First issue of Pilipino Komiks

The first issue of what turned out to be the most popular reading material of the masses, Pilipino Komiks, came out on June 14, 1947. On its cover are two characters of Tony Velasquez’s Nanong Pandak, Talakitok taking a photo of Panchita, sitting atop a carabao, wearing sarong and salakot.

Aside from Nanong Pandak, the other illustrated stories in the first issue of Pilipino Komiks included DI 13, Kalabog en Bosyo, Lagim, Miss Chong Go, Prinsesa Urduha, Kolokoy and Makisig.

Kalabog en Bosyo was made into a movie, starring Dolphy and Panchito. And so was DI 13 with Jose Romulo in the title role.

Velasquez organized Ace Publications in 1947 which initially came out with Pilipino Komiks for media magnate Don Ramon Roces. Ace later published Tagalog Klasiks, Hiwaga Komiks and Espesyal Komiks, which also earned a large following.

Pilipino Komiks carried the novels of the country’s top writers, among them Mars Ravelo, creator of Darna and Dyesebel.

Velasquez’s most famous character was Kenkoy, adapted for the big screen with Lopito in the lead role and Virginia Montes as his wife Rosing. For his pioneering work in komiks as writer and illustrator, Velasquez received numerous awards, including Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 1993.

Sadly, komiks which entertained millions in decades past is no longer around — and unlikely to make a comeback. Modern technology has replaced komiks.

By the way, during this columnist’s growing-up years in the ’50s, I read komiks and Liwayway and Bulaklak, too, which I shared with cousins and household help, drivers and gardeners. Some of those komiks were delivered at home and others I bought along Avenida Rizal sidewalks as the family-owned Dolor Pharmacy was located nearby. My parents (Leon and Soledad Dolor) didn’t mind, although they were no komiks readers. They read Manila Times, Manila Chronicle, Evening News and Daily Mirror.

This columnist’s collection included the first 10 years of Pilipino Komiks, which carried the complete illustrated novelas of Darna and Dyesebel. — RKC