RP cartoon book to be launched

MANILA, Philippines – A book on Philippine cartoons showcasing the works of 34 artist-members of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP) will be launched on July 11 at 2 p.m. at the National Press Club (NPC) Bulwagang Plaridel.

The SKP marks its 30th anniversary this year and the book, The SKP Roster Book, is its major celebratory project.

“It took years and several attempts for us to be able to come up with this compilation and we believe it will give readers a comprehensive idea of the range of cartoonist talents we have in the country,” said SKP president Boboy Yonzon.

John Lent, an imminent scholar of comics and cartoons from Temple University in the US, will be the special guest for the occasion. Also expected to grace the launch are several cartoonists from Southeast Asia.

The Samahang Kartunista was established in 1978 by a group of veteran and young cartoonists composed of the late Larry Alcala, Hugo Yonzon Jr., Boy Togonon, Roni Santiago, Tito Milambiling and others. It was meant to forge camaraderie among cartoonists from different newspapers and magazines.

“Today, almost all major broadsheets and tabloids are represented in SKP. We also have several architects who do comics on a regular basis,” said Yonzon.

The SKP will also sign a memorandum of agreement with the NPC, creating the SKP-NPC Boy Togonon Cartoon Competition that will be open to professionals and students.