A Giant Frog & Some Common Sense

12.07.2017 – “Bakokak” sounds like a combined term of a Japanese word and the sound of a frog. In fact, it’s seemingly un-Filipino about the way the title is, but either way, it’s something new from Gerry Alanguilan with Kevin Ray Valentino providing a spectacular art bringing this graphic novel to life. It was released recently at Komikon in November and its Gerry’s latest book since “Rodski Patotski: Ang Dalagang Baby” with Arnold Arre (Mythology Class, Trip to Tagaytay). So far I haven’t got any idea was the book is all about and the first impression on the cover has something to do with a frog, which explains the “Kokak” part of the title. It was the first time not being able to attend Komikon since the very first one in 2005. But going back to the book it features the artwork of Kevin Ray Valentino who had no formal art training and took him nearly three years to have this book made. The premise for Bakokak is fairly simple a giant frog wreaking destruction in a populace, but it set in an alternate future where the Philippines is a forward developing country that came under attack from this creature. In reality, it would be hilarious IF there was a giant frog going through Metro Manila and destroying every building that it steps on and that’s basically the story.

Don't Get Violently WASTED!

05.06.2013 – The much awaited reprint compilation Wasted has finally been released officially in the recent Summer Komikon at the Bayanihan Center last April 13th. It compiles the original print run, special editions as well as the ones from Pulp Magazine. Wasted is a slice of life story of Eric a broken hearted man full of anger and hate which every guy can relate in going through failures of relationships. Gerry said that some of the stories in this book were based on his personal life and most of us can agree with that same situation too.