Unpublished Stories

After thinking about it for a year, I made the decision last night. I'm going to publish Gerry's five finished stories that he wasn't able to release. The stories are finished but they're not scripted. It feels so wrong that I'm the only one who knows them when they're amazing stories that people should know about.

Is it the right thing to do? I honestly don't know. Would Gerry like it? He wanted to be in control of his stories, that's for sure. When I do this, he'd probably visit me in my sleep and express his disappointment, so I don't know.  But like I said, it feels wrong that I'm the only one, and a few people for a couple of those, who know them. I want people to know that he had these stories; had he the time and energy to do them, they'd be out a long time ago.

But here's the thing. They're unscripted and I would I need to find a match. If I can't find a match, I won't do it. And rest your worries because I won't do it myself. I'm not delusional. I know my place. Besides. You've seen my writing; it's just atrociously all over the place, and not made for telling stories. I was an excellent sounding board, though, there was that.

When he started questioning his place in the industry just a few years after we got married, and trying whatever, he was very sensitive about it. So, I was tentative all like, "Hani, your gift is in storytelling, both in words and pictures. I hope you can embrace that and give it a chance." It was like walking on eggshells, but I had to say it. I wouldn't let his shine dim just because he didn't realize what he's really got. If only you guys know just how much more that light could shine if he had the time. That's why I want these stories out. 

I love how Gerry wrote, and I was very open to him about this. I did verbal reviews of his comics and blog entries to his face. haha! I fell in love with his writing long after we got together, though, because I had never read them until then. It's not really the stories; it's about how he wrote them. He was raw, intense and, as overused as it is, authentic. That certain melancholia to his writing, that's what I connected to. If there's humor, it was never self-deprecating or overcompensating. He never tried to impress or preach. They were just... there. And yeah, it was in his comics that he was most honest.  

And that's what I would need to find to have those stories scripted. I have to do research. I realized last night, as I laid down to sleep, that I'd need to read a lot of other people's works to find a match. And another issue altogether to get them to agree. I'd need to fall in love with someone's writing in the same way I did for his a long time ago, and that'd be quite a feat for me. That's for sure.

As for the artists, I would need to find a match as well. I don't know if that's an easier or harder thing to do than finding a writer, but hey. It's Gerry. In the end, this is about Gerry and telling the world of his stories. But like I said above, if I don't find a match, it's cancelled.

This is where I am right now. I just thought I'd share.

by Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan

By this time last year, I was sitting beside his bed in ICU close to eight hours already. I told him everything I needed to say. Of course, he couldn't answer anymore. Didn't matter. Whatever I told him, he knew already. I just talked on and on while I caressed his left leg and hand. I wanted him to hear and feel me there beside him. I opened up YouTube and played videos we both enjoyed, while running commentaries on them. I scrolled through his FB and Twitter feeds hoping for chismis and scandals to tell him. I gotta tell you, guys, you were all so boring that evening. And I told him that. Everything was so normal. Then, some time after midnight, at 54 beats per minute, it stopped. yeah, so. I kissed him, and bid him good night. That was a year ago, but today, it still feels like it was just yesterday.

Leinil... words are not enough to express our gratitude. You being there, showing up every single time, thank you so, so much for everything, Nil.

Because I couldn't do it, I asked our good friend Jonas, to find me photos that I can post on FB for today to remember Gerry. I planned to do it myself, but as the date approached, I realized I haven't had enough strength do it. I'm glad, he came through. Of course, he did. Thanks, Jonas! This is cross-posted over there as well.

To you all who continue to remember him with fondness, my endless gratitude. He went to those last two conventions for all of you, and for himself. He wanted to see you and talk to you, despite the heaviness he felt. I told him repeatedly that he didn't have to do it, that if he wanted to, we would leave whenever. But he was resolute. He said, he wanted to go; that he needed to do it. Despite me playing devil's advocate, I'm glad he did. He actually had fun, especially during his panel at Komikon. You gave him so much love those days, and he felt that. He didn't say much in public, but you all made him happy. He knew how much he was loved. For that, thank you all so, so much!

Honestly, there was nothing in his mind more than local comics. For comic book creators, you were all always on his mind. There was nothing that excited him more than knowing there were new local titles to come out. To new creators, please know that had he still been around, he'd always have your backs. And to the supporters of local comic book industry, I hope you stay steadfast in your support because we truly need you.

Hani, I love you very much. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. It's not the same without you around. I miss you, but I'll see you again someday.

-- Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan

Let's Celebrate Four Years of Komikero Komiks Museum

We have a raffle going on at the Komikero Komiks Museum page on Facebook.

Like I said, this is just for fun, and a thank you for following/liking the page.

This is how we do this. Choose an image from the 15 I posted previously. Talk about technique, composition and impact to you personally. I'm not asking for an academic paper, just your thoughts. Leave it as a comment at the post.

Please, no hateful words or phrases. One entry per person. This is limited to those living in the country. I'll take care of shipping. Deadline is on September 22nd, midnight, PH standard time.

By the way, you don't actually have to follow/like the page to join, but that would be nice.

Head on over there for information on the giveaways!

Click here to join!

by Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan

Original Inked Art

 Hello again, everyone!

A lot of people have been contacting me about original inked art pages. Yes, I'm selling them. Actually, I'm selling them all bit by bit... except for those that Gerry didn't want to because they have memories attached to them.

It's taking me a while. Things still feel quite heavy, and it's quite difficult to make decisions and act on them even when I already made one. So please, bear with me. Your patience means a lot.

I'm going to update this site, Original Comic Book Art for Sale, slowly this week until Saturday, 29 August 2020. But please note that international shipping is limited. I am using PHLPost's EPS, and as of today, these are the only countries we can send to right now:

This is true this week. It can change week by week, though, depending on the quarantine situation. So please be reminded of this.

You can browse through the pages on the site what's on offer, or if you have something in mind that's not there, please let me know.

You may email me at ilynflorese@gmail.com.

by Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan

EBAY

Hello everyone.

This is just an announcement that I closed Gerry's Ebay account. Any selling in the future from a 'komikero' or 'gerry alanguilan' Ebay account will certainly not come from me.

Thanks!

-- Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan

ELMER Website

ELMER has a website that's been around since 2010 but for some reason, it fell by the wayside in the years that followed. Since ELMER has a new edition, I decided to update it and post some relevant stuff in it... build it up. Unfortunately, some of the old links in the blog posts aren't working anymore. Hopefully, I could find similar articles that I could link as a look-back.

So yeah, if you like to take a look or visit, it's here: elmercomics.com

All ELMER-related news, updates, articles and nostalgic write-ups will be posted there.

by Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan

2020 Update

Hello everyone. Ilyn here. I'll be taking over this blog as well from now on to give you updates on anything related to Gerry and Gerry's projects, as well as updates on the Komikero Komiks Museum. All his websites (komikero.com and komikero.ph which are both redirected to this blog, elmercomics.com and komiksmuseum.com); the numerous blogs he ran; and FB pages (Gerry Alanguilan Art and Komikero Komiks Museum) will continue to be updated as long as I'm around. His social media accounts like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube will stay up but won't be updated any longer. His FB account is memorialized.

Regarding Gerry's books, as long as I'm here and able to pay for them, Gerry's works will continue to be in print and will be available from me, and stores like Comic Odyssey and Secret HQ. As soon as I have the strength to push through, I'll slowly be updating the Komikero Shop on here and add some more 'junk' as Gerry mentioned in the Shop introduction. Komikero Publishing is still a go; it's now under my name after making my appeal why I should be able keep the name. Apparently, under the new rule this 2020,  Filipino/Tagalog terms are no longer allowed as business names according to DTI, and there's no option for me to 'inherit' the name. Ridiculous rules, in my opinion.

Also, the new international English version of ELMER is available through Epigram Books of Singapore. Click here to order: https://shop.epigrambooks.sg/products/elmer, and the French version from here: http://www.caetla.fr/Elmer.

I am still selling Gerry's inked original art pages. Click here: http://komikeroinks.blogspot.com/. The blog needs to be updated as well, I know. All in due time. Let me recover even for just a bit. Right now, all I can do is one item at a time. But if you have pages in mind that are not posted there, you may email me and ask. There's no harm in asking.

Gerry and I planned to do a massive collection update at the Komikero Komiks Museum last January because someone generously donated some cash for that. Thanks so much, mister! But obviously, it wasn't possible. So, hopefully, by the time the Fourth Anniversary on August 13, 2020 comes I'll be able to make major additions to the collection over there as well. Gerry really wanted to flood that room with materials (siksik, liglig at umaapaw was what he wanted for that place). So, watch out for my announcement on this blog and the museum's Facebook page. It's still open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm.

Komikero Komiks Museum Online will continue to stay online as mentioned. Gerry wasn't able to finish updating it, so hopefully, I'd be able to. Give me a couple of years for this one as I still have a day job. I must admit that I don't have the almost encyclopedic knowledge Gerry had on our komiks history, but I lived it, and I can read, and I can easily pick up things. A friend also offered a mobile version update on the site, so hopefully that also pushes through. One at a time.

If you wish to contact me regarding any of these, please email me at ilynflorese@gmail.com, or send your message to Gerry Alanguilan Art or Komikero Komiks Museum, or slide a direct message to my Twitter here.

Gerry had a lot of things going on in his head. His mind was always so busy. He had so much plans. We had a lot of plans together. At the very least, I'll do what I can to continue his legacy.


All the best,
Ilyn Florese-Alanguilan