Kevin’s gift

We city dwellers would rarely go out to brave Christmas season traffic for a midweek 6:00 pm appointment.

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Perhaps we would only do so for a good friend.A couple of dozen fellow artists, advocates, a city councilor, a partylist congresswoman, and other such friends (oomfs, in Gen Z parlance) from all over the metro defied horrendous traffic to grace the Dec. 11 opening of Kevin Eric Raymundo’s concept Kalbo Gift Shop at the vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery/ Young Artists Studio at Estancia Mall in Pasig City.

Kevin and Kalbo of course refer to the “Tarantadong Kalbo” comics that shot to fame in the pandemic era and which continues to delight many fans.

Kevin’s “Tumindig” artwork of an upright clenched fist became a vehicle of artistic public expression of concern and commitment to social change in the pandemic era and up to the 2022 elections. Japan’s Good Design Award honored “Tumindig” that year.

Two of his books — “Tarantadong Kalbo Volume 1,” and “Baby TK” — were awarded “Best Graphic Literature” in the 2022 National Book Awards, and “Kids Choice” in the 2024 National Children’s Book Awards.

The Kalbo Gift Shop concept is “a studio and gallery takeover” featuring an exhibit of some his works including two paintings bannered by a 40-piece multicolor series titled “Tarantadong KalbHue.”