Carlo J. Caparas (b. 1948) is a Filipino writer-turned director and producer, who is best known for creating Filipino superheroes and comic book characters such as Panday, Bakekang, Totoy Bato, Joaquin Bordado, Kamagong, Angela Markado, Tasya Fantasya, Gagambino and Komiks serial novels as Pieta, Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, among others.
Two of Caparas novels that appeared in the late 70s and 80s. Both were serialized in Pilipino Komiks
Caparas first attempt at the writing field started during his days as a security guard. To while away lethargic moments, especially during the doldrums of the night shifts, Caparas decided to dabble on komiks illustrations that fit into scripted stories. Caparas derived this “hobby” from townmate and friend, illustrator Mar Santana – already an established name in the field at the time. With each stroke of the pen and brush, Caparas was faced with the inescapable decision of whether to stick to illustrations or else be a writer. “I shall write!”was his final declaration.
Two of Caparas novels that appeared in the late 70s and 80s. Both were serialized in Pilipino Komiks
Caparas first attempt at the writing field started during his days as a security guard. To while away lethargic moments, especially during the doldrums of the night shifts, Caparas decided to dabble on komiks illustrations that fit into scripted stories. Caparas derived this “hobby” from townmate and friend, illustrator Mar Santana – already an established name in the field at the time. With each stroke of the pen and brush, Caparas was faced with the inescapable decision of whether to stick to illustrations or else be a writer. “I shall write!”was his final declaration.
Left- Bakekang (1978)- Stars Nora Aunor, Perla Bautista, Renato Robles, Subas Herrero/ Story by Carlo J. Caparas/ Directed by F.H. Constantino
Right- Angela Markado (1979)- Stars Hilda Koronel, Johnny Delgado, Rez Cortez, Ruel Vernal, Tonio Gutierrez, Dave Brodett, Celia Rodriguez and Raul Aragon/ Story by Carlo J. Caparas/ Directed by Lino Brocka
One of his earlier and more memorable hits was the novel Bakekang which was serialized in the Bondying Weekly Movie Specials of the Ace Publications. The novel ran for several years and was adapted for the silver screen. Nora Aunor played the title role in that film. Other famous Caparas hits were The Hero, Juan Tornado, Angela Markado, Totoy Bato, Ang Panday, Ermitanyo, Kung Tawagin Siya’y Bathala, Ang Huling Lalaki sa Baluarte, Somewhere, Pieta, Kahit Ako’y Lupa, Mong, Agatona, Harimanok, and Andres de Saya, to name only a few.
Many of Caparas’ novels have been turned into films. His novel, “Durugin si Totoy Bato”, did not only hit the chart as top-grosser at the box-office: it also won for Caparas the much-coveted FAMAS Award. The fantasy-adventure flick, “Ang Panday,” also a komiks serial, was an unprecedented topgrosser for three consecutive years (two were sequels) at the Metro Manila Film Festival. “Angela Markado”, a novel about a rape victim who sought justice and vindicated herself by killing her abusers one after the other, earned him international acclaim in a French Film Festival. (Komiklopedia)
Left- Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang (1981)- Stars Eddie Rodriguez, Ernie Garcia, Susan Valdez, Dondon Nakar, Ruby Ana and Vivian Velez/ Story and Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Hari ng Stunt (1981)- Stars Dante Varona, Vivian Velez, Rod Navarro, Romy Diaz, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Story, Screenplay and Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Ermitano (1981)- Stars Dante Varona, Charo Santos, Roland Dantes, Vivian Velez, Romy Diaz, Dave Brodett, Bob Soler/ Story and Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Left- Kahit Ako'y Lupa (1981)- Stars Rudy Fernandez, Vivian Velez, Suzette Ranillo/ Story and Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Pieta (1983)- Stars Charito Solis, Luis Gonzales, Mario Montenegro, George Estregan, Deborah Sun, Bomber Moran and Vivian Velez & Ace Vergel/ Story and Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Joaquin Burdado (1988)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Tanya Gomez, Janice Jurado, Deborah Sun, Paquito Diaz, Rocco Montalban, Renato Del Prado/ Featuring Elvis Gutierrez/ Story, Screenplay and Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
After several years of being away in the movie scene, Caparas made a great comeback in the 90s with Humanda ka Mayor (1993), based on the sensational rape-murder case of then Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez. The movie was a sensational hit that paved the way for more films with this genre--- massacre, murder, rape.
Left- Humanda Ka Mayor! (Bahala na and Diyos)/ 1993- Stars Nida Blanca, Luis Gonzales, Robert Arevalo, Luz Valdez, Jeffrey Santos, Sunshine Cruz, Dick Israel and Aga Muhlach & Kris Aquino/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Antipolo Massacre: The Cecilia Masagca Story (Jesus Saves Us!)/ 1993- Stars Cesar Montano and Dawn Zulueta/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Left- The Myrna Di0nes Story (Lord, have mercy!)/ 1993- Stars Boots Anson Roa, Eddie Rodriguez, Joel Torre , Robert Arevalo, Marita Zobel, Monica Herrera, Almira Muhlach and Gina Alajar & Kris Aquino/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- The Vizconde Massacre (God Help Us!)/ 1993- Stars Romeo Vasquez, Aurora Salve, Lady Lee and Kris Aquino/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Left- The Maggie de la Riva Story (God...Why Me?)/ 1994- Stars Boots Anson-Roa, Robert Arevalo, Liza Lorena, Lito Legaspi, Marita Zobel & Laurice Guillen/with Philip Gamboa, Ali Sotto & Tonton Gutierrez/and Ricky Davao, Michael de Mesa, Miguel Rodriguez, John Regala and Dawn Zulueta / Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Lipa Massacre (Lord Deliver Us From Evil!)/ 1994- Stars Vilma Santos, Joel Torre, Charina Scott, Angelica Panganiban, Robert Arevalo, Perla Bautista, Philip Gamboa and John Regala/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Lipa Massacre (Lord Deliver Us From Evil!)/ 1994- Stars Vilma Santos, Joel Torre, Charina Scott, Angelica Panganiban, Robert Arevalo, Perla Bautista, Philip Gamboa and John Regala/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Left- The Anabelle Huggins Story- Ruben Ablaza Tragedy (Mea Culpa)/ 1995- Stars Cesar Montano and Dawn Zulueta/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- The Marita Gonzaga Rape-Slay (In God We Trust!)/ 1995- Stars Ms. Maggie dela Riva, Tommy Abuel, Royette Padilla, Manjo del Mundo, Brando Legaspi and Sunshine Cruz/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Left- Lilian Velez Story (Till Death Do Us Part)/ 1993- Stars Cesar Montano, Joel RTorre and Sharon Cuneta/ with Gina Alajar, Agot Isidro & Donita Rose/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Victim No.1: Delia Maga (Jesus Pray For Us!)/ 1993- Stars Joel Torre, Val Victa, Elizabeth Oropesa, Celso Ad. Castillo, Ronnie Lazaro, Marita Zobel and Gina Alajar/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- Victim No.1: Delia Maga (Jesus Pray For Us!)/ 1993- Stars Joel Torre, Val Victa, Elizabeth Oropesa, Celso Ad. Castillo, Ronnie Lazaro, Marita Zobel and Gina Alajar/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Left- Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng Solid Group/ 1995- Stars Jinggoy Estrada, Sunshine Cruz, Jackie Aquino, Michael de Mesa/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- The Cory Quirino Kidnap/ NBI Files (2003)- Stars Ara Mina, Alessandra de Rossi & NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco/ with Zoren Legaspi, Bobby Andrews, Edu Manzano, Boots Anson-Roa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel, Peque Gallaga, Celso Ad. Castillo, Paquito Diaz & Ms. Maggie dela Riva/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
Right- The Cory Quirino Kidnap/ NBI Files (2003)- Stars Ara Mina, Alessandra de Rossi & NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco/ with Zoren Legaspi, Bobby Andrews, Edu Manzano, Boots Anson-Roa, Robert Arevalo, Tommy Abuel, Peque Gallaga, Celso Ad. Castillo, Paquito Diaz & Ms. Maggie dela Riva/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas
good thing there was an end to these horrible massacre movies..it was one of the cheapest films that philippie has produced along with the likes of maricris sioson story, chop chop lady etc..etc...
ReplyDeletehope carlo caparas wont comeback with a vengeance showing another gross films like that.
Simon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. The interesting thing is his films star so many big name Filipino thespians. I left in 79, so I never saw a single one of these movies, and would be interested to do a sampling. Panahon ko ay panahon ng the real Maggie dela Riva and here he has a movie based on that story. Really interesting titles too, I like the Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang. Reminds me of another long title in my time: Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat nt Lupa.
Rod
Rod,
ReplyDeleteI-re-revive daw ulit sa TV yang Pinakamagandang Hayup....as a telenobela na... puro recycle dito ngayon....
Auggie
Recycle. Hmmm. Reminds me of Toto Belano. In 1979, we were at Magna Tech having one of our regular meetings of the Sriptwriters Guild of the Philippines, and when I suggested that we should not be writing TRASHY screenplays, Toto gave me one of his one-liners: "Don't you know that there is CASH in TRASH?"
ReplyDeleteSo now, RECYCLING is in vogue. Nothing seemed to have changed after all. He-he.
JM, Auggie, Simon,
ReplyDeleteYep, recycle, recycle. The new Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, etc. I can't believe The Taking of Pelham 123 has a remake with John Travolta.
JM, parang familiar sa akin si Toto Belano. Maybe I know him. Is he a short, plump guy?
Rod
Rod, this is the third remake of The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3. The first one was in 1973 and the second in 1998. It seems that they ran out of story!!!
ReplyDeleteSimon,
ReplyDeleteWhatttt? I guess I missed the 1998 one, or didn't care. The original is still fresh in my mind, the one with Walter Matthau.
Rod
Rod:
ReplyDeleteThe description fits.
He moved to the US.
JM
JM, Rod & Simon,
ReplyDeleteAng recycling sa TV eh dahil daw sa Economic Crunch, mas murang magrecycle na lang kesa mag-tap ng bagong mga istorya, dahil mga bayad na sa copyrights yung mga paulit-ulit at gasgas ng mga istorya.At least iyan ang Spin ng dalawang higanteng TV networks.
Yung WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, eh ibinalik na rin, si Bossing ang host, kaya lang hindi kuha dito sa probinsiya ang Channel 5.
Sa Hollywood, sana gumawa rin sila ng remake ng THE WILD BUNCH, THE DEFIANT ONES, THE YOUNG LIONS....
Auggie
it was manoling morato who coaxed carlo j. caparas to create the so-called massacre films to end the reign of ST films of that time. exploitation movie to end exploitation movie.
ReplyDeleteSino po yung laging nag nanarrate sa mga films nya?
ReplyDelete