Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 312 ratings · 17 reviews

Zsazsa Zaturnnah tells the story of Ada, a cynical resident of a small provincial town, who gains superhuman abilities through a stone that falls from the heavens. With the ability to transform into the voluptuous and powerful Zaturnnah, Ada defends his hometown from dangerous otherworldly threats.

Adding color to this simple tale is the fact that Ada is a homosexual, propr...more

Graphic Novel

Published 2004 by Visual Print Enterprises (first published 2002)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) by José Rizal

Philippine Philippine-American Fiction

15th out of 63 books — 8 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 477)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 15, 2012 K.D. Oliveros rated it 1 of 5 stars

Recommended to K.D. by: TFG Book of the Month

Shelves: local, fantasy, gay-lit, pinoy, tagalog, trashy

This book caters to every young gay man’s fantasies.

Gay Fantasy #1: Having enough money. Before everything else all gay men dream of being financially stable. Money can buy happiness (to a certain degree). Many Filipino gay men, at least those who are out, end up as beauticians, hairdressers or errand boys in parlors, salons or spas and they don't have enough money. The main protagonist in this book, Ada, runs his own beauty parlor.

Gay Fantasy #2: Having superpowers. I cannot think of any popul...more

19 likes · like · see review

Dec 16, 2012 Josephine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, filipino-author, funny, graphic-novels, pinoy, favorites

I really like this book as it made me laugh a lot. Although, if I read something like this 15 years ago, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have liked it. I guess my book preference really do change.

This is sort of a spoof of "Darna." What I really liked in this book was the author's wordplay: Ngayon ay pasan mo ang daigdig pero bukas ay luluhod ang mga tala. I also find his choice of the names [which are the names of some local Filipino actors] for the antagonists funny: Dina B., Sharon C., Nora A., a...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 05, 2010 Will rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The first few pages of Carlo Vergara's gaytacular comic book Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah finds one of its memorable characters, Didi, saying, "Ada, tayo ay bading. Para sa karamihan, nakakahiya na tayo anuman ang gawin natin." An analysis of the authorial aspects of the novel is inevitable when one tries to find out if a line like this should be considered a full blow towards gays in general, and after finding out that Carlo Vergara really is, readers are now giv...more The first few pages of Carlo Vergara's gaytacular comic book Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah finds one of its memorable characters, Didi, saying, "Ada, tayo ay bading. Para sa karamihan, nakakahiya na tayo anuman ang gawin natin." An analysis of the authorial aspects of the novel is inevitable when one tries to find out if a line like this should be considered a full blow towards gays in general, and after finding out that Carlo Vergara really is, readers are now given a whole new perspective on how to view the comic book.

This is obviously one of those works that foreground an issue, the "gayness" of the gays, thereby giving unease towards the present (patriarchal) society. Ada, the alter ego of Zsa Zsa, is a bakla, but it is not in his character in which we see the Filipinos' common perception of the effeminate or cross-dressing male. The characteristics are actually embodied within Didi, Ada's perky and loquacious assistant/sidekick, and who is also presented as the story's most observable portrayal of a bakla. True, Didi's gayness in the book could be considered over-the-top by some, but that is exactly what Vergara is trying to put emphasis on: that gays can be whoever they want to be, that gays like Didi can be over-the-top.

Another noticeable thing is that Ang Kagila-gilalas portrays the gays just as we find them in our current Philippine society. Ada and Didi are the baklas we are more familiar with, thus Vergara makes it a point to fuse Filipino elements in order to complement this portrayal, and what better way than to employ bakya, a Filipino subculture the majority has unfortunately associated with cheap and tasteless forms of entertainment. The script uses masscult topics to further enhance the Filipino-ness of the comic book, as seen from Zsa Zsa's lines like "Ako ay isang bituing walang ningning, isang kastilyong buhangin…" This could be one reason why middle-class Filipinos like Ang Kagila-gilalas; by giving them a glimpse of life in the province—through the eyes of a gay, they are compelled to welcome this life in a unique way. Combine this with the eye-catching illustrations and the laugh-out-loud lines and they are presented with an unforgettable reading experience.

Ang Kagila-gilalas is a comic book that focuses on the life of the gays and the women. The men are not given that much emphasis, which is felt during the ending when readers would question Dodong's feelings for Ada. It is confusing whether it is true love or just the result of the overwhelming battle that had just occurred (the sequel shall say). In the end, readers would only see Vergara's main vision, that we all need happy endings, and that the story of gays should not necessarily end in tears. Perhaps, this is exactly where the magic of Ang Kagila-gilalas lies.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 25, 2011 Nicolo Yu rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: philippine-komix

A Komikon 2011 special

This is a bit of a cheat. I’ve read this book ages ago. I remember picking this up from a shelf at National Book Store pleasantly surprised a local publisher has the chutzpah to buck norms and release a graphic novel. That certainly paid off for the creator and the publisher, as the work done as a theatrical production and a movie. That probably helped the book move in stores, but it also encouraged the publisher to produce more graphic novels which gave us Trese and the Fi...more A Komikon 2011 special

This is a bit of a cheat. I’ve read this book ages ago. I remember picking this up from a shelf at National Book Store pleasantly surprised a local publisher has the chutzpah to buck norms and release a graphic novel. That certainly paid off for the creator and the publisher, as the work done as a theatrical production and a movie. That probably helped the book move in stores, but it also encouraged the publisher to produce more graphic novels which gave us Trese and the Filipino Heroes League.

I dug out my old copy and brought it to Komikon 2011 and met Zsazsa Zaturnnah creator Carlo Vergara for the first time. He was so kind for signing my copy and even included a spiffy looking head sketch of his character as well.

Looking back into my initial encounter with Zaturnnah, I’ve realized that it was a twist on classic superhero storytelling. Zaturnnah was a character in the vein of Captain Marvel and Darna. These characters were the embodiment of wish fulfillment for the reader. The ability to access great power with a single word or swallowing a stone was something people aspired but could only be found in comic books. If a frail boy or girl could utter a word to access the power of gods and become the embodiment of strength, why couldn’t a young man wish to become the ultimate super heroine, who was everything he envisioned himself? He wished to be released from his entombment in a male body and let the anima inside become incarnate. It was no different from a different from a crippled girl whose super powered alter ego can walk and fly, but felt it was a new concept as it opened a new direction wish fulfillment could take.

In its own way, this is an important graphic novel as it paved the way for its publisher to release sequential art from other Filipino comic creators and be adapted into mainstream media as a theatrical production and a movie.

With Zsazsa Zaturnnah creator Carlo Vergara at Komikon 2011

With Zsazsa Zaturnnah creator Carlo Vergara at Komikon 2011

With the author at Komikon 2011
Zsazsa Zaturnnah sketch

Carlo Vergara drew this awesome sketch of Zaturnnah on my copy of his graphic novel.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2009 jzhunagev rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: to mature readers daw ever!!!

Recommended to jzhunagev by: Hinipnotyze ako ni Carlo Vergara para bilhin ang libro niyang it

Shelves: award-winning-best-seller, filipiniana, graphic-novels-and-komiks, from-book-to-film, adventure, drama, dark-chest-of-wonders

...

Isa sa mga orihinal at nakakatuwang komiks na nabasa ko kamakailan lang, Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah ni Carlo Vergara ay nagkamit ng gantimpala mula sa Manila Critic's Circle Award. Ito ay kuwento ng isang tipikal na bading na naninirahan sa isang baryo sa Pilipinas. Ang pagbagsak ng isang mahiwagang batong mula sa kalangitan ang nagbigay kapangyarihan kay Ada na maging isang babaeng Wonder Woman. Sa mga pakikipagsapalara niyang ito ay kinalaban niya ang isang...more

...

...

Ginagaratya ko sa inyong isang nakakatawang istorya ang komiks-nobela na ito. Sa iang upuan lang kayang-kaya mong tapusin....Pramis!!! Cos me hart!!! :D

...

Nakadagdag sa aura ng mundo ni Ada atbp. ang di-matatawarang guhit ni Carlo Vergara. Pang world-class talaga ang talent ng lolah moh!!! Bongga!!

...

Naparaos ng komiks na ito ang hindi mapawing uhaw ko sa paghahanap ng local talents na maipagmamalaki natin sa buong mundo. Isa ito sa mga iyon. (less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 Mambabasang Miong rated it 5 of 5 stars

Zsazsa Zaturnnah, a graphic novel of pure entertainment. What Carlo Vergara did is to combine cliches, slapstick, chauvinism, popular culture references, gay chorvaness, basag-drama antics, sexual innuendos and stereotypical personas into a creation which is downright hilarious. Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah does not just give a bang. It gives a bonggang-bonggang tarusshabang worthy of five flangganahstars.

Almost everything in Zaturnnah is familiar. Zaturnnah for o...more Zsazsa Zaturnnah, a graphic novel of pure entertainment. What Carlo Vergara did is to combine cliches, slapstick, chauvinism, popular culture references, gay chorvaness, basag-drama antics, sexual innuendos and stereotypical personas into a creation which is downright hilarious. Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah does not just give a bang. It gives a bonggang-bonggang tarusshabang worthy of five flangganahstars.

Almost everything in Zaturnnah is familiar. Zaturnnah for one is Darna gay-ified. The voluptuous and booby protagonist is the alter-ego of Ada, a gay beautician who must swallow an oversized meteorite in order to become her. Reading the graphic novel is like watching a typical Filipino movie. You will hear the familiar voice of the protagonist narrating introductions at the opening sequence and life's lessons in the final panels. The punchline styles are not uncommon as well. For example, seemingly melodramatic scenes end up with combo-breaker "banats". Familiar setting, familiar reactions. So why is Zaturnnah funny? Two reasons. First, Carlo Vergara simply did it so well. Second, there are things which the written (comic) medium can execute brilliantly as compared with its live-action counterpart.

The artwork is just, wow. There may be panel inconsistencies and skips from time to time, but everything is forgiven because Zaturnnah is one hell of an artwork. The fight with the Amazonistas deserves an standing ovation. It displays Vergara's remarkable talent in action storytelling.

Certain themes in Zsazsa Zaturnnah can be investigated for intellectual discourse. The most obvious of which is Ada being gay. Vergara gave suggestions of the marginalization of gay people in the society with the conversation of Didi and Ada right before his first transformation to Zaturnnah. The material also goes right into homosexual relationships. Up to a certain degree, one could also see themes on male opression and women empowerment as depicted in the tragic fate of planet X(XXxx...) and the Amazonista's struggle against the male-forms. But let me say that you should forget about these and take Zaturnnah as a reading material solely for leisure and entertainment. Just read it as it is, and you are going to love it right away.

Laugh all the way with Zsazsa Zaturnnah. Everybody deserves to be entertained.(less)

like · see review

Nov 26, 2012 Vheel Laborera rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-uber-love-books, favorites

Bakit ko nagustuhan ang librong komiks (graphic novel) na ito ni Carlo Vergara?

1. Una nakakarelate ako sa katayuan nina Ada at Didi bilang isang bakla na kapaloob ng mga problemang pag-ibig (kuda ng mga tsimosa sino nga bang seseryoso sa isang bakla? aber?!), problemang pampamilya (bakit hindi matanggap ng isang ama na bakla ang junior nila?) at problema ng lipunan ukol sa amin, sa pagiging isang bakla namin (ayon sa mga ilang nagmamarunong, salot "raw" kami). Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng negati...more Bakit ko nagustuhan ang librong komiks (graphic novel) na ito ni Carlo Vergara?

1. Una nakakarelate ako sa katayuan nina Ada at Didi bilang isang bakla na kapaloob ng mga problemang pag-ibig (kuda ng mga tsimosa sino nga bang seseryoso sa isang bakla? aber?!), problemang pampamilya (bakit hindi matanggap ng isang ama na bakla ang junior nila?) at problema ng lipunan ukol sa amin, sa pagiging isang bakla namin (ayon sa mga ilang nagmamarunong, salot "raw" kami). Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng negatibong ipinupukol sa kanila, natutuhan pa rin ni Ada na ipagtanggol ang lipunang may mababang pananaw tungkol sa kanya at sa kanyang kakayahan; hindi ba parang paglunok lang ng malaking bato upang maging Zaturnnah. Ang bakla kakayanin ang lahat maitawid lamang ang kaginhawahan ng kanyang pamilya o ang mga taong minamahal niya (including si Papa!).

2. Sinasalamin rin sa akdang ito ang trato ng lipunan sa antas ng iyong trabaho, pinagmulan at pisikal na kaanyuan. Sino nga bang mag-aakala na ang isang hamak na parlorista ang magliligtas sa isang bayan sa kapahamakan? Parang yung isang komiks lang noon, may isang batang pulubing pilay ang biniyayaan ng bato upang magligtas rin ng mga naaapi. At sa tunay na buhay kung sino ang tunay na api, sa dulo siya ang wagi (dagdagan pa ng sipag at diskarte di ba ate Vi?).

3. Iminumungkahi ang pagkakaroon ng patas na pagtingin at respeto anuman ang iyong karanasan sa buhay o ng iyong kasarian. Bakit hindi kumampi si Zaturnnah sa mungkahi ni Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux na lipunin ang mga kalalakihan sa mundo? Dahil naiintindihan ni Ada na kahit malulupit ang mga lalaki sa kanya ang anumang hangaring galing sa poot at galit ay hindi tama at wasto, see baklang bakla ang panananaw, positibo lagi! Hindi nagtatanim ng sama ng loob.

4. Ang tunay na kaligayahan ay makakamit sa iyong pagtanggap at pagmamahal sa sarili. Siguro yan yung moral story na natutunan ko sa libro. Love yourself before others love you. Shet! Dodong ng buhay ko wait ka lang ha, mamahalin ko muna ako.

PS
pasensya na labo-labo ang sulat ko dahil kalahati ng utak ko eh nakababad pa sa alkohol habang tina-type ko ito *hik!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 27, 2013 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: tagalog-books

This book is hilarious, the story line isn't that great but it's funny as hell, I got stomachache from laughing. This is a gay version (parody) of Darna, except here is a gay who become a very voluptuous woman, and even manage to make the man he likes look his way. How should I say this, a fairy tale come true for a gay man. Remembering it now make me want to cracked up again.

like · see review

Apr 20, 2012 Rontab rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bravo CarVer for such a brave project. Ze Muzikal is a success; it's so funny and ingenious. I can't say the same for the film version, sayang, it was trashy. So disappointed with what the director did with it. Wasted opportunity. Totally botched.

The sequel seems to be a long wait though early pages have been trickling on CarVer's site.

like · see review

Jun 16, 2013 Jayson Troy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Tawa ako ng tawa. Bawal conservative. Medyo sablay nga lang pilosopiya sa akin. Picturesque of Filipino culture and the present world. Flangganah.

like · see review

Jul 03, 2010 Mica added it

i first saw the play and then the graphic novel then the movie... all were amazing!

if you get a chance to get a copy go get one!

like · see review

Mar 28, 2013 Sarina rated it 5 of 5 stars

I couldn't stop laughing! I love the humor in this comic, I can really see the Filipino brand of comedy similar to local shows.

like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Ela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, filipino, gay-and-lesbian

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, ang makabagong superhero na babago sa pananaw ng mga tao sa mga bakla or third sex, ika nga.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 27, 2012 Albert -Zairus Ice- Lorenzana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-collection

Seemed like nothing was original on this one, but this book made me laugh real loud a countless times.

like · see review

Sep 16, 2010 Don Jaucian rated it 5 of 5 stars

Baklaan galore! And the gay hero(ine) gets the hunk in the end!

1 like · like · see review

Dec 20, 2007 Glenda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this graphic novel! It's hilarious, and fantastical. It's a lot of fun, and it has a lot of heart! Takes me back to the days of Darna!

1 like · like · see review

Jan 15, 2009 Rob rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: philippines, graphic-novels, humor-satire

An utterly brilliant parody of the magical girl genre with a homosexual as the lead.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 13, 2012 Happie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Simply phenomenal and riotous tale... ever!

1 like · like · see review

Jun 17, 2013 Jobaica Dalagan marked it as to-read

Jun 17, 2013 Cheralexis Bantug marked it as to-read

Jun 16, 2013 Mercado Nomer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 15, 2013 Paul Tadeo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 14, 2013 Jamille Adlao rated it 2 of 5 stars

Jun 13, 2013 Danilo rated it 2 of 5 stars

Jun 10, 2013 Carrie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 09, 2013 Joyce Casaclang marked it as to-read

Jun 07, 2013 Tolats_kie87 marked it as to-read

Jun 06, 2013 Sharon marked it as to-read

Jun 05, 2013 Domz Luna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 05, 2013 Maureen marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 15 16 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (3)

Genres

Sequential Art > Graphic Novels

9 users

Sequential Art > Comics

5 users

Fantasy

4 users

Humor

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Carlo Vergara

CARLO VERGARA, simply known as his signature CARVER, is a Filipino graphic designer, writer, editor, theatre actor, teacher, and illustrator.

Wrote and illustrated One Night in Purgatory, a short comics tale about homosexual love. The comic book was nominated by the Manila Critics Circle for a National Book Award the following year, and was cited by the Sanghaya Yearbook of the state-run National C...more

More about Carlo Vergara...

Books by Carlo Vergara

Graphic Classics Volume 14: Gothic Classics

Siglo: Passion: A Grafiction Anthology (Siglo, #2)

Graphic Classics Vol 1: Edgar Allan Poe (Graphic Novels)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Ang Kagilagilalas...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah
avg rating	preview: Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah Goodreads rating: 4.13 (312 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1431179.Ang_Kagilagilalas_na_Pakikipagsapalaran_ni_Zsazsa_Zaturnnah?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1213763093l/1431179.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1431179.Ang_Kagilagilalas_na_Pakikipagsapalaran_ni_Zsazsa_Zaturnnah?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah by Carlo Vergara[/url]

Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website