Comicology Independence Day Special!
June 12, 2008Happy Independence Day!!!! At least, to those from the Philippines. That’s what the .ph stood for, by the way.
And since today marks the 110th year since we were given independence by numerous invaders and colonizers, I thought Comicology would put out an article about fictional Filipinos who fight against invasions and colonies! These are the people created by great Filipino minds and artists, whose names are now the stuff of legends!
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Comicology Independence Day Special: Filipino Superheroes (who aren’t the Triumph Division)
Let’s start with the most famous one. He’s so iconic, in fact, that numerous films and television series have been made about him. He’s the guy who embodies the importance of getting hard and long when in a fight for your life-
Panday was created by Carlos J. Caparas and artist Steven Gan for Pilipino Komiks. And according to internationalhero, Flavio (the original Panday) was a skilled blacksmith (panday is Filipino for blacksmith) who once found a meteor that fell from the sky. He used the metal found therein to fashion a dagger and a churchbell.
Seriously, how awesome is that? The dude made a frickin’ churchbell!
The dagger would hum whenever there was danger afoot, and it would magically grow when he pointed it towards the sky even without shouting “Thunder thunder thundercats!! HO!!!!!” The sword also has mystical capabilities, able to cut through any substance without much resistance, kinda like a hot knife through melted butter or adamantium.
I wonder what the churchbell does, though.
It gets better, too. One of his descendants found the sword and reforged it into a gun, having it turn into a sword by will and vice-versa. Cool concept, I seriously think. Check out internationalhero for a more detailed explanation!
Her real name is Narda. Okay, I know it’s probably ridiculous to use an anagram of your secret identity to make up your alter-ego but c’mon, Diana Prince actually covered up Princess Diana. And the explanation is actually a lot more complicated than that; check out internationalhero for a more details..
She got her powers from swallowing an alien piece of stone, known as the White Stone of Adarnika. She possesses the alure of Venus, the glory of Apollo and strength of Samson. So yeah, that pretty much means super strength, flight, super speed and invincibility. Like a female Superman.
Yeah, you’re thinking Darna’s a Wonder Woman knock-off, right? Yeah, Wonder Woman was introduced in 1941, and Darna was created by Mars Revalo in 1947. However, Rita D. de la Cruz, Mars Revalo’s daughter, said that her father based her on images of Superman the American soldiers brought to the Philippines.
For more info, go to internationalhero!
Now, this guy’s just all sorts of bad ass. Captain Barbell is another fantastic character created by Mars Revalo, who is, dare I say it, the Philippines’ Stan Lee.
The good Captain’s first appearance was in Pinoy Komiks #5 in 1963.
Imagine Thor, on less steroids, slinging a fucken’ barbell instead of a whimpy-ass hammer, you get Captain Barbell. He acquired his powers when he was given a magical golden set of weights by a hermit for a kind deed. When he lifts these magic golden weights, he turns into Captain Barbell, a mass of muscle and power with resistance to damage and flight.
The original costume for the good Captain was shirtless circus-strongman-like with a mask. And now, he’s made of awesome, like that of the picture above.
Consider these three characters the big three of Philippine modern mythology. Think of Panday as Batman without the intelligence or gadgets and broodiness, Captain Barbell as Superman but carrying around a bad ass set of weights, and Darna, of course, as Wonder Woman because we’re sexist like that. Now, think of the other superheroes- Lastik Man, Joquin Burdado, etc. etc. forming a Justice League of the Philippines! GEEKGASM!
Okay, unfortunately, I’m too pooped to write about more superheroes from my beloved country. However, I did have lots of fun reading up on these fascinating characters, so I’m turning this into a regular series within Comicology. Every so often, I’ll be featuring Filipino Superheroes when I can. Next week, watch out for Lastikman!
Previous Comments
Enteng Kabisote is technically a superhero isnt he?
Posted by luis at June 13, 2008, 12:23 am@Poyt
Ah, yes, Alanguilan’s work. I want to interview him, actually, and feature his work here. If you can get me that, I’d be in your debt.
@Luis
Technically, he is. Though I’m not entirely sure if his origins stem out of a comic book.
Posted by comicology at June 13, 2008, 12:29 amwhat about sorta modern-ish characters? no Grail?
Posted by Shrubber at June 13, 2008, 12:53 am@Shrubber
I felt like dealing with the classic characters since it’s the 110th Independence Day. But I will try to touch on those characters sooner or later!
Posted by comicology at June 13, 2008, 12:55 amPlease don’t forget to include the newest team of Pinoy heroes ever to conquer the planet: The X-Pats!
Yeah I’m sort of one of them.
Posted by Steelio at June 13, 2008, 1:26 amNice feature! 
I didn’t know Panday’s sword was re-forged into a gun. Hmmm…
How about Lastikman Papa Bim?
Posted by Ria Jose at June 13, 2008, 2:00 am@Ria Jose
Oh, yeah, it was Jinggoy’s movie, which came out a few years ago.
Lastikman will be featured DID YOU JUST CALL ME PAPA BIM?!
Posted by comicology at June 13, 2008, 2:01 amCoz Papa Ade has automatic gerl now… you my new Papa. LOL!
Uhmmm… is Dyesebel also a hero? What about Pedro Penduko?
Posted by Ria Jose at June 13, 2008, 3:45 amDarna is my favorite. I even made an article about it at hubpages here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/DARNA-All-time-Favorite-Pinay-Superhero
But i posted a photo of Angel Locsin there haha
Btw, there’s an upcoming show in GMA-7 called “Gagambino” which will be played by Dennis Trillo and it originated from comics created by Caparas. I would love to read a feature about it 
@Ria Jose
Ade has a what now!? Um… oooooo-kay.
Anyway, yeah, Dyesebel could probably be considered a hero in the least strict definition of hero. However, Pedro Penduko would definitely be up there.
Posted by comicology at June 13, 2008, 10:29 am@Mica
Darna is fantastic; although I’m kinda wishing there were less similarities between her and Wonder Woman.
And about Gagambino, I saw his page over at internationalhero. Unfortunately, if ever I do write a feature about him, it’ll be more of “what I’d think he’d be cool at” more than an informative piece.
Posted by comicology at June 13, 2008, 10:34 amDon’t forget Gagamboy and Kamandag. Hmmm… sino pa ba? The Encantadia fairies?
And what about Me the Mutant Storm and Baddie the Fire Controlling person?
@Ria Jose
I probably won’t touch on Gagamboy anymore. Having you and Baddie here, though, might prove very useful.
Posted by comicology at June 14, 2008, 3:32 amLooking forward to the gagamboy feature
And yes, Kamandag too
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You need a big cock in there to make it four like Gerry Alanguilan’s Elmer. LOL. Awesome independence day special!
Posted by Poyt at June 13, 2008, 12:21 am