HUGZONE HorizonS

EDD ARAGON of Sydney Morning Herald suggested that we do a fundraiser for typhoon victims by doing caricatures. Friends at the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP) eagerly picked up the idea.

PICCA scrapped its scheduled Saturday lunch in Tagaytay and, instead, volunteer SKP members planted themselves at the Podium Mall. For a minimum donation of 500 pesos, a mallgoer could have his portrait done and at the same time help the cause.

Jun and Barry coined the activity Sagip Kapatid sa Propesyon, SKP too, as specific beneficiaries were comics artists, writers, and cartoonists whose houses were submerged in water. All proceeds will be combined with what Gerry Alanguilan and Komikon raised in auctioning works of other artists.

It was an impressive array of cartoonists at the Podium. Most of the shoppers probably didn’t realize that it was a rare occasion to gather all of these talents in one place to draw people simultaneously. Aside from Edd, there were Deng Coy Miel of Singapore Straits Times, Jun Aquino of Free Press, Barry Jose of Dyaryo DAR, Roni Santiago of Bulletin, Romy Buen of Abante, freelancers Ariel Atienza, and Ed Baleda of Bicol. My brothers Mike and Toto and son Zach also lent their talents as demand mounted.

Podium asked the SKP to extend the caricature sessions for one more day. The group also got invited to do the same thing within the same week at the Campaigns 2010 Fair at the Worldtrade and at the Banchetto Fair at the Emerald Avenue. Bladimer Jusi of Remate and Andrew Villar joined the panel. The group also got invited to plug its cause at DZMM. While I was doing all the talk, Jun, Barry and a new member Ramir drew hosts Julius Babao and wife Tintin.