Last October 4 and 5, I had the opportunity to showcase my art and k-pop inspired merch in Komiket. It’s a community of komikeros, artists, writers, and merch makers that champion Filipino creativity through art markets and creative conventions.

It was around 2023 when I started joining these events to sell my merch. I took a hiatus due to financial constraints and busyness with other client work. I’m so happy I got to join one again after more than a year! It was so refreshing meeting artists I follow and only get to interact online.

It was also lovely getting to know my table neighbors who are also ARMYs uwu (hi, Enid and Aira!). I only briefly went around to check out other artist’s merch, and it truly was a melting pot of creativity, wit, and kung anik-anik.

All throughout the weekend, writers and komikeros got to talk about their graphic novels, and there was also an open-to-all yap sessions, and food hot takes. It was amusing hearing different people yap about media they’re passionate about. I didn’t even recognize most of the shows, Youtubers, and video games that was mentioned (millennial probz). But I got a good chuckle out of some of their yaps, nonetheless.

The preps and anticipation leading up to weekends like these has always been smooth for me. Not until I suffered through episodes of vertigo last September. I always try to mockup my setup, so I don’t have to figure things out on d-day, but I could barely get anything done because I’d get dizzy. But we do what we can with what we have—last-minute printing of price tags, sticker freebies, and pakulo for my merch setup.

Last time I crammed like that was back in college! After completing the “rehearsal” of my setup, I said a prayer that went:

Lord, here’s my garden. I’ve set it up; I’ve grown it through the years… Let the butterflies, the bees, and the birds come.

After praying, I slept at 1AM so naturally, all throughout day 1, dizziness plagued me (T^T) I’m so grateful I had help from my dad and brother for day 1!

Praise God I slept like a log after day 1, so I had energy to enjoy day 2 minus getting dizzy! I even had the time to talk to my table neighbor, Enid, about her recent milestones, and her future plans as an illustrator. What she told me about the value of community stayed with me and it got me appreciating the different communities God has blessed me with!

When I was growing up, I used to take pride in being someone who can do things by myself, without anyone’s help. But God has been showing me the beauty of community—people who are willing to show up for you to lend a hand, sisters in the faith and fellow business owners who will pray with you when you’re anxious about event preps, family who will pack and prepare meals so you won’t have to leave your booth unmanned.

I experienced that firsthand during my first solo tabling at Komiket. God answered my prayer in a vibrant way—as butterflies, bees, and birds that fluttered by my garden that weekend. Some just flew along, others took their sweet time checking out the variety of blooms on display. There were enthusiastic ones, and some were aloof. But they all graced my garden… and for that, I am grateful.

Here’s a mini journal-style recap from that weekend.