Crispina Martinez-Belen
They never expected it to be a big hit so soon but the komiks revival that Carlo J. Caparas and wife Donna Villa, now dubbed as the "First Couple of Komiks," spearheaded was unprecedented in its success.
This second coming of komiks surpassed the highest circulation of the so-called komiks golden era two decades ago. So, was it because of the "pananabik ng masa" or is it because of the big promo launched by Sterling Publications and the First Couple of Komiks? Or most probably, it’s the will of God, considering the depression in the ranks of writers and illustrators deprived of compensation and appreciation of their talents when komiks went out of circulation in the market.
"When we toured different regions for the Komiks Caravan, we saw the enthusiasm and the clamor para ibalik ang komiks. Sa panig ng mga mambabasa iyon. Sa libu-libong uma-attend naman sa free seminars namin, nakita namin na napakarami palang budding writers and illustrators all over the country. And that gave us more motivation to help revive the komiks!" This was Donna observation.
According to Carlo, one of the country’s most prolific komiks writers during his heyday, with the revival of the komiks industry, "hindi lang mga komiks artists ang kikita, kundi marami pang iba tulad ng mga dealers, mga may-ari at trabahador ng imprenta, mga vendors especially the handicapped.
"Kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit phenomenal ang lakas ng komiks ngayon. Maraming mga nagdadasal para buhayin muli and industriyang ito," he added.
At ten pesos, komiks and lotto give their buyers a chance to hit the jackpot - four serialized novels, and three wakasan short stories and at ten pesos, wow, talagang jackpot! Carlo added. The novels were written and illustrated by the country’s top novelists like Carlo J. Caparas, Nerissa Cabral, Elena Patron, Gilda Olvidado, Rod Santiago, Rico Bello Omagap, and Joe Lad Santos; and illustrators Hal Santiago, Karl Comendador, Louie and Joey Celerio, Joe Mari Mongcal, Nestor Malgapo, Steve Gan, and the Fil-Am illustrators Dell Barras, Lan Medina and Thor Infante.
At the recent Komiks Congress’ Second Session held at the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA)’s Leandro Locsin Auditorium, awards were given to people who helped and supported the komiks revival movement. Leading them were President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, NCCA Executive Director Cecile Guidote Alvarez, former PCSO Chairman Manoling Morato, PCSO GM Rosario C. Uriarte, mega–producer Donna Villa, PJI pblisher Gus Villanueva, Prof. Ongoco, Rep. Martin Rumualdez, KWF Chairman Ricardo Ma. Duran Nolasco, and Manila Bulletin Chairman Don Emilio T. Yap.
The Komiks’ second coming has really gained grounds, from the masses and the academe and now, "pati na businss sector," KWF Commissioner Joe Lad Santos said. "Negosyo at edukasyon ang matutulungan ng komiks. Maibabalik ang mga bata sa pagbabasa. Puro digital machine na ang hawak nila at babad na sila sa telebisyon, kaya nalilimutan na ang pagbabasa!"
Engrossing is how readers described the five komiks books released last Sept. 14. They contain exciting characters like Kroko ("Takas sa Zoo"), Gagambino, a counterpart of "Spiderman," "Bangaw," "Andres de Saya," "Totoy Bato," and exciting love stories like "Walang Hanggan," "Daan Patungo sa Langit," "Pagkislap ng Tala," "Saan Pupunta ang Pusong Sugatan," and "Hiwaga ng Cadena de Amor."
"Miracles still happen," exclaimed Donna Villa. "And it’s really happening in the komiks world!"
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An intriguing, multi-talented personality named Iya Villania
We find Iya Villania, the 21-year-old MYX VJ and TV/movie performer, intriguing. For one, she is somewhat conservative in her values, considering the fact that she grew up in Australia where young people could be liberal and ultramodern in their ways and thinking.
When asked if she’s amenable to a live-in situation with her boyfriend of three years now Drew Arellano, Iya appeared shock but stressed that she won’t ever resort to this set-up. She was raised by her Filipino parents who taught her Filipino values although they lived in a Filipino community in Australia. "Pinay pa rin ako kahit lumaki ako sa Australia," she said. Iya is a Seventh Day Adventist like her father and she doesn’t eat shellfish and fish without scales or gills. She’s a vegetable eater too that accounts for her trim physique. In fact, for a 5’4" tall lass, she may be underweight at 110-lbs.
Busy with her career, Iya however finds time to further her education. She’s now a senior student taking up Psychology at the De La Salle University. Her choice of a college course is another thing that intrigued us (during an interview sometime recently, for the fantaserye "Lastikman," aired weekdays on ABS-CBN). It wouldn’t have surprised us if Iya was taking up Communication Arts since she’s a performing artist.
"Kasi Psychology is so intriguing," she said. "Ang daming psychological cases around us. One could have as many as 16 personalities within himself. I did research on a condition called Dissociative Identity Disorder and I found out that one with this ailment took 12 years to cure! Di ba intriguing?"
Despite her hectic showbiz schedule, Iya goes to school three times a week (MWF, from 11:40 a.m. to 3:30). Right now though, she enrolled in only four subjects (seven units).
Other days, Iya does tapings for her various shows, like "U Can Dance," and "Lastikman" where she plays Yellena, the hero’s (Vhong Navarro) leading lady.
Aside from Vhong and Iya, "Lastikman" also features some of the brighest young stars of ABSCBN: Roxanne Guinoo, Jake Cuenca, Danilo Barrios, Empress Schuck, Enchong Dee and comedian Archie Alemanya.Completing the powerhouse cast are Cherie Gil, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dawn Zulueta, John Estrada, Ssunshine Cruz, Ai Ai de las Alas, Jomari Yllana, Tonton Gutierrez and Carmi Martin.
"Lastikman" is the story of half-human, half-alien Eskappar/Miguel who was thrown to earth and became the country’s No. 1 hero. Growing up in this planet, he will struggle between protecting the earth from evil, fighting bad guys and aliens disguised as mad scientists, and shielding the people he loves from danger. Leading the pack as the elastic superhero Lastikman is of course our top comedian Vhong Navarro.
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Geoff Eigenmann endorses Hanford
Handsome and talented young actor Geoff Eigenmann, son of celebrity couple Michael de Mesa and Gina Alajar, was signed up recently as the newest endorser of Hanford. Asked why he was chosen for the job, Hanford executives said it’s because as the company gears to take the next level in the undergarment industry, they believe that Geoff Eigenmann has more than what it takes to be an endorser that would clearly embody Hanford.
Being one of the most prominent young celebrities in show business today, Geoff, who’s an artist of ABS-CBN Star Magic, was selected from among others, because of his prositive image for the young people, as well as his wholesomeness and sophistication, and also for his qualities as an actor and a host.
On his part, Geoff expressed pride and gratitude for having been chosen to be the newest celebrity endorser of Hanford during a recent contract-signing held at Annabel’s Morato. Aside from Hanford executives, also present at the launch was Geoff’s multi-awarded mom, Gina Alajar.
Marketing-wise, signing up Geoff is a challenge and a big leap for Hanford as it tries to capture a younger and more hip market that the young actor truly represents.
For half a century now, Hanford has been constantly setting the trend and leading the pack in the Philippine undergarment industry. Its product lines have been passed by one generation to the next.
Consistent with the vision to be the industry benchmark, Mansfield Int’l, the maker of Hanford, uses only the op-of-the-line, cutting edge technology in making its products. And in the past few months, Hanford has undergone a lot of changes and still is undergoing changes to meet the needs of its growing market. With Geoff as endorser, Hanford is out to prove that it is becoming hipper, trendier, and above all cooler!
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 7, go to former Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez, DOT Director Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Mrs. Nelly Campos, Ira Maniquis, Brenda Villasan, Vanessa Villarama, Linda Punzalan, Shoona Teves, Norihide Joseph Ono, Mrs. Po Suan Velasco, Virgie V. Mariano, Engr. Abraham, and Anna Larucea of Star Magic...Belated anniversary greetings to Mario and Virgie Delmonte of Rhode Island, USA who marked their silver anniversary.
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