Araw ng “MA-I” (September 20, 2015)

Last September 17, we formally launched our first graphic novel series entitled “MA-I” at the 36th Manila International Bookfair at the SMX Convention Center. During that time we received positive feedback already especially from other authors that our advocacy behind the series was actually promising.

Arya and I talking briefly about why we wrote “MA-I” and what it is about. (c) Joy Solina

Pabebe wave muna after the book was unveiled! (c) Patricia Santiago

September 20 was a bigger day for us though. Our target audience filled the crowd– friends and passers by. Plus, we had cosplayers catch the attention of everyone!.

The whole “cast” of MA-I. From l to r: Arya, Apo Guinoo (played by Ferrari Lacson), Aman ( Benjie Cassi), Lakan (David D’Angelo, Jr.), Luta (Helen D’Angelo), Ka’lila (David D’Angelo), Makaka (Christian Cascaro), Tiktik (fatima Jongco), and me (C) CSM Publishing

Arya and I speak briefly about why MA-I was written. (c) CSM publishing

Luta and lakan pose with MA-I books

AlDub?! Alden look-a-like jaycee Abuel (who apparently is Arya’s cousin) surprised us with his presence while Yaya Dub look-a-like Ella Rodelas played as his partner. True Love waits. yes 🙂 (c) CSM Publishing

Arya telling Lakan and Luta cosplayers what their characters were like.
(c) CSM Publishing

Apo Guinoo, Luta and Lakan with Retired officer Romy Solina (who was fanboy mode at that moment), and CSM Publishing’s CEO Abner Lacson (C) CSM Publishing

Ang mga kontra-bida
(c) CSM Publishing

The cosplayers did a short skit to represent the story of “MA-I”
(c) CSM Publishing

MA-I cosplayers with our editorial manager Joy Solina (in blue) and her father who became a fan, Romy Solina (he also did action figures of MA-I characters but weren’t displayed in the event because they might be crushed due to the high density of people there)>
(c) CSM publishing

Us with the proud parents
(c) Bee Villanueva

Kids picking up MA-I Books (c) CSM Publishing

If you’re wondering kung “Ma-tao ba?” maybe this picture can answer that question. (c) CSM Publishing

We signed books from 2-7pm. I’m not quite sure if it was because we’re slow in signing?! But that’s quite a long time. (c) Joy Solina

For the most part, it were Spin 180 youth Fellowship that filled the booth. Thank you!
(c) CSM Publishing

We’d like to thank CSM for believing in our vision to bring the Filipino cultural heritage to our modern day literature and for arranging all these events for “MA-I.” We’d also like to thank the Naruto Cosplayers for being responsive and willing to do this with us. And of course to friends and families. Here’s the thanks that I posted the other day:

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Thank you to all who supported MA-I and our advocacy to bring our pre-hispanic Filipino culture to modern-day lïterature! ,(oha, rhyme yun!) Sorry too if I've inevitably flooded your news feeds! Sana nagenjoy naman kayo kahit pano. Cheers to CSM (ang bangis talaga ng suporta nyo), Naruto Cosplayers, CBC family, Victory Pioneer friends, and our other nakamas! Sa mga nabitin, umiyak, atbp. Hintay lang muna, may tamang panahon para diyan. kasisimula lang e. Nuod muna tayo ng #kalyeserye habang naghihintay. Pwede ko ng kainin yung Mars. Nung isang araw pa niya ako tinatawag e pero di ko siya maasikaso. Pwede na rin kami manuod ng #heneralLuna. Ito na ang tunay na pakikipagsapalaran. Kay Bathala ang papuri! #maikomiks

A post shared by Faye Villanueva (@spatialchild) on Sep 20, 2015 at 11:35pm PDT

For more about MA-I, you may visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/maikomiks

or read some of the press releases here:

MA-I: Ano Ito At Bakit ito naisulat?

Ranneveryday: MA-I: A Filipino Manga that Promotes History, Culture, and Values

MA-I books are now available at CSM Publishing (you can email order@csm-publishing.com wherever you are in the world) and will be available at major bookstores in the Philippines soon.

Related posts:

Behind the Scenes on MA-I

MA-I: Ano ito at Bakit ito Naisulat? (Authors’ interview)

Check out what people say about “MA-I” so far>> MA-I Fever Ka Na Ba?