Trese, the Spin Offs that Spawned from the Creative Bellies of Fans and the Lack of Libraries

At the beginning of 2021, my copy of Trese Bloodlines arrived in the mail. My kids and I, hubby included, were glad to read another spin off of the Trese series (Tan and Baldisimo, 2005). Yes, we are fans and we enjoyed how its creators have engaged readers and the fandom for years. 

This engagement is something I admire among the Filipino comic creators and the creative community that populate every Komikon and Komiket events and the book fairs big and small.If your aim is longevity, then, relate with your audience. Listen to their stories as you share yours. The creative process will continue and a legacy is established. So, I was not surprised to hear the news of an animated version a few years back. It's about time. On June 11, 2021 Trese, the animated series will drop on Netflix.

 

Tingnan ang post na ito sa Instagram

Isang post na ibinahagi ni Zarah Gagatiga (@zarah815)

I can only imagine the spike on sales for copies of the original source when the animated series starts streaming. 

Around March 2021, copies of Trese Bloodlines were all sold out. Filipino fans based abroad were complaining that their local public libraries have yet to buy a copy. In one of the groups on Facebook where Trese fans convene, a thread about the dearth of libraries in the Philippines came up. How Trese and its printed spin offs would benefit readers from all ages if there are public libraries to access copies in print and or digital format. Of course, our library system was compared once more from the Western  model of library operations.

I could not help but reply in the thread.

I am a school librarian and though I do not work in the public library system in the Philippines, please allow me to share what I know based on experience and professional practice. Our library system is actually based on the US model. 

However, the US has the money to support the public library system especially in acquiring books and resources that interests the public. The US also has a more developed perspective and theoretical framework on collection and content development especially on the variety of literature to curate, gather, document and circulate. Advocating for books, reading and libraries is another reason why the US has a strong library system. For a library system to grow strong, the community must look at it as an institution of human rights, empowerment and social justice. Libraries are venues for civic action. Lastly, the US book industry is very much connected to the the library system. The yearly book awards in the US like the Newbery and Caldecott are organized not by writers or critics but by librarians. When winners are announced, publishers are ready the following day for copies to be bought by libraries. Book dealers have bundles to offer libraries. 

Not many librarians in the PH will circulate the international edition of Trese, but I will because we have readers in our school community who read graphic novels; our faculty use graphic novels for teaching and instruction; and we have a book club/literary club who reads and creates graphic novels. What I can contribute to the matter at hand is to recommend the acquisition of Trese to librarians and associations of libraries. What others can do to support readership of Trese is to ask their public library to buy copies and circulate it to readers.

Lastly, there is a republic act/law requiring LGUs to construct, develop, manage and grow public libraries. The National Library of the Philippines has a Public Library Division that supervises 1,500 libraries in the country. Why aren't they all functioning like the public libraries in the US, some may ask. I think I have lent answers to this question. The system can be set up but it requires people and political will to grow and to make it move.

Here's hoping that, despite limitations for the growth, advocacy and support for libraries in the Philippines, communities can help establish reading centers and book corners. And allow these literacy spaces to have copies of comic books by Filipino comic creators!