856 G Gallery celebrated its fourth Cebu Zine Fest last Aug. 2 to 3. Zine Fest started back in 2016 and gathered 50 zine makers from different parts of the world. Because of the success of the first one, the gallery decided to make it an annual program.

According to the gallery’s website, a zine is “a small handmade booklet” that deals “with topics that deviate from mainstream media and are not created primarily for profit, but for speaking out to the community. Topics include political ideologies, fiction, music-related writing, jokes, satire and personal musings.”

This year’s participants were Subhelic, Bradley Tenchavez, Elna Rizada, Faye B, Bastinuod, Leah May Lim-Atienza, Hannah Lee and Brian Loquias, Christian Renz Torres (Duma Alt Press), Trishia Anne Bañes, Mish Abalos, Lace, Bohol Pop, Jodie Ferrer, Hex Aunzo, Martha Quero, Veronika Hipolito, Alexandra Bondoc, Trés Delicuentes Cebu, Kanu and Treshan, Alcy Salazar, Jamie Jamandre, Hendrix Gil Lato, Carlo Rodriguez, Chris Socong, Lean Reboja and, Kanu and Treshan.

Being part of the program is an open process. Everyone is welcome to join but on a “first come, first served” basis as it has limited slots available.

During the event, visitors were able to enjoy different kinds of activities such as workshops, panel discussions, live performances as well as a display of artworks by various artists.

Brought to Cebu by the Tropical Futures Institute, Cebu Zine Fest is a program that aims to gather talents in the creative industry like artists, musicians and independent publishers, to name a few. It also gives its audience, most especially the locals, a chance to get to know featured artists both from the city and outside, and their works that are anything but the usual, and speak to the community.

856 G Gallery is located on 856 A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City, Cebu.