After the huge success of the first wave of SOLO Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia Collections where they featured the Larry Alcala’s Slice of Life, they are now releasing designs of the famous Kenkoy created by Antonio “Tony” Velasquez. Tagged as the Father of Philippine Cartoons, Tony Velasquez gives life to the character of Kenkoy in 1929. He is known with his wittiness and being debonair inclined to westernized fashion that includes decked in suspenders, charol shoes, double breasted suit, baggy pants, a sailor hat, and a slicked back hairstyle. Kenkoy gives life and fun to the avid readers of Liwayway Magazine from 1929 where he was supported by Romualdo Ramos who does the scripts for Tony. And later in 1932, Velasquez was left alone with the adventures of Kenkoy after Ramos passed away. From the usual six panels or half page, Kenkoy occupied the whole page of Liwayway with 12 panels in 1935. The adventures of Kenkoy lives on in the lives of every Filipino until Tony passed away in the age of 86 in 1997. But his legacy as a cartoonist lives on where Kenkoy once became a model of a Philippine pop icon named Francisco Harabas and it was also adapted as a movies in 1950s-60s and later as a musical act in early 90s.
But with SOLO Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia Collections, they will immortalize the different adventure of Kenkoy in various apparels and accessories and let others rediscover the character that once became the icon of comedy and wit before those who are they idolizing right now. Here are the sample clothing and accessories available in SOLO boutique nationwide.
Aside from the launching of the newest collection, SOLO is also launching the Online Model Search 2011 that will carry this year’s Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia which is Kenkoy. SOLO will be awarding one female and one male model that will follow the footsteps of Jaggy Tallada and Jhonna Flor of 2010, and Mehran Khaledi and Phoebe Rutaquio who just recently won on the competition. To join the contest they should purchase Kenkoy apparel from SOLO and submit their creative photo entries embedded with graphic elements available for download via the website. Photos will be uploaded on the Solo website but all contestants must register first at the http://www.solo.com.ph/modelsearch2011. The contest will run from September 1 – November 30, 2011.
For more updates visit SOLO website (www.solo.com.ph), Facebook Page and Twitter for more updates, promos and more designs of the Kenkoy collection. So wear that Filipino pride and support SOLO’s Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia – help promote the legacy of the great Filipino cartoonist wherever you will go!
