Carlo J. Caparas

Carlo Magno Jose Caparas (March 12, 1943 – May 24, 2024) was a Filipino comic strip creator, writer, film director, and producer. He was best known for creating several Filipino superheroes and comic book characters, including Panday, Bakekang, Totoy Bato, Joaquin Bordado, Kamagong, Kamandag, Elias Paniki, Tasya Fantasya, and Gagambino, among others. He also gained recognition as the writer-director of numerous sensationalist "massacre" films, such as The Myrna Diones Story, The Maggie dela Riva Story, and Lipa 'Arandia' Massacre.

Caparas was one of nine children born to a laundrywoman and an unemployed father. To support his family and fund his secondary education, he took on various jobs, including working as a water carrier, boatman, construction labourer, and factory worker. However, he eventually dropped out of school. He was also known for his avid interest in reading.^[2]

At the age of 19, Caparas became a security guard at Carmelo and Bauermann Publishing, a local publishing company based in Makati, where he worked the night shift from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.^[2][3] During his shifts, he continued his habit of reading, which he later described as spanning "[a thousand] nights."^[2] He was once injured by a stray bullet during a company strike, which forced him to take a temporary leave of absence.^[2]

During his youth, Caparas developed a passion for the arts. He reportedly used to draw comic strips as a form of expression, particularly to vent his anger towards those he perceived as his oppressors.^[3]

Caparas' recovery from his gunshot injury provided him with more time to read, which eventually led to the discovery of his storytelling abilities. His first comic story, Citadel, was serialized in Superstar magazine.^[2]

At the age of 22, a passerby noticed in his notebook a completed romance comic novella titled Ako'y Nagmamahal Sa'yo, I Am Your Beloved. This became his first published work.^[3]

Caparas became known for his significant contributions to Philippine popular culture, particularly during the golden age of komiks from the 1960s to the 1980s.^[2] He wrote over 800 novels and short stories for komiks,^[4][5] some of which were later adapted into film and television productions.^[5] This earned him the moniker "King of Pinoy Komiks."^[6] In 1987, he decided to leave the komiks industry to focus on his family,^[2] noting that scriptwriting proved to be more financially rewarding than the slower process of illustration.^[3]

In 2007, as part of efforts to revitalise the komiks industry, Caparas led a group of writers and illustrators whose works were later published in newly launched titles.^[6] He also proposed activities in coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).^[7][6] These initiatives culminated in the unveiling of five new komiks titles during a ceremony held at the NCCA Building in Intramuros, Manila, led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.^[5] Later that year, Caparas began writing a so-called diario novela—the first of its kind in the country—for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, titled To Have and to Hold.^[4]

Caparas began his career in the film industry in the 1980s^[3] as a director.^[8] Together with his wife, film producer Donna Villa,^[8] he co-managed Golden Lion Films International. Villa often assisted in crafting the long, sensational titles of their films.^[3] Many of these works were based on true stories involving crimes and outlaws, such as the 1995 film Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng Solid Group. A number of his films, popularly known as "massacre films"—which included dramatizations of the Vizconde massacre case and the stories of Lilian Velez and Myrna Diones^[8]—were completed in as little as seven days in order to quickly reach audiences. This practice became known as the pito-pito (seven-seven) style and drew criticism from fellow filmmakers. Despite the controversy, some of his films became entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival, achieving box office success and earning award nominations.^[3]

In early January 1989, Caparas began producing a film about the Camp Cawa-Cawa siege while the event was still unfolding.^[9] He completed the project within two months and released it on March 8 under the title Arrest: Pat. Rizal Alih – Zamboanga Massacre.^[10]

In February 2001, Caparas announced plans to produce a film based on the events of EDSA II.^[11] This ultimately resulted in the 2003 biographical film Chavit, which focused on politician Chavit Singson. In May 2003, Caparas also offered to produce a biopic about then-Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.^[12] However, on 31 July 2003, Fernando publicly declined the offer, citing election laws prohibiting premature campaigning ahead of the 2004 Philippine presidential election.^[13]

Over the course of his career, Caparas wrote more than one hundred screenplays, many of which he also directed.^[4]

In December 1988, a civil case was filed against Caparas and his wife, Donna Villa, by actress Amy Austria, who played the lead role in the biographical film Celestina Sanchez: Bubbles (Enforcer: Ativan Gang), directed by Caparas and produced by Villa. The film, produced under Golden Lion Films, was initially intended to be completed in nearly two weeks. However, due to production delays, it was screened for that year's Metro Manila Film Festival a week later than originally scheduled.

Austria filed the complaint after Caparas hired professional dubbers to record her voice in certain scenes without her consent. Production continued despite her objections. In 1990, the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 60 dismissed the complaint. The Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal in 1995.^[14]

Caparas and his wife, Donna Villa, had two children: a son, CJ, and a daughter, Peach. Villa passed away from cancer in 2017 at the age of 62.^[8]

In 2018, Caparas continued his filmmaking career in collaboration with his daughter, Ysabelle Peach, who was regarded as his sole protégé by blood.^[15]

He produced his last film in 2019. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film has yet to be released.^[16]

Caparas died on May 24, 2024, at the age of 80.^[17]

In 2019, Black Ops Studio was slated to carry out the Viva x Caparas collaboration, which aimed to adapt all of the late writer's major superhero creations. However, the project was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Caparas' death, his protégé and daughter, Ysabelle Peach, is expected to oversee the future of the Caparas titles that were acquired by Viva Entertainment in 2011.^[18]

In 2008, the Philippine Postal Corporation (formerly Bureau of Posts) issued two commemorative stamps featuring Caparas, one of which included his comic book character Gagambino. He was also the first Filipino comic book artist to have a street named after him, located in Pasig City.^[19]

In July 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proclaimed Carlo J. Caparas as one of seven recipients of the Order of National Artist of the Philippines, under a newly introduced category of "Visual Arts and Film".^[20]

The title National Artist of the Philippines is the highest state recognition given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. The title is conferred through a presidential proclamation, based on recommendations by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Recipients are entitled to several privileges, including a monthly pension, medical and life insurance, a state funeral, a place of honour at national events, and formal recognition in cultural programmes.^[21]

However, controversy arose when the NCCA and CCP disclosed that Caparas, along with three other individuals, had not been included in the final shortlist recommended by the joint selection committee. Instead, they were added by President Arroyo through what was described as an exercise of "presidential prerogative".^[21][22] The move prompted strong opposition from the arts community, including several previously conferred National Artists.^[23][24]

Critics raised concerns over Caparas’ eligibility, particularly under the category of Visual Arts, as he was a writer but not the illustrator of his comic books.^[22][25] Others questioned the merit of his inclusion in the Film category, citing that much of his work consisted of low-budget exploitation or so-called massacre films, which were often produced in a rushed pito-pito (seven-day) style and focused on sensational crimes.^{[22][23][26][27]}

National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, who was then the chairperson of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines and a member of the joint NCCA-CCP final selection committee, stated that Caparas' nomination had been rejected twice—first under Literature and later under Visual Arts.^[21] Film Academy of the Philippines Director General Leo Martinez remarked that Caparas "was obviously added by Malacañang."^[21][28] Caparas was also known as a vocal supporter of President Arroyo at the time.^[26]

Following the announcement, protests were held, and numerous petitions and blog posts circulated opposing Caparas' proclamation as a National Artist.^[29] Musician and writer Lourd de Veyra, frontman of the band Radioactive Sago Project, satirised the announcement and criticised Caparas in a blog post, likening his work to feces in reference to a sign reading "Bawal Tumae Dito".^[30]

The Arroyo administration defended its choices, stating that it would "stand by the qualifications, qualities, track record, and reputation of those named as National Artists".^[26] Caparas also defended his proclamation, asserting that other aspirants should "wait for their turn".^[31] He encouraged unity within the entertainment industry and called for collective efforts to revitalise the struggling movie and komiks sectors. He attributed his selection to his ability to bridge comics, film, and television, and highlighted his working-class background as a key part of his story.^[22]

On July 16, 2013, the Supreme Court of the Philippines nullified the proclamations of Caparas and three others,^[32] ruling that the "preferential treatment" extended by President Arroyo violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution. The Court found a "manifest disregard" for the official guidelines and procedures of the NCCA and CCP, as the President considered names not formally recommended by either institution.^[33] The ruling stated:

While the Court invalidates today the proclamation of respondents Guidote-Alvarez, Caparas, Mañosa, and Moreno as National Artists, such action should not be taken as a pronouncement on whether they are worthy to be conferred that honour. Only the President, upon the advice of the NCCA and the CCP Boards, may determine that. The Court simply declares that, as the former President committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing Proclamation Nos. 1826 to 1829 dated July 6, 2009, the said proclamations are invalid. However, nothing in this Decision should be read as a disqualification on the part of respondents Guidote-Alvarez, Caparas, Mañosa and Moreno to be considered for the honour of National Artist in the future, subject to compliance with the laws, rules and regulations governing said award.

• Ang Panday (1986) - RPN
• Pangarap Kong Jackpot (1995-1998, 2010) - PTV/NBN^[34]
• Panday (2005) - ABS-CBN
• Bakekang (2006) - GMA Network
• Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag (2007–08) - GMA Network
• Carlo J. Caparas' Joaquin Bordado (2008) - GMA Network
• Carlo J. Caparas' Tasya Fantasya (2008) - GMA Network
• Gagambino (2008) - GMA Network
• Pieta (2008–09) - ABS-CBN
• Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang (2009) - GMA Network
• Totoy Bato (2009) - GMA Network
• Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Presents Carlo J. Caparas' Elias Paniki (2010) - ABS-CBN
• Dugong Buhay (2013) - ABS-CBN
• Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa (2024–25) - TV5
• Totoy Bato (2025) - TV5^[35]

In February 2007, during the celebration of National Arts Month,^[5] Caparas, along with four posthumously recognised "legends of Philippine komiks," was among seven individuals awarded the Presidential Medals of Merit by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony held at Malacañang Palace.^[36]

In 2008, he received the Sagisag Balagtas Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to Philippine literature in various languages.^[37]

• Carlo J. Caparas at IMDb