Before popular comics strip creator, writer and film director Carlo J. Caparas succumbed to death recently, Cebu was his haven to relax and breathe fresh.
This was informed by one of Carlo's bosom friends, Joe Lad Santos, a poet, an essayist, fellow komiks writer, and former Commissioner of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
According to Joe Lad, Carlo Caparas had invited him to see his house at Santander in Cebu.
"Matagal na niya akong pinapapunta ro'n sa Santader. Wala pang Covid-19 pandemic ay sinasabihan na niya ako na magkita kami roon (He had been telling me to go to Santander. That was even before the pandemic. He wanted me to see him).
"Hanggang sa mamatay nga siya. Nagsisisi nga ako kung bakit hindi ko man lang siya nadalaw (Until he died. As a matter of fact, I regretted not seeing him)," lamented Joe Lad Santos who has been close to Carlo since the early seventies.
"Nakausap ko naman si Peach, 'yong anak ni Carlo kay Donna Villa. Sabi niya, lumuluwas naman si Carlo sa Maynila lalo na pag magpapagamot. Pero nito lang, hindi na nga nakabalik dahil namatay na (I am able to talk to Peach, his son with Donna Villa. She said that her dad went to Manila every now and then for treatment. Pero this time, he wasn't able to go back to Manila because of his sudden death).
"Komplikasyon na rin ang ikinamatay ni Carlo. Maraming sakit 'yan (He died of complications. He had a lot of illnesses)," quipped Joe Lad.
The Santander residence of Caparas was his and Donna's property.
It was in this place where Carlo and Donna were taking vacations during their healthier time.
Donna Villa died of cancer in 2017 that made the famous director sad and lonely for years.
Donna was a certified Cebuana from the famous clan of the Patalinghugs.
"Sa burol ni Carlo, dumating si dating Senate President Manny Villar. Lagi rin si Senator Bong Revilla, Jr. sa burol. Si Lani Mercado, magkasama sila isang gabi (The former Senate president came and so with Bong Revilla. Bong was always around. One night, Bong was with Lani Mercado)," said Joe Lad Santos.
Joe Lad said a book on Carlo will be written by him.
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