Stripped of his National Artist award, Carlo Caparas leaves an enduring legacy

Writer-turned-film director and producer Carlo J. Caparas was best remembered for his graphic, comic book characters and super heroes that got ingrained in the minds of Filipinos. He passed on last May 25 at the age of 80.

Carlo’s enviable contribution to the country’s pop culture was undeniable, especially during the heyday of comics from the ‘60s to the late ‘80s, having written over 800 novels and short stories.

Some of the memorable characters even had adaptations for film and television. Who can forget iconic characters like the popular Panday, the amulet-wielding Elias Paniki, the decorated and tattooed Joaquin Bordado.

Carlo also created the fairy-tale life of “Bakekang,” the strong and brave “Totoy Bato,” the fantasy-comedy story of “Tasya Fantasya,” the adventurous “Gagambino” and the mother’s undying love for her criminal son in “Pieta.”

Carlo’s name will be synonymous with “Panday,” arguably one of his most renowned creations. The story traces the adventures of Flavio, a blacksmith who crafts a mystical sword from a meteorite and wields it against sinister forces.

“Pieta,” meanwhile, revolves around a mother’s unconditional love and a son’s struggle in a world plagued by injustice and violence.

When Carlo ventured into film directing and production, he put up Golden Lion Films with his wife, Donna Villa. The outfit became known for lengthy film titles and massacre films that dramatized true-to-life stories of heinous crimes.

Dawn Zulueta and Cesar Montano starred in “Annabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Abalaza Tragedy – Mea Culpa” (1995). There was also the crime-drama, “Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray for Us),” starring Gina Alajar (1995).

That same year, megastar Sharon Cuneta played the title role in yet another Caparas massacre film, “The Lillian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part,” opposite Cesar Montano.

Still in 1995, Carlo filmed “Kuratong Baleleng (Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng Solid Group).”

In 1994, Dawn played the real-life role of actress Maggie de la Riva who was raped and that was dramatized in “The Maggie dela Riva Story: God… Why Me?,” with Ricky Davao, Michael de Mesa and the late Miguel Rodriguez.

It was also in 1994 when Carlo worked with Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos in “Lipa ‘Arandia’ Massacre: Lord Deliver Us from Evil,” which co-starred Joel Torre.

Dawn also played the title character in “The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (God Saved Us).”

Even Kris Aquino got to be directed by Carlo in her massacre film, “The Myrna Diones Story (Lord, Have Mercy!)” in 1994, as well as “The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us” (1993).

The year 2009 saw Carlo figuring into a nationwide controversy after he was questioned of his award, National Artist for Visual Arts and Film, a new category proclaimed that year by former Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

His proclamation was by virtue of “presidential prerogative” since there were committees nominating the names for National Artist of the Philippines – the NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) and the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) supposedly.

Carlo’s name did not go through the said committees. It was not screened nor recommended by the committees. Complaints, protests and petitions were lodged against his National Artist proclamation.

In July 2013, the Supreme Court nullified Carlo’s proclamation on the ground of “preferential treatment.”

In 2011, Carlo closed a partnership deal with Boss Vic del Rosario of Viva Films, who will cover 50 titles of the former’s 800 komiks novels. That added to the enduring legacy that Carlo left behind.

The year 2017 saw Carlo as a widower when his wife, Donna, succumbed to cancer. Her remains were brought to Cebu, where she hailed from. The couple has two children – CJ and Peach.