Carlo J. Caparas
Encyclopedia
Magno "Carlo" Jose Caparas (born December 15, 1958, in Pampanga
), widely known as Carlo J. Caparas, is a Filipino
comic strip
creator/writer-turned director
and producer
, who is best known for creating Filipino superheroes and comic book
characters such as Panday
, Bakekang
, Totoy Bato
, Joaquin Bordado
, Kamagong
, Kamandag
, Elias Paniki
, Angela Markado, and Tasya Fantasya
, Gagambino
, Ang Huling Lalaki ng Baluarte, Pieta
and Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang
and amongst others. He is also known as a director of numerous movies
dealing with massacre such as Kuratong Baleleng
and The Cory Quirino
Kidnap: NBI Files.
Caparas was awarded the 2008 Sagisag Balagtas Award.
named Caparas as one of seven National Artist of the Philippines
proclaimed for that year, under the new category of "Visual Arts and Film."
The title National Artist of the Philippines is given to a Filipino who has been given the highest recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. Such Filipinos are pronounced by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation to be National Artists, having been conferred membership in the Order of National Artists. Aside from the prestige associated with the proclamation, benefits they enjoy from then on include a monthly pension, medical and life insurance, arrangements for a state funeral, a place of honor at national state functions, and recognition at cultural events.
(NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines
(CCP), revealed that Caparas and three other individuals that year had not originally been recommended by the committee for proclamation to the Order of National Artist, and had instead been proclaimed when Macapagal-Arroyo exercised her "presidential prerogative." A number of artists, including a number of previously proclaimed National Artists, protested. Protests specifically raised about the declaration of Caparas, and of NCCA executive director Cecilla Guidote-Alvarez, who as heads the NCAA secretariat that receives nominations for national artists, was supposed in the National Artist guidelines to be disqualified from being considered for the honor.
Complaints regarding Caparas' proclamation centered on the complaints that he did not illustrate the comic books he wrote and was therefore not qualified for the honor under visual arts, and the assertion of protesting artists that his work in the category of Film is supposedly "sub-par", being largely "pito-pito"("seven-seven") films rush-finished in seven days, and "massacre films" whose focus was sensational crimes.
National Artist for literature Bienvenido Lumbera
who is chairman of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines and a member of the combined "final selection committee" of the NCAA and CCP, remarked that Caparas’ nomination was twice rejected by two NCAA panels:
director general Leo Martinez noted that "He was obviously added by Malacañang." Caparas is known as a vocal supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Petitions and blog posts on-line have also proliferated against Carlo Caparas in light of his controversial National Artist Recognition.
Lourd de Veyra
, frontman for the band Radioactive Sago Project also satirized the controversial director, and compared the director's work to fecal matter in a blog post about a sign that said "Bawal Tumae Dito." "The movies of National Artist Carlo J. Caparas are a fine example of Philippine excremental cinema," Lourd remarked
He also said the administration would "stand by the qualifications, qualities, track record and reputation of those named as National Artists." sya ay tuta ng arroyo administration
Caparas said that instead of criticizing his award, entertainment people "should unite and work together to revive the ailing movie and komiks industry." He attributed his win to the fact that he managed to cross over from comic books to film and television, and saying that his triumph was significant because he was a National Artist who came from the working class. He said this even though many other National Artists do not come from the privileged people. "I am a National Artist who came from the masses," the Philippine Daily Inquirer
quoted him as saying. "I work and struggle with them." He said it was time for a National Artist "who the masses can identify with—someone who walks beside them, someone who can inspire them." Noting that some Filipinos did not even know the National Artists he said "Hopefully, since I am still active in TV and in the movies, this will encourage our countrymen to learn more about our National Artists."
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
), widely known as Carlo J. Caparas, is a Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
creator/writer-turned director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, who is best known for creating Filipino superheroes and comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
characters such as Panday
Panday
Panday or Ang Panday may refer to:* Panday , a Philippine comics character created by Carlo J. Caparas* Panday , a Filipino comics character...
, Bakekang
Bakekang
Bakekang was a Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from September 11, 2006, and ended on March 30, 2007. It aired internationally with a three-week delay on GMA Pinoy TV, which made Bakekang a success to viewers abroad....
, Totoy Bato
Totoy Bato
Totoy Bato is a boxing-themed Philippine drama from GMA Network, based on the graphic novel created by Carlo J. Caparas, that depicts the remarkable story of an ordinary person named Totoy Magtanggol, played by Robin Padilla, becoming a skillful boxer and conquering injustice with bravery and...
, Joaquin Bordado
Joaquin Bordado
It is an adaptation of a famous graphic novel by Carlo J. Caparas. It stars Robin Padilla in the title role. The series ended on July 11, 2008.-Origin:...
, Kamagong
Kamagong
Kamagong or "Mabolo" is a fruit tree found only in the Philippines, the wood of which is extremely dense and hard, and famous for its dark color. It belongs to the ebony family , and like many other very hard woods is sometimes called "iron wood" so called because its wood is iron-like and nearly...
, Kamandag
Kamandag
Kamandag, also known as Venom in English, is a fantasy Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from November 19, 2007 to April 25, 2008. Based from the graphic novel of Carlo J. Caparas, it starred Richard Gutierrez.-Origin:...
, Elias Paniki
Elias Paniki
Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla presents Elias Paniki, more popularly known as simply Elias Paniki is the fourth installment of the Philippine weekly mini-series Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla aired by ABS-CBN that started on May 29, 2010...
, Angela Markado, and Tasya Fantasya
Tasya Fantasya
Tasya Fantasya is an fantasy-romance Philippine drama produced by GMA Network starring Yasmien Kurdi . Yasmien reprises Kris Aquino's role in 1994 "Tasya Fantasya" film...
, Gagambino
Gagambino
Carlo J. Capara's Gagambino is an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas' celebrated graphic novel use to air in on GMA Network, produced by its film-arm GMA Films. It premiered on October 20 starring Dennis Trillo leading a band of superheroes, and his six-feet tall spider. It is the third crime/horror...
, Ang Huling Lalaki ng Baluarte, Pieta
Pieta (TV series)
Pieta is a television daytime drama series that aired on ABS-CBN from October 27, 2008 to May 1, 2009.- Synopsis :It tells the story of Amanda and her son Rigor...
and Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang
Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang
Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang or Dangerous Love is an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas' celebrated graphic novel, which in turn produced a film version in the 1980s starring Vivian Velez and Eddie Rodriguez. In the TV version, Joyce E. Bernal, with Topel Lee, directs Dingdong Dantes and...
and amongst others. He is also known as a director of numerous movies
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
dealing with massacre such as Kuratong Baleleng
Kuratong baleleng
Kuratong Baleleng is an organized crime syndicate in the Philippines that once was an anti-communist vigilante group. They received nationwide attention due to their alleged end in a shootout with the Police on May 1995 in Quezon City.-History:...
and The Cory Quirino
Cory Quirino
Socorro Alicia "Cory" Quirino Rastrollo, born August 11, 1953, is a Filipina author, and television and radio host. Additionally, she is the exclusive licensee and national director of Miss World Philippines, a national pageant that searches for Philippines' representative to the Miss World...
Kidnap: NBI Files.
Caparas was awarded the 2008 Sagisag Balagtas Award.
Proclamation as National Artist of the Philippines and controversy
National Artist of the Philippines
In July 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
named Caparas as one of seven National Artist of the Philippines
National Artist of the Philippines
A National Artist of the Philippines is a title given to a Filipino who has been given the highest recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts...
proclaimed for that year, under the new category of "Visual Arts and Film."
The title National Artist of the Philippines is given to a Filipino who has been given the highest recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. Such Filipinos are pronounced by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation to be National Artists, having been conferred membership in the Order of National Artists. Aside from the prestige associated with the proclamation, benefits they enjoy from then on include a monthly pension, medical and life insurance, arrangements for a state funeral, a place of honor at national state functions, and recognition at cultural events.
Controversy
This led to controversy, however, when the nominating committee for the award, composed of representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the ArtsNational Commission for Culture and the Arts (Philippines)
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines is the official arts council for the Philippines.-History:In 1987, then President Corazon C. Aquino penned Executive Order No. 118 creating the Presidential Commission on Culture and Arts...
(NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
(CCP), revealed that Caparas and three other individuals that year had not originally been recommended by the committee for proclamation to the Order of National Artist, and had instead been proclaimed when Macapagal-Arroyo exercised her "presidential prerogative." A number of artists, including a number of previously proclaimed National Artists, protested. Protests specifically raised about the declaration of Caparas, and of NCCA executive director Cecilla Guidote-Alvarez, who as heads the NCAA secretariat that receives nominations for national artists, was supposed in the National Artist guidelines to be disqualified from being considered for the honor.
Complaints regarding Caparas' proclamation centered on the complaints that he did not illustrate the comic books he wrote and was therefore not qualified for the honor under visual arts, and the assertion of protesting artists that his work in the category of Film is supposedly "sub-par", being largely "pito-pito"("seven-seven") films rush-finished in seven days, and "massacre films" whose focus was sensational crimes.
National Artist for literature Bienvenido Lumbera
Bienvenido Lumbera
Bienvenido Lumbera is a prizewinning poet, critic and dramatist from the Philippines.He is a National Artist of the Philippines and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communications...
who is chairman of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines and a member of the combined "final selection committee" of the NCAA and CCP, remarked that Caparas’ nomination was twice rejected by two NCAA panels:
"Film Academy of the Philippines[Caparas] was first proposed as a nominee for literature, but the committee rejected him. He was again proposed as nominee for visual artist but the panel again turned him down."
Film Academy of the Philippines
Established in 1981, the Film Academy of the Philippines is the Philippines' official counterpart of the United States' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The FAP was founded through Executive Order 640-A, signed by former President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos...
director general Leo Martinez noted that "He was obviously added by Malacañang." Caparas is known as a vocal supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Petitions and blog posts on-line have also proliferated against Carlo Caparas in light of his controversial National Artist Recognition.
Lourd de Veyra
Lourd de Veyra
Lourd Ernest Hanopol de Veyra is a multi-awarded Filipino musician, emcee, poet, journalist, broadcast personality and activist who first became famous for being the vocalist of Manila-based jazz rock band Radioactive Sago Project....
, frontman for the band Radioactive Sago Project also satirized the controversial director, and compared the director's work to fecal matter in a blog post about a sign that said "Bawal Tumae Dito." "The movies of National Artist Carlo J. Caparas are a fine example of Philippine excremental cinema," Lourd remarked
By the Arroyo Administration
The Arroyo administration was quick to defend its choices of individuals to be named to the Order of National Artists. Acting Executive Secretary and Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio told reporters that:"I think we can defend [their] track record and qualifications and reasons [for their selection] ."
He also said the administration would "stand by the qualifications, qualities, track record and reputation of those named as National Artists." sya ay tuta ng arroyo administration
By Caparas
Caparas defended his proclamation, saying that other aspirants to the honor ought to wait their turn."Kaya lang, ganyan talaga kung may something for grabs. E, iisa lang ang pipiliin. Sana, maghintay na lang sila ng tamang panahon sa gusto nilang manalo. Hindi naman ito palakasan."(That's the way it is whenever something is for grabs. Only one person can be selected. They ought to wait for the right time for them if they want to win. This is not a case of sucking up, but this is a case of how well connected you are.)
Kaya wag mag-alala ang mga critics ko, may pagkakataon pa sila at ang mga manok nila na manalo in the future. (So my critics shouldn't worry, they or their fighting cocks still have opportunities to win in the future.) They cannot take the award from me anymore."
"Baka ang nasa isip nila ay bata pa ako. Pero hindi naman ‘yon ang basehan. Sino naman ang ko-contest sa decision ng Cultural Center, ng NCCA at ng Malacañang tungkol sa award na ito? Mabuti na nga at ngayon pa lang ay ibinibigay na ang ganitong award sa mga taong nandito. Ang akala kasi nila ay sa matatanda o sa beterano o sa mga patay na ibinibigay ang ganitong award. Pati sa mga sipsip ibinibigay rin." (Maybe they think I'm too young. But that's not a valid basis[for a choice] . Who would contest the decision of the Cultural Center, the NCCA, and Malacañang regarding this award? It's a good thing they're giving this award to someone who's still here. They think awards like this should only be given to the old, to veterans, or to the dead.)
Caparas said that instead of criticizing his award, entertainment people "should unite and work together to revive the ailing movie and komiks industry." He attributed his win to the fact that he managed to cross over from comic books to film and television, and saying that his triumph was significant because he was a National Artist who came from the working class. He said this even though many other National Artists do not come from the privileged people. "I am a National Artist who came from the masses," the Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Philippine Daily Inquirer, popularly known as the Inquirer, is the most widely read broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines, with a daily circulation of 260,000 copies. It is one of the Philippines' newspapers of record...
quoted him as saying. "I work and struggle with them." He said it was time for a National Artist "who the masses can identify with—someone who walks beside them, someone who can inspire them." Noting that some Filipinos did not even know the National Artists he said "Hopefully, since I am still active in TV and in the movies, this will encourage our countrymen to learn more about our National Artists."
Scriptwriter
| Year | Title of Work |
| 2010 | Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla is a series based on the movies of Ramon Revilla Sr. of the 90's and 00's, which features the Filipino cultural belief in the powers of an agimat or amulet... presents Carlo J. Caparas' Elias Paniki Elias Paniki Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla presents Elias Paniki, more popularly known as simply Elias Paniki is the fourth installment of the Philippine weekly mini-series Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla aired by ABS-CBN that started on May 29, 2010... (TV Series) |
| 2009 | Ang Panday Ang Panday (2009 film) Ang Panday is a 2009 Filipino fantasy film that adapts Carlo J. Caparas' Panday comics. Directed by Rico Gutierrez and Mac Alejandre, the film adaptation stars Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. as the title character... (film) |
| 2009 | Totoy Bato Totoy Bato Totoy Bato is a boxing-themed Philippine drama from GMA Network, based on the graphic novel created by Carlo J. Caparas, that depicts the remarkable story of an ordinary person named Totoy Magtanggol, played by Robin Padilla, becoming a skillful boxer and conquering injustice with bravery and... (TV series) - GMA 7 |
| 2009 | Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang or Dangerous Love is an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas' celebrated graphic novel, which in turn produced a film version in the 1980s starring Vivian Velez and Eddie Rodriguez. In the TV version, Joyce E. Bernal, with Topel Lee, directs Dingdong Dantes and... - GMA 7 |
| 2008 | Gagambino Gagambino Carlo J. Capara's Gagambino is an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas' celebrated graphic novel use to air in on GMA Network, produced by its film-arm GMA Films. It premiered on October 20 starring Dennis Trillo leading a band of superheroes, and his six-feet tall spider. It is the third crime/horror... - GMA 7 |
| 2008 | Carlo J. Caparas' Tasya Fantasya |
| 2008 | Carlo J. Caparas' Joaquin Bordado |
| 2007 | Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag |
| 2006 | Bakekang Bakekang Bakekang was a Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from September 11, 2006, and ended on March 30, 2007. It aired internationally with a three-week delay on GMA Pinoy TV, which made Bakekang a success to viewers abroad.... (TV series) - GMA 7 |
| 2005 | Panday Ang Panday (TV series) Ang Panday or simply Panday is a fantaserye television series that was aired in the Philippines by ABS-CBN. The pilot episode of the first book aired on November 7, 2005 and ended with its last episode on December 9, 2005... (TV series) - ABS-CBN |
| 2003 | The Cory Quirino Kidnap: NBI Files |
| 1998 | Hiwaga ng Panday |
| 1995 | Kuratong Baleleng (Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng Solid Group) |
| 1995 | The Lilian Velez Story |
| 1995 | The Marita Gonzaga Rape-Slay: In God We Trust |
| 1994 | The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre 2 - God Have Mercy on Us |
| 1993 | Dugo ng Panday (The Blacksmith's Legacy) |
| 1990 | Ayaw Matulog ng Gabi |
| 1989 | Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki |
| 1981 | unknown |
| 1988 | Sandakot na Bala |
| 1988 | Joaquin Bordado |
| 1988 | Celestina Sanchez A.K.A. Bubble |
| 1987 | Anak ng Lupa |
| 1986 | Panday TV series (1986) |
| 1986 | Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa! |
| 1986 | Kamagong |
| 1984 | God Saves Me |
| 1984 | Somewhere |
| 1984 | Pieta, Ikalawang Aklat |
| 1984 | Ang Panday IV |
| 1984 | Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan |
| 1983 | Utol |
| 1983 | Pieta Pieta (TV series) Pieta is a television daytime drama series that aired on ABS-CBN from October 27, 2008 to May 1, 2009.- Synopsis :It tells the story of Amanda and her son Rigor... |
| 1982 | Ang Panday... Ikaltlong Yugto |
| 1982 | Alyas Palos II |
| 1981 | Ang Pagbabalik ng Panday |
| 1981 | Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang or Dangerous Love is an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas' celebrated graphic novel, which in turn produced a film version in the 1980s starring Vivian Velez and Eddie Rodriguez. In the TV version, Joyce E. Bernal, with Topel Lee, directs Dingdong Dantes and... |
| 1981 | Indio |
| 1981 | Ang Maestro |
| 1980 | Ang Panday |
| 1980 | Angela Markado |
| 1980 | Andres de Saya |
| 1980 | Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala |
| 1979 | Durugin si Totoy Bato |
| 1979 | Mong |
| 1978 | Ang Huling Lalaki ng Baluarte |
| 1978 | Bakekang Bakekang Bakekang was a Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from September 11, 2006, and ended on March 30, 2007. It aired internationally with a three-week delay on GMA Pinoy TV, which made Bakekang a success to viewers abroad.... |
| 1977 | Totoy Bato Totoy Bato Totoy Bato is a boxing-themed Philippine drama from GMA Network, based on the graphic novel created by Carlo J. Caparas, that depicts the remarkable story of an ordinary person named Totoy Magtanggol, played by Robin Padilla, becoming a skillful boxer and conquering injustice with bravery and... |