| 02.17.2020 – Last month prior to this Saturday I was invited to go on a road trip with good friends since I haven’t been out of densely populated city of Metro Manila. The last time I really went on a long drive was in April 2018 with fellow TAFE colleagues from the automotive class, which was quite an experience bonding with them.
This time around I wasn’t even sure if I could make it due to the random schedule that I have that an on job call might happen. The commitment was not even 100% though I kept it in the back of my head if I got nothing to do on a weekend, since my brother and his family has left last Wednesday it would be best to spend time out of town without any concrete plans of even covering the event. |
The last time I was in the University of the Philippines in Los Banos was back in my college days, which is a very long time ago and at that time it was part of the curriculum at the same time excursion for the Physics subject. I can’t recall much but that road trip unless I have the photos with me which was lost back sixteen years ago.
But back to the present I was up as early as 4:30 AM without any real preparation and I was actually lazy getting up the bed although I already got my stuff prepared the night before. I’ve never got up this early not related to work or school and the last time I really got out of the house without any objective was biking to Brighton Beach and that was paying my respects during ANZAC Day.
By the time I got to my friend’s place he was just about to get his stuff prepared as any adult who lived in a regional state how the culture had changed my personal perspective what I learned it is always good to be early than late. Most “Filipino Time” is not organized and happens at random that sometimes it works and most of the times it becomes a disaster waiting to happen.
After a rendezvous pick-up by a family of friends who brought the ride past 7 AM we had breakfast at a nearby Jollibee. Although I had dinner the other night Filipino breakfast seems to be something different with Jollibee that merge with American and Filipino style morning meals.
After an early chat between meals we headed to Los Banos which is 67.3 km (For South Aussie friends that’s twice a road trip from Sturt to Tea Tree Gully and back) to that’s almost a two hour drive depends on the nature of the traffic on a Saturday morning, which mostly rarely a light but more of a heavy slow down due to surrounding commercial areas.
Seventh ElbiKon
In all the local events outside Metro Manila ElbiKon is the most consistent Arts & Crafts Festival that features Filipino Komiks, stickers, prints, and handmade merch such as knitted plush toys that also includes originally designed shirts. It is an event that mostly happened annually under the mainstream radar. It is one of the next best parts of Los Banos that’s attracting local creators from the busiest parts of Manila.
For seven years The Graphic Literature Guild (TGLG) certainly has kept this event firmly to the ground promoting what Los Banos has to offer with its distinct regional culture that is from this place. This was my first time to visit ElbiKon and everyone should have already heard of this place. Surely, hats off to the organizers for keeping this event going, but like all local events there is always room for growth. You can’t organize an event that still has the same set of activities or content it has to evolve.
Despite praises for ElbiKon organizers and those who supported what I observe is that this event takes back to the early days of Komikon when they were just starting in 2005 at the former Bahay ng Alumni (House of Alumni) in UP Diliman. This event’s majority of visitors are students since it was held inside The Baker Memorial Hall, which is a heritage building that was built from 1927 to 1938.
It’s all about the Food & Culture
The UP Los Banos is still an untapped potential to promote this place through ElbiKon and other events that mostly targeted the youth for its local gatherings. Beside the event what makes it a place to just get away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila is the simple getaway spending in the most greenery part of the campus. It is twice bigger than UP Diliman and untapped exploration is one of its major potential to be visit this place.
Aside from its local events outside ElbiKon is the food since the campus host a carnival that had rows of food sellers in surrounding area besides the Freedom Park, which majority of it caters variations of “Sisig” and “Shawarma” that’s affordable. They also support local agriculture that the uni have their own store that produce natural and fresh milk just a few doors down from the Baker Memorial Hall.
There are also stores that are permanently located within the campus besides that store that serves fresh chocolate milk. For those who are unaware that 7 Eleven discontinued the Slurpee there are stores that still have this outside Metro Manila. But it is absurd that they banned plastic lids and straws, which does not even making a dent in helping reduce that material in the country. But having a rare opportunity o have a Slurpee in this event was good enough.
What ElbiKon Need to Change
ElbiKon was a success but would it be the same for the next one? As a first time visitor there should be changes to keep it not just catering to the youth but to families in the area as this has been already established. There’s a saying change is inevitable to keep it fresh and relevant as most events I have attended while living in a regional state of Australia is be keeping it ‘kid friendly.’
It is great to showcase local bands and talents, but sometimes a parent who would visit and bring their little ones to this event won’t be able to stay long due to the loud noise. The band performances can be moved towards the end of the event as a closing part and to keep the event interesting are the local panels on stage with featured major guests can be an interesting part like giving spotlight to those local artists that produce not only great art but the craft they’re good at.
The untapped potential for local artists from Los Banos can benefit a spotlight on promoting artistry and creativity in inspiring the youth at the same time they can also tap local community groups into other hobbies. But then again who am I to suggest it? I’m just basing on my personal experience seeing regional festivals in South Australia not only catering to the youth but to families that have limited access to this type of culture. Maybe ElbiKon can be bigger than its original goal and all they need is to find that niche that would attract families’ not just students. But also help promote the grassroots of Los Banos.
Road Back to Manila
The ElbiKon experience was quite a short stay as I help my friends packed up their stuff by 3 PM. I was able to roam around the area see the local carnival that has taken refuge in one part of the Freedom Park. I wasn’t even able to get close to the bell tower where there was a gazebo beside it. I didn’t get to spend anything inside ElbiKon, but was able to sell some postcards and stickers for a friend.
It was a fun road trip bonding with friends I don’t usually spend most of the time, and I got to finally escape the horrible side of Metro Manila namely the overcrowding while seeing the rare greenery that UP Los Banos has to offer.
It was unfortunate I wasn’t able to explore much of places I can see due to limited time being in and out of Baker Memorial Hall helping with the tables it was still an experience I’ll never forget since experiencing that regional side of South Australia can be done here in the Philippines they only need is look back what works to establish the untapped culture of what makes Los Banos their own.
After almost three hours of road trip heading back to Metro Manila we settled in at Kanin Club to wrap up Saturday. It was exhausting trip going to Los Banos and back it wasn’t the most pleasant part, but the time spent away to almost a regional place was worth spending the experience with the people who I’m thankful for inviting me to see and experience what ElbiKon was all about.
Until next time, hopefully they (organizer) can make those changes and expand to a family friendly experience minus the loud music. For now this event will do and congrats to everyone for making it happens again.
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