Celebrating Pinoy artistry and storytelling

(Published Dec. 2, PDI-Entertainment. This version has comments by John Lent that were edited out in the print and online versions due to space constraints.)

US author’s book on ‘komiks’ launched at RP cartoon fest

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Some of the most popular local feature films and teleseryes originally started out as “komiks” serials. The works of Pinoy comics luminaries were exhibited during the first Philippine International Cartoon, Comics, and Animation (PICCA) Festival held at SM Megamall and other venues.

Various aspects of the art forms were discussed in talks, book launches, film showings, and other activities. PICCA founder Boboy Yonzon expounded on the importance of the event:

“We would like to be able to give a forum for comic artists, a channel or watershed venue for them and the cartoonists. This is an advocacy intended to energize what is supposed to be a dying craft or industry. There are many talented Filipino creators; we just have to make the people aware of what we can offer.”

Yonzon published “The First One Hundred Years of Philippine Komiks and Cartoons,” written by American author John A. Lent, who lived in the Philippines from 1964-65.

Lent originally wrote the article “The first 75 years of Philippine Comics” for Comic Book Artist, a publication in the United States. The book was launched during the festival.

“After World War II, the Philippines had a very strong comic book industry, especially in the ‘50s and ‘60s,” Lent said. “Many of the comics were made into movies, which I also saw when I was in the Philippines.”

“They were drawing large audiences. Lino Brocka once told me that for every film that he entered in the international festivals, he had to make two based on komiks to get the money to do the artistic work. Ishmael Bernal told me the same thing.”

One of the comic book creators who graced the PICCA event was writer-artist Gerry Alanguilan. He released self-published works “Where Bold Stars Go To Die” and the “Elmer” compilation during the Komikon--a daylong convention held on the last day of PICCA.

“Events like the Komikon or the Metro Comicon are important in spreading awareness to the public of not only the presence, but also of the importance of Philippine-made comic books,” Alanguilan explained. “PICCA has broader goals; it strives to elevate the status and awareness of Philippine comics not only here in the country, but also internationally. The world can have a view of the comics we create and the creators we nurture.”

Alanguilan stressed the importance of recognizing veteran storytellers’ contributions to Filipino comics and to culture in general.

“I think we're getting there. Now a lot of young Filipinos know who Alfredo Alcala, Francisco V. Coching, Nestor Redondo, and Alex Niño are, which wasn’t the case just 10 or so years ago. But simply knowing they exist isn't enough. More documentaries need to be made about their life and accomplishments. More articles and books need to be written, analyzing their art and their impact on national culture.”