Gerry Alanguilan's Blog, page 32

Congrats to Coching!

Congrats to Fransico V. Coching and the Vibal Foundation for receiving the Gintong Aklat Award for Arts and Culture for "The Life and Art of Francisco Coching", during ceremonies held at the Manila International Book Fair.

"The Gintong Aklat Awards aim to recognize excellence in Philippine bookmaking, and are given by the Book Development Association of the Philippines to outstanding book publishers based on the quality of books they produce."

More info here:

Book on komiks maven Coching honored at Gintong Aklat Awards

Coching strikes again as "Francisco V. Coching's EL INDIO" is named finalist for this year's National Book Awards. The only other finalist in the Graphic Literature category is Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo's TRESE: Mass Murders.

Winners will be announced on November 13 at The Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

See All Finalists to all categories here.

At the 1st Cebu Comics Convention

The 1st Cebu Comics Convention was held at the Ayala Mall in Cebu on September 25, 2010. I have been corresponding with a few comics creators from the area and I've always known there was a lively community of creators and fans over there for many years.

I finally met John Amor, one of the promising creators in Cebu, and one of the Tres Komikeros of the Tres Komikeros Podcast. He's pretty busy working on both his self published comic book as well as working for a huge indie company stateside.

It's so inspiring to see so many people in Cebu who are not only interested in comics, but also people who are creating them, the same way we're doing ours in Luzon. It never fails to amaze me, seeing such enthusiasm even in the absence of large mainstream comic book publishers. It reinforces my belief that comics will never die in this country, in spite of everything.

I came with a large stack of ELMER and Bold Star comics, and I sold pretty much everything. Thanks to all those who stopped by and either bought something or just exchanged conversation. I truly appreciated it!

Upon returning home, I browsed a few Cebu blogs and discovered that there were a few people who were a little too shy to approach us, and kicking themselves for not doing so. Nako, don't do that. Kick yourselves I mean. The next time we're over there, don't be shy and just talk to us. That's why we visited Cebu after all, to meet with fellow comics enthusiasts like us.

The four people at the airport who recognized me at the airport from my Hey, Baby! video certainly weren't shy. And so I end up with a few new acquaintances. And that's great!

More photos from Jonas Diego.

Photos and coverage from Hazel Manzano-Chua.

The Crowd

Ramon Marcelino Tribute, Coching Exhibit Plus CEBU!

An illustration from Roni Escauriaga, creator of Superdog. Thanks Roni! This is an awesome tribute.

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Marco Arnel Coching Exhibit

Marco Arnel Coching, grandson of of the late master artist-writer and Dean Of Philippine Illustrators, Francisco V. Coching, will hold his first one man show of abstract and modern painting in acrylic and oil. With a degree of fine arts at the University of Sto. Tomas. Born into the Arts, Marco's works is a myriad of paintings drawn from the artists...

Komiks Rumblings

There have been rumblings in the industry about individuals planning to save Philippine komiks through the passing of a law concerning comic books.

Long time visitors to this blog would remember two bills that were submitted by former Presidential candidate Manny Villar to the Senate in 2007 that would be beneficial to the industry of komiks in the country.

Senate Bill 1929: PHILIPPINE KOMIKS REVIVAL ACT OF 2007

You can download the PDF version of the bill here.

Senate Bill 1934: KOMIKS...

Ramon Marcelino Passes Away

I'm getting the sad news from Randy Valiente's blog that longtime Filipino komiks writer and editor Ramon Marcelino has passed away early today. Condolences to his friends and family.

Ramon Marcelino via Randy Valiente

Ramon Marcelino at Komiklopedia.

Komikero Publishing's Survival Plan in the Digital Age

From September 13 to 14 will be a huge conference in Quezon City on the "Future of the Book" organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), Filipinas Heritage Library and the Vibal Foundation. It's going to be held at the Ayala Techno Hub in Commonwealth Avenue.

I was supposed to be a speaker on DAY 2 where I will discuss how self publishers can survive in the Digital Age. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond my control have forced me to bow out of the conference. It was a difficult d...

I Am An Avenger

I've always wanted to be in involved in a Secret Wars/Secret Invasion type "Everybody's Freakin' HERE!" cover so I was glad Leinil handed me this amazing piece to ink. This the original Avengers in the original Avengers Marvel Universe in a mini series called "I Am An Avenger". This is the cover to issue #1, which is OUT RIGHT NOW!! It's an anthology title of what seems to be all ages type of Avengers story. Which I really like. I might even buy the rest of the series because of that.

Ever...

Mark Torres Signing at Comic Odyssey

One of the new batch of Filipino comics artists with a unique and quirky style of illustration, Mark Torres is set to launch his new book "Tales of Fear Agent" from Dark Horse Comics at Comic Odyssey on September 11, 2010.

When I was in school, teachers used to tease me I looked like my drawings. Apparently, the same is actually true for Mark. Check it out! That's Mark (on the right) with Budjette Tan. (Photo by Roi Francisco)

Thanks to Sandy Sansolis and Comic Odyssey for their continuing...

Remembering Arlan

When Komikero Ryan Toledo posted this photo up at his Facebook, I couldn't help but shed a tear. It's been a while since I saw a "new" old photo of Arlan, and it reminded me of just how much I missed him.

Those of you who bought "Where Bold Stars Go To Die" know Arlan Esmeña as the talented guy who illustrated that comic book. Viewers of my videos at You Tube know Arlan as my frequent sidekick in our "Kwentong Tambay" videos, as well as the anonymous villains in my short films.

When he passed a...

Bong Dazo Signing at Comic Odyssey

You've seen this artist and his work on titles like Deadpool, Thunderbolts, Star Wars and now Moon Knight and wondered if he was Filipino. The answer is yes, Bong Dazo is a Filipino based in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

His new title, Shadowland: Moon Knight #1 will be launched, and Bong himself will be on hand to do signings, at Comic Odyssey at Robinson's Galleria on September 4, 2010 from 1-3 PM. And as Comic Odyssey signings usually go, other artists will be there to hang.

I wish I could be there a...