Popular comics strip creator and writer and film director Carlo J. Caparas died peacefully on May 25, 2024 but his daughter Peach only confirmed the death of his dad on the following day, Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Carlo's remains were immediately cremated, according to veteran entertainment news hen Alice Vergara who went to the Golden Haven Memorial Chapels along C-5 in Las Piñas City to pay last respects to her friend of many decades.
"Hindi ko mapapalagpas ang pagpunta sa burol ni Carlo. Kahit hindi ko na nakita ang kanyang mortal na katawan, sapat nang kahit abo ay masaksihan ko. Lungkot na lungkot ako sa pagkamatay ni Carlo (I wouldn't let it pass without going to hus wake. Even if I didn't see his mortal body, it's enough that I saw his ashes. I am devastated and sad about his passing).
"Kahit malayo ang Las Piñas, pumunta kami ng kabigan kong si Lina Mercado sa punerarya para makasama ang kanyang diwa (Even if it’s far enough from my place, my friend and I went to the funeral parlor just to be with his spirits)," said Alice who is eighty-six years old and lives in Pasay City.
I, too, felt sorry for the sudden demise of Carlo J. whom I met in the late 70s through his PRO-Manager Boy C. de Guia.
Caparas addressed Kuya (a term of endearment to an older brother/man by blood or affinity) Boy Pareng (fellow sponsor in baptismal or wedding) Boy because the latter was "ninong" of one of Carlo's children.
Caparas started his komiks graphic novel career with Atlas Publications under the editorship of the iconic komiks purveyor in the country, Tony S. Tenorio.
Tony, Kuya Boy with another komiks writer Rino Fernan Silverio were best friends in their komiks heyday.
Carlo was their protégé.
After his huge success as a komiks strip creator Caparas was given breaks to direct for the movies.
His first movie was "Mong" which he directed with Artemio Marquez in 1978 but his full-fledged solo directorial debut was "Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" for Amazaldy Films in 1981.
After directing numerous films for various productions, Carlo and partner Donna Villa established in the mid-80s their film outfit Golden Lions Films and produced diverse genres, notably true crime stories or what is known as "massacre movies."
Carlo was nominated and proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts in 2009 but it was disputed in courts and later nulled by the Supreme Court.
In 2017, Donna died of cancer which left a void in Carlo's heart.
Caparas had remained in reclusion before his death after many of his loved ones and friends had passed on including Manuel Morato and his publicist Ethel Ramos.
Carlo led a colorful and beautiful life.
He was 80.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #CarloJCaparas #OpinYonStories