Komiket 2016 – A Quick Glimpse

The 2nd annual Filipino Komiks and Art Market, or Komiket, rolled back into town at the Elements Event Venue at Eton Centris. Similar to Japan’s own Comiket, Komiket 2016 was an event where Filipino comic creators and artists can meet and mingle with each other and with the readers, old and new. The spirit of camaraderie was strong as many exhibitors were visiting each others booths, debating whether they should buy things before they’ve made any sales. Komiket was also a golden opportunity for the general public to discover the work of local creators and expand horizons from the more popular western comic books and Japanese manga.

This was also a great time for fandoms to collide from established ones like Marvel and DC to young blossoming ones like the surprising Heneral Luna fandom. They even have a free and handy catalog! While this is by no means a comprehensive list, we at WAG tried to peer behind the veil of creativity to try to get to know the human side of Komiket a little better.

(Author’s Note: A complete list of links to the creators can be found at the end of the article)

Camille Chua, aka Frillion, presents some of her Dungeons & Dragons inspired art. She’s got grade A D&D puns. Say hi if you see her at Dragonforge! Find her at frillion.weebly.com

Inspiration can come from anywhere, even your own kids! Gio writes his webcomic, Lakan at Makisig, based on his experiences as a geek father to his two sons. Read more here: www.giosdesk.com

I have to appreciate his honesty – he does bad puns and loves it. But don’t facepalm just yet, he’s actually a Komiket Award Nominee and does great, touching work. But also puns. Read more: fb.com/LoserMangaka

Want geeky stamps? Marzren’s got your back. In fact, she’s even willing to teach you how to make your own! Find out more here: www.marzren.com

Full Disclosure: Grace’s a friend. So this is shameless plugging of awesome fandom stickers from Star Wars to Sherlock and several one-liners in between! Find her work at fb.com/FandomFeelsPH

Ever wonder what life’s like as a cosplayer? Costrips by Amano_Hoshi is a humorous reflection on the trials and tribulations of being a cosplayer based on her own personal experience. They’re normal, just like us. And by normal, I mean weird like us! Find the comic here: fb.com/costrips

This is Dreamscape Valley’s first convention! Here’s hoping she’s learned new lessons and gained new fans! Who can say no to that adorable My Little Pony and Love Live art? Contact details below.

A familiar face in the comic convention scene, Mich Cervantes presents her premier work, Itch, as well as several Shape Therapy zines. She’s also a Komiket Award nominee! Find her at fb.com/themichlife

Pejie Abia’s eye-catch work captures the essence of the urban spirit and distills them into amazing art against a stark white background. Find more at be.net/pejieabia

Giodesk (L), Precious Balatazar (C), and Ardie Aquino (R) make up Free Browsing Komiks! Precious delves into our historical past with creative re-imaginings in the form of coloring books and komiks, Pamana and Tala. Ardie keeps his work more modern and humorous with Sinigang – Kwento ng Lumbay and Extra Rice with Extra Tries. Find them at fb.com/preciousbarts and fb.com/ardiechikiaquino

The crew of Crazy Crane Creatives – Nick Trinidad (L), Grace (C), and Nib (R). Sir Nick and Nib do fantastic colored and B&W sketches. Sir Nick produced a mature adult coloring book, which the two artists made a set of collaborative prints from! Check out fb.com/crazycranecreatives!

Welcome to Mercado Historico – a merry band of Heneral Luna fans, complete with Heneral Luna fanart! Mod Rini (2nd to L), Mod Det (2nd to R), and Mod Nads (R) say hello w/ a new fan (L)! They’ve got traditional depictions of the Heneral Luna cast as well as their Neko-counterparts! Also, DC, Star Wars, etc etc. But more importantly, Heneral Luna! Join the fan army at fb.com/mercadohistorico

Say hello to one of the gals of the UP Graphic! She made the jewelry and the cute Pokémon stickers! Although I do admit that the fact that she didn’t do Chimchar was a missed opportunity for Chinese New Year 😛 Find others like her at fb.com/UPGrphc

Let Aliwalas Handmade Novelties prefers the traditional methods of marketing. That doesn’t stop her work from being awesome merchandise with a tinge of nostalgia. She even has a unique creativity workbook! Find her contact details below

Without the work of veteran stalwarts like Sir Danny Acuña, Komiket as we know it might not be the same. It is always a pleasure to see him in conventions, rubbing elbows with the newest generation of komiks creators and fans. His work harkens back to the styles of yesterday, proving that they are still masterpieces of the present.

To be honest, geek conventions aren’t exactly the epitome of culinary experiences. So it was to my surprise that I ran across a small quaint set-up of a few budding entrepreneurs. Team Fillypiñana’s Cafe Mayumi interesting table setting drew my eye, so I sat my butt into one of their seats. It turns out that this was for their unique sugar drop drink, which comes in three different flavors vanilla (purple), vanilla mint (white) and cinnamon. They steep some tea, drop a slice of peach, add some milk and voilà – the drink is ready! All you have to do is drop the chosen flavor in and stir. I chose the cinnamon flavor and it turned out to be delicious. The different flavors coalesced into something I think everyone should try! Find out more about this unique catering service at their Weebly and at their Facebook. If you want to try out this and their other cafe selections, catch them at the the Entrepreneurs and Franchise Expo on March 11-13 at the Megatrade Hall!

Komiket had an entire schedule of speakers lined up for the day. The first among them was Ms. Sandy Beltran of Bazaar Filipina. Although she wasn’t a comic book writer or artist, she was a marketer. She knew the importance and the nuances of how to sell yourself and your product to potential customers. She warns never be too confident about your work but don’t be ashamed about it either.

Komiket 2016 also held it’s inaugural Komiket Awards! There were four award categories: Best Komiks, Best Writer, Best Artist, and Best Student Komiks. Each nominee were carefully selected and judged by a a prestigious panel of specialists – Ricky Lee (Salome, Si Tatang at Ang mga Himala ng Ating Panahon), Arnold Arre (The Mythology Class, Trip To Tagaytay) and Ruel De Vera (The Most Careful of Stars).

Best Student Komiks (Author’s Note: I apologize profusely for failing to take a picture of your awarding segement!)
ANITO by Aze Calara
AGILA by PHP Comics – Jose Victor Fuentecilla, Arjohn Perdon, and JC Panlilio (WINNER)
BEST PLAYED WITH: SAWI HITS by Animotion (Anthology, Multiple Creators)
NOW SHOWING: REVENGE OF THE REJECTS by Animotion (Anthology, Multiple Creators)

Best Writer
JESS SANTIAGO for Things to Remember
MICH CERVANTES for Itch (WINNER)
GWENDY DELOS SANTOS for Fires and Embers
GIOSEPPE CUSTODIO for Are You Depressed?

Best Artist
JOSE VICTOR FUENTECILLA & ARJOHN PERDON for Agila (WINNER)
MICH CERVANTES for Itch
RON HUBBARD for Path of the Raging Fist
CHE BANTAYAN for Love in the Dog Pound

Best Komiks
THINGS TO REMEMBER by Jess Santiago and Jaz Nabong
ITCH by Mich Cervantes (WINNER)
FIRES AND EMBERS by Gwendy Delos Santos

Best Komiks Nominees – Mich Cervantes (2nd to L) and the Komiket Organizers from Meganon Comics. Not Pictured Nominees Gwendy Delos Santos and Jess Santiago

Best Writer Nominees – Gioseppe Custodio (L), Mich Cervantes (3rd to L) and the Komiket Organizers from Meganon Comics. Not Pictured Nominees Gwendy Delos Santos and Jess Santiago

Best Artist Nominees – Che Bantayan (L), Mich Cervantes (2nd to L), Jose Victor Fuentecilla (Center Left), JC Panlilio (Center Right), the Komiket Organizers from Meganon Comics. Not Pictured Nominee Ron Hubbard

Alas, this humble What’s a Geek writer is a mere mortal and there is only so much a single soul can do. So here’s the best of the rest that I saw and the booths that I didn’t have enough time to mingle with. It’s perfectly possible that I missed cool stuff!

These cute geek charms were made by the sister of Kim Villanueva, who does awesome stationery notebooks! You can inquire about either of them at fb.com/thebookbindery

Nautilus Comic’s Booth – fb.com/NautilusComics

Cool accessories from Maikala Wire Concepts – fb.com/maikalaconcepts

Cy Vendevil (L) and Tristan Yuvienco (R) of Kyusi Kompanie – fb.com/KyusiKompanie

Askal Art’s Booth. Check out their komiks – Collision of Worlds. Find them at fb.com/askalarts

JP Palabon (L) and his Komiks, Puso Negro, shares a table with Edward Echavez (R) and his action-packed Slash manga! Find them at fb.com/pusonegro and fb.com/slashmanga

It’s Komiket’s event. Komiket gets to sell whatever it wants at its event. But don’t worry, Komiket has cool swag.

“Now this is what it’s like when fandoms collide! Are you ready to buy? Cause I’m ready to buy! What ya gonna buy, baby, baby!” I bought a lot thanks to UP Graphic.