| Komikon is back and they are truly home after almost three years of hiatus the Philippine Komiks Convention return to their roots and to the original place where they started dating back to October 2005.
It was “back to basics” with all the nostalgia honoring the previous Komikons of yesteryear. Many events have promoted Filipino komiks, but when you truly want to keep the culture and heritage in the spotlight, Komikon was the first. It is a long road back and despite the change going back to the birthplace of this event, you will know the truly passionate Komiks fans will travel to make the trip to be part of the experience. |
It’s been a while since travel restrictions have been lifted post-pandemic, but traveling 18 km away is not a simple feat if you’re taking local commutes. After almost three years of no travel, the way commute in Metro Manila has changed.
The buses and Jeepneys have now been limited to their usual routes, and the majority of locals relied heavily on the elevated trains, which have become challenging, not adding the cost of fare travel due to inflation for the cost of living.
Traveling by commute now takes a minimum of an hour to get to places like the current venue for Komikon, and getting there it really took a while. But I still arrive near the event’s tail end, missing the scheduled activities and panel featuring the artists highlighted since the opening.
Nostalgic Novelty
For those who never really read or appreciate Filipino Komiks claiming it is dead, they might be ignorantly wearing their blinders and would be in for a surprise if they did go to Parola in the UP Fine Arts Gallery, where this year’s Komikon’s venue has taken a one-day event that goes back to the originally scheduled event.
You’ll rarely see stickers, postcards, and other prints taking the spotlight away from Filipino Komiks at Komikon as truly the graphic novels and original short stories taking the center stage because as long as anyone is writing and creating new and original works Filipino Komiks will be a staple in the local scene.
Subtle Summer Reads
There’s a diversity of creators, writers, and illustrators exchanging notes or giving fist bumps in celebrating each and everyone’s accomplishments with new titles being launched here at Komikon, and it was truly a ‘Home Koming’ affair that also features international illustrators brought to you by the Next Comic Art.
Comic Odyssey, a very supportive comic shop from the start was ever-present bringing all the back issue finds you don’t see in their store. It was always great to see Sandy and his family hanging out and having a few smiles from general walk-ins who have never been to their shop, but also first-time Komikon attendees.
Short, but Fun Experience
Despite being just a one-day affair it now gives first-time attendees the hunger to come back for another Komikon. There will be more events from the OG supporters of Filipino Komiks, and you just have to be there to experience that same appreciation for the grassroots to continue promoting the heritage that has been around even before Komikon was the event to visit.
At the end of the day, it is the people behind this event who continue to keep the Filipino Komiks’ legacy alive for the next generation. The magazines and other reading print material may have been discontinued, but as long as writers and illustrators continue to make Komiks the fun never stops.
Many thanks to the Komikon organizers for the opportunity to be there despite being an hour before the tables were cleared out. The travel time to get to UP Diliman was challenging and at the same time rewarding seeing familiar faces. The next time you’ll see these people will be at the Free Comic Book Day happening on 13 May 2023 at the Fully Booked flagship store you don’t miss this next event.
Komikon: Home Koming is a one-day event, which was held on 22 April 2023 at the UP Fine Arts Gallery inside the University of Philippines Diliman Campus.
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