Supergirls at the Summer Komikon

The women of comics and cartoons basked in the spotlight at this year's Summer Bayanihan Komikon, sharing stories about what it's like in a very male-dominated field. Independent artist Tepai Pascual says some people automatically assume she's a man when they see her art, and are surprised to discover that she is actually a girl. "That's the time when you kinda have 'bragging rights' in your head, but being male or female isn't really what people want to see but the work of the artist. If it's good, whether you're a boy or a girl, it's still good and that's what matters," she asserts. "Laughter has no accent. So male or female, it's all about promoting excellent work," adds Aileen Casis, whose strips Luvstruck and Potpourri are published in The Manila Bulletin. Indeed, to be a female cartoonist is so rare, Fullhouse creator Steph Bravo is often addressed as Sir in e-mails. At first, she wasn't aware it was a predominantly male profession. "Maybe it was because of this that I didn't feel intimidated or felt less sure of my ability - in fact I think I reveled in it - Go girl power!" she says in an interview in the Komikon News Journal.

Similarly, Pascual turns what seems to be bad into something good when she gets negative feedback. "Di talaga maiwasan na masaktan ka. Deadmahin niyo na lang. Gawin niyo na lang na motivation. Isipin niyo para sa ikaaayos at ikakaganda ng industry," says the 23 year-old cartoonist. She admits that as an independent artist, she has a hard time selling her work. "Nakakapagod kasi palipat-lipat ka ng stores, titingin ng sales, pero di kami nadi-discourage. Gusto namin nagbebenta sa mga komikon kahit two or three times a year lang kasi importante sa amin makilala yung readers namin at marinig yung mga opinion nila in person," she says. "May time na nakaka-discourage, pero gusto kong ituloy yung story ko, for the passion," says fellow artist Joanah Tinio Calingo. Carpool creator Sherry Lee Baet-Zamar recalls that she didn't think being a female artist was a big deal until Beerkada creator Lyndon Gregorio told her she was the first female cartoonist to publish her own book. "Carpool First Trip" and "Carpool Second Wave" are both independently published collections of strips that first came out in The Manila Bulletin. For other artists who have been creating comics for years, coming up with a book is not yet in their immediate plans. "It's an artist's dream to come up with a book, pero problem din ang sponsors. As of now, creative outlet ko lang yung cartoons," says Casis. "Besides reading works by male artists, it's also nice to read something written and drawn by women who cater to both male and female readers," says Calingo, who created Cresci Prophecies. Experience as inspiration Like any other artist, the women cartoonists draw from their own experiences to come up with their strips. Bravo recalls how she began making comics as a profession when she was given a space in the Junior Inquirer Sunday Comics. "I had barely a week to come up with an idea," she says. The Inquirer's veteran cartoonist Jess Abrera advised her to go with what she knew very well. "I was a new mommy then and my baby boy became my inspiration," she says. Callwork: A Call Center Life and Proud Callboy (Callwork 2) began as a documentation of 30 year-old Hazel Manzano's experiences in the call center industry. "I thought that the comic strip would be the most effective media for bloopers mixed with the dark reality of corporate life," she says. Callwork was first published in their company magazine and her blog, then Manila Bulletin picked it up in 2007. Manzano's advice to aspiring artists: never think of making comics for money or fame. "I make comics because I feel the need to tell the world about the reality of being a call center employee... Back then a lot of people had this perception that the call center is for the dum-dum. I hope they really change their minds after reading Callwork," she says. Pascua,l on the other hand, has a humorous suggestion. "Tumingin ka ng guwapo," she says when asked for advice on motivation. Her serious advice, however, is to never quit. "What's important is we do our best in everything we do and never get tired of learning no matter how young or old we are," she says. Just have fun Manzano says that if your objective is to reach an international market, "Mag-English na kayo kung yun talaga yung goal niyo, para madali na." Sherry Lee Baet's simple and straightforward suggestion is that "Comics is fun ... but it never hurts to be practical. So... just have fun!" Although you're sure to find serious comic book lovers at the Komikon, fun is still the main idea of the annual event. Animahenasyon screenings were held before and after the Q&A program with the women artists. In the middle of the hall, the Indie Tiangge featured a vibrant and creative community of artists selling their self-published work. People hopped from booth to booth, their bags getting heavier and heavier with their new comics. Eisner nominee Gerry Alanguilan, Pugad Baboy creator Pol Medina, Kubori Kikiam creator Michael David, Polyhedron Comics, Jonas Diego and the Komikero Artist Group, Sputnik comics and Visprint Inc. were just a handful of the exhibitors. Unable to wait until they got home, people would sit on the floor reading their new comics and showing each other their finds. Unlike past venues, this year's choice of the Bayanihan center along Pioneer was very cold, and spacious enough for all the booths and the crowd as well. As with past Komikons, the Summer Bayanihan Komikon 2011 was a success. Everyone went home happy and eager for November, when the next Komikon is scheduled. - YA, GMA News