The Philippine International Comics Festival 2025: A Powerhouse Celebration of Filipino and Global Storytelling Through Comics

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Mandaluyong City, Philippines — The Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2025 is set to explode onto the scene this July 5–6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall. A grand spectacle that promises to be the country's largest celebration of comics culture, #PICOF2025 brings together over 200 local and international comic creators in a two-day whirlwind of storytelling, artistry, and creativity.

More than just a convention, PICOF 2025 is a cultural movement—a powerful tribute to the thriving and ever-evolving comics scene of the Philippines and Southeast Asia. From seasoned komikeros to rising talents and global guests, the festival will transform SM Megamall into a haven for comic book fans, art lovers, pop culture enthusiasts, and creators of all stripes.

Three Unmissable Exhibits: Heritage, Resistance, and Imagination

This year’s PICOF offers more than just a marketplace. It unveils three thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibits:

PICOF Official Selection Exhibit – Showcasing a curated collection of this year’s best indie and mainstream comic works.

Mars Ravelo Exhibit – Honoring the legendary creator of beloved Filipino superheroes like Darna, Captain Barbell, and Lastikman.

Palestinian Comics Exhibit – A bold and moving visual exploration of resistance, identity, and storytelling from Palestinian artists.

Each exhibit promises to spark conversations and inspire creativity among all who walk through their halls.

14 Masterclasses with the Masters of Comics

This year, PICOF steps up its game by offering 14 expert-led masterclasses, providing fans and aspiring creators a rare opportunity to learn from the best. Whether you're a writer, illustrator, colorist, or simply a passionate fan, these sessions—led by both Filipino icons and international guests—will deepen your appreciation and skill in the art of comics-making.

A Landmark Launch: Vibal Foundation Unveils 7 New Titles on July 6

On July 6, from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM, the spotlight shifts to the PICOF Main Stage Launch, where Vibal Foundation is set to debut seven groundbreaking comic book titles under two brand-new imprints: Grafika and Agimat Comics.

GRAFIKA Imprint

Grafika leads with an explosive new original work:

Nagalit ang Aswang sa Mahal ng Bawang

Written by Randy Valiente and illustrated by Aurelio Castro III, this darkly humorous yet biting tale fuses Philippine folklore with social commentary in ways you’ve never seen before.

Grafika also breathes new life into the timeless classics of National Artist Francisco V. Coching, with re-releases of:

Condenado

Satur

Dumagit

These works celebrate the roots of Filipino comics while preserving its artistic legacy for new generations.

AGIMAT Comics Imprint

Agimat Comics, meanwhile, opens a window into the vibrant world of Southeast Asian storytelling, with the launch of:

Long Distance Call by Sheree Domingo (Filipino-German) – A deeply personal look into diaspora and identity.

Fried Rice by Erica Eng (Malaysia) – A slice-of-life visual memoir from one of Southeast Asia’s most promising animation talents.

Cockman by Kenfoo (Singapore) – A bold and experimental work blending satire, superhero tropes, and post-modern design.

These titles highlight the shared experiences, struggles, and imagination of our neighboring countries, reinforcing Southeast Asia’s place on the global comics stage.

A Festival of Unity, Art, and Cultural Power

PICOF 2025 is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of imagination, identity, and unity through visual storytelling. At a time when Filipino creativity continues to earn global acclaim, PICOF serves as both a showcase and a sanctuary, where artists and fans converge to celebrate the limitless possibilities of comics.

From budding artists sketching their dreams on napkins to long-time fans hunting for their next favorite graphic novel, this festival is for everyone.

Don't Miss It

Mark your calendars and be part of history at #PICOF2025, July 5–6, 2025, at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Come for the comics. Stay for the culture. Leave inspired.

Vin Diesel Teases Emotional Fast & Furious Finale with Bold Promise to Reunite Dom and Brian

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

FuelFest LA, June 29 — In a moment that sent shockwaves through the hearts of fans worldwide, Vin Diesel stepped onto the FuelFest LA stage last night, unannounced and unfiltered. The roar of modified engines was briefly drowned out by an even louder cheer — not for the cars, but for the man synonymous with Dominic Toretto, the unshakable heart of the Fast & Furious saga. And what he revealed next may be the most emotionally charged update in the franchise’s history.

Diesel wasn’t there to promote a film or unveil a trailer. He was there for something far more powerful: to speak from the heart. Hosted by Cody Walker, brother of the late Fast star Paul Walker, FuelFest was already steeped in legacy and tribute. But Diesel’s surprise appearance turned it into something unforgettable — a spiritual passing of the torch, and perhaps a glimpse at the franchise’s final lap.

Before a sea of passionate fans and car lovers, Diesel laid down his three conditions for what he envisions as the perfect send-off for the beloved saga — a finale that he hopes will hit theaters in April 2027, precisely twenty-six years after the series began.

1. Back to Where It All Began: Los Angeles

“The first,” Diesel said, “is to bring the franchise back to LA.”

The city that birthed Fast & Furious in 2001, with its neon-lit streets and underground street races, has since taken a backseat to globe-trotting, sky-diving, submarine-chasing spectacles. But for Diesel, this finale isn’t just another chapter — it’s a homecoming. A return to the raw asphalt and family-first storytelling that started it all.

2. Back to the Streets and the Culture

His second condition echoed what countless fans have been saying for years.

“We need to bring it back to car culture,” Diesel declared, to a chorus of applause. “To the streets. To what made us fall in love with this world.”

Gone are the days of simple pink slip drag races and tight-knit crews. Over the past decade, the franchise has grown into a high-octane, billion-dollar beast — more spy thriller than street saga. But Diesel’s words signal a shift — a promise to strip away the noise and rekindle the flames of Fast’s original soul.

3. The Most Heartbreaking, Hopeful Condition of All: Reuniting Dom and Brian

Then came the moment that turned cheers into silence — and silence back into tears.

“The third thing… was reuniting Dom and Brian O’Conner.”

The crowd — stunned, speechless for a beat — erupted in emotional applause.

Brian O’Conner, played by Paul Walker, remains one of the franchise’s most iconic and beloved characters. His sudden death in 2013 left a gaping wound not only in the cast but in the millions who had grown up with him. The seventh film gave Brian a touching farewell, with that unforgettable beachside drive and final fork in the road.

But Diesel’s words now hint at something both surreal and deeply moving — a possible on-screen reunion between Dom and Brian. Whether through cutting-edge CGI, unused footage, or respectful storytelling involving Paul’s brothers Cody and Caleb (who helped complete Furious 7), the possibility is as haunting as it is hopeful.

It’s a promise that tugs at the deepest threads of nostalgia, loyalty, and love — the very values the franchise has always stood for.

A Legacy Fueled by Family

The Fast & Furious saga has always been more than just fast cars and furious fists. It's a story about family — the one you're born into, and the one you choose. And last night, Vin Diesel reminded the world that no matter how wild the stunts or how global the stage, the heart of this franchise has always been a simple truth: “You don't turn your back on family.”

As 2027 looms, one question now races through the minds of fans everywhere:

What will it look like to see Dom and Brian together one last time?

Will it be a flashback? A digitally crafted scene? Or something entirely unexpected that honors Paul Walker’s memory in a way no film ever has?

Whatever it is, one thing’s clear — Fast & Furious isn’t just heading toward its finale. It’s racing toward a reckoning with its own soul.

Let us know in the comments:

How do you feel about Vin Diesel’s vision for the final ride? Are you ready to see Dom and Brian share the screen one last time?

The Ballot’s Curse: Why Do Filipinos Keep Electing the Unfit, the Questionable, and the Controversial?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a nation drenched in the blood of its heroes, steeped in centuries of struggle for genuine freedom and self-governance, one haunting question continues to echo through generations of disillusioned citizens: Why do we keep electing the unfit, the questionable, and the controversial?

The Philippines, a country that prides itself on democratic vibrancy and people power, paradoxically keeps empowering individuals who represent everything its democracy should resist. From celebrities with zero legislative credentials to politicians with shadowy pasts and messianic delusions, the electorate’s choices often leave political analysts, civic educators, and patriots alike in stunned disbelief.

The Rise of the Unlikely

Consider Robin Padilla, a former action star and ex-convict, who topped the 2022 Senate race. His legislative interventions have, time and again, betrayed a lack of preparedness, coherence, and even basic constitutional understanding. Yet he was catapulted into national office not because of his grasp of policy but because of fame—a currency that, in Philippine politics, often outweighs competence.

Then there’s Apollo Quiboloy, the self-declared “Appointed Son of God,” whose religious empire is clouded by serious allegations of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and financial misconduct. Despite his global notoriety and fugitive status, he still garners support among a segment of the population who cling to his fiery sermons and promises of divine intervention.

Vice President Sara Duterte is another example. While her political career is partly her own making, there is no denying that her rise to power is deeply rooted in her father’s cult-like following. Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs—responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings—should have haunted any family member’s political ambition. Yet here she is, installed into the second highest post in the land, arguably untouched by the moral debris left in the wake of her father’s policies.

And then there are the party-lists—supposed to be sanctuaries for the marginalized. Yet many of these groups have morphed into dynastic proxies, business-backed interests, or Trojan horses for traditional political clans. The very system that was created to uplift the voiceless has been hijacked, manipulated, and defiled.

The Roots of a Democratic Tragedy

Is this a case of national amnesia? Mass manipulation? Or a collective craving for spectacle over substance?

The Philippine electoral landscape has long been fertile ground for the cult of personality. Charisma, celebrity, and spectacle trump policy platforms and qualifications. Media saturation, name recall, and emotional resonance often dominate the factors influencing voter decisions. When poverty persists and civic education remains weak, emotional connection becomes more compelling than evidence of leadership capability.

There’s also the machinery of political dynasties and entrenched patronage systems—families who monopolize power across generations, reinforcing a cycle where name, not merit, wins votes. The result is a population so used to political disappointment that it lowers the bar for leadership, even idolizing the very figures who fail them.

Moreover, the electoral process itself is deeply flawed. Bogus party-lists infiltrate ballots under noble-sounding causes. Disinformation campaigns flood social media, weaponizing fake news to rewrite history and vilify critics. Voter manipulation, vote-buying, and disenfranchisement still run rampant, while institutions meant to protect democratic integrity often bend to political pressure.

The Cultural Curse of "Mababait Naman"

A cultural tendency to forgive—even forget—plays a dangerous role. Filipinos often rationalize poor governance with phrases like “Eh mabait naman siya” or “May puso naman siya sa mahirap.” Morality becomes subjective, and accountability is blurred. The convicted, the accused, the corrupt—even the bloodstained—are given political absolution through the ballot box.

The Way Forward—or Further Back?

Breaking this vicious cycle demands a national reckoning. A reinvention of civic education. A radical commitment to voter empowerment. Institutions must be reformed to prioritize transparency, protect against manipulation, and ensure that qualification, not just popularity, guides leadership selection.

But above all, Filipinos must reclaim their power—not as spectators of democracy, but as its vigilant stewards. Because every vote is more than a choice—it is a reflection of values, a measure of collective dignity, and a contract with the nation’s future.

Until we learn to separate charisma from competence, and celebrity from credibility, we will remain trapped in this tragic loop—a democracy hijacked by spectacle, haunted by its own choices.

The haunting question lingers: How many more times must we elect the unfit before we finally learn?