When you search “Mac Andre Arboleda” on the internet you will see the following: 1) his zine, “The Face of a Marcos Apologist,” which critiqued a botched attempt at historical revisionism; 2) his work for events like Zine Orgy and Munzinelupa; or 3) his numerous other art projects, namely “Fictional Instagram Feeds” and his short films on YouTube. He is well-versed in using parody and internet language, turning them on their head to prove a point.
How would you introduce yourself to someone?
Mas kilala ako as Asshulz so like ’yung web comics ko before. Sa artist bio: “Mac Andre Arboleda, also known as Asshulz on the internet.” Zinester? ’Yun ’yung most powerful term na puwede ko i-ascribe sa sarili ko. Puwede ring “artist,” but mostly still “student.” I don’t do things professionally. Also an organizer of Zine Orgy and other events.
What are your thoughts on creative communities?
I can definitely say that whenever I go to different art expos or zine expos in Manila, parang iba talaga ’yung feeling. For example, Vinyl on Vinyl, ’yung venue mismo is a gallery. ’Yung mga artists talaga doon, ganun rin yung training. They’re formal. Mas premium ’yung mga nilalabas nila. Sa Los Baños, we do our best na cheaply made.
Alam namin ’yung audience namin. Estudyante siya. Hindi kami gumagastos ng 100 pesos or more for a zine. Nakikita namin na sa other venues mas mahal. Mas kaunti ’yung kopya.
So since sa Los Baños wala kami masyadong writing courses or creative writing o fine arts ang courses makikita na different ’yung content. And siguro mas amateur ’yung sa Los Baños.
Do you want to change the rules?
I don’t make the rules. It’s a community, so we decide together. And I don’t claim to represent the Los Baños community. I just really want to include everyone in the conversation. Not just sa process ng art-making but also sa criticism and organizing.
What do you think you’ll do five to 10 years from now?
Gusto ko siguro mag-pursue ng graduate studies in internet studies.
Interview by Lex Celera
Photography by Czar Kristoff
Styling by Vince Crisostomo
Hair and makeup by Zidjian Floro and Raffy So
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This story was originally published in our 4th Anniversary issue and has been edited for web. The digital copy of Scout’s 32nd issue is accessible here.