Trese

I'm very proud to say that, at some time in my life, my path crossed with Budgette Tan's, creator of horror/fantasy comic Trese. Sure, it was college and I'm not sure he still remembers me (why would he?) it is still a thrill to see someone finally succeed in what is a true passion. Needless to say, he deserves every piece of recognition he gets.

The comic, to say the least, is incredible. Budgette has definitely grown into his style. Budgette, together with Kajo Baldisimo's excellent art, has turned Manila into the place we all suspect it is, filled with magic and the supernatural. They both bring a cosmopolitan sophistication to what could easily a tired genre. Who hasn't read a horror story or watched a horror movie with manananggals, kapre, tikbalang, etc?

And yet, in their expert hands, these traditional, mythical creatures become new and exciting. They've moved out of their trees and shadows and insinuate themselves in almost every aspect of our lives. Tikbalang now influence the economy. Elementals run huge conglomerates. It begins to sound too ridiculous, and yet, Budgette and Kajo handle things so well, we never question it.

At a certain level, I tend to agree with their stories. Who among us Filipinos haven't heard of stories relating to duende and the like? To me, they aren't so far-fetched.

Darna - Trese style

I've known that Budgette has tried several times to start a serious comic industry in the Philippines. After all, we have shown a love of them; just think of Darna (who actually made a -sort of- appearance in one of his stories), Captain Barbell, and those fantaseryes that populate prime time viewing these days. It has not been easy, but I am so glad he persevered.

Congratulations, Budgette and Kajo. You deserve more readers.