From Wikipedia: Carlo Magno Jose Caparas (March 12, 1944 – May 25, 2024) was a Filipino comic strip creator and writer-turned film director and producer. He is best known for creating such Filipino superheroes and comic book characters as Panday, Bakekang, Totoy Bato, Joaquin Bordado, Kamagong, Kamandag, Elias Paniki, Tasya Fantasya, and Gagambino among others. He was also known as the writer-director of numerous sensationalist "massacre" films such as The Myrna Diones Story, The Maggie dela Riva Story and Lipa "Arandia" Massacre.
One of the nine children of a laundrywoman and an unemployed father, Caparas took numerous jobs to support his family, as well as his secondary schooling, including a water carrier, boatman, construction laborer, and factory worker. However, Caparas later dropped out of school. He was also an avid lover of books.
At age 19, Caparas became a security guard at the Carmelo and Bauerman Publishing, a local publishing company in Makati, working mainly from 11pm to 7am; he continued there his reading habit within "[a thousand] nights." One day, he was hit by a stray bullet during a company strike, forcing him to take a rest.
It was in his youth when he started to be devoted to arts. He used to draw comic strips to express his anger towards what he said were his oppressors.
His recovery following his shooting gave him more opportunity for reading, eventually discovering his storytelling skills. He had his first comic story, Citadel, serialized in Superstar.
At age 22, a passerby noticed in his notebook a full romance comic novella which he completed, Ako'y Nagmamahal Sayo, I Am Your Beloved. It became his first published work.
In 2007, in efforts to revive the comics industry, Caparas led writers and illustrators of works which were later published in newly-launched titles; and proposed activities sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. These culminated with the unveiling of his five new komiks in a ceremony, led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, at the NCCA Building in Intramuros, Manila in July. Later that year, Caparas began to write a so-called "diario novela"—the first of its kind—for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, entitled To Have And To Hold.
Caparas began his film career in the 1980s as a film director. He headed Golden Lion Films International along with his wife and film producer, Donna Villa, who helped him draft film titles. Such films with long titles were based on true stories of outlaws and crimes, one example was Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng Solid Group in 1995. Some of his works notoriously called "massacre films" (which included films narrating the Vizconde massacre case and the stories of Lilian Velez and Myrna Diones) were made within seven days in the mid-1990s to reach viewers, hence the so-called "pito-pito" style. For this reason, his works were criticized by his fellow filmmakers. Some of his films became entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival, producing box office earnings and award nominations.
In early January 1989, Caparas began producing a film about the Camp Cawa-Cawa siege at the same time as it was occurring, eventually finishing the film within two months and releasing it under the title Arrest: Pat. Rizal Alih – Zamboanga Massacre on March 8.
In February 2001, Caparas began plans to produce a film about EDSA II; it eventually became the 2003 biographical film Chavit, about politician Chavit Singson. In May 2003, he offered to produce a biographical film for then-chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando, though on July 31, Fernando revealed to reporters that he declined any offer for a film adaptation of his life due to election laws preventing any campaigns from being held before the campaign period for the 2004 Philippine presidential election began in December 2003.
A civil case was filed in December 1988 against Caparas and Villa by Amy Austria, who portrayed the lead role in the biographical film Celestina Sanchez: Bubbles (Enforcer: Ativan Gang) where Caparas was the director and Villa was the producer. The film, produced by the Golden Lion Films, was supposed to be finished within almost two weeks but due to delays, its was only screened for that year's MMFF a week later than the original schedule. Caparas hired professional dubbers to dub the actress' voice in some of the scenes, and continued despite the complaint. In 1990, the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 60 dismissed the complaint; the decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeals in 1995.
CARLO J. CAPARAS FILMOGRAPHY
[as director = d, story and screenplay = st/sc, producer, executive producer or associate producer = p/ep/ap; titles marked * are in digital form in the Bamboo Gods Archives]
1972 - Till Death Do Us Part (st)
1973 – Contessa (st)
1975 - Sa Ngalan Ng Ama, At Ng Anak (st)
1976 – Divino (st/sc)
1977 - Totoy Bato (st/sc)*
1978 - Ang Huling Lalaki Ng Baluarte (st), Bakekang (st)
1979 - Durugin Si Totoy Bato (st)*, Mong (d/st)
1980 - Pader At Rehas (st)*, Ang Panday (st)*, Angela Markado (st)*, Andres de Saya (st)*, Agatona (st/sc), Diyablo – Sagrado (d), Target! Kanang Kamay Ni Nardo (d), Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala (d/st/sc)*
1981 - Pagbabalik Ng Panday (st)*, Sambahin Ang Ngalan Mo (st)*, Kahit Ako'y Lupa (d/st), Ang Maestro (1981)*, Ermitaño (d/sc)*, Indio (d/st/sc), Hari Ng Stunt (d/st/sc)*, Ang Babaing Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang (d/st)
1982 – Berdugo (d/st/sc)*, Ang Panday: Ikatlong Yugto (st)*, Bagwis Ng Lawin (st/sc)*, Lakas Kapwa Lakas (st/sc), Andres de Saya Mabagsik Na Daw (st)*, Alyas Palos II (sc), Stepanio (st)*, Boy Condenado (st)
1983 - Dugong Buhay (d/st/sc)*, Pieta (d/st/sc)*, Utol (d/st)*, Dalmacio Armas (d/st/sc)*, Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan (st)*
1984 - Ang Panday IV (character only)*, Pieta: Ikalawang Aklat (d/st/sc), Alakdang Bato (d), Sampung Ahas Ni Eva (st/sc), Daang Hari (st)*, Somewhere (st)*, Angkan Ng Sietereales (st)*
1985 - God ...Save Me! (d/st), S.W.A.K. (Samahang Walang Atrasan Sa Kalaban) (d/sc)*, Jandro Nakpil: Halang Ang Kaluluwa (d/st/sc)*, Sa Dibdib Ng Sierra Madre (d/st/sc)*, Anino Ni David Crusado (d/st/sc)
1986 – Tuklaw (d/st/sc/p)*, Panday [TV series] (st/sc), Anomalya Ni Andres de Saya (d/st/sc/p), Kamagong (d/st/sc)*, Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa! (st)*, Matatalim Na Pangil Sa Gubat (st)*, Isa Lang Ang Dapat Mabuhay (st), Paano Hahatiin Ang Puso (st/p)*, Sa Bawat Hakbang Babaha Ng Dugo (st/sc)*, Agaw-Armas (p[uncredited])*
1987 - Takbo, Bilis... Takboooo! (d/st/sc/p)*, Mga Lahing Pikutin (d/st/sc/p), Boy Tornado (st), Susuko Ba Ako, Inay? (st/sc/p), Anak Ng Lupa (st)*
1988 - Bubble's Ativan Gang/Celestina Bubbles Sanchez Story (d/st/scp)*, Kambal Na Kamao (d/p)*, Joaquin Bordado (d/st/sc/p)*, Knock, Knock Who's There? (d/st/sc/p), Sandakot Na Bala (st)*
1989 - Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig Ni Elias Paniki (d/st/sc/ep)*, Arrest Patrolman Rizal Alih, Zamboanga Massacre (d/sc/p), Rosenda (st), Limang Daliri Ng Diyos (st/sc/p)
1990 - Ayaw Matulog Ng Gabi (d/st/sc/ep)*, Mga Birhen Ng Ermita (st/sc/p)
1991 - Try Hard Too: Born On The 3rd Of July (st/sc/ep)*
1993 - Humanda Ka Mayor!: Bahala Na Ang Diyos (d/st/sc/ep)*, The Myrna Diones Story (Lord, Have Mercy!) (d/st/sc/ep)*, The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! (d/st/sc/ep)*, Dodong Armado (st), Pandoy: Alalay Ng Panday (st)*, Dugo Ng Panday (character only)*
1994 - Lipa “Arandia” Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us From Evil (d/st/ep)*, The Maggie dela Riva Story (God... Why Me?) (d/st/sc/ep)*, The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II - May The Lord Be With Us! (d/st/sc)/ep)*, The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!) (d/st/ep)*, Tasya Fantasia (Maid In Heaven) (d/st/ep)*, Markadong Hudas (st)*
1995 - The Marita Gonzaga Rape-Slay: In God We Trust! (d/st/sc/ep), Salamat Sa Lotto (d), Wilson Sorronda: Leader Kuratong Baleleng's Solid Group (d/st/sc/ep)*, Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray For Us!) (d/ep)*, The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part (d/st/sc/ap)*, Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy - Mea Culpa (d/st/sc/ep)*
1996 - Tirad Pass: The Story Of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (d/p)
1997 - Ilaban Mo, Bayan Ko: The Obet Pagdanganan Story (d/sc/ep)*
1998 - Hiwaga Ng Panday (d/sc/p)*
2003 – Chavit (d/st/sc/p)*, The Cory Quirino Kidnap: NBI Files (d/st/sc/ep)*
2005-2006 – Panday [TV Series] (character only)
2006-2007 – Bakekang [TV Series] (st)
2007-2008 – Kamandag [TV Series] (developer)
2008 - Joaquin Bordado [TV Series] (st), Tasya Fantasya [TV Series] (st)
2008-2009 – Pieta [TV Series] (creator), Gagambino [TV Series] (st)
2009 - Pangarap Kong Jackpot (d), Ang Panday (character only), Totoy Bato [TV Series] (st), Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang [TV Series] (st)
2010 - Kroko (Takas Sa Zoo) [TV Series] (d/creator), Elias Paniki [TV Series] (st), Panday Kids [TV Series] (st)
2011 - Ang Panday 2 (st), Bangis [TV Series] (st), Andres de Saya [TV Series] (st)
2015 - Angela Markado (d/st/sc)
2017 - Kamandag Ng Droga (d), Ang Panday (character only)
2018 - Jacqueline Comes Home: The Chiong Story (st/sc)
2024 - Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa [TV Series] (st)
