The Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) returns to celebrate the vibrant independent comics scene in the country. While Philippine comics may not hold the same influence in local pop culture as before, the industry has evolved to become a globally competitive force.
The festival, running from July 10 to 12 at Ayala Malls The 30th in Pasig City, brings together Filipino and international creators, publishers, and enthusiasts. For the first time, the comics market, exhibits, masterclasses, comic book talks, artist battles, and live drawing events are free for all to access.
PICOF's official selection program nurtures graphic novel pitches, providing creators with the resources to develop their work. The selected titles are then published under Komiket's label, which represents the Philippines in international book fairs like the Frankfurt Book Fair, the London Book Fair, and Angoulême Festival in France.
Komiket co-founder and director Paolo Herras explained that the Philippines is the most translated literary genre of the country, with some books already translated into other languages. He emphasized the need for government support, highlighting that the industry lacks funding despite being globally competitive.
PICOF is presented in partnership with Japan Foundation Manila (JFM), Larry Alcala 100 Years, Mozaiku Prints, and BLushCon. The festival features independent Filipino creators, publishers, and international exhibitors, offering the freshest releases of comics and graphic novels.
One of the special exhibits, SINTA: Queer Stories Across Asia, showcases creators from Japan and Southeast Asia exploring stories of love, identity, and belonging through comics and sequential art. Another exhibit, Slices of a Komikero's Life, celebrates National Artist for Comics Larry Alcala through his original works and 100 renditions of his icon by independent komiks creators.
The festival also highlights new releases, including Arnold Arre's Children of Bathala Volume 4, Ian Velasquez' The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez, Carlo Jose San Juan's Callous' 30th Anniversary, and Arli Pagaduan's Ode to Panels. The masterclass program features industry professionals like Tori Tadiar, Cat Aquino, and Dominique Duran, among others.
PICOF's role in comics is to produce work that is not in a box, resonating more with Europe than with the US. The festival hopes to garner similar interest for comics, just like independent films celebrated in festivals like Sundance and Cannes.
Komiket's commitment to publishing titles with high royalty rates ensures that creators retain their intellectual property rights. The comics market is also unique in that it features both literary and visual art, with events considering them "fun books" and "affordable art."
The Philippine International Comics Festival 2026 runs from July 10 to 12 at Ayala Malls The 30th in Pasig City, with special exhibits open until July 12.
