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)

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

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!

For more information about any of the comics and creators featured in this article, please refer below!
Frillion – www.facebook.com/frillion
Gio’s Lakan at Makisig – https://www.facebook.com/LakanAtMakisig/
Gioseppe Custodio’s Bad Puns – https://www.facebook.com/LoserMangaka
Marzren – https://www.facebook.com/MarzToday
Grace’s Fandom Feels – https://www.facebook.com/fandomfeelsPH
Amano_Hoshi’s Costrips – https://www.facebook.com/costrips
Dreamscape Valley – https://www.facebook.com/Dreamscape-Valley-1524355557827779
Mich Cervantes – https://www.facebook.com/themichlife/
Pejie Abia – https://www.behance.net/pejieabia
Precious Baltazar – https://www.facebook.com/preciousbarts
Ardie Aquino – https://www.facebook.com/ardiechikiaquino
Crazy Crane Creatives – https://www.facebook.com/crazycranecreatives
Sir Nick Trinidad – https://www.facebook.com/Sir-Nick-Trinidad-248010835403100
Nib – https://www.facebook.com/vanillapensive
Mercado Historico – https://www.facebook.com/mercadohistorico
Mercado Historico’s Rini – https://www.facebook.com/spacedpanini
Mercado Historico’s Det – https://www.facebook.com/dettsu

Mercado Historico’s Nads -https://www.facebook.com/njserolf?__nodl

Mercado Historico’s B-Tan –

UP Graphic – https://www.facebook.com/upgrphc
Let Aliwalas Handmade Novelties – let.aliwalas@yahoo.com
Kim Villanueva – https://www.facebook.com/thebookbindery
Nautilus Comics – https://www.facebook.com/NautilusComics
Maikala Wire Concepts – https://www.facebook.com/maikalaconcepts
Kyusi Kompanie – https://www.facebook.com/KyusiKompanie
Milo Galang – https://www.facebook.com/artofmilogalang
Askal Arts – https://www.facebook.com/AskalArts
JP Palabon’s Puso Negro – https://www.facebook.com/PusoNegro
Edward Echavez’s Slash – https://www.facebook.com/SlashManga

Some captions were edited due to our errors, we apologize for the mistake!