Deep in the snazzy labyrinth that is the Metro’s hippest neighborhood, Poblacion in Makati—even during the new coronavirus disease outbreak—lies what is literally a secret headquarters for powerful komiks creators.
“We wanted our space to be in the middle of the Metro, and near our board members’ homes. Makati was that middle.” That’s because while Secret HQ, indeed, operates as Komiket’s office, it also functions as a space for the group’s popular workshops and, most significantly, as a book shop for locally published comic books.
“We offer personalized service, and here, local comics are the heroes of our space,” he stressed. “Every peso you spend, helps a local creator, a local publisher or even both. But we support other stores that carry local komiks. Local creators need all the support they can get.” But even super-powered venues have proven vulnerable to COVID-19. “Like most businesses, we’re struggling to make ends meet,” Herras said. “We don’t know when it’s safe to put up art markets again, which the main source of revenue for Komiket. We’re doing our best, pivoting our bookstore to an online bookstore and online workshops.”This meant changing Komiket’s program of activities.