The following is an interview with pop culture blogger and podcaster Aaron Nabus regarding the inaugural FilAm CreatorCon taking place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in San Diego, CA. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Nabus about the genesis behind the celebration of Filipino-American creatives and their works in comics, animation, illustration, and pop culture, what attendees can expect from this year’s event, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: What can you share with us about the inspiration behind FilAm CreatorCon taking place this September at the National City Public Library?
Aaron Nabus: I think a convention that featured Filipino-American creators was always in the back of mind ever since I first found out that the main character of Starship Troopers was Filipino in the book. Just imagine the impact that seeing a main character that looked like me on the big screen could have had not only on myself, but countless others! That sense of pride and potential empowerment is priceless to a young person. There are still many out there who have no idea that Filipinos exist – which is surprising for supposedly the third-largest group of Asians in the United States. (Only Chinese and Indians have a larger population than Filipinos).
It wasn’t until many years later when I attended the first Black Comix Day in 2018 in San Diego, CA (organized by comic book creator Keithan Jones), that I thought…maybe.
Then, while attending San Diego Comic-Con 2019, I happened to take a picture with Scott Lost and Kirin Amiling Macapuguy. Scott is an amazing FilAm comic book creator, and Kirin is a well-connected FilAm educator and community organizer. It was that exact moment that my mindset shifted to…yes, we can!
As a pop culture blogger and podcaster, I had already interviewed quite a few Filipino-American creators, like Bobby Rubio (former story artist for Pixar and head of story for the upcoming animated film, Tranformers One, by Paramount), Lord Mesa (illustrator), Scott Lost, Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan (film director and writer), and Mark Nazal (Emmy Award-winning visual effects artist), so it was all just a question of combining my established relationships with all of the talented creators I had gotten to know and the community organizing skills of Kirin and the team of like-minded individuals that coalesced around my idea of a convention that celebrated and empowered Filipino-American creators – giving them a space to share their stories.
BD: What will attendees have in store in terms of the artists, exhibitions, and other activities available for this year’s event?
AN: Our inaugural convention will be an intimate one, focused more on comic book creators. In fact, our two guests of honor will be comic book legend Whilce Portacio and story artist and comic book creator Bobby Rubio – both of which will be part of the Legends Spotlight Panel.
We’ll have an exhibit hall featuring about twenty FilAm creators – such as Patrick Ballesteros (illustrator), Mary Jhun (muralist and surreal painter), Kwento Comics (an all female-run company), Patricio Ginelsa (creator of the Lumpia movies and comic books), Lord Mesa (illustrator), and Hot Tropiks (a distributor of comics from the Philippines), just to name a few.
Additionally, we have eight very entertaining and informative panels lined up such as “Women in the Arts,” “Career in the Arts,” and the “Business Side of Indie Comics.” We’ll even have a drawing panel where artists take prompts from the audience!
Some additional guests / panelists include travel YouTuber and co-host of PBS’ Out of the Boondocks (a docuseries that showcases Flipino culture and creativity), Jay Jay Maniquis (Jaycation); Telly Award-winning writer, director, and actor Giovannie Espiritu, and actor, host, and entertainment journalist Law Sharma.
Overall, this will be huge opportunity for aspiring FilAm creators to network with established industry professionals, in a setting that isn’t too big, loud, or intimidating – where a dialogue and exchange of stories, advice, and encouragement can spark the ideas and imagination of the next generation of Filipino-American creators.
BD: An event of this size and scale is only made possible through a team effort. What can you share with us about the individuals who helped to bring FilAm CreatorCon to life this year?
AN: I may have had the initial vision, but I could not have done anything without the help of my planning committee. Some of them have been with me since 2019, when we first tried to plan for a 2020 convention date. (Unfortunately, a world-wide pandemic had other ideas.) Our team grew a bit in 2023 when we finally decided to make FilAm CreatorCon a reality in 2024:
Planning committee (2019–2024):
- Alex Benedicto
- Alicia Ricafrente
- Arthur Ebuen
- Francis Bautista
- Kirin Amiling Macapugay
- Marcel Esteban
- Oliver Bayona
- Scott Lost
- Susan Vega
- Vince Alvendia
I would like to give a special shout-out to Arthur Ebuen, who has been instrumental in fine tuning our panels and being the main point of contact for our exhibitors, and Alicia Ricafrente, for keeping us organized and bringing her experience as an event coordinator to the table.
BD: This year’s event is being brought to life in partnership with Mabuhay Foundation. What can you tell us about this organization and your collaboration?
AN: The Mabuhay Foundation is run by the Vice Mayor of National City, CA, Ditas Yamane. Since our show will be at the National City Public Library, we would have to either be a non-profit organization or be sponsored by one, to use their facilities. We are fortunate that Vice Mayor Yamane and her foundation were there in our time of need – when we were looking for a venue that would fit the intimate feel we wanted for of our first convention.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about this year’s FilAm CreatorCon?
AN: Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X (@FilAmCreatorCon), where we share the latest updates. Additionally, venue information, a full panel schedule, and line up of guests can be found on our website, FilAmCreatorCon.com/FACC2024.
*Header Image (L to R): Scott Lost (comic book creator), Aaron Nabus (founder of FilAm CreatorCon), Kirin Amiling Macapuguy (educator and community organizer) – (Taken at San Diego Comic-Con 2019)
