Sen. Lito Lapid Wants to Preserve the Philippine Graphic Novels

Philippine Senator Lito Lapid wants to pass a bill(PDF link) that aims to establish a Philippine National Graphic Novel Archive.

The proposed Graphic Archive shall preserve, conserve, restore and identify graphic novels that are historically, culturally, and aesthetically important to the Filipino identity. The proposed Philippine National Graphic Novel Archive is envisioned to be the treasure house of our country's indigenous graphic novels.


Another point for Lito Lapid if his bill gets approved!

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The provisions of Article XIV, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that "the State shall foster the preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression."

Our heritage needs to be preserved for all to share and benefit. A nation is defined by its history and culture. Our graphic novels and all its write-ups reflect our history and culture. Our stories mirror the soul of our nation. The images in our graphic novels are reflections of our culture and society. It reflects our dreams and history as a nation. It is culturally irreplaceable and can last a long time, especially in expert hands. Unfortunately, many of our indigenous Filipino graphic novels of the past have already been lost forever, torn, shredded or decayed beyond reclaim, or irretrievably disintegrated and destroyed.

A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format. The term is employed in a broad manner, encompassing nonfiction works and thematically linked short stories as well as fictional stories across a number of genres. These graphic novels are typically bound in longer and more durable formats using the same materials and methods as printed books. They they are generally sold in bookstores and specialty comic book shops rather than at newsstands. Such books have gained increasing acceptance as desirable materials for libraries which once ignored comic books.

Graphic novels are sometimes called long comic books. They cover generally fictional material in comic book form - through the use of sequential illustrations. In some cases, a graphic novel is a compilation of several series of comics that begin and end a particular story arc. Some graphic novels offer terrific ways to educate children. Since they are full of illustrations, they are often attractive to young readers and can communicate stories about morals or events in history. Some are just pure fun, and enhance children's appreciation of and skill in reading.

At present, graphic novels landed on the 12th spot of top selling Philippine fiction books for based on records of the largest bookstore chain in the country. It is also being used as reference and subject in gender studies courses in some Universities in the country.

This proposed measure seeks to establish and institutionalize the Philippine National Graphic Novel Archive which shall preserve, conserve, restore and identify graphic novels that are historically, culturally, and aesthetically important to the Filipino identity. The proposed Philippine National Graphic Novel Archive is envisioned to be the treasure house of our country's indigenous graphic novels.

The proposed Philippine National Graphic Novel Archive shall be responsible for acquiring, safeguarding, documenting and making graphic novels available to current and future generations for private study and public pleasure.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator

(via Jonas Diego)