We thought we were in the wrong place. Mike invited us to the launch of a graphic novel he wrote, a re-emagining of the Ilocano epic “Biag ni Lam-Ang”. But when we got to the Collective (Malugay St., Makati City), all we could find was a party for some movie. Obviously, I should learn to look at my e-mail attachments.

The two bouncers at the entrance looked amused at my confusion. Mike had to come by and ask them to let us in.

It was a victory party for Pinta*kasi, the movie that won the New Wave Best Indie Film award at the recent Metro Manila Filmfest. There was supposed to be a launch of sorts for the graphic novel “The Lam-Ang Experiment” which was created by the same company Creative Media. “Lam-Ang” was a pet project of Ilocos governor Imee Marcos.

(L-R) Gov. Imee Marcos, Mina V. Esguerra, Michael A.R. Co - At Pinta*kasi victory party

At some point in the evening, they put up the poster of “Lam-Ang”.

"The Lam-Ang Experiment" author Michael A.R. Co poses in front of the poster