MUKATMAN Blog

Super Manila was held from December 15 to 17, 2023 at Ayala Malls Circuit Makati in the Philippines. On the first day, I went straight to the roof deck to check on the setup of the tables. There, I saw Sir Sandy and Ma’am Rowena with Lyndon Gregorio of Beerkada comics and Kapitan Tambay.  After chatting with them, Sab and I went to the Samsung Hall to watch the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.  On Day 3 of Super Manila 2023, I arrived around 6 PM. I wanted to get some Alex Sinclair comics signed, but he was not there as he was at the comics workshop. However, I was still able to get one book signed later that night.  I went around and met with my comics friends, took some pictures, and a few videos. It was a fun day, and I got to see a lot of komiks fans, which is a rarity at current convention events.  I felt like it was the first time I went to Komikon at UP Bahay Alumni way back in 2006, where all the people were at the event because of komiks! Some highlights of th...

At the 20th Gawad Tanglaw Awards, a momentous occasion unfolded as they paid tribute to none other than the illustrious creator of Kenkoy, Mr. Antonio "Tony" Velasquez. Fondly regarded as the father of Philippine Comics, Mr. Velasquez was honored for his exceptional contributions to Filipino illustration and his enduring legacy in Philippine Arts and Culture. Representing this iconic figure and receiving the prestigious award on his behalf was Mr. Ian Velasquez, his great-grandnephew, and the current custodian of the beloved Velasquez Komiks Characters. This remarkable event took place on October 7, 2023, at the Manuel L. Quezon University Hall in Quezon City. It served as a fitting tribute to the indelible mark left by Mr. Tony Velasquez on the world of Philippine comics and artistry.

The recently concluded Philippine Book Festival at World Trade Center, Pasay City was a remarkable event! As a member of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, I had the privilege to be part of booth G16 located in the Komiks section of the festival. The 3-day event, held from June 2-4, 2023, was filled with excitement and fun. I particularly enjoyed the spacious venue, providing ample room to walk around, rest on provided seats, and even have a place to eat and take a break. The talks and workshops organized during the festival were engaging and informative. Our team at the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas conducted a captivating session on basic character design and Comics Strip making, which was a great success. I would like to extend my congratulations to all the event organizers, especially Komiket, for their efforts in promoting and highlighting the significance of Komiks in the festival. Such events play a vital role in furthering the Komiks medium in the Philippines, and I eager...

The Komikon Homecoming event held at UP Parola Gallery, UP College of Fine Arts on April 22, 2023 was a huge success! As a member of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, I had the pleasure of being there the whole day to sell our komiks at our booth. It was great to see familiar faces and meet new ones, all passionate about Pinoy comics and graphic novels. Our booth was bustling with activity as attendees stopped by to peruse our selection of komiks and merchandise. I was thrilled to see that we were able to sell a decent amount of both, which is always a great feeling as a creator. My colleagues at the booth also offered on-the-spot caricatures for attendees, which were a hit! I want to give a big congratulations to Komikon Inc. for organizing another successful event. The Komikon Homecoming was a true celebration of Pinoy comics and graphic novels, and it was amazing to see so many creators and fans come together to share their love for the art form. Overall, the Komikon Homecoming ...