Cebu Comics and the Komikon 2015

A comic convention, is an event in which fans of a particular comic book gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and each other. Some also incorporate commercial activity.

Right now, there are 21 noteworthy comic conventions that are organized in the world. Such comic conventions include countries such as Algeria, Malaysia Canada and Brazil. In America alone, they have 33 Comic conventions per year.

In the Philippines, the major one is the Komikon which started in October 22, 2005 at the UP Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City. It continues to organize its activities this year with the Komikon 2015 being held in November 14-15, 2015 Saturday & Sunday at the Bayanihan Center Unilab Compound, Pasig City.

Cebu being a major city in the country and its endless supply of talent also had its own comic conventions. It was called Cebu Comicon and it first started on September 25, 2010 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center. The event had major sponsors like Converse, NU 107 and Be Resorts. It also had varied activities such as Cosplay, workshops, toys, sketches and artworks.

The 2nd one was then held in October 1, 2011 at the U.P. Grounds then it skipped a year and the 3rd was held in August 16-17 2013. So far, there is no news for a 4th Cebu Comicon.

The Cebu Comicon organizers held other activities in 2014 such as the Comic Book Creation Workshop in May 3 to June 7, 2014 and the Digital Art Festival on December 6 -7, 2014 at the Robinson’s Cybergate Cebu.

A comic convention is a clear sign that a country’s comic industry is alive and kicking. So it is sad to say that Cebu’s comic industry even with its talent is dying. Clearly it is not the talent to be blamed but the lack of support it gets from companies and us individual buyers.

But again, the Komikon that is being held in the National Capital Region gives hope that Comics can survive maybe not in a specific city but in the country as a whole. I just hope that the Philippine Komikon does not go elitist on the other regions and only support the NCR comic artists.

But that’s the good thing about comics, it can easily be mass produced. And as long as our Cebuano artists can write good stories with marvelous art then we will have no problem invading the Philippine comic market and get support.

So don’t wait for another Komikon to die, get out and support Pinoy Komiks!

About the author: N.M. CABANGBANG or “BANGBANG” has been writing about events, art and culture for MetroCebuNews since June 2014.

He is a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at the University of the Philippines Cebu and was the chairperson for two major student organizations, namely Fine Arts Student Organization (1997-1998) and Nagkahiusang Kusug sa Estudyante political party (1998-1999). Since 2010, he has been an ART teacher at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy and is also the football coach for the school’s women’s team.

He is also the singer/songwriter of the rock & roll band PALTIK which has released their self-produced album, “Here Come the Guns of the South”. He is happily married to his beautiful and talented wife, Rizza Del Castillo –Cabangbang and lives with their three beloved dogs: Choknut, Cream-O and Moby.