Francisco V. Coching's LAPU-LAPU

Mang Koko's indomitable love for his country and his realistic illustration once again allowed me to give 5 stars out of 5 for Lapu-Lapu. And even if his work here is purely historical fiction, majority of the scenes are still based on actual events and I'm still mesmerized by his detailed description of our tribal origins, a trademark of a resurgent and resilient brown race situated in the archipelagic territory of the South East Asia.

Even if this diverse culture is also marred by the regionalistic factions and tribal wars, it's still good to think that we are not just a generous and accomodating race easy to be exploited for we once stood by existing laws under the watchful eye of Bathala with our instinctual beliefs and ethics inherited from our ancestors that remained intact and prompted us to unite for the protection of our land, our children, and our right to live. Those who wanted to colonize and control us will have to think twice because in the end, we will always fight for what we believe is our birthright in our own native land.

Fictional or not, there are many things to like and rediscover in this book. The following are just sample previews for your reading pleasure:

Lapu Lapu is named because of his skill in diving and catching the rare fish. (I previously thought it was the other way around--the fish, popular as a delicacy was named after the hero)

The First Filipino to circumnavigate the world (and probably the first man) known as Enrique is also part of the insurrection.

The classic story of catching two birds in one arrow in a shooting competition. 

The realistic depiction of tribal wars, jealousy, and politics, as already happened in our relatively complex history.

In anticipation, the hero and his tribe prepared well for the battle tactically and physically. Sampling the strength of the Spaniard's metallic helmet and crafting an armor from the carabao's hide are very amusing scenes.

The strength of bamboo used as a human catapult.



Rating: 5 kampilan out of 5
Genre: Historical Fiction

Francisco V. Coching's EL INDIO

There was a time in the History of Philippine Comics when a good artist is also a good writer at par with the rest of the comic book authors ever published abroad. We as Filipinos should be proud of this talented group, this legion, a pack, a cadre of gifted artists that once uplifted the level of artistry and storytelling in the printed form that became a major source of story for film scripts in the local movie industry at the time of the nation's freedom from the second World War, up to the First People Power Revolution of EDSA. The majority of those serious artists points to one direction, to one person--- a great Maestro, a source of inspiration that served as a guiding torch in time of darkness from the political indifference, materialism and greed that spawned Martial Law. His name is Francisco V. Coching.

If you still can't see it, think of Jose Rizal who used the same method to convey effectively his story of "Monkey & the Turtle" to tell a lesson and provide a moral and an intellectual consciousness to the Filipino youth of his own generation.

Today, it's a rarity to see a good, serious comic book writer who also draws his own story panel by panel and page by page, from the thumbnail sketches up to the penciling, cleanup, inking, lettering, and printing stages (Frank Miller is a popular example, but I can't think of other author right now who is very good in writing and drawing his own story). This current age of Photoshop that almost killed the traditional system of illustration is used for sorting, editing, and restoration for us to finally see again and treasure the classic style of comic book art. And I tip my hat to Gerry, Zara, the Coching Family and Vibal Foundation for finally being able to show to the kids--- this global generation a once lost art that's truly Filipino by heart and by soul.

Buy this book, enjoy the classic story of a sequel novel (originally serialized in Pilipino Komiks circa 1953) about the son of a Spanish Viscountess and a Filipino rebel and appreciate the artwork. Study Mang Koko's style of realistic illustration and dynamism if you're a serious artist. You will learn something very useful, useful as a potent weapon to add in your hidden artistic arsenal.

For today's kiddos, you may not consider the book worthy to be included in your pricey collection of manga and grafiction titles but if you ask me, El Indio is more valuable than any manga you highly treasured. Throw away, or better sell those Hentai collection and replace them with a better collection starting with El Indio.

Your future children will appreciate it.


some memorable scenes:

Rating: 5 punglo out of 5
Genre: Philippine Historical Fiction, Graphic Novel