In Memory of the Illustrator Bladimer Usi+

When I went to the Makati Museum to attend the Tribute to Larry Alcala, the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas (SKP) was tasked to conduct a workshop. When I entered the venue, I was very surprised to see Blad since he seldom attends these kinds of events with the SKP. Later on, I realized that this was a meaningful event to him. Larry Alcala was our idol. He approached me with his usual meekly smile, lively greeting of “Ser” with an accompanying fist bump which I acknowledged. “O Blad, kumusta na? Tagal mo na ring hindi nagpakita a!” “Oo nga Ser kasi laging masama katawan ko, saka medyo bisi rin sa ginagawa kong kartun sa Manila Times.” “Ayun kaya pala hindi ka na rin nagsusubmit sa akin ng kartun mo.” Blad was once a comic strip contributor to the Manila Bulletin comic page, and the title of his comic strip was Kalye Usisero.

I am deeply saddened that that brief encounter with Blad was our last. He is a friend of so many years. A responsible family man—simple, unassuming, hardworking. His dedication to the profession was something to be reckoned with.

Paalam, kaibigan. You will live on through your beautiful works and inspire the youth. These are the creations of one of the great cartoonists from Batangas: Bladimer Usi.

Bladimer is a good friend and colleague in the pinoy komiks scene. He was very humble and down to earth. A guy with immense talent. The Philippine komik scene has lost a talent who was able to capture Filipino daily scenes in a search-and-find format that echoes the old school Larry Alcala landscapes. I bet he is in a better place of restful peace, looking down at the world and seeing us as his merry cartoons going about our daily lives.