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Zsazsa Zaturnnah #1
Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah
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, proprietor of his own quaint beauty salon. Joining him in his extraordinary adventure is his frilly-mouthed assistant Didi and his secret love Dodong. Because of strong language and suggestive imagery, the comic book is strictly for mature readers.
Zsazsa Zaturnnah was first released in December 2002 as a two-part limited series, and since then has been prominently featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Businessworld, Manila Standard, Art Quarterly Manila, Culture Crash, etc. as well as the television show Knowledge Power.
After winning a much-coveted National Book Award, given out by the discriminating Manila Critics Circle, the two part Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah has been compiled into a single trade paperback by Visual Print Enterprises, and hit shelves of major bookstores within the first half of 2004.
Adding color to this simple tale is the fact that Ada is a homosexual, proprietor of his own quaint beauty salon. Joining him in his extraordinary adventure is his frilly-mouthed assistant Didi and his secret love Dodong. Because of strong language and suggestive imagery, the comic book is strictly for mature readers.
Zsazsa Zaturnnah was first released in December 2002 as a two-part limited series, and since then has been prominently featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Businessworld, Manila Standard, Art Quarterly Manila, Culture Crash, etc. as well as the television show Knowledge Power.
After winning a much-coveted National Book Award, given out by the discriminating Manila Critics Circle, the two part Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah has been compiled into a single trade paperback by Visual Print Enterprises, and hit shelves of major bookstores within the first half of 2004.
158 pages, Graphic Novel
First published January 1, 2002
19 people are currently reading
869 people want to read
About the author
Carlo Vergara
18 books35 followersCARLO 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 Commission for Culture and the Arts. A year after, he produced his second graphic novel, Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah, which was adapted into a musical and feature film in 2006, and winner of the Manila Critics' Circle National Book Award. He has also done illustration work for Graphic Classics anthologies (published by Eureka Productions), and is now currently working full-time as a creative director for a magazine publishing company, devoting his spare time to making comics.
(Taken from here.)
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 Commission for Culture and the Arts. A year after, he produced his second graphic novel, Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah, which was adapted into a musical and feature film in 2006, and winner of the Manila Critics' Circle National Book Award. He has also done illustration work for Graphic Classics anthologies (published by Eureka Productions), and is now currently working full-time as a creative director for a magazine publishing company, devoting his spare time to making comics.
(Taken from here.)
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November 9, 2014
2014: Reading this book for the second time
After two years, I read this book again. I did not like this the first time (see my original review below) but now, after my second reading, I liked it.
I understand now, that this book's intent is to drive the point that gay men are not different from women when it comes to having or wanting to have healthy relationships with men. Also, that being gay should not be a hindrance to do good deeds to the community or the country. Here the gay beautician, Ada transforms to the superhero Zsazsa to fight against giant frogs and the the villainous squad of nasty women from another planet. So, this book stresses that gay people have dreams too and there is nothing wrong with dreaming. We all do that, right?
And oh, the illustrations. They are perfectly executed. No dark blurred frames. All clear and those delicious curves! Kasama na yong "buong-buo ang bawat noodles!" haha.
Now, I reverse what I wrote below: they book is just for me. I have just transformed like Ada. After two years, I have a different mindset to books like this. I now know better.
I'm a fan of Carlo Vergara.
Review after the first reading in 2012
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 popular superhero that is gay, be it in Hollywood or here in the Philippines. All the popular superheroes –whether male or female - are straight. The stereotyped gay is normally weak, clumsy, boy-crazy and so he becomes a butt of jokes by heterosexual boys. In this book, Ada has superpowers just like Darna who is the original female superhero created in the 60’s by Mars Ravelo, a popular komiks writer and artist. However, instead of having his brother Ding as sidekick, Ada has Didi who is a helper beautician in his parlor. Also, Ada transforms into Zsazsa Zaturnah when she swallows the stone (a bigger stone that naughtily leaves an image in my mind of a gay doing the act). Very similar to lady Narda transforming to Darna when she swallows a small round stone, the size of a peso coin (that does not leave any obscene kind of image in my mind).
Gay Fantasy #3: A good-looking muscled straight dude gives him flowers. A couple of weeks back, during my book club’s face-to-face discussion of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s “The Little Prince,” I witnessed how the eyes of my gay friend twinkled when another member, seemingly a straight guy, gave him flowers! Almost teary-eyed, he said, “this is the first time somebody gave me flowers…”
Gay Fantasy #4: That the same good-looking muscled guy runs after him and not the other way around. In the Philippines, as far as I read and saw, most gay men normally pay money so they can have sex or lovers. In the story, the salesclerk Dodong is the one who is courting and admiring Ada that at one time he even gives Ada flowers. The store Dodong works in is just in front of Ada’s parlor so they see each other every day. Dodong normally waves and smiles to Ada from across the street but Ada ignores him. Even when Ada and Didi see the bare torso of Dodong, Ada says that he is Satan’s minion (while Didi says that he is delicious). I think this is the ultimate fantasy of every gay man: to play hard-to-get to a courting cutie hottie boy.
This book is just not for me. It so happened that my book club chose this as our Book of the Month last year. Then last month we began listing the possible authors to invite for our annual conference and the author of this book came up as a nominee. So, I went running to the bookstore and got me a copy for me to know what kind of book was this.
I have nothing about gay writers and gay lit. I read them. I liked the works of Christopher Isherwood and Alan Hollinghurst. I enjoyed "Trip to Quiapo" by Ricky Lee. But not books whose story is as shallow as this. But then again, this book is just not for me.
I am just repeating myself. I guess, I better stop. I have nothing else to say.
After two years, I read this book again. I did not like this the first time (see my original review below) but now, after my second reading, I liked it.
I understand now, that this book's intent is to drive the point that gay men are not different from women when it comes to having or wanting to have healthy relationships with men. Also, that being gay should not be a hindrance to do good deeds to the community or the country. Here the gay beautician, Ada transforms to the superhero Zsazsa to fight against giant frogs and the the villainous squad of nasty women from another planet. So, this book stresses that gay people have dreams too and there is nothing wrong with dreaming. We all do that, right?
And oh, the illustrations. They are perfectly executed. No dark blurred frames. All clear and those delicious curves! Kasama na yong "buong-buo ang bawat noodles!" haha.
Now, I reverse what I wrote below: they book is just for me. I have just transformed like Ada. After two years, I have a different mindset to books like this. I now know better.
I'm a fan of Carlo Vergara.
Review after the first reading in 2012
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 popular superhero that is gay, be it in Hollywood or here in the Philippines. All the popular superheroes –whether male or female - are straight. The stereotyped gay is normally weak, clumsy, boy-crazy and so he becomes a butt of jokes by heterosexual boys. In this book, Ada has superpowers just like Darna who is the original female superhero created in the 60’s by Mars Ravelo, a popular komiks writer and artist. However, instead of having his brother Ding as sidekick, Ada has Didi who is a helper beautician in his parlor. Also, Ada transforms into Zsazsa Zaturnah when she swallows the stone (a bigger stone that naughtily leaves an image in my mind of a gay doing the act). Very similar to lady Narda transforming to Darna when she swallows a small round stone, the size of a peso coin (that does not leave any obscene kind of image in my mind).
Gay Fantasy #3: A good-looking muscled straight dude gives him flowers. A couple of weeks back, during my book club’s face-to-face discussion of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s “The Little Prince,” I witnessed how the eyes of my gay friend twinkled when another member, seemingly a straight guy, gave him flowers! Almost teary-eyed, he said, “this is the first time somebody gave me flowers…”
Gay Fantasy #4: That the same good-looking muscled guy runs after him and not the other way around. In the Philippines, as far as I read and saw, most gay men normally pay money so they can have sex or lovers. In the story, the salesclerk Dodong is the one who is courting and admiring Ada that at one time he even gives Ada flowers. The store Dodong works in is just in front of Ada’s parlor so they see each other every day. Dodong normally waves and smiles to Ada from across the street but Ada ignores him. Even when Ada and Didi see the bare torso of Dodong, Ada says that he is Satan’s minion (while Didi says that he is delicious). I think this is the ultimate fantasy of every gay man: to play hard-to-get to a courting cutie hottie boy.
This book is just not for me. It so happened that my book club chose this as our Book of the Month last year. Then last month we began listing the possible authors to invite for our annual conference and the author of this book came up as a nominee. So, I went running to the bookstore and got me a copy for me to know what kind of book was this.
I have nothing about gay writers and gay lit. I read them. I liked the works of Christopher Isherwood and Alan Hollinghurst. I enjoyed "Trip to Quiapo" by Ricky Lee. But not books whose story is as shallow as this. But then again, this book is just not for me.
I am just repeating myself. I guess, I better stop. I have nothing else to say.
November 25, 2011
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 the author at Komikon 2011
Carlo Vergara drew this awesome sketch of Zaturnnah on my copy of his graphic novel.
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 the author at Komikon 2011
Carlo Vergara drew this awesome sketch of Zaturnnah on my copy of his graphic novel.
December 17, 2012
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., and Vilma S. There was even a character named Bem Bolroco. ^_^
While overall this is a funny book, I liked the main character's thoughts in the ending--something about her having her own, steadfast beliefs--her not being easily swayed by others and simply going with the flow like most people do. There will always be troubles and pain but that the most important she said, is for someone to always have faith and hope.
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., and Vilma S. There was even a character named Bem Bolroco. ^_^
While overall this is a funny book, I liked the main character's thoughts in the ending--something about her having her own, steadfast beliefs--her not being easily swayed by others and simply going with the flow like most people do. There will always be troubles and pain but that the most important she said, is for someone to always have faith and hope.
June 19, 2012
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.
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.
May 18, 2009
...
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 higanteng palaka, mga MuMu o zombie, at ultimately ang mga Amazonistas mula sa Planet Xxx...
...
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.
May 9, 2014
I don't exactly know how I stumbled upon Carlo Vergara's transgender superhero Zsazsa Zaturnnah but I was grateful that I did. I've only started getting into Filipino comic books, and, thanks to the availability of Black Ink titles (and the instant appeal of Budjette Tan's Trese series), I became emotionally invested in pursuing more material from this local industry. It was very unfortunate that this edition came out and that it was quite affordable. I was more than excited to read it and it only took five pages for me to appreciate the quasi-satirical and campy tone of the exposition as I got to know and began to root for this comic book's unlikely hero.
That hero is an effeminate gay man named Ada who works at a beauty salon. He has a bubbly best friend, a crush on the village's boy-next-door, and a failed relationship from the past. His parents have passed away. Ada's personal crisis is marked by his late father's disapproval of his identity as a queer man. Now all of these are recognizable ingredients of any superhero story (the comic foil character, the love interest, emotionally distant parent/authority figure). Ada's alter ego Zsazsa Zaturnnah is more or less a colorful juxtaposition of the legends of Darna and Wonder Woman.
If you simply apply a shallow perspective, you could just dismiss this comic book as mere extensions of caricatures and worn-out tropes. But the beauty of Vergara's work is that though the canvass may be recycled, the brushstrokes are original themselves. And the sense of humor is outstanding! I did not laugh because I was making fun of Ada as the reluctant heroine, or disparaging his pitiful situations; I laugh because he was genuinely infectious and thrilling as a character. I also commend the social commentary weaved into the work. As much as it parodied tropes and the ridiculous structures of superhero narratives of most Filipino heroes of the past, Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsaza Zaturnnah still managed to be emotionally earnest in its delivery.
Queer issues and representation both in life and art are heftily discussed within the material, but I like that Vergara did not use the comic book as some sort of a propaganda mouthpiece for gay rights. It's still an entertaining narrative in its core, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
The most absurd ingenuity that I liked the most (though I was also slightly peeved by it) is the appearance of Amazonian-esque alien warriors who are man-hating divas. Their chauvinism and iron-clad views against the male gender are exaggerated for comic appeal but the message was unmistakable. These so-called fighters against oppression of women are the most fascist race as well because they consider themselves superior and will therefore enslave those who are perceived weaker. That complex dichotomy is one of the common attacks against rabid feminists dubbed as "feminazis". I have no direct personal opinion about it but I certainly appreciated that Vergara incorporated that idea in his story which could produce an open forum among his readers.
To encourage readers to question and examine their own values in life is the very point of art and literature.
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
* A sleek and campy adventure story with a gay character at its center, this comic book also manages to be socially aware of its underlying modes of representation.
That hero is an effeminate gay man named Ada who works at a beauty salon. He has a bubbly best friend, a crush on the village's boy-next-door, and a failed relationship from the past. His parents have passed away. Ada's personal crisis is marked by his late father's disapproval of his identity as a queer man. Now all of these are recognizable ingredients of any superhero story (the comic foil character, the love interest, emotionally distant parent/authority figure). Ada's alter ego Zsazsa Zaturnnah is more or less a colorful juxtaposition of the legends of Darna and Wonder Woman.
If you simply apply a shallow perspective, you could just dismiss this comic book as mere extensions of caricatures and worn-out tropes. But the beauty of Vergara's work is that though the canvass may be recycled, the brushstrokes are original themselves. And the sense of humor is outstanding! I did not laugh because I was making fun of Ada as the reluctant heroine, or disparaging his pitiful situations; I laugh because he was genuinely infectious and thrilling as a character. I also commend the social commentary weaved into the work. As much as it parodied tropes and the ridiculous structures of superhero narratives of most Filipino heroes of the past, Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsaza Zaturnnah still managed to be emotionally earnest in its delivery.
Queer issues and representation both in life and art are heftily discussed within the material, but I like that Vergara did not use the comic book as some sort of a propaganda mouthpiece for gay rights. It's still an entertaining narrative in its core, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
The most absurd ingenuity that I liked the most (though I was also slightly peeved by it) is the appearance of Amazonian-esque alien warriors who are man-hating divas. Their chauvinism and iron-clad views against the male gender are exaggerated for comic appeal but the message was unmistakable. These so-called fighters against oppression of women are the most fascist race as well because they consider themselves superior and will therefore enslave those who are perceived weaker. That complex dichotomy is one of the common attacks against rabid feminists dubbed as "feminazis". I have no direct personal opinion about it but I certainly appreciated that Vergara incorporated that idea in his story which could produce an open forum among his readers.
To encourage readers to question and examine their own values in life is the very point of art and literature.
RECOMMENDED: 10/10
* A sleek and campy adventure story with a gay character at its center, this comic book also manages to be socially aware of its underlying modes of representation.
November 5, 2010
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.
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.
October 4, 2015
Kahit unang napanuod ko ang movie version neto (BB Gandanghari as Ada, Alfred Vargas as Dodong, Zsazsa Padilla as Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Chokoleit as Didi)hindi ko pa rin maiwasang matawa sa mga eksena na nababasa ko sa komiks! Hindi sya nakakatawa dahil nagpapatawa pero kasi yung eksena na kung iimaginine mo na mangyayari in real life e nakakatawa talaga! May mga napansin lang akong mga bagay habang binabasa ko ito:
1. Inferiority complex ng mga bading (uhh yung na-over s confidence pero yung iba sobrang ibinababa ang sarili dahil bakla lang daw sila)
2. Hindi talaga tayo mawawalan ng sidekick sa buhay (aka BESTIEEEEES)
3. May nature ang tao na makaramdam na hindi sya worthy sa kahit anong klase ng affection
4. Walang thrill ang buhay pag walang Amazonistas (kontrabida, chaka!)
5. If we want to make something happen, Prayer helps and works especially when we put an energy/effort to make it happen
6. We are all superheroes in our own little way
Excited na po ako sa ikalawang bahagi ng 2nd book!
1. Inferiority complex ng mga bading (uhh yung na-over s confidence pero yung iba sobrang ibinababa ang sarili dahil bakla lang daw sila)
2. Hindi talaga tayo mawawalan ng sidekick sa buhay (aka BESTIEEEEES)
3. May nature ang tao na makaramdam na hindi sya worthy sa kahit anong klase ng affection
4. Walang thrill ang buhay pag walang Amazonistas (kontrabida, chaka!)
5. If we want to make something happen, Prayer helps and works especially when we put an energy/effort to make it happen
6. We are all superheroes in our own little way
Excited na po ako sa ikalawang bahagi ng 2nd book!
January 15, 2016
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.
November 26, 2012
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!
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!
December 21, 2007
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!
January 15, 2009
An utterly brilliant parody of the magical girl genre with a homosexual as the lead.
January 13, 2012
Simply phenomenal and riotous tale... ever!
September 17, 2010
Baklaan galore! And the gay hero(ine) gets the hunk in the end!
November 4, 2011
Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, ang makabagong superhero na babago sa pananaw ng mga tao sa mga bakla or third sex, ika nga.
September 17, 2013
Isang upuan ko lang 'to tinapos, kaya pasensiya na G. Carlo Vergara at hindi na ako bumili nito dahil libre naman magbasa sa Powerbooks.
January 1, 2019
"Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah" by Carlo Vergara has good representations. Aside from the great representation, my other favorite part is the reason for the arrival of the Amazonistas. The dialogues are powerful; the dialogues also spoke the truth that I want to hear more about the Amazonistas and their stories.
If truth be told, I think that I might have liked this book better if I read it earlier. But still, an enjoyable read with, again, good representations.
If truth be told, I think that I might have liked this book better if I read it earlier. But still, an enjoyable read with, again, good representations.
February 6, 2017
I love you Dodong!!!
August 17, 2022
Reread: Nakatutuwa kasi ang silly type fantasy niya lang, but I gotta admit na some of the jokes are . . . Old. Sorry 2020 self, haha. Besides being a Darna-but-gay story, sana nga rin ma-expand pa ito and make social commentaries on SOGIE in the Philippines (hope ko lang naman). Gustong-gusto ko pa rin yung art style, at ayun, bitin pa rin kasi naman, more backstory sana please haha!
First read: Aliw na aliw ako sa librong 'to! Classic jokes style na hindi naluluma, epektib pa rin!
Full review sa blog ko (salamat sa mga magsusupport!):
https://writtenbyal.wordpress.com/202...
First read: Aliw na aliw ako sa librong 'to! Classic jokes style na hindi naluluma, epektib pa rin!
Full review sa blog ko (salamat sa mga magsusupport!):
https://writtenbyal.wordpress.com/202...
April 21, 2016
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.
The sequel seems to be a long wait though early pages have been trickling on CarVer's site.
Read
July 3, 2010i 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!
if you get a chance to get a copy go get one!
December 27, 2012
Seemed like nothing was original on this one, but this book made me laugh real loud a countless times.
March 29, 2013
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.
January 20, 2015
Tawa ako ng tawa. Bawal conservative. Medyo sablay nga lang pilosopiya sa akin. Picturesque of Filipino culture and the present world. Flangganah.
July 9, 2018
No list of Pinoy Pride🏳️🌈 literature is complete without Zsazsa Zaturnnah, and it’s embarassing to admit that I haven’t read this until this month. 😅 But I finally got to experience it and it was amazing!
Small town parlorista Ada stumbles upon a huge space rock that allows him to transform into the, strong, voluptuous, and formidable Zsazsa Zaturnnah. The newly minted superheroine’s abilities are soon put to the test when monsters, zombies, and extraterrestrial supermodels endanger his hometown. Cue hilarity, action and a couple of heart crushing scenes (that part with Ada’s zombie father is just, argh! 💔)
I don’t know why I took too long to read this but once I started, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the artwork, the underlying social themes and the witty and hilarious dialogue, mostly between Didi and Ada.
And bec the romance reader in me is always on, I sailed the Ada x Dodong ship from the v first time the love interest is introduced. I was so happy with Ada’s characterization (the classic Pinay Taray as per the articles after the comics) and that this is a more dynamic and more realistic representation of the gay parlorista. A bunch of other things (serious social issues) happen and it’s handled with a dash of humor and heart warming sincerity. It’s been around for 15 years but we need more of these kinds of stories. We need more queer super heroines! •
I believe Zaturnnah’s adventures are still ongoing in the “Sa Kalakhang Maynila” issues and I can’t wait to read more! •
Thanks, @minavesguerra for lending me your copy! 💕
*This review first appeared as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites
Small town parlorista Ada stumbles upon a huge space rock that allows him to transform into the, strong, voluptuous, and formidable Zsazsa Zaturnnah. The newly minted superheroine’s abilities are soon put to the test when monsters, zombies, and extraterrestrial supermodels endanger his hometown. Cue hilarity, action and a couple of heart crushing scenes (that part with Ada’s zombie father is just, argh! 💔)
I don’t know why I took too long to read this but once I started, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the artwork, the underlying social themes and the witty and hilarious dialogue, mostly between Didi and Ada.
And bec the romance reader in me is always on, I sailed the Ada x Dodong ship from the v first time the love interest is introduced. I was so happy with Ada’s characterization (the classic Pinay Taray as per the articles after the comics) and that this is a more dynamic and more realistic representation of the gay parlorista. A bunch of other things (serious social issues) happen and it’s handled with a dash of humor and heart warming sincerity. It’s been around for 15 years but we need more of these kinds of stories. We need more queer super heroines! •
I believe Zaturnnah’s adventures are still ongoing in the “Sa Kalakhang Maynila” issues and I can’t wait to read more! •
Thanks, @minavesguerra for lending me your copy! 💕
*This review first appeared as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites
September 4, 2018
Small town parlorista Ada stumbles upon a huge space rock that allows him to transform into the, strong, voluptuous, and formidable Zsazsa Zaturnnah. The newly minted superheroine’s abilities are soon put to the test when monsters, zombies, and extraterrestrial supermodels endanger his hometown. Cue hilarity, action and a couple of heart crushing scenes (that part with Ada’s zombie father is just, argh! 💔)
•
I don’t know why I took too long to read this but once I started, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the artwork, the underlying social themes and the witty and hilarious dialogue, mostly between Didi and Ada.
And bec the romance reader in me is always on, I sailed the Ada x Dodong ship from the v first time the love interest is introduced. I was so happy with Ada’s characterization (the classic Pinay Taray as per the articles after the comics) and that this is a more dynamic and more realistic representation of the gay parlorista. A bunch of other things (serious social issues) happen and it’s handled with a dash of humor and heart warming sincerity. It’s been around for 15 years but we need more of these kinds of stories. We need more queer super heroines! •
I believe Zaturnnah’s adventures are still ongoing in the “Sa Kalakhang Maynila” issues and I can’t wait to read more! •
Thanks, @minavesguerra for lending me your copy! 💕
*This review first appeared as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites
•
I don’t know why I took too long to read this but once I started, I couldn’t put it down! I loved the artwork, the underlying social themes and the witty and hilarious dialogue, mostly between Didi and Ada.
And bec the romance reader in me is always on, I sailed the Ada x Dodong ship from the v first time the love interest is introduced. I was so happy with Ada’s characterization (the classic Pinay Taray as per the articles after the comics) and that this is a more dynamic and more realistic representation of the gay parlorista. A bunch of other things (serious social issues) happen and it’s handled with a dash of humor and heart warming sincerity. It’s been around for 15 years but we need more of these kinds of stories. We need more queer super heroines! •
I believe Zaturnnah’s adventures are still ongoing in the “Sa Kalakhang Maynila” issues and I can’t wait to read more! •
Thanks, @minavesguerra for lending me your copy! 💕
*This review first appeared as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites
April 27, 2019
The struggles of the main character in the story, as well as the challenges she faces throughout the course of the graphic novel, speak to those that face queer people in the Philippines. A *Bakla*, a *Bayot*, is not the same thing as a western gay man. The two have different social contexts, and unfortunately, with the rise of western queer media, many Filipino stories try to translate the Filipino queer experience through a western lens. This is not that. This story is the story of a *Bakla*, and not a gay man.
The emotional journey of the main character here is that which is very relevant to queer filipino people. Does my partner love me? Is it possible to find romance? How will my family and my community accept me? How do I add value to my community given that I am queer? These questions may not be unique to the filipino queer experience, but how they are presented here is definitely tailored to that experience.
New generations come, and the influx of western ideas have changed how some Filipinos view their sexualities. Some have become more "gay" in the western ideal of the term, rather than *Bayot*. As part of this generation, I admit that I have not had the same lived experience as the main character of this story, but I am thankful that these stories exist, because we cannot pretend that the only way to be queer is to be LGBT in the western sense.
The emotional journey of the main character here is that which is very relevant to queer filipino people. Does my partner love me? Is it possible to find romance? How will my family and my community accept me? How do I add value to my community given that I am queer? These questions may not be unique to the filipino queer experience, but how they are presented here is definitely tailored to that experience.
New generations come, and the influx of western ideas have changed how some Filipinos view their sexualities. Some have become more "gay" in the western ideal of the term, rather than *Bayot*. As part of this generation, I admit that I have not had the same lived experience as the main character of this story, but I am thankful that these stories exist, because we cannot pretend that the only way to be queer is to be LGBT in the western sense.
April 9, 2021
I absolutely love it! It is a fun read with all the campy scenes while delving into serious topics like acceptance and love in the LGBT community. Some would say that the narrative is predictable, but it made the book more fun. It allowed me to enjoy each scene as I flipped the pages.
February 19, 2023
It's so funny!!!! Kahit ikaw man ang pinakaseryosong tao sa balat ng lupa. Hahahaha.
October 9, 2024
Bading na bading, Pilipinong pilipino. ‘Yun lang. At ‘yun lang.
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