‘Panday’ creator Carlo J. Caparas dies at 80

VETERAN director, writer and comic strip creator Carlo J. Caparas—whose works ‘90s kids grew up with—passed away. He was 80.

The news was confirmed by his daughter, Peach Caparas, in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 25. The cause of death was not disclosed.

In a heartfelt poem, titled “Sa Bawat Tipa Ng Makinilya,” she paid tribute to her father and his life’s works, including his creation of Filipino superheroes and comic book characters like “Panday,” “Bakekang,” “Totoy Bato,” “Pieta,” and “Elias Paniki.”

“Sa larangan ng komiks siya ang naghari, naging bahagi ng kultura, naging yaman ng lahi. / Umabot sa lona ng pinilakang tabing, hinangaan, pinalakpakan ng bayang magiting,” Peach wrote. “Subalit buhay ay sadyang may wakas… “Pack up na Direk”. Oras na ng uwian.”

She continued, “Hayaang kasaysayan ang humusga sa iyong mga obra. / Salamat Direk Carlo J. sa mga dibuho at istorya. / Mga istoryang nabuo sa bawat tipa ng iyong makinilya…”

Peach ended her post with, “Dad, you will forever be loved, cherished, and honored…by all of us.”

In the comment section, Peach announced that her father’s wake will begin on Monday, May 27, at the Golden Haven Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Las Piñas City, from 12 p.m. to 12 midnight.

Carlo’s family will welcome flowers today, May 26.

Known as the “Komiks King,” Carlo also had a long list of movies under his name since the 1970s, which include “Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang,” “Kamagong,” “Joaquin Burdado,” “Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki,” “Ayaw Matulog Ng Gabi,” “Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar,” “Chavit,” and “Ang Panday.”

He also helmed several massacre films like “The Vizconde Massacre: God Help Us!” “The Myrna Diones Story: Lord, Have Mercy!” and “The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre – Jesus Save Us!”

In 2009, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named Carlo a National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts and Film.

The plot twist came in 2013 when the Supreme Court voided Carlo’s recognition, invalidating Proclamation Nos. 1826 to 1829 “for having been issued with grave abuse of discretion.” 

The high court’s decision also affected theater artist Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, architect Francisco Mañosa, and fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno.