It's been happening for a long time, but it's only now that underground publications are getting some attention, thanks to technology and quick "word-of-blog." One such underground publication is Kanto, an independent Filipino pop culture magazine, or simply “zine"--a non-profit, small-scale publication that runs limited copies.So far, Kanto, which focuses mostly on alternative views on Filipino culture, has released three issues, the latest being "Tag-Ulan." "Tag-Ulan," says journalists and creators Paolo Mariano, Bimbo Santos, and Don Carreon, features nostalgic essays such as "Sumupsop at Humihigop" that fondly recalls champorado and hot mami, a piece about the old theaters in Cubao, and a commentary about recent killings of journalists.
Unfortunately, "Tag-Ulan" will be the last of the printed Kanto as the creators are working on an online edition of the zine. Will this be as quirky and witty as the print edition? "You can expect the expected. Witty and informative articles about everything Filipino pop culture. You can also expect us to be more satirical and analytical in our entries since we are dipping our dirty hands on a field that reaches to a wider audience," says Mariano. And since blogs are easier to produce, Santos says that readers can look forward to more frequent updates and even more interaction with the staff that produced the past three issues. "Now we can also interact with our readers," Mariano quips.
"Tag-Ulan" is available for P30 at F*ART Gallery in Kamuning, Bukswagen Experiment at Circle C in West Avenue, Bound Bookstore in Scout Castor St., Quezon City, and Rags at Cartimar in Recto.
