My First Komiket: One Big Collective of Filipino Artists (3 of 3)

Overall, my first Komiket experience was really a lot of fun! It was therapeutic too!

It was an exciting place to be knowing the pulse of young readers and the directions that this generation of artists, komikeros, fan boys and fan girls and its supporters are taking. As a parent of two budding artists, one is a musician and the second is a visual artist, I know how to support both of them in honing their craft.

There are future Komiket events scheduled until October 2019. My daughter and I are considering participating as sellers. We have the next seven months to plan and prepare. It is time to do some research and development. More than anything, the Komiket I witnessed last week gave a big support to Filipino artists, young and old, to start ups and established ones, publishing houses big and small, indie artists with a cause and fans from all walks of life.

How I wish life, in general, could be this diverse yet, unified.

As a teacher librarian, I have many takeaways.

Teenagers learn better at their leisure, especially when they make choices for themselves. The nature of zines as a DIY, ala-makerspace product and self publishing platform for one's art and identity is a game changer. This should be a wake-up call for teachers and school librarians like me. How are we teaching and facilitating learning to teens of this generation? This is a radical idea, but I do want that school textbooks be kept as mere references. Use authentic and student made materials to teach reading and writing. Listen to kids critic each other. Trust them more. Agree on actions and its consequences when the trust is broken. Grow up with them! 

Until next Komiket, Gen Zees!