In a nutshell: I had a swell (albeit sweaty) time.  ♡

This is my first #CebuLitFest experience. The first and only other alley I've attended was the Zine Festival 2018, but this one is so much bigger⏤bringing Luzon-based artists I follow on Instagram to Cebu City. It was a perfect way to end the month honestly. ♥︎

If you're not familiar, the Cebu Literary Festival is a literary event that first took place in 2014. It is the brainchild of Hendri Go and Hope Sabanpan Yu, and it has been an event that Cebuano creatives have been looking forward to each year. This year they partnered with Komiket. 

Komiket, on the other hand, is a Philippine non-profit organization for comics and art markets all over the country. Their first art market took place in 2015. Since then, Komiket helped provide an avenue for local artists and creators to showcase their work. We have komiks creators Paolo Herras, Mark Navarro, JP Palabon, Tepai Pascual, and Jon Zamar to thank for this initiative. 

This year's three-day event is held November 25–27 at Ayala Center Cebu. 

doris doodles • follow @dorisdoodles032

Koalanov • follow @koalanov

Jumjum • Follow @justtearithere

We visited the event on both our work breaks, but I did go one more time after work to shot the cover image and ask Tarantadong Kalbo for a video message for Trish, haha. We visited first at 11:00 a.m. when people were just slowly coming around and then again at 3:00 p.m. when students and even more people started to add in the numbers. 

I liked the 11:00 am visit better to say the least. 😅

so let's talk about the timing. 

In my humble opinion, I would say that they nailed the timing. Art merch are never a bad idea to gift for the holidays and special occasions, and they always add a touch of thoughtfulness. What better time than to make it happen just days shy from December.

To add to that, I also appreciate the fact that they didn't set it around pay day, so we couldn't get carried away and go overbudget. I think that setting it in between sweldos gave us the chance to set a strict budget from the last few pay days. (Though I must admit, I did go overboard from the amount I set. I'm sorry I'm only human.)  

I also won't overlook the fact that they had them on the weekends too. I mean, they probably do this every year, but they can also easily switch it up to weekdays for all they care. I'm happy they decided to keep going for the weekends. :)

It's also really cool that they're happening at the same dates as the Visayas Art Fair and the Bodega Design Caravan, so your creative spirit can jump for joy for all the events you can go to beginning Friday. However, if you're like me who prefer reserving the weekend to zen at home, you might be in a pickle in choosing which event to go to. I, for one, did not regret picking the LitFest over the other two this year. 💗

electro milk • follow @electromilk

let's talk about the list of exhibitors. 

When Cebu Lit Fest dropped the names of exhibitors on their Instagram account, I immediately noticed a few familiar ones. Some I follow on Instagram, and some I have their products in my liked tab on Shopee. 

It was so much fun exchanging smiles and hellos with artists, so much more listening to them tell stories behind their art. I like listening to passionate people talk about what they're passionate about. It's nice. 

I also found out that this year's a lot bigger than the last ones; that's a massive feat to the whole crew behind the #CebuLitFest2022. I hope even more artists around the country join in next time. Char demanding. 😂

chelsi draws x follow @chelsidraws

can somebody help me figure out the name of the exhibitors behind this booth :(

i got the firefly tarot, and this is what it says about me

my opinion on the venue. 

To be honest, my stand on the venue is fifty-fifty. 😬

The good side of it all is that the venue was in a popular establishment in the city so it's hard to miss for anyone. Transportation is also a plus side if you're commuting to and fro. And personally, having the event at Ayala Center Cebu is such a green flag because it's literally beside our office building. 

However, a mall for an event this big would be rather turn out a bit too small? I already know that this would be at Ayala, but when I think of something with this long list of exhibitors attached to it, I'm picturing an open space where art fans can walk around comfortably. 

So anyway, because the LitFest was bigger this year, the venue really got cramped up as the day progressed. It was hot and humid in most areas, and the aisles are rather too narrow for comfortable strolling along the booths. 

cinemata • follow @usc.cinematacebu

now about the overall event.

I may be complaining about the venue a little too much (we were all sweating let's be real 😅), but the actual exhibit sent me straight to seventh heaven. I loved exploring the maze of tables that feature everything that is up for grabs. It was nice to see different colors, different art styles, and different presentations. There was even one exhibitor who made leather goods on the spot (sorry I forgot his name). 

All in all, I was ecstatic to see people who shared the same interest as me in one place. Not one questioning the other's creative choices, only respect shared on the floor.

It was a fun experience, and I would definitely come again in 2023. 😊

totodyle x follow @pixeltotodyle

dreamriver studios • follow @dreamriver.studios

dungeon diaries • follow @dungeondiariess

appendix a (thesis trauma activated, jk!)

Here are the artists/creators I had an actual encounter with: 

•  Tarantadong Kalbo.  We asked him for a video message for Trish because the only time we caught him free to talk to was at 5:00 p.m. when Trish already went home. He was very game, but I also noticed he's quite reserved in person. 
•  Paola Paperie.  Not gonna lie, my first impression of her was that she's a little snobbish (sorry!!!), but she was just probably shy because it was her first alley outside NCR. After a while, I noticed how she tried to interact when she kept reminding us that we can touch and check the hanged sticker packs closely. Later on, we bonded so much because she shared the same humor as me and was very chatty too! I honestly like her and will now continue to check out more of her art pieces. 
•  The Style Faerie.  Well, this isn't an unfamiliar face to me. Ms. Gov is our creative director at work, so I know her prior to the Lit Fest. However, talking to her at the event about her dream journal Lucid Be, I noticed how passionate she was on sharing her love and interest in dreams and how she expresses that beautifully through her art. 
•  Mintchipsu.  I saw her reel before seeing her in the flesh, and she's more adorable in person! She mentioned in her reel that it was her first time in the art merch scene, but I think that her friendliness and being an actual cutiepie makes her stand out. Also very thankful that Mintchipsu was one of the very few who had change for big bills. We love a laging handa queen. 
•  The Backbone Company.  Super appreciative of how they do not tire sharing the background of the art they are selling on their booth. We visited their booth at 11pm and then again at 3pm, and they still were happy to tell us the inspiration behind their booth set. 
•  Studio Mikee.  Mikee must've been one of the most generous exhibitors at the event, as far as I'm concerned. She gave Clyde and I postcards each as a freebie (and she lets us choose which ones we wanted!). And they weren't just grade B merch or whatever; they're in their best shape and she said she gives out free postcards for each purchase. 
•  Leo Martinez.  Okay, he's not an exhibitor, but we saw him at Ayala, and I enjoyed a very short conversation with him. As someone who grew up watching Filipino movies for lunch and rest time, it was an enchanted time. I told him I loved his films and that I was happy to see him there. He was gracious and shared a smile the whole time. He looks so much more good-looking that on TV and that fair pinkish skin, my gosh. 

charlene sketch • follow @charlenesketch

Aeonix • please follow @aeonix.fx

appendix b (this is the last one, I promise)

planning to go next year? take note of these: 

1.  Bring a bag with you.  Preferably something not too big and bulky or not too small and compact. If you ask me, I think a regular-sized canvas bag is perfect. You wouldn't want to bring something too big because that would make it a hassle for you and those you bump around the event, and you don't want it too small just so you don't crumple art cards, postcards, and other bigger items. 
2.  Keep cash in smaller bills.  Let's be more considerate of the exhibitors and keep our bills in smaller amounts. This is a rookie mistake I did bringing cash in the thousands. Thank God for Mintchipsu (as mentioned earlier) so we had change to pay the other exhibitors after we paid our purchases from her. 
3.  Bring a well-charged phone.  Your favorite artists are most likely there so a charged phone is essential so you can take photos and videos with them. Not to mention, there's plenty to post for your TikTok account, IG reels, and Facebook stories. 😉
4.  LTE / mobile data for GCash.  Most exhibitors have made it super convenient by allowing payment via GCash. However, it might not be so convenient if you do not have LTE to start with. 
5.  A hanky or an extra shirt.  Especially if you're sweaty like me, my kids, you will perspire like crazy. It's not even the glow type of sweat most times. So bring a hanky or an extra shirt, whichever is more fitting. 
6.  A bottle of water.  If you plan to stay for more than an hour or two, drinking water at hand will allow you to hydrate as much as possible without spending extra at the venue. Just make sure to familiarize the nearest comfort rooms so peeing won't be so much of a problem :) 

Studio mikee • follow @studiomikee

mintchipsu • follow @mintchipsu

the budol gang: me in black, clyde in white, and trish the one as happy as a clam (definitely not edited!)

I had a really happy loot, and I'm excited to share it with you on Friday. I purchased from around 10 artists (rough estimate since I haven't finished the blog yet haha). So see you on Friday, yeah? December 2⏤yup, that quick so you don't have to wait for another week. :) 

Please check out the artists I linked in this post and buy their art if you like them. In times of questionable remarks from our lawmakers, just remember one thing: support local artists that uplift our country's creative standard (just like those at Cebu Lit Fest)! 🌤

⚘ jls

Cover photo features an artwork from Paola Paperie • follow @paolapaperie 

Sources 

1. Hendri Go, the Man Behind Cebu Literary Festival 
2. The History of Komiket