Komiks King Carlo J poised for much- awaited comeback

Just when everybody thought that Komiks King Carlo J. Caparas has called it quits…

Sans fanfare, almost on the sly, Carlo J. has actually finished shooting two films, Miracles Are Forever and Kamandag Ng Droga, the former in partnership with El Shaddai servant-leader Bro. Mike Velarde and the latter a nod at Pres. DU30’s relentless drive against illegal drugs. Both films are produced by Carlo J and wife Donna Villa.

Even before it hits commercial circuit, Miracles Are Forever has been attracting large crowds during its screenings here and abroad, drawing mostly El Shaddai devotees. A trilogy, the movie has a ready market because it is based on the best-selling El Shaddai book that chronicles true stories about “miracles.”

“The movie’s cast deserves awards,” Carlo J is certain. “The stars’ performances are heart-wrenching.”

In the first episode, A Mother’s Misery, Assunta de Rossi plays a battered wife of Ryan Eigenmann (as a drunkard, gambler and womanizer) who, in desperation, is supposed to kill her young children (one is played by Alonzo Muhlach) but stops when she sees Bro. Mike on TV giving encouraging words.

In To Love and To Live, the wedding of Yassi Pressman and Mark Neumann is put on hold when Mark is diagnosed with cancer, and recovers when his mother (played by Lorna Tolentino) wipes him with the signature El Shaddai handkerchief believed to possess healing power.

The Mamasapano SAF44, the third and longest episode, is hands down the most disturbing and heart-breaking since it recalls the tragedy that hogged headlines more than two years ago, a case unresolved up to now. Richard Gutierrez plays an El Shaddai member who survived the carnage, with an all-star cast that includes John Arcilla, Sid Lucero and four sons of actors (Rap Fernandez, of Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino; Elvis Gutierrez of Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama; Gabriel de Leon of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong; and CJ Caparas of Carlo J and Donna Villa).

This time, Carlo J veers away from the komiks stuff and dramatizes stories straight out of true life.

“Shooting the movie has a healing effect on me,” recalled Carlo J who, in the meantime, begged off from discussing Kamandag Ng Droga. “It will be as shocking as the stories that we see on the front pages of newspapers and in TV newscasts every day.”

Cesar Apolinario is 2016 Outstanding Thomasian for Media

Cesar Apolinario a self-made man

GMA News producer and Public Affairs host and freelance film director Cesar Apolinario was chosen as one of the 2016 Outstanding Thomasian Alumni at rites held at the UST campus.

Cesar started his career in broadcasting in 1999 when he joined GMA Public Affairs’ long-running TV documentary show I Witness as a researcher and cameraman. He shifted to joining GMA News as a reporter in 2000.

I will let Cesar tell his own story.

When I was a teenager, I could only dream of eating something better than lugaw, and even more so to attend a top university. My parents’ priority was to bring food on the table. Finishing college was part of the plan, but it wasn’t a priority. I knew that it was a long shot to get to a prestigious university, but it didn’t stop me from dreaming.

At 17, I have accepted that I had to sacrifice being a teenager and face the risk of working abroad for two years if only to raise enough money for my college education. It was hard to leave my family and my comfort zone at a young age, but I thought everybody needed to make a tough decision in this life. It so happened that mine came this early.

I came back after two years, a better person and determined to reach my dreams. Who would have thought this poor boy would eventually finish college at one of the world’s best academic institutions — the University of Sto. Tomas. And during the Baccalaureate Mass, I told myself that I was ready to conquer the real world.

Out in the real world, I realized early on that I couldn’t just be Cesar Apolinario, the aspiring reporter and director. There were a lot of people like me gunning for the same. I knew that to be able to conquer all challenges in pursuit of my dream, I had to be a Jack of All Trades. So I patiently learned. I was never ashamed to take on any task and I didn’t complain much, because I had my mind fixed on my dream and most importantly, I love what I do.

My patience paid off and today, I am officially receiving what I consider the culmination of my work to be recognized as a Thomasian Outstanding Alumni.

I am deeply thankful to all my professors at the Faculty of Arts and Letters. I am lucky to have been mentored by the industry’s best. I am thankful to my batchmates, who have sincerely believed that there is room for me in the media industry.

I am thankful to my colleagues and bosses at GMA 7, who took their chance and trusted me with projects and gave me the opportunity to be part of the country’s most credible media company.

I am thankful to the guidance of the Dominican priests whose passion is education. Thank you UST for teaching me to be God-fearing and for helping me inspire a new generation of dreamers.

To the young dreamers, let your life be a life of curiosity and perseverance. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and explore possibilities. As a Thomasian and as a Filipino, never doubt yourself to look for what is beyond and to tell yourself: “iJuander.”

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