• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A month-long group exhibition of Iloilo-based comic illustrators under Pasyon Komiks opened at the Maya Art Space of Tippy’s Bistro at 10th Street, Bacolod City last night.
Titled “Kominikasyon”, the show features the works of Hermz Gacho, Zak Bravo, Sasha Bravo, Frances John Haro, Gino Carlo Franco, and Alden Sorongon.
Gacho is a teacher, marine and wildlife advocate, and the co-founder of Pasyon Komiks. He created, together with illustrator Zak Bravo, the world of Owamat – the namesake of the comics anthology series.
He authored other stories like E.J.K. Zombies (illustrated by the late June Primero); Coral Kid; Glitched, and Masked (illustrated by Frances John Haro).
Zak Bravo is a graphic designer and illustrator specializing in Sci-Fi and mythology-themed art. He is also one of the pioneer illustrators of Pasyon Komiks (for Owamat).
Haro is known in the indie scene as Juan Tamad and for his intricate inking style, which can be seen in his personal works like Ang Mundo ni Juno: Ang Dakilang Albularyo, and Arcelion. Under Pasyon Komiks, he is the illustrator of the Amaranhig series written by Gacho.
Sorongon wrote and illustrated the short story titled “Elmo” in Owamat Volume 2 and the upcoming volume 3. He goes by the name El Grapiko as an artist, where he features his cartoony style artworks and comics.
Sasha Bravo specializes in zines. Her first zine is titled Mako Makolit – a collaborative zine with Artivism Iloilo, now Kikik Collective under their brand SCIBS.
Meanwhile, Franco specializes in vintage style aesthetics like traditional American tattoos and traditional Japanese art style. Owamat Vol. 3 will feature a short story he wrote and illustrated.*
