Senate reso honors 'Pinoy Komiks King' Carlo J. Caparas

A resolution has been filed in the Senate honoring "Pinoy Komiks King" Carlo J. Caparas who passed away at 80 years old late last month.

Actor-turned-lawmaker Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed proposed Senate Resolution 1045 which honors Caparas' contribution to Philippine cinema and literature and expresses the profound sympathy and condolences of the Senate for his passing.

"Caparas left an indelible legacy during the heyday of komiks and had written over 800 novels and short stories, a considerable number of which have been translated into blockbuster and critically-acclaimed movies or popular television series, including Pieta, Tasya Fantasya, Joaquin Bordado, Dugong Buhay, Angela Markado, Kamandag, and Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa, to name a few," Estrada wrote in the resolution.

"While some of his works were set against the backdrop of fantasy and the supernatural, Caparas' gripping storylines depict the struggles, perseverance, resilience and indomitable spirit of the Filipino masses and the less fortunate, and their triumph against hardships, injustice and oppression," he added.

Estrada lauded the late artist for his "creative genius" which, he said, undeniably contributed to the enrichment and growth of the local entertainment scene and promotion of Philippine arts and culture.

"His impressive body of published works reflecting the Filipino way of life and aspirations as well as the rich tradition of Philippine folklore belongs to the artistic and literary heritage of the country. His passing is a great loss for the Philippine komiks industry and cinema, and the entire nation," he said.

Caparas, known for creating iconic characters such as Ang Panday, Totoy Bato, Elis Paniki, Bakekang, and Gagambino, was conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit as one of the "Legends of Philippine Komiks" in 2007.

He was a recipient of "Gawad Komisyon sa Wika" by the National Commission for the Filipino Language in August 2006 for being a master storyteller and a champion and hero in the Filipino Language.

In the same year, he was honored in the Gusi International Peace Award for Cinema and Filipino Literature.

Included in his accolades were the the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Hall of Fame Award in 2012 and Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Award from the PMPC Star Awards for Movies in 2010, among others. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA Integrated News