Comics: Hands & Fingers

Illustration and Story by: A Tango
The CoSmic Book

(1/5 ★☆☆☆☆)

The Good:

It has a simple and direct to the point message about being able to differentiate love and lust by observing how the hands and fingers move.

The Bad:

The copy that I got was stapled in the wrong way. In order for me to read this comic, I had to go and start at the back and rotate it upside down. That was frustrating to see for an 8 paged and 2 sentenced filled of comic.

The Verdict:

This does not look fit to be made as an 8 pages comic from "The Cosmic Book" group. It would have been better if this was made as a postcard instead.

More of The CoSmic Book can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "The CoSmic Book"

Comics: Behind Closed Doors

Illustration and Story by: Hayme Pola

(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

"Si Gavin, isang maingay at brash na sophomore who wears his heart on his sleeve, never nag-akala na he'd be in a relationship with Josh, isang matalino at snarky na junior sa kanyang kolehiyo na mas gustong mabuhay na closed off sa ibang mga tao. They have been a couple for a while now. Pero Josh doesn't seem to be ready na may ibang makaalam. The two have managed to keep their love a secret from everyone else. That is, hanggang sa isang araw their friend accidentally walks in on them sa dorm room nila being sweet in bed."

The Good:

It tells of a love story that exists among the LGBT+ community. It shows the scary notion of being afraid of being a member of the LGBT+ living in a society that is judgmental.

The Bad:

Some speech balloons are confusing to follow as to who is saying that line. Those texts that are not inside the speech balloons are also confusing to determine if they were being said out loud by the character or it was just in their minds.

The synopsis written at the back could also be improved. Using taglish isn't a problem. I just think that the synopsis could be further improved even by using a dual language in writing it.

The Verdict:

Behind Closed Doors is a nice LGBT+ themed love story. The art and story were nice. Just a few improvements on how to place the conversations among characters needs to be improved on.

She can be seen on:

Instagram: @haymepola

Events: Experiencing February Komiket 2019

It was nice to be back to this art fair. Now on its 5th year, Komiket brings a different basket of art compared to Komikon that mainly focuses on comics.

The February Komiket 2019 was a two-day event held last February 16-17, 2019 at its home in Centris Elements, Quezon City.

Breaking the habit of attending comic conventions regularly made me feel like a stranger in this comic convention (comiccon). There were a lot of new faces and a whole new set of unfamiliar artists and their artworks.

First on the itinerary is to claim the free Kommunity 2018 comic book anthology from Komiket's booth. This could be claimed by just presenting the October Komiket 2018 ticket. This anthology of artists' work was supposed to be given as a freebie to the early attendees of last year's Komiket. A delay in the delivery of the books led me in receiving it only now. For those who haven't gotten theirs, you could just claim it at the Komiket booth even at the other events where Komiket will be attending. Just show your ticket and you will immediately get your copy.

One interesting comic that I found came from the Anima table. Imagine having some dialogues, usually magical spells, be written in baybayin. But we found an entire comic book written in baybayin. It was a new and exciting experience. Its like a new introduction to our Filipino language by using an ancient form of alphabet. Loving our culture through the incorporation of this alphabet has taken this comic to a new level. An appreciation of our culture by showing our folktales and early form of writing to the current generation is definitely a new level of comic book making.

The best book that I had bought in this comiccon came from Silang Publishing's new book, Richard Mercado's Nang Mainlove Ako Sa Isang Sakristan. It speaks of how the acceptance of the LGBT+ community continues to grow in the local comic scene. This comic is just among the works with an LGBT+ themed story. It also made a bold and challenging statement with its story of love and acceptance inside the church. The kind of respect that goes beyond one's faith. Because in the end, it is still their right to love regardless of sex.

Let us continue to support our local artists and writers as they keep the local market alive. You'll never know what gem you might just find among this ocean of talents.

Here are more pictures from the event.

Here are the things that I got from February Komiket 2019.

Freebie: Poster from Anima group

Caffeine drip and dog stickers

• Nang Mainlove Ako Sa Isang Sakristan
• Richard Mercado
• Silaw Publishing
• Ang Butiki At Ang Pagong
• Cy Vendivil
• Walang Laman Ang Kahon
• Chocnut-San
• I Grew Up, I Guess
• Chocnut-San
• Bagong Buwan
• Julius Villanueva, Hulyen and Mervin Malonzo
• Haliya Publishing
• The Dead Heart: July 16
• Gerry Alanguilan
• Komikero Publishing
• Behind Closed Doors
• Hayme Pola
• No Label ~ #1
• Hayme Pola
• Dirt: The Not Quite Unreal Finale
• Carlos Malvar
• Visprint
• Nightfall
• Eliza Victoria
• Visprint

Events: Komiket Schedule 2019

Five years with no stopping in sight. The community of local art continues to thrive even further as it expands its activities for 2019.

Aside from joining small events in Metro Manila, Komiket pushes itself towards south to also cater to the art loving locals in the area.

Here are Komiket's schedule for 2019:

• Fringe 2019 x Komiket Makati
• February 10, 2019
• 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Hole in the Wall PH, 4th Floor, Century Mall, Kalayaan cor. Salamanca St., Makati City

• February Komiket
• February 16 - 17, 2019
• 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Centris Elements, EDSA, Quezon City

• Komiket Cavite
• March 10, 2019
• The Event Center Annex, SM Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

• Word Wonder x Komiket Makati
• March 15 - 17, 2019
• Century Mall, Makati City

• Komiket South
• May 25 - 26, 2019
• Buku Buku Kafe, Upper Ground Level, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City

• Cebulitfest x Komiket
• June 29 - 30, 2019
• 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu City

• 5th Comic Book Creator's Workshop
• August 10 - 11, 17 - 18, 2019
• Fully Booked BGC, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

• October Komiket
• October 12 - 13, 2019
• 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Centris Elements, EDSA, Quezon City

There is really no reason to miss out trying our local art with Komiket slowly entering different events.

More information about Komiket 2019 can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Komiket"

* Note this list will be updated regularly

Events: Philippine Comic Conventions 2019 Schedule

There is an increasing number of comic conventions that can be seen in the country for the past years.

As a guide to the continuously growing komiks community, we present a list of events to watch out. So prepare your wallets and have a feast on the numerous comic conventions that is on our way this 2019.

• The Fourth San Pablo City Comics Festival
• January 20, 2019
• 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Roño's Place, Lakeside Park Subd., San Pablo City

• Munzinelupa 2019
• January 26, 2019
• 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Picked Cafe & Gallery, The Place Bldg, National Highway, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City

• Elbikon 2019
• February 16, 2019
• 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Baker Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna

• February Komiket

• February 16 - 17, 2019
• 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Centris Elements, EDSA, Quezon City

• Komiket Cavite
• March 10, 2019
• The Event Center Annex, SM Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

• Summer Komikon 2019
• April 13, 2019
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, Pasig City

• Komiket South
• May 25 - 26, 2019
• Buku Buku Kafe, Upper Ground Level, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City

• AsiaPOP Comicon Manila
• August 2 - 4, 2019 (Postponed to next year)

• Komikon Indieket 2019
• August 10, 2019
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, Pasig City

• October Komiket
• October 12 - 13, 2019
• 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Centris Elements, EDSA, Quezon City

• Komikon Grande 2019
• November 23 - 24, 2019
• 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, Pasig City

*Note: This list will be updated regularly

Events: Komiket Schedule

Komiket will be back BIGGER and BETTER next year, 2018. The Filipino Komiks and Art Market will be back for its 4th annual Komiket Convention. However, instead of the two (2) annual events, there will be five (5) major events scheduled next year on various locations.

Here is Komiket's schedule for 2018

• February Komiket
• February 24 - 25, 2018
• Centris Elements, Quezon City

• Komiket South
• May 19 - 20, 2018
• Buku-Buku Kafe, SM Southmall, Las Piñas City

• 4th Comic Book's Creator's Workshop
• June 16, 17, 23, 24, 2017
• Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City

• Cebulit Fest x Komiket
• July 21 - 22, 2018
• Cebu

• October Komiket
• October 13 - 14, 2018
• Centris Elements, Quezon City

With the expansion of activities made by Komiket, we can only hope that it could reach more artists and communities to be more aware and interested in our local art.

More information about Komiket 2018 can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Komiket"

Events: Finalists of the 36th National Book Awards

The list is here as the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) released the list of finalists for the 36th National Book Awards for books published in the 2016.

The finalists are:

Literary Division

Short Fiction in English

• Of  That Other Country We Nos Speak and Other Stories by Charlson Ong (University of the Philippines Press)
• The Axoloti Colony: Stories by Jaime An Lim (University of the Philippine Press)
• Mariposa Gang and Other Storeis by Catherine Torres (UST Publishing House)
• The Stories So Far by Jessica Zafra (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Short Fiction in Filipino

• Sanga sa Basang Lupa at iba pang kuwento by Jim Pascual Agustin (UST Publishing House)
• Alternatibo sa Alternatibong Mundo: 13 Meta/Malakuwento by Edgar Calabia Samar (Visprint, Inc.)
• Troya: 12 Kuwento by Joselito delos Reyes (Visprint, Inc.)
• Sangkatauhan, Sangkahayupan: Mga Kwento by Alvin B. Yapan (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Wagi/Sawi: Mga Kuwentong Luwalhati at Pighati by Rolando B. Tolentino and Rommel B. Rodriguez (University of the Philippines Press)

Fiction (Novel) in English

• The Music Child & The Mahjong Queen by Alfred A. Yuson (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• Wounded Little Gods by Eliza Victoria (Visprint, Inc.)

Fiction (Novel) in Filipino

• Toto Q by Charmaine Lasar (PageJump Media)

Nonfiction Prose in English

• Navel by Rica Bolipata-Santos (UST Publishing House)
• Writing Naked: A Memoir by Arnie Quibranza Mejia (UST Publishing House)
• Bamboo Bed by Weldon M. McCarty (University of the Philippines Press)
• Lessons from Nationalist Struggle by Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. and Josef T. Yap (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• Marcos Martial Law Never Again by Raissa Robles (Filipinos for a Better Philippines, Inc.)

Nonfiction Prose in Filipino

• Sulyap Sa Aking Pinanggaingan by Roque J. Ferriols, SJ (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Selda Dos (Manila City Jail) by Bobby V. Villagracia (University of the Philippines Press)
• Araw/Gabi: Mga Aporismo ng Pagkautal at Pagkaulol/Mga Aporismo ng Pagtanga at Pagtunganga by Rolando B. Tolentino (University of the Philippines Press)
• The Lait Chronicles by John Jack G. Wigley (Visprint, Inc.)

Poetry in English

• Partly Cloudy by Simeon Dumdum, Jr. (UST Publishing House)
• Artemio Tadena (This Craft, As With A Woman Loved: Selected Poems) by Gemino H. Abad and Myrna Pena-Reyes (Editors) (UST Publishing House)
• Faultsetting: Poems by Joel Toledo (University of the Philippines Press)
• Snail Fever: Poems of Two Decades by Francis Macansantos (University of the Philippines Press)

Poetry in Filipino

• Banayad: Mga Tula by Rowena Festin (University of the Philippines Press)
• Kurap sa Ilalim by Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles (De La Salle University Publishing House)

Poetry in Waray

• Taburos Han Dagat by Victor N. Sugbo (University of the Philippines Press)

Anthology (Bilingual)

• Hoy, Boy! A Festschrift for Deflin Tolentino, Jr. by Ben Tapang and Grace Celeste Subido (Cordillero Studies Center)
• Remembering/Rethinking EDSA by JPaul Manzanilla and Caroline Hau (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• BIEN! A Festschrift in Honor of National Artist Bienvenido L. Lumbera by David Jonathan Bayot, Jamie Oscar Salazar, and Johann Vladimir Espiritu (De La Salle Publishing House)
• Elite: An Anthology by Caroline Hau, Katrina Tuvera, and Isabelita Reyes (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Anthology in Filipino

• Batang Rizal at iba pang Dula by Christine S. Bellen (Ateneo de Manila University Press)

Anthology in Waray

• Susumaton: Oral Narratives of Leyte by Merlie M. Alunan (Ateneo de Manila University Press)

Graphic Literature

• Melag by Bong Redilla (Adarna House, Inc.)
• After Lambana by Eliza Victoria and Mervin Malonzo (Visprint, Inc.)
• Kikomachine 12: Mandirigma ng Tadhana by Manix Abrera (Visprint, Inc.)
• Strange Natives: The Forgotten Memories of a Forgetful Old Woman by Paolo Herras and Jerico Marte (Paolo Herras)

Literary Criticism / Literary History in English

• Filipinas Everywhere: Essays in Criticism and Cultural Studies from a Filipino Perspective by E. San Juan Jr. (De La Salle Publishing House)
• Slivers of the Sky by Ma. Ailil B. Alvarez (UST Publishing House)
• Myth and Writing by Jose Neil C. Garcia (University of the Philippines Press)
• Migrations and Mediations: The Emergence of Southeast Asian Diaspora Writers in Australia, 1972-2007 by Jose Wendell Capili (University of the Philippines Press)

Essays in English

• To the People Sitting in Darkness by Jose Victor Torres (UST Publishing House)
• Basagan ng Trip by Lisandro Claudio (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• Notes for the Filipino Playwright by Malou Jacob (De La Salle University Publishing)
• Motherless Tongues: The Insurgency of Language Amid Wars of Translation by Vicente L. Rafael (Ateneo de Manila University Press)

Translated Book

• Shri-Bishaya by Ramon Muzones / Maria Cecilia Locsin-Nava (New Day Publishers)
• Tatlong Dula Adaptasyon by Rody Vera (UST Publishing House)
• Typewriter Altar by Marne Kilates (University of the Philippines Press)
• Kalampay: Book 5 Sugidanon Epics of Panay by Alicia P. Magos, Anna Razel Limoso Ramirez and Federico Caballero (University of the Philippines Press)
• Jaime Gil de Biedma in the Philippines by Alice Sun-Cua, Jose Ma Fons Guardiola, and Wystan de la Peña (Vibal Foundation, Inc.)

Non-Literary Division

Food

• In High Spirits, Tropical Wines of the Philippines by Arthuro G. Pacho (Arturo G. Pacho Publishing, Inc.)
• Kusina Gastronomika by Richmond Victor Ejanda (PSICOM Publishing Inc.)
• The Expat Kitchen by Blance Gallardo (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• Via Mare: 40 Years by Glenda Barretto (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• Philippine Food, Cooking and Dining Dictionary by Edgie Polistico (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

History

• Central Banking As State Building: Policymakers and Their Nationalism in the Philippines, 1933-1964 by Yusuke Takagi (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Feeding Manila in Peace and War, 1850-1945 by Daniel F. Doeppers (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Occupation 1942-1945 by Benito J. Legarda, Jr. (Vibal Foundation, Inc.)
• Metroimperial Intimacies: Fantasy, Racial-Sexual Governance, and the Philippines in U.S. Imperialism, 1899-1913 by Victor Roman Mendoza (University of the Philippines Press)
• Orientalists, Propagandists and Ilustrados by Megan Thomas (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Science

• A Field Guide to Flight: Identifying Birds on Three School Grounds by Amado C. Bajarias, Jr. (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• The Philippines: A Natural History by Colin Rees (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Hotspot, Cool Country: Biodiversity in the Philippine by Almira Gilles (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Social Science

• Jose M. De Mesa: A Theological Reader by Jose de Mesa (De La Salle University Publishing House)
• Religious Festivals in Contemporary Southeast Asia by Patrick Alcedo / Sally Ann Ness / Hendrik M.J. Maier (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Out of the Shadows: Violent Conflict and the Real Economy of Mindanao by Francisco J. Lara, Jr. / Steven Schoofs (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Sibod: Ideology and Expressivity in Binanog Dance, Music and Folkways of the Panay Bukidnon by Maria Christine Muyco (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Keywords: Essays on Philippine Media Cultures and Neocolonialisms by Rolando B. Tolentino (Ateneo de Manila University Press)

Journalism

• Divide by Two by Luis V. Teodoro (University of the Philippines Press)
• Peryodismo sa Bingit: Mga Naratibong Ulat sa Panahon ng Digmaan at Krisis by Kenneth Roland A. Guda (University of the Philippines Press)

Leisure

• Pinoy Manners A Modern Guide to Delicadeza For All Generations by Joy Lumawig-Buensalido (Christine Jocelyn Buensalido)
• Kwentaxi 2 by Mae Paner (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)
• #TagaCallCenterAko by Sofronio L. Tomandao III (PSICOM Publishing Inc.)

Professions

• Data Privacy and Cybercrime Protection by Henry Roel Aguda, Maria Francesa Montes, and Bryan Dennis Tiojanco (Vibal Group, Inc.)
• The Balance Concept in Nursing: New Perspectives in Survival and Health by Daisy M. Rodriguez (University of the Philippines Press)
• Gusto Kong Maging Voice Talent by Pocholo Gonzales (PSICOM Publishing Inc.)
• Winning: Management Lessons Outside the Classroom by Management Association of the Philippines (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Art

• Music in the Zarzuelas of Severino Reyes by Helen Samson-Lauterwald (University of the Philippines Press)
• Performing Catholicism: Faith and Theater in a Philippine Province by Sir Anril Pineda Tiatco (University of the Philippines Press)
• The End of National Cinema: Filipino Film at the Turn of the Century by Patrick F. Campos (University of the Philippines Press)
• EIGA: Cinema in the Philippines During World War II by Nick Deocampo (Anvil Publishing, Inc.)

Language Studies

• Glosari sa Paggawa ng Damit by Kristina T. Caragay, Maria Josephine T. Lumawig, and Maria Monica E. Rayala (Sentro sa Wikang Filipino)
• Capampangan Roots by Papa Osmubal (Oscar Balajadia) (Holy Angel University Press)
• Guide to Isinay Orthography Compiled by Lawrence A. Reid and Analyn V. Salvador-Amores (Cordillera Studies Center)

Book Design

• Marcos Martial Law Never Again cover by Felix Mago Miguel (Filipinos for a Better Philippines, Inc.)
• Motherless Tongues: The Insurgency of Language Amid Wars of Translation cover by Amy Ruth Buchanan (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• Colonial Manila, 1909-1912: Three Dutch Travel Accounts cover by Karl Fredrick M. Castro (Ateneo de Manila University Press)
• World Heritage Sites and Living Cultures of the Philippines cover by Melody Gocheco Wigforss (ArtPostAsia)
• Blood, Sweat, Hope and Quiapo cover by Ben Molina (Rick Rocamora)