How can I make lola proud? New comic tracks CBC host's journey to become a better Filipino

Artist Lorina Mapaknows a thing or two about exploring cultural identity in a very public way.

In her celebrated 2017graphic memoirDuran Duran, Imelda Marcos and Me, Mapatook readers on her personal journey growing up in the 1980s in the Philippines.

Now, in her limited web comic series, she is taking on another cultural identity quest. But this time, it's not hers.

Recovering Filipino is a three-volume, limited comic series inked by Mapa andbased on the new CBC podcast and radio series of the same name.

The firstsix-panel comic is based on host Jim Agapito'squest to become a better Filipino and make his lola (grandma) proud.

"I felt a connection to what [he]was trying to do in helping Filipinos living abroad understand more about our countryin a humorous and entertaining way," Mapa said.

Mapawas born in the Philippines and moved to North America when she was 16. Agapito was born in Canada to immigrant parents. Despite that difference, Mapafeels a kinship with Agapito, whom she met on a video call earlier this year.

"I probablyhave more in common with Jim in that I am not immersedenough in my own culture."

Mapa's first comic is published below. Her second and third comics, based on the history of women's basketball in the Philippinesand an illustrated guide to Filipino food, will be published by CBC on June 29 and July 6, respectively.

"I hope Filipinos get a sense of the familiar, such as noticing the brands I used in food products. And I hope everyone enjoys the humour and little details, which I had a lot of fun drawing," Mapa said.

She is currently at work on her new graphic memoir 8 Animal Tales.It takes readers back to Mapa's childhood again and it is based on a "menagerie of childhood pets," including frogs, a dog that keeps running awayand a duck named Duke.

Recovering Filipino2:13Recovering Filipino What does that even mean?

Meet Jim Agapito. When his lola (grandma) called him a "bad Filipino," Jim realized she had a point. Now Jim's on a mission to recover his culture one conversation at a time. His mom Yolanda is his unofficial guide and chief lumpia maker.

About the artist

Lorina Mapa was born in Manila in 1970and, when she was 16, moved with her family to Washington, D.C. In 1990, she graduated from the Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey, where she met her husband, artist Daniel Shelton (creator of the comic strip Ben). They have four children and live in Hudson, Que. Her graphic novel memoir Duran Duran, Imelda Marcos and Me was nominated by the American Library Association as agreat graphic novel for teens. Lorina was featured on CBC's2018list of writers to watch and nominated for the Joe Shuster award for best writer.