Fan Mail from the Globalized Filipino Komikeros

Wouldn't you know it? Right after some of the articles on this "opinionated" blog by an anonymous and unimportant commentator gets reprinted and published by Randy Valiente, we get the following violent reactions and rants from some of the globalized Filipino comics creators over at their mutual admiration, ass-kissing society message board called the PKMB. And what triggered it all was a lone and innocent query from a fellow pen-named inquisitor: "Gothic Cathedral", who obviously enjoyed Randy Valiente's book and the articles therein of yours truly. My, talk about an avalanche of "love". So without further ado, its time to turn National Geographic and observe the tribal intercourse of this particular specie we have all come to know and love as: the "komikeros":

"gothic cathedral: Nakabili na ako ng book nyo sa megamall kagabi, mangilan-nilan pa lang ang nabasa ko pero enjoy na ako. Tanong lang sino (o sino sino) ang mga taga Aklas Isip? Sana may features kayo sa susunod na book kina Pablo S. Gomez at Jim Fernandez. "

"gerry alanguilan: Alam nyo na malaki talaga ang problema ko sa mga "anonymous", maganda man ang sinasabi o hinde. Ang kasabihang "Hindi kung sino ako ang impotante kundi kung ano ang sinasabi ko" ay bullshit para sa akin. Kung tunay na mahalaga ang sinasabi mo, binibigyan mo ito ng kaukulang bigat sa pagsabi ng tunay na pagkatao mo. Anyone who writes anonymously is telling you that he cannot be, and is unwilling to be responsible for his words, and that he refuses to be accountable for anything that he says. By doing so, he insults every other contributor to this book, each of us publicly declaring who we are, publicly declaring our true identities and by doing so we are publicly declaring that WE are responsible for what we are saying and YES, you can hold us accountable for it. Anyone who doesn't do the same does not have any credibility with me at all. And pardon me for being frank, I find that the inclusion of his writings in this book sullies an otherwise excellent publication."

"auggie: Right On Gerry! siguro sa revised edition, dapat ilabas na ang mga secret identities nitong mahiwagang grupong ito, otherwise i-delete na lang, di ba ? STAND & BE ACCOUNTABLE !"

"robby:That's what I thought about Randy's blog as well. Nasira dahil sa anonymous posts. But I suspect that Aklas Isip isn't as anonymous to some as we are led to believe."

"Randy Valiente: Re:Anonymous writers/pen names Mga kapatid, Magkakaiba tayo ng pananaw sa issue na ito. Actually centuries old nang pinag-uusapan itong issue ng paggamit ng pen names. Greek period pa. Maraming dahilan. Merong mababaw at merong malalim. Sa history ng Pilipinas, siguro naman aware na tayo na ilang mga kilalang tao ang gumamit ng 'alyas'--Rizal, Bonifacio, Marcos, Ninoy...pati nga si Bob Ong.

Ang malaking dahilan kung bakit gumagamit ng 'alyas' si Aklas Isip ay dahil sa 'sensitivity ng mga issues' na kanyang isinusulat. Ganito rin ang madalas na gawin ng mga taong involved sa mga political ideologies. Sensitive ang mga issues ni Aklas Isip dahil wala siyang 'kiyeme' sa kanyang mga sinusulat.

Kung nasusubaybayan natin ang mga naisulat niya sa kanyang blog, malalaman natin na marami siyang binabanggang tao--mula sa Roces family, indies, traditional at modern komiks, art, marketing. Pati nga lahat ng writers sa libro ko ay nakabangga na rin niya--si Gerry, Dennis, Fermin, Joemari, ako. Pati ang iba pang tao dito sa PKMB--Robby, Mcoy, etc. Bilang editor ng libro, naisip ko rin kung dapat bang isama si Aklas Isip.

Pinag-aralan ko rin kung kukuwestyunin ba ng marami ang kanyang kredibilidad (gaya ng nangyayari ngayon). At alam kong darating sa puntong ito. Pero dahil opinionated, individualistic, at self-regulated ang mga articles (dahil halos wala naman akong pinakialaman sa 'thoughts' ng mga nasa libro), naisip ko siyang isama. Narito ang mga dahilan:

1. Mayroon siyang mga ideas na hindi naisip ng sinuman sa atin.

2. Mayroon siyang mga research materials na hindi natin na-research.

3. Mayroon siyang mga informations na hindi natin nalaman.

4....at higit sa lahat, mayroon siyang mga issues na hindi natin puwedeng kantiin dahil makakasakit lang tayo ng damdamin, magkakaroon tayo ng kaaway, o kaya ay magiging pagkasira lang ng ating pagkatao sa paningin ng iba.

Kung lalantad ba si Aklas Isip ay papalakpakan natin siya? O lalo lang tayong lalayo sa kanya para iwasan na maging personal na kakilala?"

"robby villabona: Randy, There's pros and cons to anonymous writing -- but for academic writing (which I believe your book's articles should at least strive for, otherwise it's just a collection of ordinary writing), I don't think anonymous writing brings out the best possible work from people. Academic writing needs a large degree of being critical of one's own work so you don't end up committing fallacies (i.e. making false assertions, making questionable conclusions). It also requires a large degree of peer review -- having subject matter experts point out errors in what you write. Self-criticism and peer review, PLUS subject matter expertise and research result in well-written articles.

The anonymous writer is more concerned with advancing an idea than his personal credibility (since it's not at stake anymore). Good thinking generally doesn't come from people not really concerned with their personal credibility. When you lose that concern, you lose the ability to view your own writing with a critical mind. There's no consequence to being careless, making hasty generalizations, making ad hominem arguments, and all the other fallacies they teach you not to make in high school when writing essays.

Aklas Isip's articles may be full of raw information, but his articles are also rich in these fallacies they teach you not to make in high school. And that's probably where I find him good at -- source of raw information. But not really as a source of well thought-out reasoning and conclusions (kasi nga they're very carelessly put together). Anonymous writing is probably only good for situations where you're writing can get you killed. Other than that... it's just really a license that can easily be abused and destroys your own ability to write well. Aklas Isip should write with his real name not to satisfy our curiosity, but so he can improve on his writing."

"auggie: Rob, Right On! unless may threat sa buhay ni Aklas Isip, it's hard to justify, anonymous writings. You gotta have balls when you decide to write and critique. Tingnan mo sa Mon Tulfo, bumibira siya, pero hindi siya takot sa consequences, dahil preparado din siya. Ang alam ko parating mi kargada itong si Tulfo, bukod pa sa mga marines niyang bodyguards. Ditto with Mike Enriquez sa hard-hitting niyang programang Imbestigador. Sa mga Komikero, kung gusto mo rin bumirada, huwag matakot, mababait naman siguro ang mga artists, unless mi Right Wing, death squad na nagbabasa rito,at bigla nalang kayong mawala from the face of the earth.....

Jose Mari Lee: Ingkong KC, Randy, at sa TATLONG MARIO (dahil tatlong MARIA ang katumbas) na pinanggigigilan ngayon ni Aklas:

Sa tuwing ako'y magbabakasyon, may mga happenings na nangyayari sa mga blogs ng komikeros. He-he.

Personally, I don't really blame Randy for publishing Aklas Isip. I don't agree with Aklas for taking cover behind his nom de plume, but heck, many people will not take him seriously no matter what topic he writes about because he just lacks credibility by not showing his YAGBOLS. He wants to make himself the oddball, goofball, nincompoop of blogs worldwide, that's fine with me.

Pagbaba ng araw sa likod ng mga bundok at karagatan, sino ang nangungulila... ako ba? Kami ba na mga nag-contribute ng articles sa libro ni Randy na gumamit ng tunay nilang mga pangalan?... o si AKLAS ISIP na LULUGU-LUGONG nag-iisip sa sariling kahunghangan kung bakit hindi maharap ang mapait na katotohanang... NAPAKA-IKLI ng buhay sa mundong ito, at kung hindi ka rin lang kasing-TAPANG, kasing-GITING, kasing-TATAG ng kahanga-hangang, ORIG... the one one and only... DAMIAN SOTO... ay tsupi ka na lang. ZIP IT!~ sabi nga ng yumaong Morton Downey.

Kaya mga katotong komikeros, huwag talupan ng buhay ang isang kaibigan nating komikero na isa sa mga kapuri-puring nilalang sa maliit na daigdig ng Philippine komiks, ang isang orig na may prinsipyong hawig kay Damian Soto, si Ginoong Randy Valiente.

Kaya nga ba ang artikulong isinulat ko ay ginawa kong kasinggaan ng papel de Hapon, para naman magkaroon ng kahi't bahagyang relaxation ang mga magbabasa. Kasi, kung puro na lang angst ni AKLAS ISIP ang mabubuglawan natin ay sukat na. Sinubukan kong mag-iwan ng message sa blog ni Aklas, pero sa akala ba ninyo ay pinahintulutan ito ng taong ito na mabasa iyon? NOSIREEE! Paano, pinuna ko yung idea niya tungkol sa mga komiks daw na ibinebenta sa sidewalk sa north America.

Mukhang he's getting too ancient. 1950's pa itong binabanggit niya. Nagsi-alisan sa bangketa itong mga babasahing ito in the early 60s, at naglipatan sa 7-11 stores, Safeway, Superstore, Franchise bookstores, and most especially.... specialty comics shops. Sino ba ang inuulol niya? I've been living here in north America for almost 30 years, and I still have to see those bangketa komiks he is talking about.

Kaya nga... mga kaibigang komikeros... hayaan iyang si Aklas Isip ay magngangawa na parang ASONG ULOL at pagbaba ng araw sa likod ng mga bundok at karagatan... pagsapit ng takip-silim at paglaganap ng karimlan sa kanyang daigdig ay matatapugan niyang muli ang kanyang sarili na nag-iisa... punung-puno ng kalungkutan, ng paghihinagpis, dahil sa halip na makatulong sa pag-usad ng komiks ay sinisira niya ang inspirasyon ng mga artists at mga manunulat na itinalga ang kanilang mga buhay at kinabukasan dahil lamang sa pagmamahal sa komiks.

Ngayon, dahil may record itong si Aklas na mag-hit below the belt sa kayang sarcasm, at kung hahagupitin niya ako ng personal dahil sa sinulat kong ito... daanin na lang natin sa HUBARAN. May the guy with the best looking physique and the nicest looking dick... wins!

O, ano... laban ka diyan?

JM po lamang, blabbering from Lake Louise, Alta.

PS:

Aklas, hindi ko nagustuhan ang pang-iinsulto mo sa isang babaeng nagsulat dito sa blog ni Randy. (Excuse me? I have NEVER left or made any comments on Randy's blog, nor have I resorted to the kind of low blow insults you so unfairly ascribe. How in heck did you arrive at this conclusion? Oh, right. Forgot. Spin doctor. Former member of Imelda Marcos' "Public Relations Office" during martial law.-- Aklas) Kung ikaw ay isang desenteng lalaki, hindi mo tatawaging TIPAKLONG si Miss Gimena. What's fucking wrong with you, Aklas? Hindi ka pa ba nakukuntento sa pakikipag-babag mo sa mga kalalakihan at pati ang isang disenteng babae ay hindi mo man lang mapakitaan ng kaunting respeto?

Who IS your FATHER? GANITO BA ANG PAGPAPALAKING GIUNAWA SA IYO NG IYONG MAGULANG? (Boy, talk about ad hominem phobia :) --Aklas)

You really have to examine your own conscience! Perhaps, there is BIPOLAR disorder somewhere in your brain, Aklas? (Look who's talking! :o :)-- Aklas)

Reno Maniquis: From the bios in Randy and Fermin's book, Aklas Isip is made up of four people.

Pero tulad ng sabi ni JM, ilang beses na akong nag-attempt mag-iwan ng comment sa blog nila noon, mga comment na hindi naman umaatake sa krebilidad nila or kahit personal attacks sa kanila, ngunit mga comments na nanghihingi ng kaunti pang linaw sa mga isinusulat nila doon. Pero hayun nga, di naman nila pino-post o sinasagot. (Please specify. Maybe if you backtrack and check the previous entries you'll see your questions posted and answers given. You're always generalizing things. What questions exactly were these? --Aklas)

Sayang, noon ay lagi kong binabasa ang blog nila, pero dahil sa makitid nilang pag-iisip at di pag-respeto sa opinyon ng ibang tao (habang ang kanilang mga ideya at opinion ay pilit nilang pinupukpok sa ulo ng iba) ay naisip ko nang they're not worth my internet time. (Nobody's forcing you to believe anything here. Maybe its YOU who is FORCING other people to believe you; some sort of wish-fulfillment erhaps? And when they don't, you (and others like you) cry a river when a contrary viewpoint you cannot seem to deal with, is given your way.--Aklas)

Auggie Surtida: JM: Saan ka nagbakasyon at matagal kang nawala dito ?

DAMIAN SOTO ? lol, nobody here from PKMB, must have heard him, but I used to listen to his commentaries before. The guy was a character. Here is a sample if his self made ad: ( promoting the book about Rizal). Paki-lakip po ng inyong postal money order at isulat sa sobre ang : DAMIAN SOTO, sais uno nueve, kalye Pacheco, Tundo Maynila....

Aklas Isip ? bakit nagaklasan ba ang mga isip nila ?tungkol saan ? dahil sa mga burgis na Komikero, at banyagang superheroes at manga/animie ?dahil sa kawawang masa na hindi maka-afford bumili ng mga gawa ng mga indies ? kawawa naman , tsk, tsk, tsk....

They try to project themselves as able academicians kuno with their lenghty treatise, but unfortunately, they register as nothing but POSEURS, trying to impress the rest of us here. To be credible, put down your names first and we will talk, beter still, bakit hindi tayo magkita-kita sometime, para naman magkakilalahan tayo ng husto, waddaya say say guys ?

Robby Villabona: Hindi ko naman binabatikos ang pagkatao ni Randy. Yun lang desisyon na magsali ng anonymous writer. Ganun din pag may disagreement ako kay Gerry -- sa isyu lang, hindi sa tao. If we all agreed and we're all one big happy family all the time then we'd all be hypocrites.

Jose Mari Lee: Guys: I was vacationing in this little cottage off Bowen island after leaving Lake Louise and I tell you, without Aklas' memory and nothing but peaceful falling of the snow was exhilarating. I think I'll go back there to stay as far away as possible from Aklas' shenanigans.

Randy Valiente: Kung ang 'kredibilidad' ay lagi nating tinitingnan sa pagkatao ng isang indibidwal, ano ang kredibilidad ni Pablo para isulat ang 50% ng Bibliya?

Randy Valiente: May punto ka diyan... Pero gusto kong ibalik ang isyu sa librong 'Komiks sa Paningin ng mga Tagakomiks', doon tayo mag-focus.

Dapat nating tingnan na ang aklat na ito ay 'compilations' ng mga articles ng mga editors, writers/artists, fans, etc. Ang una kong tiningnan dito ay ang 'content'. Hindi ko gaanong tiningnan kung sino ba ang nagsulat, kasi kung gagawin ko iyon, hindi lahat ay nasa libro ko. Baka pati ako mismo ay wala sa libro dahil undergraduate ako at Architecture pa ang kurso ko.

Unang-una, kami lahat ng nagsulat ay hindi academicians--si Dr. Lirio lang ang may PhD sa amin--which is, hindi rin naman gaanong nahalukay ang topic na kanyang isinulat (na alam kong mapapalalim pa niya ng husto).

Ang kagandahan sa librong ito, open siyang pag-aralan ng academe. Dahil kami ang 'workforce' ng industry. Walang iskolar sa amin sa pagsusulat, kami ay nahinog lang sa karanasan.

Ang mga articles ni 'Aklas Isip' ay bukas para pag-aralan ng kahit sino sa atin. May sense ba ang kanyang pinagsasabi? Saang bagay siya nagkamali? Ano ang mga kuwestyunable sa mga isinulat niya? Hindi ba katanggap-tanggap ang kanyang opinyon dahil nasasaktan tayo?

Sabi ko nga, thousand of years ng pinagtatalunan itong isyu ng 'anonymous writings'. Kumporme sa sitwasyon.

Sa eskwelahan, hanggang ngayon ay piag-aaralan pa natin ang mga isinulat ni 'Huseng Batute'. Inabot ng maraming taon bago lumantad sa publiko na siya pala si Jose Corazon de Jesus.

Narito ang listahan ng mga writers (poets, sholars, ficiton writers, etc.) na gumagamit ng pen names:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pen_names

nagkataon lang na kilala na natin sila ngayon.

John Becaro:

Randy V already answered it--- CONTENT. It doesn't matter who or where it came from… Anonymous donor, anonymous donation, a horse with no name, a hero without a face, the list goes on… my assertion here is FREEDOM of Speech, freedom of expression. Freedom to criticize. And the purpose they serve; whether it be constructive , helpful or not, or if they even make some sense at all.

I don't really know where the extreme hostility about "anonymous" everywhere is coming from or why is it necessary to get bent out shape about them. First of all, You don't have to accept anything. No one absolutely force feeding into your mouth. Just take it as a grain of salt and you can make your own final conclusion afterwards.

There are myriad of reasons why a person wishes to remain anonymous. It's just part of human nature, I don't blame anyone if they see any other motives... Well, it's only common sense to make something out of the matter. Even Stephen King, Kirby, Gil Kane, John Romita, film directors, authors became anonymous at some point.

With regards to this discussion, I'm siding with Randy. Just Comics for crying out loud-- you don't have to buy if you don't want it.

Ever:

First and Foremost, Anonymous and pen

names has different functions although

both doesn't want to be recognized in

their true Identity.However pen names

are used for marketing purpose and

protecting personal identities while

Anonymous simply don't want to show

their balls.In other words, Anonymous

is prone to "malicious" intents because of its

full function not to be recognized in any way.

While "Aklas Isip" can be recognized as a

pen name,Its intentions are gearing for

Anonymous.

Based from the postings of him that

I have reseach so far, the Blog of this

"Aklas guy/s" would rather remain Anonymous

than sharing their true Identity.Although his

"researched" articles posted in his/their blog is

quite remarkable, I still find it qustionable

since the author wanted to be more Anonymous.

And that leads me to ask if the articles are also

real or just a plain well crafted of an anonymous writer.

How can I believed on something that is not existing

anyway?

Talking about Aklas Blog. I find it quite astonishing

that he has this so much "hate" on Komikeros. And that

is what Im talking about malicious intents of anonymous writers.

This "Anonymousity" was used to attacked other bloggers!

And how are we supposed to be safe on that? Are we going to

tolerate this? And everyone can justify an attack

by using anonymous? Imagine a scenario like that?

TRAIDOR lang ang gumagawa niyan.Tumitira patalikod.Ang masakit

pa niyan ay kung kakilala o kaibigan natin ang taong ito.

Unfair na tayo nagpakilala lahat while siya exempted?

Anu siya? Especial? Come to think of that Guys!

Akals, bakit TAKOT ka magpakilala? Dahil lam mo mali ginagawa

mong paninira sa iba! Use your intellect without harming

others. (Be specific. WHERE in this blog have I been unfairly rude or"treacherous" to people? Quote me. --Aklas)

Leon Mortera: Just Comics for crying out loud--

The rest of the above-quoted text was.. I don't know waht it was.. didn't constitute an argument whatsoever. But this one, and I repeat quoting it with primal rage . . Leon Mortera wrote:

Just Comics for crying out loud--

. . this one, I honestly believe, merits PKMB's own version of a fatwa!!!

Jose Mari Lee:

Leon:

We're not doing all these rebuttals just because Aklas is writing anonymously. We are responding the way we do because Aklas just does not write his article per se, without commenting on personal things about komikeros. He even questioned before why is my name... my name? It's just so irritating that he better stop adding sarcasm when he talks about personal things about a komikero. He's not going anywhere doing this. (I don't get this. I don't even know this guy and he makes fabricated accusations. Please be specific. WHERE in this blog or in Randy's book, have this blogger made "personal" comments against you or the "komikeros"? WHERE? --AKLAS)

Now, if Aklas has written something equally wonderful like the wonderful things you have enumerated above, well and good. But, his work is not even near the ones you have compared him to.

Kung si Aklas ang nagsulat ng anonymous Haiku na:

"May isang bulaklak,

May isang bulaklak,

na ibig lumitaw,

sa balat ng mundo'y,

Ibig paibabaw.

Nalalanta ito,

nalalanta ito,

sa patak ng ulan,

at nananariwa,

sa sikat ng araw."

Kung ganito pa ang susulatin ni Aklas, maniniwala pa ako sa panulat niya. pero kung yung mga articles niya na iisa ang tema, re: Murang komiks na para sa masa at bawal ang mga western centric na mga komiks na printed on expensive stocks, eh, LUMANG TUGTUGIN na iyan! Nakakapanting na ng tenga, tapos, sasabayan pa ng mga comments na personal sa mga komikeros na hindi talaga appropriate.

Now, now. Kung talagang talented ang hinayupak na ito, BAKIT HINDI SIYA GUMAWA NG SARILI NIYANG CHEAP, AFFORDABLE, NEWSPRINT, PINOY-CENTRIC na komiks? (Boy, I sure hope Sterling, Joe Lad Santos and Carlo Caparas are reading this. :) ---Aklas)

Ano pa ang hinihintay niya? Ang paghuhukom?

Kung aabutin pa niya ito bago siya HATULAN ng mga komikerong patuloy niyang iniirita.

Hey Ted:

I'm not even surprised anymore. Until now, a lot of people are still treating comics like excrement.

Just like when many people, without batting an eyelid, would say: "He's just a teacher!"

As if being a teacher is a sin! Even many parents say this – when in fact, without these "ONLY teachers" their children will end up ignoramuses.

And without comics? Heck, this planet will never be the same!

I wonder if Aklas has thought of publishing his pinoy-centric komiks in Mars or Jupiter? Or, how about the moon? That would be a more romantic setting for his komiks empire. The only thing is: he had to make the komiks not Moon-centric or it would be against his principle of publishing cheap, pinoy-centric, mass-produced komiks. Outside these parameters, it will always be VERBOTEN for him! (Well, the reality is, most of the so-called "indie" komiks nowadays by the komikeros (who have the means, talent, resources, network and money, by the way) are being made, or tailor-made, for an AMERICAN or "GLOBALized" audience right here in the PHILIPPINES, and for audiences in English speaking (and thinking) countries. So what's so wrong about making indigenuous (and affordable) Filipino comics for Filipinos of this generation FOR A CHANGE? All the energies of these geniuses are focused on enteraining other WESTERNIZED cultures but not developing a local comics culture in this country, in this generation. That's "old hat"? That's "bashing"?--AKLAS)

Rather narrow, I must say.

lagunapavon

Bagong Salta

To some degree Aklas Isip may have valid points in his writings, and to some degree he takes meticulous effort in throwing low blows around the komikero community. Obviously its bully tactics - feeding on the response to get attention, and by the looks of it I think he's getting what he wants wouldn't you agree?

The way I see it is that if we ignore his bashes and never bring his name up again, chances are we'll eventually stop since he's not getting the satisfaction of a response anymore.

He makes good points and has insight about comics, ok i respect that.

He is being a total ass to his fellow komikeros - if he was brought up that way then that's his right.

My two cents is if you don't like what he says, ignore him, he doesn't even have a name in the first place, why should you even bother with a reply? If he pops up with a good idea every now an then, give him that, but still just keep it to yourself as well.

That's my piece, and I intend never to speak about the matter again no matter the provocation.

The Frugivore

You're right, guy. I think he had said what his point was long ago, and that is: if the komiks published is not newsprint, not cheap, and not reaching the masses in every nook and cranny of RP, then that's not acceptable.

And this point he had said at least 1,000 times. There's no more valid point anyway, because the main premise of his statement is already fallacious (not to be confused with FELLATIO)!

But reading Aklas' message which has been rehashed so many times, FELLATIO might be a better topic to discuss

ReyVillegas

Leon Mortera said:

"What do these things have in common?

They were done by ANONYMOUS. There are literary millions more examples."

-- These ancient creators' names are anonymous not because they chose to, but because their names has been lost to time by countless wars and plunders that went after their time. This is generally not connected whatsoever in this discussion.

"With regards to this discussion, I'm siding with Randy. Just Comics for crying out loud-- you don't have to buy if you don't want it."

Oo nga pala, komiks lang. Teka, hindi naman yata sa pagbili ng komiks ang issue dito ah. Kungdi sa anonymity ni Aklas Isip who is continually bombarding komikeros with below the belt antics and his supposedly thesis of creating quality but very affordable comics but yet hindi naman niya magawa.

ROBBY V:

Lagunapavon's observation is very sharp. I really have no intention of responding to him, and haven't been doing so in a very long time. You can now see him resorting to posting comments as different people in his own blog just to try to provoke a response. Same with the comments on Randy's blog. When someone goes to that extent, my anger quickly turns to pity.

Fermin Salvador:

Katatapos ko pa lang makita (hindi pa nga buong nababasa) ang final product ng librong "Komiks..."

Nakakangiti, nakakukunot ng noo, nakapagpapalalim ng kaalaman, at kung anu-ano pang uri ng damdaming mahirap ihanap ng angkop na salita ang naramdaman ko.

Iba-iba ang istilo ng paglalahad.

Iba-iba ang bagay na inilalahad.

Iba-iba ang karakter/personalidad ng mga contributors.

At, naging kontrobersiyal (he he) ...

Iba-iba ang kapasyahang gamiting pangalan ng awtor.

Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng nag-ambag ng mga titik at pahina na nagbigay-buhay sa aklat.

Marahil ay isang mayabang na pananalita -- subalit tahasan kong sinasabi (sapagkat aking pinaniniwalaan) na ang mga naging ambag na pananaw sa aklat ay tila ambag na rin na patutungo sa imortalidad ng literaturang tumatalakay sa komiks bilang konsepto at kasaysayan sa Pilipinas.

Sabi ng makatang Ingles na si Lord Byron: "'Tis good to see one's name in print. A book's a book although there's nothing in't".

Walang rebolusyonaryong ideya o tuklas o anumang katulad na bagay na makikitang nilalaman ang libro. Ang nilalaman nito'y mga paniniwala, karanasan, pangarap, adhikain, at samut-saring uri ng pananaw sa isang larangan na minsa'y sumaklaw sa pamumuhay at kamalayan ng milyong Filipino sa marami ring henerasyon.

Ang bawat nagsasalaysay ng kanyang karanasan sa isang larangan sa isang tiyak na yugto ng panahon ay lumilikha ng tulay

na nag-uugnay sa nakaraan at sa hinaharap.

Maraming taon mula ngayon, 20 years halimbawa, ano kaya ang magiging mga diskusyon pag ginunita ang pagkakasilang ng "Komiks...?

Matatandaang nag-post ako ng hamon sa PKMB kung sino ang papayag mamatnugot sa isang librong maglalaman ng mga karanasan at opinyon na magbibigay ng ideya sa mga hindi tagakomiks kung ano ba talaga ang komiks at ano ang nangyari rito bilang Philippine-made product?

Si Randy ang buong giting na tumanggap sa hamon. Si auggie ay tumindig din ngunit hindi niya maiwan ang kanyang pastulan. Ganunpaman ay isa siya sa mga unang nagbigay ng buong suporta.

Sa format ng libro, inilahad ko ang pangkalahatan/abstraktong konsepto habang ang realisasyon/mga detalye ay kapasyahan ni Randy. Tinanggap niya ang sa umpisa'y tila hindi yata malinaw na responsabilidad. Tiwala sa isa't isa ang naging gabay namin.

Hindi ito ang wakas...

...ng ating sama-samang pagpapakasakit sa pagsulong ng "literaturang tumatalakay sa komiks". (Bagong trend 'to, friend!)

Ang mga salaysaying katulad ng mga matutunghayan sa "Komiks..." ang magbibigay ng matibay na gulugod sa mithiing ipalaganap ang mga kaalaman sa papel na ginampanan, ginagampanan, at gagampanan pa ng komiks sa pamumuhay at kamalayan ng Filipino. At, siyempre pa, sa buhay ng mga totoo't wagas na tagakomiks.

[End of our press release.]

Anonymous said...

KC,

Tingnan mo din kung may basis yung fear ni 'Preng Fermin na mi halong condescencion ang pagtingin ng mga literati sa mga Komikeros, baka naman perception lang ni preng Fermin yun...

Marami kang mga insights na makukuha sa pag -attend doon....

Auggie

Nom de plume said...

Pen names have been used by authors who either seek anonymity or a more marketable name. You may adopt a name that is more suited to the genre. Ang librong 'Komiks sa paningin ng mga taga Komiks ay naghahanap ng sinseridad. Bakit kailangang magtago ka,Aklas-Isip, kung kaya mong panghawakan ang iyong sinulat? Using a false name to deceive publisher,your fellow writers and the readers can come back to hunt you!

Anonymous said...

Enough of the talk, puro satsat... Aklas ISIP ! magkita-kita na lang tayo personally, at ako ay isa sa mga libo-libong taga-hanga ninyo. Gusto ko kayong ma-bistahan, para makuha man lang ang mga otograp ninyo, kasi para kayong mga henyo eh. At ako ay bilib sa mga taong henyo. Plis naman, huwag sana ninyong ipag-kait ang request ko....ang inyong fanboy,

TALAHIB

ARTLINK STUDIOS said...

First and Foremost, Anonymous and pen names has different functions although both doesn't want to be recognized in their true Identity.However pen names

are used for marketing purpose and

protecting personal identities while Anonymous simply don't want to show their balls.In other words, Anonymous is prone to "malicious" intents because of its full function not to be recognized in any way.While "Aklas Isip" can be recognized as a pen name,Its primary intentions are gearing for Anonymous.

Based from the postings of him that

I have reseach so far, the Blog of this "Aklas guy/s" would rather remain Anonymous than sharing their true Identity.Although his "researched" articles posted in his/their blog is quite remarkable, I still find it qustionable since the author wanted to be more Anonymous.And that leads me to ask if the articles are also real or just a plain well crafted of an anonymous writer.How can I believed on something that is not existing

anyway?

Talking about Aklas Blog. I find it quite astonishing that he has this so much "hate" on Komikeros. And that is what Im talking about malicious intents of anonymous writers.This "Anonymousity" was used to attacked other bloggers!

And how are we supposed to be safe on that? Are we going to tolerate this? And everyone can justify an attack by using anonymous? Imagine a scenario like that?TRAIDOR lang ang gumagawa niyan.Tumitira patalikod.Ang masakit pa niyan ay kung kakilala o kaibigan natin ang taong ito.Unfair na tayo nagpakilala lahat while siya exempted? Anu siya? Especial? Come to think of that Guys!Akals, bakit TAKOT ka magpakilala? Dahil alam mo mali ginagawa mong paninira sa iba! Use your intellect without harming

others.

Huwag mo kami paikotin sa kamay mo, dahil hindi kami mga tanga!

Vrdugo said...

Matagal ng mi beef against " burgis" komikeros itong sina AKLAS. Hindi maintindihan kung bakit. At masyadong bitchy kung manira kina Gerry A., Robbyv, Joemari, et.al. eh, mga accomplished professionals ang mga iyan.. Eh itong sila Aklas, I think cannot hold a candle to these guys. In the first place, ano ba ang claim to fame nila ? accomplished na ba sila ? saan ? sa paninira at inggit ?

Psuedonym said:

Robby Villabona: "Aklas Isip is a man of obviously little mental discipline."

Robby Villabona: "Maybe a few articles somewhere were spared this lack of intellectual honesty, so yes, I'm not ruling out that its sometimes possible to find convincing arguments from him."

Parang me contradiction dito a. Pwede i-specify ng husto ni Mr. Villabona kung ano-ano ang mga article na me "lack of intellectual honesty", paki-quote in fairness ang mga statements within context, at kung ano-ano article at mga statements dito ang me "very little mental discipline"? Pakipaliwanag din kung bakit.

Tapos, ano-ano naman ang mga article na sa tingin ni Mr. Villabona na ayon sa kanya, ay "convincing" para sa kanya at bakit?

Tnx.

Psuedonym uli said...

Isa pa, pwede ba magbigay ng specific example si Mr. Villabona kung saan sa mga article ng Pinoy Komix Biz, e ano-ano ang mga point of view ng mga ibang tao (sino din ang mga taong ito) na di niya gusto at tinatawagan ng sarcastic names. Isa, pa, kung meron naman, me basis ba para maging sarcastic si Aklas? Paki-specify po. Ano-ano ba ang mga statements na nai-quote sa PKB at sa libro ni Randy ang argumentum "ad hominem" (Wow bigat. Ano yan, German? Joke lang.)

Ano-ano rin po ba sa mga article sa PinoyKomixBiz at sa mga ni-reprint sa libro ni Randy ang mini-mis-state daw ni Aklas ang sinasabi ng ibang tao. Sino-sino ba ang mga taong ito? Paki-specify din uli po, Mr. Villabona.

Thank you.

Nom de Plume said...

Bakit yung iba diyan, hindi naa-astonish sa tindi ng galit ng mga komikeros ke Aklas Isip, dyan lang sa nai-post na usapan/comment nina Gerry, Auggie at Robby sa blog ni Randy? Binabaligtad and issue e.

Sila ang me ganang magsabi na si Aklas ang me galit sa mga Indie- Komikeros. E kung binabanatan ka ba naman ng patalikod sa PKMB nina Gerry, Auggie at Robby, hindi ka magsa-sarcastiko?

Pasalamat nga dinaan pa sa sarcasm. Iba ang sarcasm sa galit, oy.

bystander said...

hi randy. just passed by Pinoykomixbiz blog and in all this time I've watched it, this is probably the first time Aklas Isip specifically pointed out PKMB and the komikeros there as being up to no good. In all his articles he or she or they never made any specific and vile attack on any specific person the same way Gerry, Auggie and Robby did at PKMB. It seems to me that it is only now after Gerry and co. at PKMB made those thoughtless remarks that this thing is going on.

I'm not identifying myself because I may be ostracized as well by Gerry at PKMB. I visit it often and learn a lot from the other artists there like Mang Romy Tanghal etc. Sure hope the administrators at PKMB learn to be a bit more circumspect in their words, thoughts and actions."

Well, there you have it. Without specifying exactly WHAT particular reprinted article of this blog they find issue with, or what was said exactly, the komikeros immediately proceed with uncalled for, speculative innuendos attacking the personality and motives of this blogger. All bark with no bite. That's debate 101 for you in the land of PKMB censors. Geniuses abound here. Should we dignify this with a long-winded answer as well? (Bet you the PKMBs are holding their breath and those in the know are snickering right now).

If you want to see and judge for yourself what all the fuss is about, buy RANDY VALIENTE's "KOMIKS SA PANINGIN NG MGA TAGAKOMIKS" at all Central Books outlets, located at:

Quezon City 927 Quezon Avenue Phoenix Building;

Makati City Ground Floor (inside Goodwill Bookstore, beside Zara across Marks and Spencer) Glorietta 3 Mall Ayala Center, Makati City;

Morayta, Manila, Ever Gotesco Mall CM Recto cor Nicanor Reyes St, Manila;

Ortigas Center - Metro Manila SM MegaMall 5th Level Building A;

Cebu City, Junquera St. cor Del Rosario St.;

Cagayan De Oro City, Limketkai Mall, West Concourse Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City;

Davao City, Doors 2&3 Dover Building, Bonifacio Street, Davao City, and at

Iloilo City Robinson's Place, Mabini Wing, Ilioilo City.