Komiket 2022
Founded in 2015, Komiket has grown into the Philippines’ premier convention for independent comic book creators, illustrators, and zine makers. As a non-profit organization, it provides a welcoming marketplace where local artists can publish, showcase, and sell their original graphic novels and artworks directly to fans.
It was 2022, a year when the world was still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. For two years, everything had come to a standstill. Events were canceled, gatherings were prohibited, and strict social distancing protocols kept people apart. The silence of those years was heavy, and even as vaccines became readily available, the return to normalcy was slow and uncertain. People were hesitant to step outside, unsure if the world they once knew could truly come back.
In the middle of this cautious atmosphere, I received a message from Paolo of Komiket. He floated the idea of holding a Komiket in Iloilo, a regional event that would bring together artists and fans once again. At first, it was difficult to imagine, after all, the pandemic had reshaped habits and made crowds feel risky. But despite the doubts, the plan pushed through. Komiket Iloilo was set, and I was given the opportunity to design the official poster and tarpaulin for the event. That alone felt surreal, like a small sign that creativity and community were finding their way back.
The last convention I had attended before the pandemic was Conquest 2019. I remembered how my stickers had outsold my comics, much to my disappointment at the time. With that lesson in mind, I decided to focus more on stickers for Komiket Iloilo, printing only a few copies of my comic alongside them. It was a practical choice, but also a way of adapting to what I had learned from past experiences.
The first day of Komiket Iloilo started quietly. The crowd was thin, and the energy was subdued, but it gave me time to wander around and reconnect with the community. I bought comics and merchandise, and I had the chance to meet fellow creators like Bambi and Olan, Lucia Asul, Jay Ignacio, Chocnut, Sskait, and Tarantadong Kalbo. Each encounter reminded me of how vibrant the local art scene was, and how much I had missed being part of it.
By the second day, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd began to build, and the energy of the event grew livelier. My stickers sold well enough that I had to reprint some designs to keep up with demand. That afternoon, I was able to talk about my Sugidanon Comic project, sharing my work and ideas with an audience that was eager to listen. It was a moment of validation, proof that even after the long pause of the pandemic, stories still had a place and people were willing to engage with them.
The final day, however, took an unexpected turn. I began to feel unwell, my body heavy with fever. By the time I took a rapid test, the result confirmed what I feared. I had contracted COVID. The timing was cruel, as the event was ending on a high note, but I had to retreat into isolation. For two weeks, I stayed confined in my room, cut off from the outside world once again. Thankfully, I had a stash of comics to keep me company, and in those quiet days, I found solace in reading the works of others.
Komiket Iloilo 2022 was a resounding success. I received plenty of positive feedback from people I know, many of whom shared that the event helped revitalize the local art market scene. Its success also inspired local organizers to finally take the leap and host their own pop culture events featuring artist alleys.
