JOSE RIZAL’S 153rd BIRTH ANNIVERSARY AND A SHAMELESS PLUG

            

          Today, June 19, 2014, a Thursday, marks the 153^rd birthday of perhaps the greatest Filipino ever, Jose Rizal. A writer, a doctor, a poet, a journalist and a lover, Rizal, or Pepe as he was fondly called, was martyred by the Spaniards at Bagumbayan on December 30, 1896 at the age of 35.

          But  every freedom-loving Filipino already know that. What every Filipino doesn’t know is that I was given the precious chance of writing a graphic novel about Rizal. Entitled Pepe: The Lost Years of Rizal, it isn’t big on genuine historical narratives but rather, it’s a fantastical and magical take on Rizal’s childhood—think of the movie Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

          In the comic book, the young Rizal (aged about 10) owns a magically powerful amulet and will be fighting, among others, a wicked governor-general, a horde of vengeful witches, hungry swarm of crocodiles, a wily talking crow and skeleton soldiers. Pepe is ably supported by the trusty Tandang Sora and Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini and Antonio Luna who are also all kids in the story. A lot of Katipuneros lend cameo roles.

          Books 1 to 5 of the series (the graphic novel consists of ten books and is being published by BLACKinK Comics) are already available in Precious Pages Bookstores (which stores are located in SM Malls) and in other outlets.

          Please support locally-produced books and comic books.

          Thank you.