KOMIKS, Sa Paningin ng mga Tagakomiks

KOMIKS, Sa Paningin ng mga Tagakomiks is a 230-page book published in September 2007 by Randy Valiente and Fermin Salvador.

KOMIKS is packed with articles on a wide range of topics by the people who are themselves into the industry. Thus, the sub-title “Sa Paningin ng mga Tagakomiks” (”In the Eyes of those in Komiks”).

The articles (there are 61 of them) are categorised under five headings: Kasaysayan (History), Industriya (Industry), Anyo (Shape), Karanasan (Experience), and Komentaryo (Commentary). The writers are giants in the comics industry in their own right. They include Dennis Villegas, Aklas-Isip, Budgette Tan, Lawrence Mijares, Gerry Alanguilan, Karlo Cesar A. Cordero, Orvy Jundis, Randy Valiente, Joel Chua, Melvin Calingo a.ka. Taga-ilog, Auggie Surtida, Josie Avenurado, Jose Mari Lee, Michael Sacay, Michael Turla, Terry C. Bagalso, Dr. Romeo Flaviano Ibanez Lirio, Rosahlee G. Bautista, Beth Lucion-Rivera, Cora Torrente, Mario I. Macalindong, Gladys E. Gimena, Gilbert Monsanto, John Becaro, Macoy Tang, Carlo Vergara and Elena Patron.

I have learned a lot from the book. The articles I found of special interest include the historical accounts of Dennis Villegas like “The Beginnings of the Philippine Komiks Industry”, “A History of Liwayway Magazine”, “The Story of Ace Publications”, and “Bomba Komiks.”

The book, I understand, is not available in regular book store outlets. It is mainly distributed through Central Books in the Philippines, and it sells in book fairs and arts conventions in the Philippines where co-author/co-publisher Randy Valiente personally participates and signs copies of the book.

The book I have in my possession is actually a personal copy of the co-author/co-publisher Fermin Salvador who happened to be one of our active members of emanilapoetry Writers Group. Yes, Fermin is also an accomplished poet.

If you can find a copy of KOMIKS, Sa Pagtingin ng mga Tagakomiks, go and grab it! It’s a very rare book indeed which has put together the writings of “mga manunulat, dibuhista, editor, publisher at tagasubaybay ng komiks sa iisang aklat.”

KOMIKS, Sa Paningin ng mga Tagakomiks
(c) 2007 Randy P. Valiente & Fermin Salvador
ISBN 978-971-691-760-7
Central Book Supply, Inc., Q.C., Philippines

*** Romy Cayabyab is publisher of emanila.com