Actors grateful to Carlo J. Caparas for most memorable roles

Carlo J. Caparas (left) with Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. —SEN. BONG REVILLA JR./ FACEBOOK

Through the iconic superheroes and characters he created for comic books, the late Carlo J. Caparas unwittingly gave many local actors some of their most memorable roles.

For Dingdong Dantes, the 2009 television adaptation of “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang,” which he topbilled with Marian Rivera, was one of the most “unforgettable” soap operas he has done.

“I will never forget its unique and intricate storyline. I played a psychologist (Homer) with a patient (Proserfina played by Marian), who’s a man-hater and a serial killer,” he told the Inquirer in a text message.

Dingdong described Caparas as an artist worthy of emulation.

“Isa siyang matapang na alagad ng sining at manunulat na dapat tingalain at sundan ang mga yapak (he’s a brave artist and writer we should look up to). I feel incredibly thankful that in this lifetime, I was entrusted to breathe life into one of his works. We will surely miss his brilliant mind,” he said of the prolific comics writer-turned-director, who died last May 25.

“Tasya Fantasya” 2008 poster

Meaningful

Yasmien Kurdi will always look back with fondness on the television versions of “Bakekang” (2006) and “Tasya Fantasya” (2008). The former is especially meaningful, she said, because it helped solidify her reputation as a dramatic actress.

“Tasya Fantasya is one of my most favorite roles because each episode imparted a lesson… After playing Charming in ‘Bakekang,’ opportunities for dramatic roles opened up,” related Yasmien, who thanked Caparas for “being an inspiration to many.”

But perhaps, most notably, Caparas’ works served as potent vehicles for local action stars to show their mettle.

Sen. Bong Revilla, for instance, credited Caparas for his rise to stardom. “Hindi ako magiging isang Bong Revilla kung wala siya (I wouldn’t be who I am without him),” he wrote in a statement.

The actor-politician saw Caparas as a mentor from the moment the writer-director asked him to do the 1983 movie “Dugong Buhay.”

“I have always cherished the guidance he has given me since my launching film, ‘Dugong Buhay,’ related Bong, who also starred in the Caparas-helmed “Sa Dibdib ng Sierra Madre” (1985) and various iterations of “Ang Panday.”

Great mind

“We have all lost a great creative mind. He played an undeniable role in promoting and enriching Filipino culture—from crafting stories and characters to comics and movies. Our culture is vastly richer because of him,” he said.

Born March 12, 1944, Caparas started out as a comics creator in the 1960s. He reportedly wrote more than 800 comic novels, which also include other well-loved titles like “Totoy Bato,” “Joaquin Bordado,” “Elias Paniki,” “Gagambino” and “Pieta.” In the 1980s, he ventured into film directing and helped usher in the “massacre films” trend.