Sskait Comics creator releases book inspired by 'pagpag' culture and other Filipino beliefs

Allan Jeffrey Bacar, the comic artist behind the viral comic strip Sskait has released his fourth book inspired by Filipino superstitious beliefs. 

“Sskaitcomics 4: Multoserye Na May Hahaha at Huhuhu” is a 200-pager that revolves around Evelyn, a convenience store worker with an active “third eye.” She sees and hears conversations between spirits dwelling at the store after wake-goers practice the Filipino belief of pagpag. 

In a press release, Bacar, an engineer, said his latest book started as a webcomic skit inspired by Filipino culture and superstitions. 

“This has been an ongoing series online since 2022, gaining millions of views in readership. It was inspired by the pagpag culture in the Philippines, where after going to wakes, people would usually go to convenience stores to ‘shake off’ the ghosts that are believed to be following them, or in Filipino, pagpag. It started as a funny online comic post until it became a full series,” Bacar explained.

Aside from superstitious beliefs, the book also delves on other Filipino qualities such as friendship and family values, among others, making it "so relatable for the readers," Bacar said.

“Sskaitcomics 4" is not yet available in bookstores, but readers can purchase it through online shopping platforms such as the Creators Lagoon store on Shopee for P500.

The latest book is a followup to Bacar’s “Sskait Comics 3: Multoserye” which is a finalist for the 42nd National Book Awards for Best Graphic Novel and Comics in Filipino.

His other works include “Sskait Comics 1: Man v.s. IPIS,” which won the Humor category of the 2022 Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards and “Sskait Comics 1: Dad, Daddy, Baby.” 

— Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News