Filipino American creatives turn a Barrio Logan pizzeria into a mini-con

FilAm CreatorCon hosted a mini-con pop-up at Pizza Kaiju in Barrio Logan to highlight Filipino American creators and artists who might not have the chance to exhibit at San Diego Comic-Con.

Written by Rami Alarian, Edited by Kate Morrissey

Filipino creatives lined the walls of a Barrio Logan pizzeria during Comic-Con with vendor booths selling trinkets, comics, hand-drawn art, and clothes inspired by Filipino culture. 

FilAm CreatorCon, a local organization, hosted a two-day pop-up for the first time during Comic-Con, inviting roughly 15 vendors to showcase their work and represent their community. The organization began hosting pop-ups in 2024 to serve the many Filipino Americans in San Diego, targeting creatives looking for better representation. 

Founder Aaron Nabus said many Filipino American creators aren’t able to get into Comic-Con’s artist alley or exhibition floor.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to showcase and sell their work during Comic-Con to sort of be part of the whole extravaganza,” Nabus said.

The event ran on the same evenings as San Diego Comic-Con’s preview day and first day, offering a badge-free opportunity for fans to talk comics and pop culture. 

Nabus said that “Starship Troopers,” a famous science fiction novel series turned film franchise, led him to create the mini-con. He said the novel featured a Filipino main character, but the films made the character from Buenos Aires instead.

“Imagine if I had known that as a kid,” Nabus said. “Imagine how that would have empowered me, how that would have empowered other young people and other young Filipino Americans, especially as creators.”                     

Nabus said FilAm CreatorCon aims to not only bring better representation for Filipino American creatives but also transfer experiences from older generations to younger generations. 

“I want to sort of put together all these awesome Filipino American creatives who are at the top of their game professionally and connect them with the up-and-coming Filipino American creatives,” Nabus said. 

Nabus said FilAm CreatorCon events give Filipino American artists and creators an opportunity to educate one another and share creative knowledge. 

“Especially with mini-con, it’s another way for us to sort of connect and outreach with the community,” Nabus said. “There’s a wealth of talent out there that does not get recognized.” 

Angelo Mendez ran a comic, novel and children’s book booth at the event representing Hot Tropiks, a Filipino publishing and distribution company he founded. Mendez said he felt that much of what the general public knows about Filipinos doesn’t fully represent the community. 

“We’re just trying to expand the general Philippine narrative,” Mendez said. “You got to see what they’re doing in the underground Philippines, which is where I spent my time. I was like, if nobody’s going to do it, I might as well.” 

Mendez pulled out Ang Jowa Kong’s “Crosswise,” which he described as a story about a gay vampire couple, and Gerry Alanguilan’s “Elmer” about sentient, talking chickens. 

Mendez attended the first FilAm CreatorCon event in 2024 and said that Nabus and many other members of the organization have become a family to him in his comics journey. 

“They’ve just always been very present,” Mendez said. “They’re always looking out for us.” 

Orlando Phenom, an artist from Palm Springs, showcased hand-drawn art of characters including Spider-Man, Darth Vader and Goku. 

“It’s definitely difficult where I live in my area to have a strong Filipino gathering,” he said. 

Rex Revilla, a board member of FilAm CreatorCon, said he was excited to see different attendees and vendors from different areas and have the opportunity to support Filipino American creators.

“My money has been focused here as opposed to Comic-Con,” Revilla said. 

Francis Bautista, another board member of FilAm CreatorCon, said the organization started off hosting comic-centered events, but it has expanded to accommodate other artists and even hosts open mic nights throughout the year. 

“It’s an arena of artists from all walks of life and from different disciplines, different fandoms and such,” Bautista said. “We’re just coming together to have a good time basically.”