio, Michael F. Manalo, Hannah P. Cunanan, Rene E. Guatlo (ArtPostAsia)

History

Luzon at War: Contradictions in Philippine Society 1898-1902

by Milagros Camayon Guerrero (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Journalism

Macli-ing Dulag: Kalinga chief, Defender of the Cordillera

by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo (The University of the Philippines Press)

Science

The Cosmic Wild: Biology of Science Fiction

by Ronald Cruz (Ateneo de Manila University Press)

Design

Roberto Chabet

book design by B+C Design (Kingkong Art Projects Unlimited, Inc.)

Language Studies (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Prize)

Ambagan 2013: Mga Salita Mula sa Iba't Ibang Wika sa Filipinas

edited by Michael M. Coroza (The University of the Philippines Press)

Publisher of the Year

The University of the Philippines Press

Events: Komikon 2016 Schedule

The 12th Annual Philippine Komiks Convention is just hours away from starting this year. Komikon 2016 will be held once more at the Bayanihan Center, Pasig City.

Here's the time and date schedule for Komikon 2016.

• November 19, 2016 - Saturday
• 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• November 20, 2016 - Sunday
• 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Be sure to ready up those savings for it will be a nice conclusion for all the comic conventions that we had for this year.

More information about Komikon 2016 can be seen at:

Facebook Event Page: "Komikon 2016 (Official Event Page)"