The response to my "Call for Volunteers" for Elmer's nationwide distribution in the Philippines has been very encouraging. I'm pleasantly surprised that there is even some bit of interest from Filipinos in the US. I really hope that pushes through.
Right now I can confirm that I have a distributor in Bicol, specially if you are in Naga City or Iriga City. If you are in the area, please feel free to get in touch with Rizaldy Manrique at this address: aldyboy21(at)yahoo(dot)com. Aldy is a really nice guy (I would not have dealt with him otherwise) kaya wag kayo mahiya kontakin sya. :)
If you are curious about or interested in what this "Call for Volunteers" thing is, click here.
The Philippine Comics Art Museum Online has once again been updated, this time with the addition of Ernie Chan's profile and gallery page. Click the image above to go to the site.
Let me close this post with a marvelous bit from Neil Gaiman's blog, about his reaction to a non-comics writer's assertion that comic books do not deserve to win or even be nominated for awards meant for "books".
The bold text is from a reader named Shawn and the regular text that follows is Neil's reply.
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Neil --
Tony Long of Wired news recently offered an editorial (http://www.tinyurl.com/yk8z89)in which he takes offense at the nomination of Gene Luen Yang for a National Book Award for "American Born Chinese", a graphic novel -- Long argues that no "comic book" (his words) should be nominated for an award intended for a "real novel". What is your opinion about graphic novels being nominated for (and poteintially winning) major literary prizes?
Shawn
I suppose if he builds a time machine he could do something about Maus's 1992 Pulitzer, or Sandman's 1991 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story, or Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan winning the 2001 Guardian First Book Award, or even Watchmen's appearance on Time's Hundred Best Novels of the 20th Century list. Lacking a Time Machine, it seems a rather silly and antiquated argument, like hearing someone complain that women have the vote or that be-bop music and crooners are turning up in the pop charts.
I like the bit where he says that he hasn't read the comic in question, but he just knows what things like that are like. It's always best to be offended by things you haven't read. That way you keep your mind uncluttered by things that might change it.
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And this is why Neil Gaiman is such a terrific writer. He knows exactly what to say, and says it cleverly and brilliantly.