Ian Velasquez carries the legacy of Philippine komiks into the future

Writer, educator, and curator Damian “Ian” Velasquez III is proving that preserving history is not just about remembering the past. It is about inspiring the next generation to create.

When Damian “Ian” Velasquez III attended a Komikon workshop in 2018, he had no intention of becoming a komiks writer. He came with a different purpose: to meet the organizers and ask how he could help bring back the works of his family, particularly the archives of his grandfather, the late komiks writer and editor Damy Velasquez.

As the grandson of Damy Velasquez and the grandnephew of Tony Velasquez, widely recognized as the Father of Philippine Komiks, Ian wanted to find a way to preserve and share the creative legacy that helped shape Filipino popular culture. But what began as a search for answers unexpectedly became the beginning of his own journey as a komiks creator.

During the workshop, Ian was asked to create a short comic. He found himself returning to his grandfather’s classic detective character, DI-13, first serialized in Pilipino Komiks from the 1940s to the 1960s. The exercise became The New DI-13, a modern sequel initially illustrated by his brother Tommy Velasquez before veteran komiks artist Rico Rival took over as the main artist of the series.

That moment changed Ian’s understanding of legacy. Preserving Philippine komiks was not only about protecting old publications and original artwork inside archives. It was also about creating new stories that could introduce younger generations to the richness of Filipino storytelling.

“My artistic purpose, and family duty, is to continue the legacies of both Damy Velasquez and Tony Velasquez,” Ian told Tutubi News Magazine. “Even if there is already no komiks industry in the Philippines, the medium still continues through independent komiks creators who self-publish their own works.”

Those words have guided Ian’s work as a writer, educator, and curator. Growing up in the Velasquez family exposed him to the discipline and creativity of two pioneers who helped define Philippine komiks. His grandfather, Damy Velasquez, was a respected writer who later became an editor and general manager of major komiks publications during the industry’s most influential years.

His granduncle Tony Velasquez created Kenkoy, the beloved komiks character first introduced in Liwayway in 1929. With its distinctly Filipino humor and relatable characters, Kenkoy became one of the country’s first major pop culture icons and helped establish komiks as an important part of Philippine entertainment and cultural identity.

For Ian, however, the Velasquez name was never simply a legacy to inherit. It was a responsibility to continue.

“I credit both of them as the ones who led me to this path,” he said. “Having talked to them when they were alive and reading their works are truly inspiring.”

While deeply influenced by the creative styles of the past, Ian believes that honoring the pioneers does not mean simply repeating what they created. Instead, it means understanding their principles while allowing new artists to develop stories that reflect their own time.

“I was conscious to give respect and homage to the works of both Tony and Damy but at the same time imbue modern sensibilities to what I’m writing,” he explained.

This philosophy also guides Ian’s work as curator of the Velasquez komiks archives. Through exhibitions featuring original artwork, rare publications, and historical materials, he has helped introduce new audiences to a creative tradition that shaped generations of Filipinos.

Among the exhibitions he has organized are celebrations of Kenkoy’s 90th anniversary in 2019 and 95th anniversary in 2024. These were presented at various venues and institutions, including the Blanco Family Museum, Far Eastern University, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Intramuros, the National University Museum, and Komikon.

For Ian, these exhibitions are more than displays of old artwork. They are reminders that Philippine komiks is an important part of the country’s artistic history and cultural identity.

His advocacy extends beyond archives and museums. A lifelong educator, Ian spent 20 years teaching at Far Eastern University and is currently with National University Manila, where he continues to encourage students to appreciate Filipino creativity while developing their own artistic voices.

His experience in education strengthened his belief that young artists must understand the foundations of their craft and recognize the value of the stories and traditions that came before them.

This commitment to preserving knowledge led to one of his most significant achievements: the publication of The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez: Father of Philippine Komiks. Years in the making and supported by National University, the book documents the life, achievements, and artistic contributions of the man whose work helped establish the Philippine komiks industry.

For Ian, preserving history is not simply an act of remembering the past. It is about ensuring that Filipino stories continue to be shared and appreciated by future generations.

His current projects reflect that vision. On August 15, he will deliver a lecture on Kenkoy during the Philippine Readers and Writers Festival, organized by National Book Store and Komikon. The Alice Reyes Dance Philippines is also planning a dance production inspired by Kenkoy, while the University of Makati is exploring the possibility of an animated adaptation that could introduce the iconic character to a new generation.

Looking ahead, Ian hopes to celebrate Kenkoy’s 100th anniversary in 2029 through a commemorative omnibus edition, expanded educational initiatives, and possible media and merchandising projects that will allow the character to continue reaching audiences beyond traditional print.

Despite the many projects ahead, Ian’s advice to aspiring artists remains simple: understand why you create and stay connected to your purpose.

“They have to love what they do and identify their purpose on why they need to create or pursue their artistic output,” he said. “They need to also look at the positive legacies of their own families and the community or place where they grew up.”

Ian’s journey shows that legacy is not measured only by the achievements of those who came before. It is also defined by how each generation chooses to continue the work, protect the stories, and create something meaningful for the future.

As independent Filipino creators continue to explore new forms of komiks through print, digital platforms, and other creative spaces, Ian Velasquez remains a bridge between the pioneers who built the industry and the young artists who will shape its next chapter.

By preserving the past and creating for the present, he is helping ensure that Philippine komiks remains a living tradition, one that continues to inspire generations of Filipino storytellers.

Editor’s Note: Some stories are not only about personal success. They are about preserving memories, protecting cultural heritage, and ensuring that important stories are passed on to future generations.

In this edition of Tutubi News Magazine’s Saturday Artist Spotlight, we feature Damian “Ian” Velasquez III, a writer, educator, and curator who continues the legacy of two pioneers of Philippine komiks while helping introduce this rich artistic tradition to a new generation.

His journey reminds us that art is not only about creating something new. It is also about understanding where we came from and finding ways to keep our stories alive.