SM Supermalls under
the ownership of SM Prime Holdings has been the home of both international and
local art scenes. For many years, SM Malls have been featuring many forms of
arts from, music, dances, fashion, culinary and visual arts that are socially
relevant and geared towards the promotions of nationalism and global awareness.
Today, I am one of
the few lucky media partners to be invited at the launching of Francisco V. Coching's Centennial Exhibit which is now open
for public until February 24 at the Atrium in SM Aura Premier.
SM
Aura Premier, with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts, presents National Artist for Visual Arts and King of Comics: Francisco V.
Coching's Centennial Exhibit.
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| The ribbon cutting ceremony was headed by no less than Miss Universe 1973 Ms. Margie Moran together with Coching's family, SM Malls and Vibal executives. |
The
exhibit features original artworks, Unang Labas komiks spreads, and life-size
reproductions of his most popular characters and works. This event is perfect
for anyone who wishes to see nostalgic comic artwork from way back in the
1930’s.
Who is Francisco V. Coching and why is he called the “King of Komiks”?
Francisco V. Coching
is dubbed as the King of Komiks of the Philippines and he was posthumously
recognized as a National Artist for Visual Arts. He is also considered as the
“dean of Filipino Illustrators” through his artistic influence that reflects a
generation’s aspirations and social ideals relevant to his time and made to depict
the sentiments that echoed patriotism.
As the son of a
novelist Gregorio Coching, Francisco was already exposed to publishing and
started working at Liwayway Magazine where he met Tony Velasquez, the man
behind “Kenkoy”. This incident fueled his interest in comics and became an
apprentice of Velasquez in illustration arts. At 15, he had his first comic
story published in Silahis Magazine.
His first comic work
entitled “Bing Bigotilyo” in 1934 was inspired by Velasquez’s “Kenkoy” but
Coching geared towards targeting his own age group as audience where he
casually injects humor through jokes and hilarious stories that he would often
share among his peers.
Just after a year, Coching
has significantly honed his craft and began pushing his imaginations by working
on melodramatic action-oriented stories. In 193, he began bringing to life a
warrior woman heroine through his comic illustrations and story “Mara-Bini,
Marahas na Binibini). His poetic side came up with lines that are deeper and
illustrations that are powerfully animated.
Coching mirrored in
his works in Sagisag ng Lahing Pilipino and Lapu-Lapu, the social issues of the
Philippine colonial society where racial and social class conflicts triggered
his patriotism. As a guerilla war veteran during the Japanese occupation, Coching
reflects his sentiments during this time and went on creating comic stories
during the post war. He managed to shift his characters and settings in the 50s
and 60s to a more urbane that depicts the changing times which showed in his
works such as Gigolo, Maldita, Talipandas and Pusakal.
His imagination and creativity
dramatically propelled him to create legendary stories and characters such as
Haring Ulopong, Hagibis, Pedro Penduko and the legendary Thor which was
published a year ahead before Stan Lee take on the character.
From
the day he started his comic career in 1934, Coching was a significant persona
in honing the art form of comics. He is an integral part of the ‘golden age of
Filipino comics’ in the 50s and 60s until he retied in 1973. His iconic works have
fascinated the reading public during those times and inspired a lot of artists,
writers and cartoonists up to this day.
SM
Aura Celebrates the Life and Works of National Artist for Visual Arts Francisco
V. Coching in a Public Exhibit
Celebrating the King
of Komiks 100th birth anniversary, SM Aura Premier pays tribute to F.
V. Coching through an exhibit that will feature his works, actual illustrations
and life size characters.
This exhibit also shows glimpses of the creative
process where exhibit goers can take a peek at the vivid imagination and exemplary
creativity of Coching proving his mastery of the art in creating Filipino comic
classics.
*Pinoy komiks have been an integral part
of Filipino culture. I still remember the good old days when you can rent to read
a comic magazine in stands. Although the digital age has changed how
illustrations and comic books look like, but there’s nothing more gratifying than
to hold a classic comic book in your hands for a comics aficionado like me.
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