Before Alexandra Trese solved the supernatural crimes in the streets of Manila, before obese residents of Pugad Baboy traded barbs on the things that have gone wrong in society and before Darna flew with her brother Ding to save the day against the serpents of Valentina, there was Kenkoy, a mischievous man with a combed back hairdo trying to speak and look like an American, a slapstick character that sparked the beginnings of Filipino comics.
Kenkoy was the creation of Tony Velasquez, the father of Philippine comics, who was active during the 1930s.
After Kenkoy survived the world war appearing as strips in Liwayway magazine, Velasquez then popularized the comic book format through Ace Publications, literally creating a comic book industry from scratch.
But while history credits him right, most of his works are hardly seen by the public. Velasquez created about 300 characters, including Ponyang Halobaybay, which also enjoyed a following during its run.
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“But since he died in 1997, there has been no proper tribute given to him,” said Cecilio Tobillo, owner of Cevio Art Haus. “I was in contact with his wife, Pilar Velasquez, and informed her that I plan to make a retrospective exhibit of his works, which she readily agreed to.”
Thus, “Tony Velasquez: A Retrospective Exhibit” that opens on Feb 15.
The exhibited pieces are all from the Velasquez family and will showcase three decades of his original artworks (1930-1950) as well as memorabilias lent to Tobillo, like the pen the cartoonist used in making the artworks, and an original copy of the first published comics in the Philippines.
Expected guests to grace the opening are members of the Velasquez family and veteran comics creators Steve Gan and Hal Santiago.
Some of the original artworks will also be on sale.
“This exhibit hopes to pay tribute to the man who started the comics industry and may his works be an example to other budding artists who wants to follow his footsteps,” Tobillo said.
Though Kenkoy has evolved in recent years in T-shirt prints, it is also fitting to see the works of Tony Velasquez in galleries and regard these historic pieces as the ultimate komiks art.
“Tony Velasquez: A Retrospective Exhibit” runs from Feb 15-28 at at Cevio Art Haus, 60 San Isidro St, Bgy Kapitolyo, Pasig; +63 2 6564931. Mon-Sat 12pm-8pm.
