The Philippine Online Chronicles

Race car drivers have their Le Mans. Cyclists have the Tour de France. Dog sledders have the Iditarod.

And for people who write and draw comics, there’s the 24 Hour Comics Day, an international event in which the Philippines will take part--on July 17, months before the rest of the world (who take up their pens on October 2).  As Scott McCloud, the comics creator and theorist who started it all said in a recent message, good luck!

Pinoy Pop recently spoke with Jonas Diego, the person in charge of this year’s one and only comics speed-and-endurance event, the Philippine 24 Hour Comic Book Challenge, which takes place on July 17 at 9:00 a.m.

In a nutshell, what is the 24-hour comic book challenge about?
It’s an individual challenge where a participant will create 24 pages of comics in 24 hours. Kinda like a marathon only with this one you draw, not run.

What happens if the participant falls asleep or has to go to the bathroom or something? Is there a penalty?

Once the clock starts ticking it is on, so anything that happens in between (falling asleep, taking a piss, etc.) will eat away at your 24 hours. There is no penalty but it lessens the chance that you’re going to finish 24 pages in 24 hours. That being said, when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to, right? You’ll just have to manage your time efficiently, which is one of the skills a comic book creator perpetually at the mercy of deadlines should posses.

Why would any comics artist in their right mind put themselves through such a grueling test?
The same reasons why someone who joins a marathon would do it: pushing one’s self to his/her limits, just to see if one can do it. Well, that or insanity…things like that.

Tell me about your most memorable personal experience as a participant or organizer.
The first Philippine 24 hour comic book challenge was held in Puerto Galera so that was definitely memorable. The organizers had people playing percussion and practicing Filipino martial arts right alongside us as we slogged through the challenge.

I’m trying to picture that in my mind... it's kind of bizarre.
Yeah it is, but a five-gallon water drum being beaten loud and proud and full grown men trying to beat each other with arnis sticks practically beside you for most of the night will definitely keep you awake.

How many participants are expected to join this year?
We currently have 28 participants already signed up from all over the Philippines. I hope to get 40 to 50 comic book creators signed up before July 17, 2010.

Is that the highest number so far?

Yep. There were only five of us at the first one: Jamie Bautista, Rex Espino, Jac Ting Lim, Elbert Or, and myself.

There's a cash prize, right?
Oh yes, but we’re not saying just yet.

Have there ever been instances of cheating? Like preparing a script or sketches ahead of time or something.
Nope, and hopefully it stays that way.

The "24 pages of comics in 24 hours" idea originated from Scott McCloud, the comics artist and scholar. Is the Philippine 24-hour comic book challenge doing anything to differentiate itself from McCloud's concept?

We’re not deviating too much from the original concept. One thing that set the original 24 hour challenge apart, however, was that there was a running theme (it was Filipino Martial Arts for the first one). We intend to do the same this year.

Will all the participants be together in one room, or can people work from home, so to speak?

People can work from anywhere they want as long as they have an internet connection and means to upload their work to the official site. This way people from all over are able to participate even if they’re based outside Metro Manila.

So the challenge open to everyone in the country. But what about Filipino artists living abroad?

Absolutely. Come one come all. Pinoy comic book creators (pros and aspiring) are also welcome even if they’re based abroad.

This year's challenge is advertised as "a prelude to PICCA". Tell us more about that.
PICCA stands for Philippine International Cartoons, Comics, and Animation: an international event which will be happening on October 22 to 25, 2010 at SM City North. It aims to promote goodwill and knowledge exchange with comic book creators from all over the globe, and Filipino ability in the spheres of comics and animation--to make the Filipino youth aware of, and proud of, our strong tradition in comics and animation.

This is where it’s all happening, bey-beh!

Where can we read the products of past years' challenges?
The organizers of the first challenge, Paul and Nines Zialcita, published the results in a book called Buhay ang Baston: The First Philippine 24-hour Comic Book Challenge. There still may be copies available in Powerbooks.

The Philippine 24 Hour Comic Book Challenge happens on July 17, 2010 for Filipino creators wherever in the world they may be. For more information and to register for the event, go to http://24.jonasdiego.com/ and you can download the terms and conditions here. For more information on the Philippine International Cartoons, Comics and Animation (PICCA) Festival, visit http://piccafest.com/

[Image source: http://24.jonasdiego.com/ Copyright holder/s maintain appropriate rights.]