| 02.17.2020 – There have been so many Komiks-related events within Metro Manila beside Komikon and outside that is related to arts & crafts particularly those merchandise that has something to do with stickers. Art prints, and handmade creations that passionate individuals churn out not only to make a living but to inspire.
But when you talk about these local fests or mini conventions some of them have a very short life span. They only last two to three years even in regional areas although there’s one that always held yearly that nobody notices and they could be the best kept event outside of Metro Manila now on its seventh year and it is ELBIKON! |
ELBIKON started out seven years ago and when you talk about that span it is considered an institution for a small regional town outside a densely over populated city that the mainstream is unheard of. Originally, they are a komiks convention but with the trend of what’s popular it is what everyone looks forward to buying in this event namely art prints, stickers, and handcrafts.
For its seventh year, ELBIKON flourishes behind The Graphic Literature Guild (TGLG) for their consistency in bringing the event year in and year out at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, which is almost a two hour drive out from the city to its main campus. The event is held at the Baker Memorial Hall, which was built in 1927 a heritage building that was used during WWII as an internment camp.
The venue itself reminisce of Komikon’s early days at the Bahay ng Alumni (House of Alumni) during their early years. It is ELBIKON’s event partner and every year they have a set of tables at this hall. It is not only an even about local komiks, which is why some of the well-known self-publishers from Metro Manila made it here.
It is a festive event inside the hall and outside where a local carnival has set up just beside Freedom Park where affordable food is available. Just like its early days of Komikon ELBIKON thrive on komiks and now with merchandise. But in those years the event continues to its usual format that includes local band performances as this event caters to the students and the youth.
In case you are not aware of this event or have not experience the out of town events like ELBIKON here are some images that happened last Saturday below:
For those seven years there must be growth for this event having been organized from the same venue previously. Of course, there will be younger kids and parents that would be curious enough to know what this event is all about maybe it is time for the organizers to make this event a family-oriented event fair.
This is just a suggestion for ELBIKON to cater to a bigger audience in Los Baños:
Move the Band Performance to a Closing Event. If you want to cater to a bigger crowd or would be “Family Friendly” this event should have the musical act as the closing of this event as most who attended this year are adult with kids.
Promote the Local Creatives of Los Baños. A better suggestion to replace the musical act with a stage panel for featured honorary guests. Conventions follow this format and it would be great to highlight the creators representing local komiks, those who do art, and the passionate talents that make handcrafts.
Special Guest Panel for visiting Artists outside Los Baños. This would be something an additional guest aside from the local guest of this town to anchor the activity and its program in keeping the interest.
Lastly, restructure the tables to a more suitable isle as there’s just minor inconsistency of the set up on how it appears when it is filled up by exhibitors that tend to be a little chaotic. But the entirely of the event has kept its identity in making ELBIKON a yearly festival that can be evolved as an event that Los Baños can have as its own.
There are sure so many things ELBIKON can share about the culture of Los Baños through this event it might still be untapped and hopefully more self-published creatives from the komiks community will make the trip on the next one for 2021!
ELBIKON 2020 was held on 15 February 2020 at the Baker Memorial Hall inside the University of Los Baños on its seventh year organized by The Graphic Literature Guild (TGLG). For more events and details follow The Graphic Literature Guild (TGLG) on Social Media via Facebook!
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