We featured Kanto, the indie zine published by a group of journalists, in September last year, and while we’re a bit disappointed that the publication hasn’t moved online yet, we’re happy to say its newest issue, “Tag-ulan,” is now available.

“The third issue is tighter and more research-based,” says Paolo Mariano. “We tried to uncover stories about our culture, which readers might not have known. We also allotted more time for the editing of the articles as compared to our previous issues so as to produce a more polished and solid output.”

More mature than the first two issues, Kanto’s “Tag-ulan” leans toward nostalgia. Mariano evokes memories of warm champorado and hot mami in the rainy season in his article “Sumupsop at Humigop.” Don Gil Carreon uncovers the Pinoy’s romance with Cubao theaters, now sadly crumbling to dust. Jose Bimbo Santos’ “Noong Isang Araw” is a monologue (but also a commentary) on the killing of journalists in recent years.

Mariano says the third issue marks the “bittersweet transition from print to online.” The group hopes to launch its online version before the latter half of 2008.

“Tag-ulan” is available at the F*ART Gallery in Kamuning, Bukswagen Experiment at Circle C in West Avenue, Bound Bookstore in Scout Castor St., Quezon City, and Rags at Cartimar in Recto.

Related stories:
Pinoy Pop Culture in Photocopied Paper
Sumupsop at Humigop