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Aug

18

Did Carlo J. Caparas Really write 800 Komiks Novels?

Filed Under Philippine Comics | 41 Comments

“800 Komiks Novels” is something that Carlo J. Caparas, as well as his own supporters, state as one of his achievements in Philippine comics. Many of his supporters brag that none of CJC’s peers have accomplished anything of the like. Perhaps they believe that the sheer number of these novels alone makes CJC deserve the title of National Artist. It’s actually irrelevant as there is no provision in the National Artist Guidelines of the NCCA that gives points for quantity of work alone.

But I want to address this issue for the sake of fact checking.

Let me quote some of CJC’s more prominent supporters:

“Si Carlo, eight hundred komiks novels. Kaya ba nila ‘yan? Nagawa ba ‘yan ni Mars Ravelo? Hindi. Si Carlo lang talaga ang nakagawa n’yan kaya he deserves the award.” -Manoling Morato

“He’s the only komiks novelist (with more than 800 serials to his credit…and counting) “ -Ricky Lo, Philippine Star

And from CJC himself:

“Nakapagsulat ako ng mga 500 nobela at mga short stories na lahat umaabot ng 800.” – Carlo J. Caparas

I find the claim curious because it’s so inconsistent. In the first three statements alone, Manoling, Ricky and CJC himself can’t seem to agree on the actual number. Is it 500 or 800 komiks novels/serials?

Manila Standard columnist Fel V. Maragay, in his column “First Crack” on August 28, 2006 wrote:

“When he stopped writing in 1987 to devote his time to marital life, Caparas had already penned about 800 komiks novels. Without sounding irreverent, many prominent Filipino writers could not hold a candle to this literary titan, output-wise. “

In Fel’s column on January 9, 2008, he wrote:

“He has become a household name because of the komiks novels and short stories—more than 800 in all—he has penned in a span of more than 40 years. In fact, he is the acknowledged komiks king. Among the popular novels he authored were the “Panday” series, “Bakekang,” “Pieta,” “Bakekang,” “Tuklaw” and “Andres de Saya.”

In Fel’s first column, he says 800 komiks novels. In the second, the 800 now includes short stories. Take note that Fel credits CJC with 800 novels in 1987, a full 20 years since CJC started writing in 1967. In the next column, the years jump from 20 to 40.

Curiously, in Fel’s column of October 11, 2008 he wrote:

“October 11, 2008

“Caparas, a high school dropout from an impoverished family in Pasig, has written over 1,000 novels and short stories.”

So it’s 1,000 now. It becomes even more curious just a month later where he writes in his column of November 29, 2008:

“…the durable master storyteller who has written over 2000 novels and short stories “

The actual archive of the Manila Standard goes back only a month so you can’t search for it there. I found all this using Google’s cache of Manila Standard’s site. It took a bit of doing to extract all of this, but I’m sure those with hard copies will be able to confirm this information.

All this beg the question: How many novels did Carlo J. Caparas really write? 500? 800? 1000? 2000?

The inconsistency in CJC’s supporters’ claims is rather telling. It seems that nobody really knows the exact number, and that the 800 novels claim is now highly suspect. In fact, I believe it’s simply a GUESS.

I have spoken with several komiks historians and collectors, and they are unanimous in their opinion that it’s simply not possible for CJC to have written that amount of work in that amount of time. Their estimate is nearer to 150-200. In their research, the most prolific komiks writer is actually Pablo Gomez, with around 300 komiks novels to his name. (Even the Ravelos dispute CJC’s claim.)

I am bringing this up because the title of “National Artist” is a very prestigious one. And whoever holds this title must be open to an objective scrutiny of their accomplishments. A National Artist can’t simply throw out an arbitrary number and claim that as his body of work. This is the NATIONAL ARTIST TITLE at stake here. You don’t GUESS credentials.

We need proof of credentials.

And for this 800 komiks novels claim to be proven, a comprehensive list is required. This list should include the following information:

1. Titles
2. Artists
3. Publication information including title of komiks magazines, publisher, and date of publication.

If Carlo J. Caparas is going to live off taxes that I am paying the Philippine government, I have the right to this information. Without this information, this 800 komiks claim is BOGUS, and this credential FAKED.

***************

If you agree that Carlo J. Caparas is not qualified to be National Artist, please sign the petition.

Comments

41 Responses to “Did Carlo J. Caparas Really write 800 Komiks Novels?”

  1. hazel on August 18th, 2009 1:36 pm

    his credentials are bogus. Maybe he is counting stories he has written back in grade school. In other words he has no integrity.

  2. Gio Paredes on August 18th, 2009 1:54 pm

    Granting without accepting, that he wrote 800 or even 2,000 novels.

    Does this entitles him for the National Artist in Visual Arts?

    I guess NOT.

  3. Gary Mayoralgo on August 18th, 2009 1:56 pm

    Quality vs Quantity… I can crap 2000 shitty stories and that still should NOT qualify me to be National Artist…

    And of course, writer pa rin sya… he still didn’t draw them all.

  4. Gorgoro Henson on August 18th, 2009 1:59 pm

    tama, kailangan natin ng proof. Hindi yung mga “hearsay” lang ng mga “PR” writers nya.

  5. Wan on August 18th, 2009 2:03 pm

    hahah TONG SI CAPARAS WRITER talaga!! Galing mag tahi ng storya.

  6. MzJosephine on August 18th, 2009 2:09 pm

    Please let me share with you Ms NERISSA CABRAL’s comment with regards to CJC-NA issue:

    “Dapat proud tayo coz he’s from our industry. But the award is questionable. He should have done some soul searching before accepting the title. Kaso bihira sa tao ang honest sa sarili. Dapat tanggap mo kung saan ka nakalakagay.”

    With regards to the number of CJC’s novels, 800 or even 2000 — it’s totally irrelevant to his conferment as NA.

  7. Gerry Alanguilan on August 18th, 2009 2:19 pm

    Yes, as I’ve pointed out, it’s irrelevant. But it brings to question CJC’s integrity, but the integrity of his supporters, and the statements they make to support him. If this is full of holes, what else are they saying that are full of holes as well?

  8. Mix on August 18th, 2009 2:22 pm

    Excellent post, sir Gerry.

  9. MzJosephine on August 18th, 2009 2:47 pm

    “If this is full of holes, what else are they saying that are full of holes as well?”

    I have yet to read a pro-CJC statement that isn’t crappy. None, so far, has addressed the issue that you’ve raised, i.e. CJC is NOT a visual artist.

    Of course, there’s Manuel Morato who said, “Carlo is a damn good painter and artist. I have quite a few of his works. His is an inborn talent…”

    Here’s hoping that more CJC’s peers will come out and share with us their thoughts. Where’s Pablo Gomez? He has some interesting “anecdote’ to say.

  10. Carlo P on August 18th, 2009 3:10 pm

    baka kinonsider nya na individual novels yung mga 4 page serials :P

    sarcastically, 800 “bahala ka na” sounds feasible.

    sorry, couldn’t help it.

  11. johnbecaro on August 18th, 2009 3:10 pm

    Very informative article!

    WE NEED PROOF OF EVIDENCE to support this 800 novels Caparas is claming. And granting he has
    the quantity,it does not conform from quality works than could identify him as a national artist, and granting its true,SO WHAT? He is not a visual artist as per stated on the guidelines.

    I need to quote the most important part of your article to this CJC SCAM:

    “If Carlo J. Caparas is going to live off taxes that I am paying the Philippine government, I have the right to this information. Without this information, this 800 komiks claim is BOGUS, and this credential FAKED.”

    I agree, Imagine giving the National Artist privileges to a FAKE and by mistake? 100,000 pesos monthly pension, a state funeral, free hospitalization and so fort, That’s a waste of money that could be used to save lives on calamities, help the poor, fund more important programs and so many more.

    dAMN it.

    And to his supporters, why don’t they stop lying on their claims? Abandon Caparas,don’t let yourselves be used by this “charity-cloaking- tyrant”.

    PROTESTING AND FIGHTING AGAINTS A LIE AND PROTECTING WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT TANTAMOUNT TO CRAB MENTALITY. Its not a mirror of Jealousy , its a mirror of conscience for justice and honor!

  12. Gerry Alanguilan on August 18th, 2009 3:59 pm

    Caloy, tampted ako na gumawa ng kwento na ang pamagat ay “Bahala Ka Na!” Marami na akong nakukuhang idea! :)

  13. Carlo on August 18th, 2009 4:09 pm

    I recall that in the late 70′s, somebody pointed out that some of his lesser known komiks novels were ripped offed from American romance novels! Does anyone recall this? Has CJC been accused of plagiarism in the past?

  14. Gerry Alanguilan on August 18th, 2009 4:14 pm

    Carlo, you’d be disappointed to know, as I am, that there were lots of cases of plagiarism in komiks in the 70′s. There’s this writer who ripped off an entire movie, complete with title and plot, for his comics serial, and claimed it was his idea. It’s not CJC, but if I find out anything, I’ll probably write about it.

  15. adel on August 18th, 2009 4:48 pm

    In the end, it’s still quality (vs. quantity) that counts. :)

  16. Ryan Parreno on August 18th, 2009 5:01 pm

    yes, one thing you can’t fault Caparas with was plagiarism. He was too creative for that.

    Hindi ko alam na tumalon yung gawa niya to 800 na. And he’d been actively writing for how long? It has to be less than 40 years, prolific as he is there must have been a time since he started when he was not working on komiks, nobela or script. Between the time he couldn’t get work in komiks and the time he got into movies.

    Again, reiterating my point of comparison, who is the workhorse Osamu Tezuka. 700 stories in a span of over 50 years. Between writing, illustrating, and producing manga, gegika and anime. His ace over comparable masters like Jack Kirby or Herge is he had a natural gift for illustration (skills honed training as a doctor) and he improved (including the rate he made pages) as he grew older. (And unlike Herge, Kirby, etc., he enjoyed continued patronage throughout his life) And he kept making 1000-page giants graphic novels, even as he was supervising production on his animation company. At pang-madla gawa niya! You could not claim his works to be sectoral or elitist, when everyone knows Astro Boy, Black Jack, The 3-Eyed One, Blue Blink, Emperor Leo, etc.

    In terms of quality and quantity, Tezuka is the man to beat.

  17. Jun Pamintuan on August 18th, 2009 5:41 pm

    I very much doubt he made 800 “quality” novels in just a short span of time. As Gerry suggested..if he can show us a list of Titles, Visual Artists who collaborated with him if these are Graphic Novels, and yes..Publisher Names and time they were published, then I “might” believe his claim. Perhaps what he is claiming to have made are 1-2 paragraph length “short stories” instead of real novels. Who came up with that number anyway? Did that someone have proof? I mean you can’t say there are 800 unless there are 800. You and me here can just as much say that you/me have already made 800 novels as well. Do we have proof? No..but well..does our National Artist have proof of his 800 or so novel claim as well? So far, I see and hear nothing but rumors and claims which are not backed up by solid proof/facts.

    But truth or hoax, 800 novels won’t get you anywhere and certainly not near being a National Artist “unless” they are of very high caliber, importance, significance, quality, and has made a huge/significant impact. As people say, Quality beats Quantity. I can’t even recall at least 20 of his novels that made such an impact. Where are the other hundreds? And another..WRITING NOVELS ALONE DOESN’T GET YOU QUALIFIED AS BEING A VISUAL ARTIST unless you specifically drew the artwork for the stories. CJC clearly is still not a Visual Artist whether he can or cannot prove his claim of 800 or so novels. Novels and writing in general will get someone a shot at an award or title in relation to “Literature”..but for “Visual Arts”? HELL NO. Those are different things. But yeah, this is a good topic in relation to CJC’s integrity and credibility. He, himself said on TV that he wrote well over 800 novels. If he can’t prove it and can’t back it up, then what can he prove? Can we even believe what he is saying and what he already said if what he says are not even backed up by facts? or are they mere lies?

    I have never seen an artist going around with a very deep intent and need to prove himself worthy, and we are talking about our NATIONAL ARTIST!?! You don’t see our artists going around claiming I can do this or that, I made this or that, I am worthy because of this or that. Why? because people can see and people already know what they did and why they are there. But in CJC’s case? Damn it is very funny that our “NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS” is going around saying “I can draw”.
    I mean..if I am a foreigner and I live abroad and I watch this stuff on TV I’ll be like:
    “HAHAHA, crappy Philippines! Their National Artist for Visual Arts is going around claiming he can draw? What kind of National Artist is that? I bet if I give him a script/story he can’t even interpret it through DRAWING”

    @ Gerry
    A “Bahala Ka Na” story?
    I’ll be sure to buy it if you make a story about it.
    Actually, I am really hoping that someone makes a book about this National Artist issue.

  18. raymond on August 18th, 2009 6:42 pm

    http://www.spot.ph/2009/08/17/mars-ravelos-family-breaks-silence-on-carlo-j-caparas-award/

  19. Ken on August 18th, 2009 7:16 pm

    hnnh, d talaga sya deserving 4 the title of National Artist…likely na kasinungalingan lang ito…:o

  20. julius joel on August 18th, 2009 8:43 pm

    so where was CJC at the Metro ComiCon? Should he had been there to at least show support for pinoy made comics?

  21. Jun Pamintuan on August 18th, 2009 10:06 pm

    @ Julius
    I think CJC doesn’t even know that such “ComiCons” exist. And he calls himself the “Komiks King”? HAHAHA! So much for support in Filipino Comics huh CJC? He might have gone to some conventions in the past for all I know but really..I have NEVER seen him myself EVER in such ComiCons. Can someone post here if they have seen “Ginoong Caparas” in a ComiCon in the past? Not just as a “spectator/visitor” appearance who bought a ticket, but an actual “Artist” appearance with matching signing and sketching and stuff. I think he is just afraid to show up in such public events because he knows that people will not and will never acknowledge him as the “Komiks King” that he claims he is and specially not as our rightful National Artist for Visual Arts. I myself will not waste my time and money to get a sketch from someone undeserving and with an attitude like that. There are LOTS of REAL FILIPINO COMIC VISUAL ARTISTS out there. I’d rather not waste my blank covers, time, and money for signing and sketching on a FAKE COMIC VISUAL ARTIST.

  22. Jose Mari Lee on August 18th, 2009 10:48 pm

    “I mean..if I am a foreigner and I live abroad and I watch this stuff on TV I’ll be like:
    “HAHAHA, crappy Philippines! Their National Artist for Visual Arts is going around claiming he can draw? What kind of National Artist is that?”

    Ito nga ang pinaka-ridiculous sa lahat. Maglibot sa TV, magkalat sa YIUTUBE, bibit ang mga hinayupaks na walang kuwentang mga drawings kuno, na akala mo’y gawa ng isang elementary school child. Nakakahiya!

    At saka itong 800 novels na ito, talagang nakakairita na. Ayan pa si PSG, buhay na buhay. 18 years old nagsimula sa pagsulat during the early fifties, ngayon pasado 80s na, nagsusulat pa rin, nalagpasan pa niya ang numero ng nasulat nito?

    Kung minsan tuloy, parang gusto ko nang itanong: Kung ang isang visual artist ba (hindi si Caparas, ha, dahil hindi naman talaga siya Visual Artist), na gumawa ng 800 novels halimbawa, ay puwedeng magiging dahilan para IWANAN ang kanyamg unang asawa na dumamay sa kanya sa panahon ng taghirap? Na dahil lang sa prospect na maipagpatuloy ng isang visual artist ang kanyang mga matataas na pangarap sa buhay ay hahanap siya ng isang babaing pamalit sa kanyang asawa na puwedeng gawing springboard na magamit niya para matupad ang lahat ng schemes niya sa buhay?

    Ricky Lo, ano sa palagay mo?

  23. Carlo P on August 19th, 2009 12:14 am

    Di ba parang nagkaplano nung 2007(?) sina CJC/NCCA na gumawa ng convention, and if memory serves right after Komikon 07 yung projected date…?

  24. Gerry Alanguilan on August 19th, 2009 12:28 am

    Caloy, oo nga parang may narinig akong ganyan.

  25. frbarba on August 19th, 2009 5:56 am

    just a question gerry, we’re all into this issue, but none of these artists that he co-worked with have made their own statements(?)

    where are they? bakit hindi din sila nagproprotest?

    wheres karl commendador? gan, etc..?

  26. Ida on August 19th, 2009 6:21 am

    If CJC knows about the conventions, I think he also knows that it’s better for him not to go to it, because he probably also knows that a lot of the real comic book fans and artists have a low opinion of him. Because people privy to the comics industry would know all about how he rips off the artists who collaborate with him and take all the credit for himself.

    Kaya kapit-tuko siya sa mga fans niya na kilala lang siya from TV and movies kasi hindi nila alam ang mga kwentong tulad ng pagkawala ng 3 comic strips sa dyaryo dahil gusto ni CJC ang lahat ng space na ‘yun para sa sarili niyang kwento. Hindi nila alam na ang kine-claim niyang “pag-revive” ng komiks industry ay para lang talaga i-promote ang sarili niyang career at hindi naman para makatulong ng ibang writers at artists sa industriya.

  27. Gerry Alanguilan on August 19th, 2009 6:43 am

    Ferdinand, most of the old guys won’t talk, as it has become their way to keep a low profile. I tell you, if my father in law were alive, CJC will get an earful.

  28. Richie dela Merced on August 19th, 2009 1:36 pm

    Gerry you are one of my idols and i agree with you fully. The award has already been given and the burden of proof is on your side. Why should CJC try to prove anything, in his mind he is already a national artist. =)..JMHO

  29. Ed on August 19th, 2009 3:03 pm

    I read somewhere or maybe heard it on TV that he (CJC) said he can’t believe himself he was receiving a NA for Visual Arts & Films.

    That first thought should count himself out as NA. I mean why run away from police when you know you didn’t do any crime? “Running away” is like taking the title, while “I didn’t do any crime” is basically I didn’t draw anything that became popular so I deserve the NA title!

    It’s like “Take it! Take it!” from Manila Film Festival way back when Lolit Solis screwed the showbiz awarding night.

  30. auggie on August 19th, 2009 8:54 pm

    Gerry,

    You mean veteran KOMIKEROS also observe OMERTA ( vow of silence) ? I thought sa LA COSA NOSTRA, lang ito ?

  31. Gerry Alanguilan on August 19th, 2009 9:34 pm

    Auggie, I’m sure they have their reasons. Probably some of them don’t want to jeopardize future jobs. Some of them are probably afraid of retribution. Some just don’t want to get involved. Nature of many artists I guess. But I know a lot of them are carrying a lot of anger with them, and I wish they would let it out, you know, before it’s too late. Many have already gone to their graves carrying a lot of heartache with them.

  32. Eman on August 19th, 2009 10:10 pm

    So now I can say that a tabloid columnist that has written, submitted and published articles for 10 years, multiplied by 365 days, nevermind that the writing is so-so, even if it was on a broadsheet, mind you, can use this statistic to claim literary achievement and may run for an award, nay, a highly respected title as National Artist for Journalism ( if there was one)?

    Give me back my taxes.

    CJC does not merit anything from my blood, sweat and tears.

  33. frbarba on August 19th, 2009 10:56 pm

    well thats sad gerry =/

    kung meron man na dapat unang una magprotesta, walang iba kundi ung mga artists na naka-collaborate nya

    these artists have been robbed with their rightful credits! CJC obviously robbed them!

  34. Gerry Alanguilan on August 19th, 2009 11:49 pm

    Ferdinand… the family of Mar Santana just left a message in the “Carlo J. Caparas is a National Artist (Lord, Have Mercy!)” Article.

  35. frbarba on August 20th, 2009 1:35 am

    thanks gerry, i really really appreciate your vigilance on this matter

    I also hope that these artists would break their silence and speak up for themselves. Karapatan kasi nila yun! Its their right and someone should push them to speak up.

    Last time I (over)heard on the news, iaakyat daw sa higher investigating body para maimbistigahan ang bagay na ‘to at kung magkakaroon man ng discrepancies, maaaring i-pull out yung award na ito

  36. Jun Pamintuan on August 20th, 2009 7:16 am

    Nasa Supreme Court na:

    http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20090819/tph-sc-asked-to-stop-awards-for-caparas-85c5a6c.html

  37. Mona NY on August 24th, 2009 12:16 am

    Well everyone knew Carlo Caparas has illusion of gradeur. Noong araw pa he was claiming that he is the Komiks King o baka Comic King? Para maniwala ang tao that he wrote an 800 crappy stories, then he should prove and show it sa madlang people.

    Mars Ravelo maybe won’t able to brag how many he wrote in his life span. But the credibility of his works are remarkable. Naman! Huwag naman sanang bastusin yung mga tunay na mga artist!

    Wala na bang magawang matinong magawa ang administrasyon ni Arroyo? Mula sa giyera sa Mindanao, ang pagpatay at pag kidnap sa mga aktibista, pagbenta sa mga mamamayang Pilipino sa US,corruption, ANO PA! ANO PA ang hindi nagagawang kababuyan ng gobyerno???

    Sadlak na sa hirap ang mga mamamayang Pilipino. Wala ng sinasanto ang pamahalaan. Ang pagkakampihan nila at mga sariling interes lang ang kaniolang inaatupag. Magkaisa sana ang lahat ng mga Pilipino….At labanan ang nagsama samang ….BASURA!

  38. The Carlo J. Caparas Petition | BulletProofMe - Dodging bullets made out of miseries, taking the hit and surviving it. on August 29th, 2009 7:26 am

    [...] one of the latest posts, about the 800 Komiks Novels he wrote. Carlo J. Caparas – NOT!onal [...]

  39. skysenshi on August 29th, 2009 11:53 am

    I wonder…maybe it’s 800 because he considers one chapter per title a separate comic? I’ve read the article written by the Ravelo’s family. Thanks for the link. Wow. That was really moving. (I even ended up correcting one comic book fan about the difference between “copying” and “appropriation” haha!)

  40. Raymond Arzadon on September 17th, 2009 12:43 pm

    Kaso nagdesisyon na ang korte na moot and academic na raw itong reklamo laban sa ungas na Caparas na ito. Ito ay base sa legalities surrounding this case.

    Pero kung puro legalities lang tayo meron ba tayong iuunlad as a nation?

    kapag idineklara ko ba ang aso ng kapitbahay namin as National Artist by going thru all the legalities involved does that qualify him as a National Artist?

    Kayong mga legal assholes. . . meron kayong pagi-isip. gamitin ninyo.

    ang batas, on its own, ay walang isip. iyong nagpapa-tupad nito, sana, meron.

  41. Gerry Alanguilan on September 17th, 2009 1:01 pm

    Raymond, actually Malacañang lang ang nagsabi noon, as their position in the case. Hindi pa talaga nag decide ang Supreme Court.