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Aug

14

Carlo J. Caparas is a National Artist? (Lord, Have Mercy!)

Filed Under General, Philippine Comics | 15 Comments

The strange nature of blogs has us reading events starting with the end, and ending with the beginning. I thought I’d put together this special page where visitors to this blog can follow my posts, and the accompanying comments, in chronological order.

Before anything else, let me preface everything by saying that I was a fan of Carlo J. Caparas many years ago. When I met Steve Gan (co-creator of Panday) many years ago and proposed the idea that I approach Mr. Caparas about possibly working on a new Panday story, I was very excited. As many people who regularly visit this blog know, I have great respect for the Filipino komiks veterans and the work that they have contributed to Philippine comics. And Carlo Caparas is a giant in Philippine comics.

I started to become disappointed in the man because of the things he said and did during the Komiks Congress of February 2007. I wrote about that here:

The Komiks Congress: An Analysis
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/65

I was disappointed further when he took over the Sterling Komiks project, a project that was initially in the hands of Mango Comics with whom I was working with. Now I don’t know what really happened for certain. All I know is that one moment we were working on the Sterling comic books, and then the next moment, we were out, and Mr. Carlo Caparas was in. That event was cataclysmic in that it exposed a lot of deep seated disappointment that many writers, editors and artists in the komiks industry seemed to have for the man. I began to understand why.

But personal feelings is not the issue. While I’m appreciative of the popularity of some of his characters like Panday of which I’m a fan, I’m ambivalent about the overall quality of his comics work (I’m not really that impressed). His films, I felt, were utterly atrocious.

If I were to rank who the best Filipino comic book creators in Philippine History were, those people who have consistently created works of art that enriched Philippine culture, these would always include, at the very top: Francisco V. Coching, Larry Alcala, Mars Ravelo, Pablo Gomez, Nestor Redondo, Alfredo Alcala, Tony Velasquez, Clodualdo Del Mundo, Francisco Reyes, Nonoy Marcelo, Alex Niño etc. If ever an award of National significance would be given out, these men would be, and should be the first to get it.

So it was with great frustration and indignation did I greet the news of the possibility of Carlo J. Caparas getting the title of National Artist for Visual Arts before any of these men did.

It was ridiculous. CJC may have created a few memorable stories like Panday, Totoy Bato and Pieta, but I believed his work does not meet the standard of what qualifies for the National Artist Award. I believed that whatever influence and impact the man may have had, it’s the result of a few memorable works, buoyed by years upon years of relentless PR.

I was first alerted to the news that Carlo J. Caparas has been declared a National Artist for Film and Visual Arts on July 29 2009 via a direct tweet from thepocnews pointing me to this news article.

My reaction was immediate. My first post on Twitter, and my first post on this blog:

A Sad Day
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1646

And I thought I would just leave it at that. The twitter post and the blog post weren’t specific, and were not in reference to anyone in particular. In a way, those who knew me would know who exactly it was I was talking about.

But I couldn’t leave it at that. I thought it was time for me to stop avoiding naming names and come into the open about exactly why I don’t think this National Artist title belongs to CJC (as I will refer to Carlo J. Caparas from now on this article).

Later that day, I wrote another article.

A Questionable Victory
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1648

I list there my reasons why I am protesting. I listed the fact CJC wasn’t a visual artist, that other comic creators were more deserving like Francisco V. Coching, and that in terms of film, his movies are terrible, and I recounted a traumatic incident of me watching one of his films as an example.

The post got 136 comments, including one from komiks, TV and film writer Jose Mari Lee who wrote:

• His films unquestionably, are among the worst in the world, they’re even worse than that of Ed Wood’s
• His writing is purely schlock: extremely pedestrian, full of loopholes, lacking in research and nothing but vexation to one’s sensibilities
• His demeanor, apart from being blatantly nouveau rische, is callous, arrogant and ridicuously laughable

Illustrator Dell Barras, who worked with CJC in 2007′s Sterling Comics line added:

CJC touted as the ‘Komiks King’? Now National Artist?
Pukelya! Susong Baligtad!
Fanboys, fangirls and fangays unite! Let us make CJC and the system feel the insurmountable power of the agitated fans.
Bastusan na to!

These are only excerpts of what Jose Mari Lee and Dell Barras wrote. Check the comments section to see their full statements, as well as statements from a former komiks editor, illustrator Floro Dery (who offers a different point of view) and what the current generation of comic book professionals have to say.

I thought I could just leave it at that, but it wasn’t meant to be. Discussion has been furious on the blog and many other places online and offline. Assertions have been given as to why CJC “deserves” the award because of his many accomplishments in komiks and film, because CJC is “masa”, because he has a street named after him, because his creations are on stamps, because he has won many other awards and so on. CJC and his supporters has hit back: “You’re only JEALOUS”.

It would be frustrating and time consuming to debate those points one by one. There is plenty of subjectivity going on, and subjective arguments tend to be unproductive. I thought I’d make an objective case against CJC getting the National Artist title, and concentrate only on the fact that CJC is not a Visual Artist. I felt that it was a point that was unarguable. CJC did not draw the creations he was popular for. That was the bottom line. And to me, that made him unqualified to get the title, at the very least for Visual Art.

Bottom Line: Carlo J. Caparas is NOT Qualified
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1659
July 31, 2009

Here, I make clear that distinction was made between FILM and VISUAL ART, and that it was clear FILM was for CJC’s accomplishments in Film, and VISUAL ART was for CJCs accomplishments in komiks.

Former komiks writer Fermin Salvador spoke up:

Madaling sabihin ni Capural na “inggit” lang ang nasa likod ng mga tumututol. Pero puwede pa kaya ang katwiran na ito kung ang tututol ay ang mga nagawaran na rin na National Artists. We should appeal to the past awardees, those who are still living and the families of those who are dead, to make a stand on this issue – this issue involves the credibility and integrity of their ranks.

Veteran illustrator and former CJC collaborator Nestor Malgapo also spoke up:

Pare-pareho tayong nagmamahal sa komiks…siyempre masisiyahan tayo kapag taga-komiks ang magiging isa sa National Artist. Pero sa pagkakasali ni CJC sa napili, isang malaking insulto ito sa lahat ng bumubuo sa industriya ng komiks…dahil tayong mga taga-komiks ang HIGIT na nakaaalam kung sino ang karapat-dapat na bigyan ng parangal.

(Hindi dahil sa dami ng mga nagawa ang pinag-uusapan! Hindi taga-komiks ang nagsasabi nito).

Bakit hindi si Francisco V. Coching, si Nestor Redondo, Alfredo o/at Larry Alcala? At kung writer din naman, bakit hindi si Mars Ravelo? Lahat ng taga-komiks ay sasang-ayon kung sila.
Pero si CJC…NAKAKAHIYA ito!

At this time I also created the “Carlo J. Caparas is NOT Qualified to be National Artist” petition online. Read the petition here. If you agree with it, please sign.

Also on July 31, I posted covers to two Francisco V. Coching books that will be published and launched in September. I made a comment that this is how you know that you are National Artist material: They make books about you.

On August 3, Illustrator Edgar Tadeo created this striking visual, which has since gone viral.

not!onal-artist400

On August 6, Bandera political cartoonist Ruben Nacion created this strip specially for this site, as two NCCA Commissioners Spoke up about the issue.

Also on August 6, I shot and uploaded this video on You Tube:


Watch on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV0yOBGBlAo

Artists and Cultural Workers from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City also offer their statement.

On August 7, Ramon Orlina former member of the Stamp Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Philippine Postal Corporation circulated a damning post about the Carlo Caparas stamps, claiming that,

The comics of Carlos J. Caparas was included in this art issue in November 2008. But Dr. Ngo (now Vice-Chair of SAC) removed the label “Great Achievers in Philippine Art”
from the design of the stamps as he could not find evidence of Carlos J. Caparas being a great achiever.

The Philatelic Bulletin stated misleadingly that the “Designs:Komiks illustrations by Carlos J. Caparas”, when it is public knowledge that the illustrations are farmed out.

Read more here:

Carlo Caparas Stamps
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1715

It only complements what I have been writing on this blog for so many years. CJC has never illustrated any of his stories. Although it wasn’t really a secret as these artists were credited when the stories first published. But ever since that time, these illustrators have been conveniently forgotten.

These stamps have been credited as “Illustrated by Carlos J. Caparas”, when it truth, these are illustrated by Karl Comendador.

CJC and his supporters have been waving these stamps in our faces as an example of his achievements that supposedly make him worthy of the National Artist title for Visual Arts, but the truth is, CJC didn’t illustrate these stamps himself.

On August 8, I make a correction to a misquote attributed to me by the Manila Standard where I supposedly have stated that CJC was “unworthy”. Up until that time, I’ve never said publicly CJC was. I merely said “unqualified” which was a huge difference.

Further on August 8, I hammer my objective argument about CJC even more with this post:

Carlo J. Caparas is NOT a Visual Artist
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1731

Here I address that many of CJC’s arguments are off topic, and do not address the real issue. CJC makes it a social issue between rich and poor, the elitist and the masa, and that all those protesting him are just jealous.

These are things that try to divert us from the issue which he cannot debate against because there is no defense: He is NOT a Visual Artist.

Because he cannot defend against it, he makes all these arguments that has nothing to do with the issue. In fact, his statements only cause to widen the rift between the classes, and perpetuate an idiotic notion that the rich hate the poor, a theme that’s so unfortunately prevalent in local film and TV.

Also on August 8:

Carlo J. Caparas: “I Can Draw!”
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1756

This is a reaction to CJC going around TV demonstrating that he can draw. I thought it was pathetic, because a National Artist doesn’t need to prove he can draw. People should and ought to know it. That’s because CJC has never been known to draw. It’s not what has made him popular. Once again, he completely misses the point. So what if you know how to draw? The point is, he never drew any of the stories he was popular for. In fact, he has not been known to be an illustrator at all.

Jose Mari Lee writes in the comments section:

I CAN DRAW!

Really!

Kaya pala Leandro Martinez who was the editor of Pablo S. Gomez that time, REJECTED Caparas’ illustrations, that’s why he pursued scriptwriting.

Thanks to Tony Tenorio for giving him the “break.”

On August 10, I continue to hammer the objective case further with this post:

Fight with Objectivity
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1775

This is a response to how people are reacting to the issue, and the fact that when debating angrily, it is the anger that people see, and not the issue being discussed.

It is here that the argument that ‘CJC can be a visual artist because he “guides” the illustrator’ comes up. My initial reaction was laughter, as I felt the argument was ridiculous. In the comments section later, I take the matter seriously. Later still, I would make a whole post about it.

In the meantime, a former komiks editor, posting as MzJosephine, posted an example of the typical CJC script from the 1980′s:

Frame 1. Same scene of last frame of previous chapter.
Frame 2. Same scene pa rin, nag-uusap.
Frame 3. Bahala ka na.
Frame 4. Bahala ka na.
Frame 5. Nagsuntukan.
Frame 6. Change angle.
Frame 7. Your angle.
Frame 8. Bahala ka na.
ad infinitum na ‘bahala ka na.’

‘GUIDE: bahala ka na’ and putting it more in perspective:

If the whole chapter showed the two main protagonists in one setting and JUST talking, the guides to illustration would be ‘change angle, your angle, bahala ka na’ with the idea that the illustrator would pick up the mood of the characters as per dialogues, or be “guided” by the caption, if any.

For sure, there were 1-3 lines of guide to the illustrator, perhaps more when the scene called for more. Pero after that, puro ‘bahala ka na.’

Well, some visual artist!

On August 12, I react to pending legal action.

Hopelessly Illogical
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1789

Here, I express my frustration that it requires bringing this issue to the Supreme Court just to determine that CJC was mistakenly given a title that does not belong to him.

On August 12, I directly address the issue of “CJC is a visual artist because he guides the illustrator” in this post:

Why Carlo J. Caparas is NOT a Visual Artist
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1796

I make comparisons with the work of an architect, who builds plans that workers execute between a writer who gives a story to an illustrator to execute.

Comics professionals and readers make very compelling arguments about this particular issue, with fascinating contributions from Floro Dery, Jun Pamintuan, Rod Samonte, Auggie Surtida, Carlo Pagulayan, and John Becaro.

On August 16, 2009, I post another video.

Where Johnny and I respond to the response of Carlo J. Caparas and his supporters to criticism with regards to the National Artist issue. Kwentong Tambay style.


Watch on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYtxrip87ZA

August 17, 2009
The Collaborative Nature of Comics
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1819

I talk about how komiks has never been a collaborative medium in the Philippines, to the benefit of the writer, and never the artist.

On August 18, 2009, I question the claim of 800 komiks novels that CJC supposedly accomplished.

Did Carlo J. Caparas Really write 800 Komiks Novels?
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1830

Admittedly, I couldn’t answer the question definitely myself. But I point out the inconsistencies of this claim.

The Ravelo Family breaks their silence.

On August 26 I asked people what they thought of Carlo J. Caparas’ writing in komiks.

Carlo J. Caparas’ Komiks Stories: Your Opinion?
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1893

CJC Peer and former Komiks writer Jose Mari Lee:

CJC’s writing is EXTREMELY SLOPPY. CJC loves to rehash his material. CJC’s films will test your patience. CJC should GO BACK TO SCHOOL

On August 29 I find a 2008 article on CJC, which proves to be very illuminating.

Celso Ad Castillo: Carlo’s films are tabloid
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1904

Ogie Almeda, komiks illustrator: “Bakit, bayani ba si Carlo Caparas? Maraming taga-komiks ang galit sa kanya dahil sa Sterling siya lang ang nabuhay.” Sterling is the company which published the 10 komiks titles carried in Carlo Caparas’ komiks caravan, a komiks promotional blitz conducted by Carlo last year using public funds.

On August 30, 2009, I sum up (up to this point), my argument, objective and subjective.

Why Carlo J. Caparas will Never Be National Artist To Me
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1900

On September 1, Butch Dalisay discovers tampering of the NCCA Guidelines
Butch Dalisay Uncovers Tampering of NCCA Guidelines
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1923

On September 16, 2009, it appears that contrary to Malacañang’s earlier assertion to “Let The Court Decide”, is now saying “No, it’s NOT up to the courts. It’s up TO US.”

Leave It to the Courts Or Not? The Palace Can’t Decide
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1963

October 11, 2010 UPDATE

As of now, the Supreme Court has yet to decide if it will confer the title to Carlo J. Caparas or not. In the meantime, Mr. Caparas has found himself in another controversy.

Carlo J. Caparas’ P1.3-B contract stuns PCSO
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/10/05/10/carlo-j-caparas-p13-b-contract-stuns-pcso
Carlo Caparas Questioned Over 1.3 Billion Budget
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/280712/carlo-caparas-questioned-over-13-billion-budget

April 29, 2011 UPDATE

Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino Chairman and NCCA OIC Joe Lad Santos makes moves to overturn the Supreme Court’s TRO. National Artist Virgilio S. Almario objects. As do I, obviously.
Latest Update: National Artist Debacle
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/3335

AUGUST 24, 2011 UPDATE

Facts and 50 Komiks Serials
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/3665
I vent my frustration over Philippine Media and their insistence on considering CJC a “National Artist” in direct refutation of the fact that he isn’t. What is going on here?!

SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 Update
Komiks Writers and the National Artist Award
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/3711
I answer a sensible argument against my protest.

DECEMBER 18, 2011
A Lie Told Often Enough Becomes the Truth… But Only if We Let It.
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/4077
As long as people keep printing lies in what is supposed to be the “legitimate press”, I will continue to refute it in this blog. DEAL WITH IT.

And now this is how the issue stands so far, as far as this blog is concerned.

I will make a special graphic link on the left column that will link to this particular page where visitors can see the development of this issue so far. And every time I make an additional post about this, it will also be added at the bottom of this page.

Comments

15 Responses to “Carlo J. Caparas is a National Artist? (Lord, Have Mercy!)”

  1. R.E. de Leon on August 14th, 2009 11:35 am

    Hi Gerry. This will be my first post, and I don’t think we’ve ever actually been introduced, so I’m not absolutely sure I’ll pass as someone NOT anonymous…

    But thank you for this. The truth is, I was going through your site for an hour yesterday copying and pasting onto M.S. word so I could have personal copy I could use as a record “of the events as they happened.” Now all I need to do is go to this post and click “print.”

    Thank you for keeping everyone updated through this page. I think it’s helping keep public (read:fans, not just artists) outrage alive, even though the Media cycle would have come to ignore this by now.

  2. auggie on August 14th, 2009 3:58 pm

    Mr. De Leon,

    It will also serve as an eye-opener to the general public why Komiks was once upon a time the greatest source of entertainment for Filipinos before the advent of TV and electronic gizmos.

  3. Eman on August 14th, 2009 5:15 pm

    Whew!

    Wish I could dissect and evaluate an issue in this meticulous manner, this blog entry alone has cleared most of the hangnails and errant hairs on the subject.

    Napakahaba na pala ng diskusyon, para sa isang isyu na simple lang naman.

    Ngayon, you guys in the industry cemented my belief that Carlo is, in no way, whatsoever, a real artist.

    ‘Nuff said. Tena na at nanggagalaiti na tayong lahat, baka ma alta presyon pa tayo.

  4. R.E. de Leon on August 14th, 2009 6:15 pm

    Auggie,

    I couldn’t agree more, except that when I think of the comic book industry I don’t think of the past, glorious as it was. I think the medium has more potential now than it ever did before.

    We – artists, publishers, readers, fans – just gotta figure out how to bring the costs down. Especially here in the provinces. (I live in La Union.)

    And for the effor, again, we owe people like Gerry a great deal of thanks.

  5. auggie on August 14th, 2009 10:56 pm

    OK NGARUD ! yes, it may have vast potentials but the competition is formidable. Cell Phones, TeleNovelas, DVDs, CDs,i-Pods, Electronic Games, etc.etc. vying for our hard earned moolah.

    We could effect a KOMIKS REVIVAL by patronizing the works of our KOMIKSMASTERS in the past. Case in point: Next month, Vibal Publishing is launching two books about FV COCHING, and one by Botong Francisco. If there is a groundswell for the books, I’m sure Vibal Press would follow it up with more masterworks from Coching, Redondo, Alcala,Ravelo, Yandoc, Torres etc…yes, the Golden Years…..so it’s up to us to keep the embers alive. Kindly spread the word around.

    As for Gerry A. what can I say ? he is a Visionary, and can make things happen.

  6. raymond on August 16th, 2009 1:58 am

    Sir Gerry,

    I came across this issue of either People’s Journal or People’s Tonight(I really don’t care which of the two, I think they’re both garbage)which had Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption VACC, vouching in for CJC’s character. (Clearly another ploy at sidestepping the issue of the NA)

    I would just like to say that I have lost respect for Mr. Jimenez.

    7 years ago, a friend of mine
    was the victim of a brutal killing (stabbing incident)over at UP Diliman. I saw Mr. Jimenez at the wake, hoping that justice would be served for my friend and his family. Fast forward today, the culprits are still out there and Mr. Jimenez’s most recent (public) activity in support of his crusade would be to justify CJC’s winning(?) of the NA. I am not able to quote Mr Jimenez’s exact words, but what he was basically saying was that:

    CJC has done so much for the families of victims of heinous crimes through his works. This for Mr. Jimenez gives CJC the right to be named NA.

    TO MR. JIMENEZ: YOU and CJC HAVE ABSOLUTELY DONE NOTHING FOR MY FRIEND OR HIS FAMILY. NONE OF YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY APPREHENDED ANY CRIMINALS
    AND HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING THAT WOULD MERIT A NATIONAL ARTIST AWARD FOR VISUAL ARTS. YOU OFFEND ARTISTS WITH YOUR BIASED OPINIONS AND GIBBERISH. FOR SOMEONE WHO STANDS “AGAINST CRIME AND CORRUPTION”, IT IS SICKENING TO HEAR YOU SAY SUCH THINGS AND TO TOLERATE SUCH ACTIONS.

    THERE IS A WORD FOR SUCH VILE ACTIONS:

    INJUSTICE.

    I wish that the posts on this site would reach a broader audience, hopefully through TV, even though we know that there’s a chance that they would probably spin it the wrong way.

    I’m just hoping for a concentrated effort not only by Komiks professionals, but also by dignified visual artists from different sectors to denounce this act of disrespect for the medium and it’s practitioners.

    Sana lang yung mga epal sa mga ganitong isyu, wag na makisawsaw pa. Wag nyo na ito idaan sa kashowbizan nyo. I now believe that being a good person is no longer enough; whatever it is that good people do, bad people do too. Whatever happened to decency and humility?

    I guess they were massacred too.

    WE DO NOT NEED A KOMIKS KING, BECAUSE SUCH A TITLE IS AN INSULT NOT ONLY TO THE MEDIUM, BUT ALSO TO THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT KOMIKS CAN BE. THERE WERE/ARE GREAT ARTISTS AND WRITERS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS NATIONAL TREASURES.

    I know in my heart that there will be more in the future.

  7. Monik New York on August 17th, 2009 11:10 am

    In fairness mahusay naman ang self proclaim King of Komiks na si Caparas. Yun nga may mas maraming magagaling kesa sa kanya. Para sa amin si Mars Ravelo ang King of Philippine Komiks. Nakakapagtaka lang na hindi siya man lang nare recognize si Mars Ravelo ganung legendary na ang kanyang mga nilikhang kwento na nagbigay kulay sa mundo ng mga bata at matatanda sa mahabang panahon. Darna paki sampal lang si Manoling Morato! Baka alzeimers na si Mama!

  8. Weighing in on the National Artists Controversy « Words from The Land of Juan on August 17th, 2009 1:22 pm

    [...] Caparas and the others as new National Artists, Gerry came out roaring in protest on his site, Komikero Comics Journal.  And now he has put all his posts and tweets and together and come up with a time capsule of [...]

  9. One Good Thing « Creating Enchantment on August 17th, 2009 11:35 pm

    [...] of the links to them, or even remember who their writers are. But here, let me give the link to the Komikero Comics Journal again, which I have been reading more than I’ve been reading my friends’ blogs these [...]

  10. larry santana on August 19th, 2009 10:39 pm

    Hi Gerry,

    First of all I want to introduce myself, I am Larry, the eldest son of MAR T SANTANA.
    I would like to take this opportunity to Thank you for the comments you have given in your ” panawagan kay Carlo “.

    Kaming magkakapatid ay nabigla rin sa pagiging National Artist for Visual Arts ni Carlo.Lumaki kami at napagtapos ng aking ama ng dahil sa komiks.

    It was in the late 1980′s, ng magkaroon ng welga ang mga artist dahil sa paghingi ng rate increase para sa mga komiks illustrator. My Dad being the highest paid illustrator that time ay nakisama sa kanila dahil alam niya ang hirap ng isang pagiging artist, pero ang isang taong inaasahan nyang tutulong sa kanya ( si Mr. Caparas ) ay pinabayaan sya. Dahil sa paninindigan nya at hindi nya iniwanan ang mga kasamahan sa trabahong ito ay tinanggal sa kanya ang mga nobelang dinidibuho nya sa komiks ng mga publikasyon gaya ng Atlas Publications, GASI Phils, Liwayway at Counterpoint ( Ito ay ilan lang sa mga publications na ginagawan nya ng mga dibuho). He ( Carlo )was claiming that he only wants to help the artist by giving them his novels, kung talagang gusto nyang tumulong bakit pinabayaan nya ang mga artist/illustrators sa kanilang welga?

    Ang sunod-sunod na mga pangyayaring ito ang naging dahilan kaya naistroke sya. Pero kahit nagkasakit sya ay pinipilit pa rin nyang gawin ang kanyang minahal na trabaho. Hirap na syang magdibuho sa kanan, ay ginamit nya ang kaliwang kamay para makabuo ng nobela sa Gospel at Marvel. Ang lahat ng ito ay di lingid kay Mr. Caparas.

    If I remember it right, Totoy Bato was done by my Dad.

    He was also awarded as “The Best Illustrator of the Decade ” in the 80′s.

    Hindi nya pinabayaan ang pamilya nya & we are very proud of him.

    Ng mamatay ang Daddy ko, we are expecting Mr. Caparas to give his last respect to him but up to day we laid him to rest, hindi sya nagpakita. We expect much from him dahil silang dalawa ang talagang magkasama at almost 60% of his novels were illustrated by my Dad.

    According to Mr. Caparas, “in born talent” daw nya ang pagdrawing, I disagree coz my Dad told him to only concentrate in writing novels , my Dad knew he has no future with it. “An artist knows an artist.”

    I only want to express my sentiments regarding the issue.

    In our hearts, his children, My Dad will qualify to be awarded as the National Artist rather than Mr. Caparas.

    Again, on behalf of my mother & siblings, we thank you.

  11. MzJosephine on August 20th, 2009 12:32 pm

    Larry Santana,

    I felt a lump in my throat when I read your comment, specifically when you related the circumstances of your Dad’s death. So sad pala.

    I had known Mar Santana when I worked in Atlas in the early 80s. What struck me at the time was, of all artists/illustrators, Mar Santana helped a lot of other artists. Other illustrators might have done the same but it was your Dad’s generosity in training and employing budding artists that had first made an impression on me.

    Re CJC letting your Dad down at the time when he needed it most, thank you, Larry (and Gerry, of course, for your blogspace), for sharing that with us who weren’t aware of that fact.

    That was quite telling, a reflection of how CJC treated, and has been treating, the artists that rendered the visuals to his novels.

    Pero narinig ko rin not very long ago from an artist who worked (works?) with CJC that he, the latter, was “mahusay makisama.” I guess that did not apply to your Dad at the time…

    Sigh…

  12. Larry Santana on August 22nd, 2009 6:07 pm

    MzJosephine,

    Thank u so much for your comment.

    With regards sa pagiging “MAHUSAY NA MAKISAMA” ni CJC , I agree to that, Nun maliliit pa kming magkakapatid, nakita ko ang samahan ng Daddy ko at Mr. Caparas. Dahil noon ay lage kaming lumalabas kasama ang family niya, family namen together with the associates of my Dad. Para silang tunay na magkaibigan. Dumating pa un point na sinuntok ni CJC ang isa sa mga associates ng Daddy ko dahil me ginawang di maganda sa Daddy. Akala nga namin un magandang samahan nilang yun ay di na magbabago, pero me hangganan pala lahat.

    Lumamig lang ang samahan nila dahil sa problemang kinasangkutan ng mga illustrators noon. Sabe nga nila duon mo masusubok ang isang kaibigan kung hanggang saan sya. Pasikat na sya noon bilang director, maaring ginamit lang nya ang utak nya (CJC).

    Regards,

    Larry

  13. Patrick Reidenbach on August 26th, 2009 10:27 am

    Asteeg Gerry!

    You should be a journalist, aside from being a komikero.

    Now let’s just wait until CJC101 becomes a requirement in school – God Help Our Children! Mwahahahaha!

  14. Willie Abrasaldo on August 29th, 2009 9:59 pm

    Hello there, Mr. Gerry A. You don’t know me but I share your indignation about the National Artist Title awarded to CJC.

    I couldn’t help myself laughing out loud about your YouTube video “Kwentong Tambay with Johnny #2: Carlo J. Caparas.” You made your arguements very well, objectively-wise and the way you and Johnny delivered them were whacked-out funny. May both of you never tire of this fight. Hey, don’t you & Johnny want to be actors? I’m sure CJC could use your talents in one of his “masa”cre movies. Hehehehe!

    I saw the videos of CJC being interviewd by Cheche Lazaro in Media in Focus and Lolit Solis together with 2 unggok in Startalk.

    Cheche was good, not biased, the way a journalist should be. From that interview, you could feel the under current CJC is NOT WILLING to give up the National Artist title, holding onto it like a “tuko” knowing it will not come his way again. Like a kid, he also brought with him his samples of drawings. Oh boy, that one was hilarious! A National Artist for Visual Arts proving he could draw!

    As for Lolit Solis’ interview, man, that one was something else. Everybody knows Lolit is in the showbiz industry and CJC is a “director.” (Please, take note of the quotation marks!) I never saw a host as blatant a “sipsep” than Lolit. She knows she couldn’t be neutral on the issue or antagonize CJC if she wants movie opportunities for her proteges.

  15. Eufrodito Baltazar Angeles on September 10th, 2009 1:58 pm

    Hinog sa Pilit

    Walang patutunguhan ang kulang sa pag-ibig
    Kung ang iyong halaman ay kulang sa dilig
    Kagaya ni Caparas na merong angking galing
    Ngunit ‘di siya malunok ng kababayan natin

    Hindi pa ba dapat na bigyang parangal?
    Itong minagaling na nagsimula sa sukal
    Ano pa ba ang dapat para tuluyang mahinog?
    Hindi ba sapat ang mga gawain niyang hinubog

    Ako’y tinuruan kung paano magsaing
    ‘Wag buksan ang tuntong habang sumisingasing
    Baka mabantilaw kung subo’y pipigilin
    Hintayin mo Caparas na ito ay mainin!