Carrie Cuinn, who writes the Outside the Frame column for major SF site SF Signal has reviewed the Trese series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo and found a lot to love. Specifically, she mentions five things, and says that “Those of you who are just hearing about Trese for the first time have been missing out on something amazing.”
It’s a great opportunity for more people to be introduced to Trese, but even long-time fans will enjoy the review. Go check it out!
The Trese series by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo is one of the most popular comics franchises in the Philippines. It’s been hard to spread the love overseas as Trese used to be primarily available in print — but no longer. Flipside Publishing, now brings us the first two cases (note, not the first two compiled volumes) of the Trese series in digital form, featuring redrawn art by Kajo Baldisimo. The books are available on Amazon now (Case 1) (Case 2), and soon on Flipreads, Apple, Kobo, and BN.com.
Congratulations to Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo (and Visprint) for their most recent National Book Awards win! Here’s a Press Release from the team, followed by the text of the introduction to the volume from Ruel de Vera. (Also, don’t forget that Budjette and Kajo will be at Alabang Town Center on November 24!)
Trese Book 4: Last Seen After Midnight, written by Budjette Tan, illustrated by Kajo Baldisimo was awarded Best Graphic Literature for 2011 at the National Book Awards.
The award was received by Tan, Baldisimo and their publisher Nida Ramirez of Visprint, Inc.
This is the second time that National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle have recognized and awarded the works of Tan and Baldisimo. Last 2010, Trese Book 3 won the same award.
Trese follows the adventures of paranormal investigator Alexandra Trese. She is the main consultant of the police whenever they encounter crime involving supernatural creatures. In Trese Book 4, she is called to solve the murder of a manananggal, stop a plant elemental from committing a massacre, investigate a case involving a bangungnot, and reveal the secret of the country’s champion prize-fighter.
Ruel de Vera of the Manila Critic Circles, wrote in his introduction for Trese 4: “With each case, Budjette and Kajo raise their levels of artistry to new heights without ever resorting to gimmickry, relying instead on an expertise in the unexpected twist and self-awareness, a feat that transcends the tropical islands Trese originates from. From a cult hit, Trese has now become a true mainstream success—which it deserves—and the next step should be widespread international recognition—which it deserves as well.”
In the past two years, Trese has received much praise from here and abroad.
“Trese continues to impress and surprise, daring to go where no Filipino comic book dare to go,” said Gerry Alanguilan, creator of the award-winning graphic novel Elmer.
Leinil Yu, artist of Marvel’s Indestructible Hulk said, “Trese excites the little child in me which used to believe in the wonders of Filipino folklores, and my adult self who enjoys intelligently written and drawn tales. Budjette and Kajo’s Trese is a gem”
Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Executive Producer of Southland and writer/producer of CSI:New York, had this to say about the graphic novel: “The late Steve Sabol of NFL films once said, ‘Tell me a fact and I’ll remember. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But, tell me a story and it’ll live in my heart forever.’ It is a unique and admirable skill to craft a well told story set in an intriguing world, inhabited by compelling characters. Yet, every time I open a chapter of the Trese saga, I’m blown away by Budjette’s imagination and by Kajo’s imagery. They’ve created a series full of swagger, featuring one of the most dynamic heroines you’ll ever see. Trese is thrilling, engaging and epic.”
“From the first moment I got a glimpse into the world of Alexandra Trese, I was hooked,” said Shanty Harmayn, CEO at Salto Film Company, Producer of the award-wining Indonesia film “Sang Penari” (The Dancer) “It was wonderfully new and exciting, yet somehow familiar as many of the supernatural creatures and their stories were similar to the tales I grew up hearing in Indonesia. With Budjette’s masterful ability to weave a great mystery and Kajo’s beautiful graphic imagery, I look forward to visiting Trese’s world many times over.”
In 2011, after Trese 4 ended up on National Book Store’s Best Seller List, Tan received this email from Neil Gaiman, “So ridiculously proud of you! When I came out all those years ago for the first time, that was what I wanted to see happen… I feel like you and all the smart Filipino writers and artists out there are doing something really brave and powerful, making a whole new wave of Filipino art and story. Well done!”
National Book Awards was held last November 17, 2011 and was presented by The National Book Development Board and the Manila Critics Circle in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The event was held at the Old Senate Session Hall of the National Museum of the Philippines.
TRESE Books 1 to 5 is now available book stores and comic shops nationwide. For more information, visit: www.tresecomics.com
While more than 500 lucky readers were able to pick up copies of the newest Trese volume (number 5) at the recent October Komikon, the book will also soon be available at all National Book Store, Power Books and Bestsellers outlets with an exclusive dustcover by Kajo Baldisimo. To celebrate this, as they did last year, the Trese crew will have a book launch — but this time they will have two book launches: one in Bestsellers Galleria this Saturday, and the next for our friends in the south of the Metro, at the NBS at Alabang Town Center on November 24.
I recently interviewed Budjette Tan about Trese 5, and I’ll put that interview up tomorrow so be sure to check back. Until then, here’s that dustcover I mentioned. Shiny!
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Two events going on this weekend for TRESE fans. Here’s the good word from Budjette:
See you guys this Saturday at TEAM MANILA (1st level of the New Wing of Market! Market!) September 15, 2 pm. Me and Kajo will be there to sign your books (yes, copies of Trese will be available at Team Manila stores) and we’ll even sign your Team Manila x Trese shirts.
On Sunday, me and Kajo will be at the 33rd Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), along with Mervin Ignacio and Ian Sta. Maria of SKYWORLD. We will be at the National Bookstore booth from 2pm to 3pm. Come over and we will gladly sign, doodle, and vandalize your comic books.
The 1st Global Conference: The Graphic Novel aims to “examine, explore and critically engage with issues in and around the production, creation and reading of all forms of comics and graphic novels.” The organizers have invited a team of Filipino professors from the University of the Philippines to talk about komiks at this global conference, but since it takes place in the United Kingdom, our representatives have turned to the public to raise the needed funds. Here’s an excerpt from the post of komiks aficionado and specfic author Carljoe Javier:
The session will be called A League of our Own: Cultural Appropriations in Contemporary Philippine Comics. Leading the panel is one of the pioneers of teaching and studying comic books in the Philippine academe, Prof. Emil Flores, PhD. (and a komiks creator himself). His paper is “Up in the Sky, Feet on the Ground: Cultural Identity in Filipino Superhero Komiks.” Micaela Chua is a Summa cum Laude grad, Erasmus scholar, and is currently working on her MA thesis on comics. Her paper is “Enabling Mythologies: Specificity and Myth-making in TRESE” And there’s me, Carl Javier (you can also throw a Prof. in front of my name, though I am still not accustomed to it). I’ve written a few books on geekiness and I’ll be presenting a paper called “Filipino humor and the Filipinization of Foreign Tropes in Macoy’s ‘Taal Volcano Monster vs. Evil Space Paru-Paro’.”
The trio are exploring several fundraising avenues. First is Komiks Rox, a benefit concert that will also feature cosplay (rules pictured above) and an art auction (with pieces such as the Kikomachine Komix poster seen below).This is taking place on Friday, August 3, 7PM at the Route 196 bar.
For those who would rather send money directly, you can send donations via Paypal through Ana Micaela Chua [micaelachua{at}gmail{dot}com] or through BPI – the account is in the name of Carljoe Javier, acct# 9599 0397 56.
One of the stories found in our anthology “Alternative Alamat” is now available for free online. That story is Budjette Tan’s “The Last Full Show”, a short story starring Alexandra Trese that sheds some light on the background of both our heroine and Dr. “Spunky” Hontiveros, and it is now available in its entirety at “Stories from the Diabolical.” If you like what you read, do check out “Alternative Alamat” for more stories that re-imagine Filipino myths and legends.
Here’s the introduction to the story, as found in the anthology.
The Last Full Show
Budjette Tan
Budjette Tan is the writer and co-creator of the graphic novel “Trese”. By day, he writes advertising copy for McCann Worldgroup. By night (or when his boss isn’t looking), he writes comic book stories. He is one of the founding members of Alamat Comics.
Initially an independently published series of photocopied comics, the Trese series has gone on to win the Philippines’ National Book Award. Its heroine, Alexandra Trese, has become one of the most popular Philippine comic book characters in recent memory, a no-nonsense heroine who stands apart from many of her peers in the urban fantasy genre. This story is a rare glimpse at the softer side of Trese.
From the Freelance Writers Guild of the Philippines:
Freelance Writers’ Guild of the Philippines, an organization of Filipino freelance writers, has been organizing the monthly OpenBook events since September 2011. It all began with Samantha Sotto (Before Ever After), then Tweet Sering (Astigirl), Bebang Siy (It’s A Mens World), Ricky Lee (Amapola), Joel Toledo (Ruins and Reconstructions), and Norman Wilwayco (Responde).
For April 2012, FWGP presents UVAS Talks (Parang TED Talks Lang), featuring Visprint authors Eros Atalia (Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me), Karl R. de Mesa (News of the Shaman), Budjette Tan (Trese series), and Carlo Vergara (Zsa Zsa Zaturnah).
The group, otherwise known as the United Visprint All-Stars (UVAS), will be talking about their respective books, their creative process, and whatever stories, imagined or otherwise, they’d care to share with the captured audience on that night. Those who will attend are encouraged to prepare ammunition for the question and answer portion at the end of the program.
This month’s OpenBook event will be hosted by Atty. Marnie Tonson and Ren Aguila, who will be pinch-hitting for our regular host(ess) Ms. Bebang Siy.
UVAS Talks (Parang TED Talks Lang) will happen on April 20, Friday, 7:30 p.m. in Chef’s Bistro (where else?). Entrance fee is more affordable this month at a student-friendly rate of P150. (Seriously, FWGP only charges a fee so we could pay for the LCD projector.)
Readers, fans, followers, stalkers of the Visprint hotshots are invited to attend. This is your chance. There will be a photo-op. Those who haven’t read any of their books are also encouraged to come so you’ll know whether the books are going to be worth your money.
For details and reservations, get in touch with Ime through 0917-9378617.
Good news for Barnes & Noble Nook readers–”Alternative Alamat” is not only available on the Nook, it’s also been discounted there to US$3.99 (B&N’s decision, not ours) so now would be a great time to check it out, or spread the word to a Nook loving friend.
I’d like to point to three recent reviews of “Alternaitve Alamat”. The first is by Filipina writer Kristine Ong Muslim, and is on the Amazon page of “Alternative Alamat”, Kristine calls it “fine volume which showcases the contemporary retelling of Philippine myths” and gives it 4 out of 5 stars. Thanks Kristine!
The second review comes from GMA News Online (courtesy of Melay Guanzon Lapeña), and it’s a very positive review, and she calls the book “an impressive collection of stories”. Of Rochita Loenen Ruiz’s “Harinuo’s Love Song”, Melay says it is “[b]eautifully told, the words swirl as the story unfolds” and she also says that “[f]ans of Budjette Tan’s hit graphic novel “Trese” are in for a treat” with the Trese prose story, “Last Full Show”. Melay takes the time to say a little something about each story, even if it’s just a brief description, and that’s greatly appreciated. Thanks Melay!
The third review comes from book blogger (and fellow lawyer!) Monique, who gives the book a perfect 5 out of 5 rating, and calls it “[d]ifferent, but clever. Brilliant.” Thanks Monique!
Don’t forget, you can find Alternative Alamat at these fine establishments:
We’d like to thank GMA News Online, particularly writer Meann Ortiz (who just last week gave her positive early impressions of “Alternative Alamat”), for including “Alternative Alamat” on their list of Notable Books from 2011. Amongst the other local speculative fiction books mentioned are “Philippine Speculative Fiction vol. 6″, “Heartbreak & Magic”, and “Trese 4: Last Seen After Midnight.” Here’s how Meann describes “Alternative Alamat”:
Philippine mythology isn’t just about aswangs, duwendes, and kapres; there exist pantheons of deities and a deep well of other legends and myths that we were never taught in school. Alternative Alamat makes some of these lesser-known tales and characters more accessible to modern readers with 11 engaging re-tellings. The book also includes interviews with scholars of Philippine mythology, a reference guide, and a list of notable deities accompanied by illustrations by Mervin Malonzo. This is only available as an e-book, though, so I hope that the publisher will consider releasing it in print so that it will be accessible to more readers. Because of efforts like this anthology, it won’t be long before we find our own local Rick Riordan who will successfully skyrocket this aspect of our culture into the popular consciousness.
As always, remember that you can purchase Alternative Alamat at any of the following vendors:
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