Benilde Arts Management (BeAM) and DrawINK gave Benildeans the opportunity to meet Manix Abrera, the man behind the pages of “Kikomachine” with “Manix Mania”一an online dialogue that celebrated creative storytelling and artistry in Philippine komiks. The event was held last Oct. 22 via Zoom and Facebook.

To formally begin the talk, Katherine Castillo, Project Head and BeAM President, welcomed everyone with her opening remarks, stating that the event “aims to celebrate the Philippine komiks scene and to acknowledge the importance of honing a genuine voice in creative storytelling.”

“As artists and arts managers, we have the power to create and cultivate a space that is safe, critical, and empowering through the local and international art scene, where we can freely express our individuality and individual creativity through our works,” she expressed.

Ending her introduction to the event, Castillo added that creative storytelling empowers not only oneself but can represent others as well. She also encouraged BeAM and DrawINK to continue cultivating a community open to empowerment and diversity.

Planting the seeds for stories

To start the talk ala kwentuhan session, Abrera recalled a funny story when he was teaching art class in a university. One student asked permission for her boyfriend to come sit-in in his class, to which Abrera allowed. As he orchestrated the class into drawing, this couple would publicly display affection in the classroom and unconsciously let the class know that they’re madly in love. He found it quite amusing, inspiring him to adapt this funny scenario into a story. However, this time around, with a perspective of a terror professor reacting to the couple. 

As a storyteller, Abrera gets inspiration from true-to-life events and exaggerates them along with a punchline. 

“Para sa mga gusto pumasok sa larangan ng komiks or sa kahit anong may kinalaman sa art, napakaganda sana kung mahilig kayo magkwento. [...] Magandang ma-develop ‘yung love mo for stories,” he shared. Furthermore, he said it’s also important to listen to other stories around you. 

Abrera then stated that what sets one apart from other creatives is how one tells stories through art. He expressed that he isn’t a fan of being confined with the rules, and he advised that it’s better to experiment and only take fragments of the rules that best fit your style. 

According to him, artists should also find the balance between form, technique, skills, and content or the story. “Mas fulfilling ‘yung may tinatayuan kang something na stable, na alam mo ‘yung foundations. Practice kayo sa basics, practice niyo ‘yung gestures. Mag-drawing lang kayo ng stick figures. Pag-pumasok kayo sa komiks, darating ‘yung time na magsasawa ka sa technique mo,” he added. 

Always strive to be different, he expressed. It is best to stand out from all the other artists and storytellers. Stir away from what’s usual and expected by focusing on the unusual perspectives in life.

Starving artists and a life-long commitment

When crafting comics or any story in general, Abrera stated that storytelling is always king, while the art is the right supplement to the overall story.

“Makinig ka lang lagi kasi bibigyan ka ng universe ng napakaraming kwento. Basta gusto mo,” he shared. Develop a love for the mundane stories that are typically seen as “boring” such as commuting and Zoom calls. These are usually the things we don’t really write about.

Abrera added that the little things do matter. “Ito ‘yung mga maliliit na diamonds na bibigay sa’yo ng cosmos para magawan mo ng story. Tapos kapag wala ka maisip, tingin ka lang sa paligid, tutunganga ka. [...] Lagi kang tutunga kahit five minutes lang sa isang araw. Tunganga ka lang sa kawalan, tingin ka lang sa window, tingin ka lang sa sky, ‘tas mag-iisip ka lang.”

Abrera also advised to stay humble while maintaining the hunger and drive to create. “Ang sarap sa feeling na ang lakas ng mind’s eye mo. Meron kang naiisip na vision. Pero hindi mo siya 100% mailabas dito sa physical world natin. Meron kang nakikitang kwento, pero tuwing na-translate mo na siya online or sa paper, ‘di niyo nakukuha 100%. [...] Isipin mo lagi kang may hinahabol pa, meron ka pang goal.”

He also cited that it’s okay to lose the drive and motivation in what you do, whether it be your art style or way of storytelling. It pushes us to improve ourselves for the better. We strive for perfection, but once we hypothetically reach that perfection, there’s no more room for innovation and exercising one’s creativity.

Furthermore, making art and comics is a life-long commitment that requires passion. But as far as one’s passion is concerned, starving artists tend to have a love-hate relationship with the craft. Your hobby and passion can’t fully sustain your way of living alone. Venture towards other means that can support your art-making.

According to Abrera, money and fame are only a bonus. Always learn to love whatever you’re doing as an artist. Furthermore, it’s best to have a journal of ideas and notes. He shared that there will always be a time when you’ll have an abundance of ideas, as well as having none. Therefore, a journal must be your best friend.

Questions for the creator

Towards the latter half of the session, the question and answer session was moderated by the comic book illustrator behind “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah” and current DrawINK adviser, Mr. Carlo Vergara.

One of the first questions delved into Abrera’s inspiration for the characters he creates. He shared that the characters’ personalities in “Kikomachine” were inspired by the people he knows in real life. However, their appearances are vastly different and are based on the people walking around in UP, which he finds “astig-looking.”

When asked about the rituals, mental exercises, and preparations before creating komiks, Abrera makes it a habit to remove all the clutter in his workspace and be as organized as possible. Before the pandemic, he loved drawing in a coffee shop or park, since he was able to glance at the environment and hear conversations from strangers. 

When the topic of handling criticism was brought up, Abrera said that criticism can actually be helpful in honing your craft. He shared an instance wherein a reader said that “Kikomachine” was too wordy, which he initially took as an attack. However, he realized the comment was indeed valid, and it inspired him to create his wordless comic “14,” a compilation of wordless stories. 

Towards the end of the session, Abrera shared advice that those interested in pursuing comics must be really passionate and driven. Artists must be ready to receive criticism, yet they must also never let these judgments discourage them.

Lastly, Abrera also expressed that he enjoys being part of the Philippine komiks industry. The community is diverse and rich with unique personalities and stories to tell. Furthermore, conventions such as Komikon, Komiket, and Indieket give comic creators and readers the opportunity to connect over a shared love and passion for art and storytelling.

This webinar was spearheaded by BeAM, the official student organization of the Arts Management program, together with DrawINK, the College’s comic book illustration and enthusiast organization.

Stay on the loop with their socials on Facebook: DrawINK and Benilde Arts Management  and on Instagram: @drawinkcsb and @benildeartsmanagement.