Si Carlo J...

Carlo J. Caparas named National Artist for Visual Arts
Manila Bulletin - Saturday, August 1

It was at the airport that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was on her way to the United States to meet with US President Barrack Obama, announced that "Komiks King" Carlo J. Caparas has been named National Artist for Visual Arts.

When asked about his feelings for this new feat he has achieved, Carlo said, "Siyempre nakaka-overwhelm. Imagine someone like me na galing sa masa, na nagsusulat lang ng komiks before in my youth ay mabibigyan ng ganitong karangalan."When he was told of his award, Carlo said he remembered the late Fernando Poe, Jr. "Kasi when I was still a struggling filmmaker, I had the chance to talk to him and I said, "Erap, nakuha mo lahat ng awards at titulo. Movie King ka at marami ka ng iba't-ibang awards na natanggap.

What's next? Ano pa ba ang gusto mong ma-achieve? An international award?"Ang sagot niya sa akin: 'Erap, ang gusto ko maging National Artist!' Which he got naman, but posthumously, ibinigay sa kanya after his death. Yon ang malungkot..."Carlo started writing for komiks when he was only 18. He was also a komiks illustrator and he related that as a young boy, for lack of the necessary writing materials, he used their backyard to illustrate his ideas. "Ang bakuran namin ang malaking illustration board ko," Carlo recalled.

Carlo went on to become a most prolific and successful komiks writer during his time and was eventually dubbed "Komiks King," a title that he took with great pride especially now that komiks has been defined as the "International Theater of the World." From komiks writing, Carlo tried his hand at movie scriptwriting and directing and proved himself equally successful. For 23 years, he directed various genres of movies, most of which turned out to be box-office hits.

He also made the stars of his movies, among them Kris Aquino, phenomenal box-office star.And now his komiks creations are being adapted for television, the most recent of which were "Totoy Bato," which starred Robin Padilla and Regine Velasquez, and "Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang," starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Both were topraters on GMA 7. There were also Caparas' creative works (like "Panday" and "Pieta") that were televised on ABS-CBN and there are still many which will be used for future teleseryes in the two giant networks."Actually, there are about 30 of my novels na nakakahon na," he revealed.Through his creations that were used as teleseryes, Carlo noted that more actors were given jobs. "Ito kasing telebisyon ang pinaka-active na medium ngayon."Going back to his award as National Artist for Visual Arts, Carlo said, "makakatulong ito ng malaki sa industriya na isang active member ay nabigyan ng ganitong recognition." Komiks writing is alive again and all because of Carlo's tireless efforts to revive it nationwide with the support of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

But is his being a National Artist his ultimate achievement? Carlo laughed as he said, "I'm very proud of this but pangalawa ito. My first ultimate achievement was my wife, nang mapaibig ko si Donna Villa!" The couple went on to become a most formidable and indefatigable tandem in producing films and TV projects. Seriously speaking, the award was sort of anticipated as Carlo has already been the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit which was given him in 2007.

"Ang nakakatawa nito, lahat ng mga kasama kong nabigyan ng Presidential Medals of Merit ay patay na." They were Francisco Coching, Tony Velasquez, Larry Alcala, among others.As National Artist for Visual Arts Carlo will be recognized in all important occasions in Malacañang like state visits.Carlo's current movie projectCarlo is currently filming a trilogy that is why he and Donna are almost always in the province (in Cebu especially where Donna hails).

One episode, "Sa Ngalan ng Busabos," stars Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao and Jake Cuenca. Initially, Manny's leading lady was supposed to be Nicole of the Pussycat Dolls but the latter reportedly begged off because of her busy schedule.The other two episodes are entitled "Hawak Kita, Hawak Mo Ako," and "Hiwaga ni Lolo Hugo."