Kampanerang Kuba

Kampanerang Kuba

Kampanerang Kuba is one of the latest popular television serials based on comic book stories. Created in 1971 by Pablo S. Gomez and illustrated by the legendary Alex Niño, Kampanerang Kuba appeared on the pages of Planet Komiks, published by Pablo Gomez himself through his PSG Publishing House, based in Balete Drive in Quezon City.

Below are a few pages from the comic book series, which originally appeared in Planet Komiks #82, May 12, 1971.


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In all the hoopla surrounding the show, it's quite easy to overlook the artist who helped give birth to the original story, and I take the opportunity to show his work here.

Comics, Television and Films have always shared a very close association in Philippine entertaintment history, where comics stories were commonly made into either TV series or motion pictures. More than 50 of Francisco V. Coching's stories were adapted into films, which is astounding when one thinks about it. It only goes to remind us of such a close association of comics with other media, but also of the impact that Francisco V. Coching had on Philippine pop culture many decades ago.

Similarly, Kampanerang Kuba is only one of the many stories Pablo S. Gomez wrote which had been adapted into TV and film. Other stories include Pitong Gatang (starring Fernando Poe Jr.), Kurdapya (Dolphy, Gloria Romero), Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak (Susan Roces, Eddie Garcia), Nobody's Child (Tirso Cruz III, Vilma Santos), Tatlong Magadlena (Rita Gomez, Fred Montilla) and so many more.

There has been a renewed interest in comic book stories as a source of material for TV shows and movies, a trend that began with Marina and Kristala. Although Marina and Kristala were not adapated from comics, comics sensibilities certainly had a huge influence in their conception and execution.

It was inevitable that Darna would eventually be remade again in this time when such material seem to be much sought after. Other comic book properties have followed suit, with Panday currently in production, and now Kampanerang Kuba currently showing. Not too long ago, two people from two separate television studios got in touch with me looking for Jim Fernandez, who I assume are looking for the rights to adapt ZUMA to screen.

I do welcome such adaptations because it would hopefully remind people of the comic book origins of their favorite shows, and that although comics aren't as visible now as they once had been, they still remain to be part of our lives in one way or another.

The First Philippine Super Heroes

The First Philippine Superheroes

There have been many super heroes in the history of Philippine comics, and one can argue that Francisco Reyes' Kulafu may have been the first, who first appeared in the early 30's. But Kulafu, like Francisco V. Coching's Hagibis, were heroes in the mold of Tarzan and Prince Valiant.

The traditional superhero, and by this I mean the costumed superhero in the tradition of Batman and Superman, may have appeared in the Philippines after the second world war, after the influx of super hero comics from America brought by American GIs stationed here.

From what I know so far, and based in information passed on to us by Komiks historian and collector Dennis Villegas, the first costumed superhero in the country may well be a character named IPO-IPO, created by Lib Abrena and OS del Rosario. IPO-IPO, or "tornado" in English, first appeard in April 1947 in "Magasin ng Pagsilang" (Magazine of Birth).


IPO IPO by Lib Abrena and OS del Rosario
Magasin ng Pagilang #3
April 5, 1947

IPO-IPO was not only costumed, but he was super powered as well, wielding powers that not only controlled the wind be he also appeared to be invulnerable.

LAGIM is another costumed superhero, albeit one that did not have super powers. He appeared for the first time with the first issue of Pilipino Komiks, published by ACE Publications in June 1947.


LAGIM Cover by CaGuintuan
Pilipino Komiks #60
September 17, 1949

LAGIM was created by CaGuintuan, and the character appeared for many issues in the early years of Pilipino Komiks, before CaGuintuan moved on to other projects.

It is interesting to note that looking at the 2 images above, that their designs are somewhat similar, specially when one looks at their headgear.

For a larger version of the Lagim cover, head on over to the main Museum page or click below.

LAGIM COVER by CaGuintuan

Thanks to Dennis Villegas for passing on the information, as well as sending over the really cool graphics you can see above. Thanks Dennis!

CaGuintuan, Christian Alcala, Toycon 2005!

CaGuintuan
Prinsesa Bituin Part 1 Page 1
Bituin Komiks #22
June 30, 1950

CaGuintuan is one of the pioneers of Philippine komiks who created probably one of the first costumed superheroes in the Philippines called "Lagim" in the earliest issues of Pilipino Komiks. CaGuintuan is responsible for many stories in the early years of the industry including the one featured above.

Bituin Komiks was published by F.J. Quioge Publication located in Azcarraga, Manila in the early 50's. It was edited by Francisco Reyes (creator of the popular character "Kulafu") and Virgilio Mariano. Assistant Editors include Menandro Martin (who would eventually become popular as a cartoonist as "Menny Martin"), and Mauro Malang Santos.

Mauro Malang Santos will eventually attain popularity as "Malang", who is one of the Philippines' most important modernist painters. I'll feature more of Malang next week.

In the meantime, head on over to the main Museum page to see more of CaGuinutan's work or click below.

CaGuintuan's Prinsesa Bituin

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Christian Alcala
Dark Light
Fictional Art Reality Series
2000

Christian Alcala is Alfredo Alcala's son, who has demonstrated that he is an exemplary artist in his own right. He recently had an exhibit of his works, along with the works of his father and other Filipinos at the Stanford Art Spaces, Stanford University in the United States.

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I received a message from my friend Jac Ting Lim's dad at the comments section below and I thought I'd reply to it here.

Hi, Gerry,

I'm the father of Jactinglim, she had send me your journal website. It's very informative and interesting, but it seems that I couldn't open the artists' drawing/illustrations below (with mark X)to view them.
I'm very fond of artwork and great artists' biographies.
More power to your work!

Jeng

Thanks for visiting po! :) I'm looking into why some of the images aren't appearing on your end. All the images do appear when I browse them, but I can think of some reasons why they may not appear to some. Admittedly, it's a graphic heavy page where sometimes individual graphics can reach up to 150K. It's possible that not all images are able to load due to the sheer size of all images collectively. I would suggest right clicking on "x"ed images and click "View Image" to see them individually, or reload the entire page.

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TOYCON 2005!

I didn't sleep the night before the Toycon as I tried to finish up some work. I ended up bringing the work to the Toycon with me, which turned out OK because the inking became part of the gimmick of the booth.

All in all, I had a great time, and it's cool meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones.


Lico Reloj attacks the Komikero booth!!


Mylene and Jonas. Congrats on the success of "A Girl's Story", Jonas! As far as I know all copies at the Toycon were sold out!


Jerald does caricatures!


Jonas and myself were interviewed by the KNN (Kids News Network) for broadcast next month.


Comics superstar Wilson Tortosa with friends.


Carlo Vergara. Thanks for coming over Carl! It's always a pleasure to hang out with you! :)


Francis M. asked me to sign his copy of Superman: Birthright.

Komikero will be back at next year's Toycon! And I promise our booth will be bigger!

Komikero sa Toycon

Komikero Artists Group will have a booth at the upcoming Toycon 2005 this Sunday, June 26 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall. The group will be there from 10am to 9pm.

Hopefully, I'll be finished with my deadlines so I can join. Here are stuff that's lined up for the booth.

Jac Ting Lim will do facepainting. Mico Suayan (Trakk), will be doing sketches. Jonas Diego (Blurb, A Girl's Story) will be promoting his comics, Jerald Dorado (Pinoy Passenger) will also be there, as well as possible appearances by Carlo Vergara (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah) and Arnold Arre (Mythology Class, Lastikman, After Eden).

ER Cruz

E.R. Cruz
Liwayway Spot Illustrations
Liwayway, December 18, 1972

Eufronio Reyes"ER" Cruz is one of the more distinctive Filipino comics illustrators whose style is chracterized by gritty, heavy and edgy brushwork. He contributed many such spot illustrations and comics stories for Liwayway during this time, and drew stories for various publications like Holiday and Pioneer, published by GASI.

In the US, he had a memorable stint as the artist on DC's The Shadow, and various mystery publications from DC like House of Mystery, Unexpected, and Our Army At War. At Marvel he worked on Moon Knight, and Savage Sword of Conan.

He also worked on many adaptations of classic stories like Red Badge of Courage, Tom Sawyer, Gulliver's Travels, and The Iliad.

ER Cruz's work can currently be bought off the shelves at National Book Store. Look for Illustrated Classic Editions' Red Bad of Courage, a specially adapted version of the Stephen Crane novel by Malvina G. Vogel, with many *many* terrific full page spot illustrations by ER.

I actually don't know very much about this artist, but I'm very familiar with his body of work, having seen them on many titles for a long time. If you know more about ER and where one could get in touch with him, please let me know. :)

Alfredo And Christian Alcala Art Exhibit

The Alcala Legacy at Stanford Art Spaces

Artworks of the late Great Alfredo P. Alcala and son, Christian Voltar Alcala is currently on display at the Stanford University at the SAS (Stanford Art Spaces), Paul Allen CIS Building.

Here's the website: http://cis.stanford.edu/~marigros/show45.html

The Exhibition will be until June 17, 2005. Admission is Free at the Stanford Art Spaces.

Artworks on display: Voltar, Medieval Art, Gothic Art, etc.

Alfredo P. Alcala is an internationally known painter, illustrator, and comic book artist whose art was influenced by Frank Brangwyn, J.C. Leyendecker, Dean Cornwell, Lou Fine, and Hal Foster.

Christian Voltar Alcala’s artistic influences are inspired from the 19th century or Victorian period. He worships Franklin Booth, Gustave Dore, Alphonse Mucha, and has vowed to continue his father's legacy.

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Heeerree's Johnny!!

Heeerrree's JOHNNY!



Design for another possible Johnny Balbona shirt. :)

I No Longer Have Cellphone

I No Longer Have A Cellphone

If you have been calling me or texting me, and I haven't replied, it's because I lost my cellphone. It may be just as well because for a long time now I no longer wanted to have one, inspite of the obvious benefits of it. So I most likely won't be getting a new one anytime soon. Or not at all.

There's still email of course. I'm not totally old fashioned. It will most likely inconvenience those who I'll be meeting with, specially since they can't break off a meeting at the last minute, as cellphones have so conveniently allowed people to do.

I just hope those who agree to meet with me at a certain time and day would stick to it because I'll be definitely showing up.

I also want to get back to letter writing, as on paper and sent via the post office. I used to write on paper a lot as some of my friends who were already alive during that ancient time would remember. I owe some people letters so I'll get to that slowly. I want to take back, even just a little bit, of what the Internet has taken from me.

ABEL LAXAMANA

Abel Laxamana
Requiem Aeternam Spot Detail
Hiwaga Komiks House Ad

An award winning artist, Abel Laxamana is one of the few Filipinos who have had the honor of winning the Eisner Award for Best Humor Publication in 2002 as part of the creative team of Radioactive Man, published by Bongo Comics.

Readers of Warren Magazines voted him favorite all around artist of the year in 1979, where he won for his various contributions to the magazine.

Click Here for a full image of Abel's Requiem Aeternam.

Abel Laxamana, Edbon Sevilleno

Edbon Sevilleno

Edbon Sevilleno is an artist I recently met, a Filipino living in Saudi Arabia. In the Philippines, he created the character "Borjok" in MASA, a sister newspaper to Malaya in the 1980's.

He is currently drawing, and coloring "Sayf Bin Dhi Yazan " featuring an Arabian hero, adapted by Princess Maha Faisal, writer and publisher, from ancient Arabic tales. The comic book will be published in both English and Arabic, and will also be distributed in South East Asia.

The artwork is simply stunning! Below are just some of the art from the upcoming comic book.









For more of Edbon's Artwork, click below.

Edbon Sevilleno Art Gallery 1
Edbon Sevilleno Art Gallery 2
Edbon Sevilleno Art Gallery 3
Edbon Sevilleno Art Gallery 4

Looking at the artwork, I just can't wait for it to come out. Great job, Edbon!!