Carlo J. Caparas, prolific Filipino director, producer and writer, passed away on Saturday, May 25. He was 80 years old.
His daughter, Peach Caparas, confirmed his passing on Facebook, paying tribute to her father’s incredible legacy with a poem she titled “Sa Bawat Tipa ng Makinilya (An ode to Direk Carlo J).”
She wrote: “Halos umaga na, sa libliban ng Ugong isang makinilya, pilitang binabasag ang katahimikan roon.
“Isang mananalaysay ng kwento ng buhay, nilalabanan ang antok, nagsusunog ng kilay.
“Sa kanyang taglay na brilyo mga obra maestrang nobela kanyang nabuo. Panday, Pieta, Elias Paniki, Bakekang, Totoy Bato ang ilan lamang sa mga ito.
“Sa larangan ng komiks siya ang naghari, naging bahagi ng kultura, naging yaman ng lahi.
“Umabot sa lona ng pinilakang tabing, hinangaan, pinalakpakan ng bayang magiting.”
Caparas was celebrated for his groundbreaking work as a director, comics artist, and writer. He was tagged as “Komiks King” for creating unforgettable comics character such as “Panday,” “Pieta,” “Elias Paniki,” “Bakekang,” “Totoy Bato,” “Joaquin Bordado,” “Kamagong,” “Kamandag,” “Tasya Fantasya,” among others.
In 2009, he was bestowed the title National Artist for Visual Arts and Film by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but the proclamation was nullified by the Supreme Court in 2013.
Peach Caparas reflected on her father’s remarkable journey, acknowledging his tireless dedication and the indelible mark he left on Philippine culture. She wrote, “Subalit buhay ay sadyang may wakas… ‘Pack up na Direk.’ Oras na ng uwian. Hayaang kasaysayan ang humusga sa iyong mga obra. Salamat Direk Carlo J. sa mga dibuho at istorya. Mga istoryang nabuo sa bawat tipa ng iyong makinilya… Dad, you will forever be loved, cherished, and honored by all of us.”
She ended it with the words: “Love, The children of a King.”
Caparas and his wife, the late actress Donna Villa, Marian Patalinghug in real life, were the brains behind Golden Lions Films, which was known for producing highly-successful action fantasy films like “Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki” and “Joaquin Bordado” in the 1980s and several true crime films tagged as “massacre films” in the 1990s.
The wake for Carlo Caparas is at the Golden Haven, C-5 Extension in Las Piñas.
