Kwentillion: A Million Stories to be Told

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Kwentillion: A Million Stories to be Told

by Budjette Tan (Goodreads Author), Paolo Chikiamco (Goodreads Author)

4.31 of 5 stars 4.31 · rating details · 29 ratings · 7 reviews

Kwentillion Magazine is the Philippines' first publication dedicated to young adult literature and media, featuring YA-themed comics and fiction by Filipino creators. The bi-monthly, black and white magazine (with an eight-page colored spread in every issue) features reviews and previews of young adult books, interviews with creators, and articles which tackle a wide varie...more

124 pages

Published 2012 by Summit Media

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Sep 13, 2012 Maria rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, ya, fantasy

I recommend Kwentillion.

*****

Thumbs up for this magazine that contained nothing but marvelous graphics and boundless imagination! I enjoyed reading Kwentillion while riding a bus going home. The glossy finish and colorful pages are too enticing to ignore for long. I love my copy!

Kwentillion brought me to tales of old in Philippine folklore. Anitos (gods), Engkantos (elemental spirits) have never been more alive in the short graphic novels included here! And the introduction of new elements (such...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Xi Zuq rated it 5 of 5 stars

Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldissimo’s “The Last Datu” borrows from the magic of the Trese series using characters from local mythology, although the story has been given a futuristic twist. I love how black and white colors were cleverly used to reverb the motif of ‘light and darkness’ in Philippine literature.

Robert Magnuson’s “Poso Maximo” is my favorite graphic story in the issue. It is funny and cleanly illustrated. The story is fascinating because it worked without narrative boxes and speech b...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Tin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was very excited when I heard about Kwentillion, a magazine dedicated to YA literature, a genre that I absolutely love. And the fact that YA is given the local treatment here, is another plus. Local YA? That is something that I have been looking for for years. Finally, it's here!

First, the technicalities. I love the paper quality. It's thick and the off-white color brings out the best in the black and white illustrations. The colored center fold is an absolute treat as well. Chester Ocampo's c...more I was very excited when I heard about Kwentillion, a magazine dedicated to YA literature, a genre that I absolutely love. And the fact that YA is given the local treatment here, is another plus. Local YA? That is something that I have been looking for for years. Finally, it's here!

First, the technicalities. I love the paper quality. It's thick and the off-white color brings out the best in the black and white illustrations. The colored center fold is an absolute treat as well. Chester Ocampo's cover art is utterly breathtaking. It's ethreal and fierce all at the same time. On the other hand, The Secret Origin of Spin-Man, is laid out in a way that might make it a bit tedious to read. There might be a possibility for young readers to just skip over it, which is a shame because it's a lovely lovely story and is one of my favorites.

After reading the magazine, I am not sure if I found it to be truly YA. I felt that it was more of a magazine on local fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk graphic novel writers and artists. The Last Datu though, I think is YA. The protagonist is a young girl, it tackled issues faced by teens like grief, anger, fear of a huge responsibility at such a young age (filling in the shoes of her datu father) I am not sure about Maximo Poso, The Secret Origin of Spin-Man, High Society, and Skygypsies thougg, as to whether, the stories might resonate with teen readers.

But aside from that, I think the magazine is FANTASTIC! My absolute favorites were Maximo Poso, (At first, this silent comics seems to be telling a simple story, but I was surprised how it made me laugh in the end.) The Secret Origin of Spin-Man (Andrew Drillon has a way with words, he pulls at your heartstrings.) and High Society (This is the first time that I've read such a unique story, it's local steam punk. I think the characters are crafted nicely and I want to know what happens to Rita.)

I think the magazine has a huge potential of bringing to light local literature, their writers and artists. I mean just reading the stories and looking at the artwork here in Kwentillion, I am really amazed at how wonderfully talented Filipinos are. I am also so happy that, through these local writers, Philippine History and Mythology was made more known and more exciting.

It would be lovely to see some local Contemporary YA because some young adult readers are more into that genre. I would also love something Historical and something more High/Urban Fantasy than Paranormal. And maybe a feature on local reading communities and sites. :D

Thanks to Chachic of Chachic's Book Nook for my copy of Kwentillion!(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Kat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kwentillion reminds me of the Animax Extra issues I used to get back in high school. It's got comics, articles, stories and all sorts of interesting reads that will keep you occupied for hours. The best thing about it is it's 100% Filipino. Here we finally have stories that we can easily relate to because it's all about us, our culture, our quirks and whatnot. Stories that can be easily read and appreciated by anyone regardless of age. It's also a great way for Filipinos to share to the world ou...more

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Jul 17, 2012 kb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: magazines

I'm just glad it, this magazine dedicated to Filipino comics and fiction, has finally arrived. Maybe there's hope for this non-reading country, after all?

Looks like it's not just maybe, with how, ahem, magical, awesome and genius Kwentillion is! Not just because there are sections devoted to YA lit, courtesy of Chachic, Tina and Tarie (but wait, let me just cheer hard for them: "YA REPREZZZENT!), nor that there is a feature on everybody's favorite Manix Abrera in it, but the actuality that Filip...more I'm just glad it, this magazine dedicated to Filipino comics and fiction, has finally arrived. Maybe there's hope for this non-reading country, after all?

Looks like it's not just maybe, with how, ahem, magical, awesome and genius Kwentillion is! Not just because there are sections devoted to YA lit, courtesy of Chachic, Tina and Tarie (but wait, let me just cheer hard for them: "YA REPREZZZENT!), nor that there is a feature on everybody's favorite Manix Abrera in it, but the actuality that Filipino comics and fiction are finally given a spotlight. I mean, how long have we waited for this?? Now here's a magazine that's not just all clothes and makeup and cars and technologies, you know! Sure, those are important, but aren't art and literature, too? (Some would argue with "EVEN MORE SO!")

I like how the team behind Kwentillion balanced images and words by sandwiching Andrew Drilon's "The Secret Origin of Spin-Man" and YA sections among three comics by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo's "The Last Datu" and Robert Magnuson's "Poso Maximo" (this one I really liked because it had no thought/dialogue balloons, which meant I could put in any lines I wanted lol) and Paolo Chikiamco and Hanna Buena's "High Society." I also appreciate the choice of paper they used to mount all the art on and how they decided not to use colors in most illustrations because I thought that was not only cost-efficient haha, but also sleeker and encouraged more imagination from the readers. And that gorgey cover by Chester Ocampo. It's so pretty, prettier than all of those ones in men's magazines, hahahaha!

But while I do appreciate all the mad talents poured into this maiden issue, Kwentillion needs more improvement... in pages!!! That is why, Summit Media, you must give it more issues.. and funds. (Yikes, let's go, campaign manager, haha!)

For instance, I'm sure lots of Kwentillion newbie fans would like more stories in words. Stories that are contemporary and non sci-fi and non-fantastical. Sort of like those ones we read from Filipino contemporary chick lit. I understand art is often used as a form of escapism but sometimes, we readers like the feel of familiarity, too! We love to read about the things we know, the things we do, the things we talk and think about... in the simplest, non-satiric ways. In the next ish, please?

All in all, really, I thought Kwentillion #1 was a job well-done. I'm just going to cross my fingers for it to have more and more issues, wherein I could be a part of even just one, because I believe it could help in awakening the sleeping bookworms and pushing more Filipino artists and writers towards building a concrete foundation for our country's literature. (Lol, as if the team's not already pressured enough!) (Also, segue: I am trying to stop using "nation" because in all of my years, I have yet to realize how the Philippines is a nation and all those stuff about what truly constitutes being a Filipino.) Congratulations! May your monsters continue falling and your starships stay soaring!(less)

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Jul 18, 2012 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

What got me excited was the fact that this was home grown. Comics + prose + interviews = LEGENDARY. The mix appeals to book readers, comic book aficionados and magazine junkies alike. Wish there will be more short stories and hopefully more locally written YA books. I hope this publication goes monthly! I will definitely pay for subscription. :)

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Jun 08, 2012 Blue rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fantasy, owned, sci-fi, young-adult, komiks, filipiniana

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May 02, 2013 Gracef.23 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apr 14, 2013 Jay-r Trinidad rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Feb 05, 2013 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Shelves: owned

Dec 22, 2012 Mapet is currently reading it

Dec 14, 2012 Prescilla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nov 27, 2012 Jamaica PANDA rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Nov 04, 2012 Cyrelle Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nov 03, 2012 Ann Louise De Leon rated it 5 of 5 stars

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Sep 29, 2012 Arjohn Ceperiano rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oct 01, 2012 Jansen Valenzuela rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sep 12, 2012 dotay rated it 2 of 5 stars

Aug 22, 2012 Ella rated it 4 of 5 stars

Aug 18, 2012 Chris Raja marked it as to-read

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About Budjette Tan

Budjette is a founding member of Alamat Comics. He has since written comic-book stories like Batch72, The Flying Phantom, and Payaso. His most recent work is Trese, co-created with artist KaJo Baldisimo. Like any typical superhero, he keeps a secret identity and works as the Deputy Executive Creative Director in the ad agency Harrison Communications.

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