Vlad Bunoan

New book chronicles life and art of Tony Velasquez, Father of Philippine Komiks

Article (news)

Rick Olivares

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178452497417800 14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Handout</div>In fantasy literature, it has been put forward by many authors and creators that “names have power.” And we have seen names – proper ones to be precise – take on new meaning.To name a couple, there’s “Benedict Arnold” that is a byword for a traitor or turncoat. That is because the real Benedict Arnold, an American Revolutionary War general, switched sides to fight alongside the British.And closer to home, the name “Francisco” usually has nicknames derived from it such as Kiko, Iko, Kikoy, and Kenkoy although you will hardly hear the latter today. “Kenkoy” has come to describe someone who is goofy, wacky, or even clownish. It is because of the late Tony Velasquez’ comic strip creation, “Kenkoy,” that it is so. Illustrator and creator Velasquez along with writer Romualdo Ramos put out the pioneering comic strip &quot;Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy&quot; in the pages of Liwayway magazine on January 11, 1929. &quot;Kenkoy&quot; ran from 1929 up to 1989 and has become a pillar of Philippine pop culture.&quot;Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy&quot; was a satirical look at the life of the Filipino during the American colonial period as told through the misadventures of the character of Francisco “Kenkoy” Harabas. The strip was also the origin of “Carabao English” with phrases that have since entered the local lexicon and everyday life such as “wetaminit,” “oki-doki,” “is beri nesesari,” and “bay gali” to name but a few.Now, select &quot;Kenkoy&quot; strips along with Velaquez’s other works such as &quot;Ponyang Halobaybay&quot; and &quot;Nanong Pandak&quot; -- as well as his career in advertising and with the late lamented Graphic Arts Services, Inc. (GASI) publications that published a bevy of Pilipino komiks from 1962-1996 -- are featured in the book &quot;The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks.&quot;<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784524946421IMG_20260704_053144.jpg" style="width:650px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Handout</div>Funded by National University, it was lovingly and painstakingly put together by Velasquez’s nephew Damian “Ian” Velasquez, who has also embarked on a komiks career of his own.Ian’s grandfather, Damy Velasquez, created the DI-13 series in Pilipino Komiks back in the day, and Ian, as the grandson, and his brother, Tommy, revived it with their own slant and storytelling in recent years.“The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks,” is an important book because it presents to a new generation of Filipinos and komiks fans, a pioneering creator and his work that has had a profound effect on Philippine pop culture.The book is a wonderful addition to the recent books about creators and this komiks art form.In recent years, we have seen books about the late National Artist and komiks illustrator Francisco Coching, cartoonist Nonoy Marcelo’s famous comic strip character Ikabod Bubwit, and Alfredo Alcala to name but a few.&quot;The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks&quot; was originally supposed to be published back in 2024, but Ian bared that legal matters pertaining to its publishing took longer than expected.Ian is promoting Pop Tony (as Velasquez asked his family to call him) and his legacy through exhibits at Komikon Grande and the National University Museum.“It will be the 100th anniversary of Kenkoy in 2029 and I am currently exploring collaborations with animators and a cultural dance production,” shared Ian. “I think Kenkoy would make a great art toy if there are those interested in producing one.”“Putting together &#x27;The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks&#x27; is gratifying because I always dreamt of making a biography of Pop Tony when I was younger.”With the centennial anniversary of Kenkoy three years away, Ian has focused in the meantime on his grandfather, Pop Damy, who wrote the groundbreaking police detective series, DI-13. Queries about &quot;The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks&quot; can be directed to Ian Velasquez’s Facebook page.

“The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks,” is an important book because it presents to a new generation of Filipinos and komiks fans, a pioneering creator and his work that has had a profound effect on Philippine pop culture.

“The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez Father of Philippine Komiks,” is an important book because it presents to a new generation of Filipinos and komiks fans, a pioneering creator and his work that has had a profound effect on Philippine pop culture.