Today is the 86th birthday of the Man of Steel from the day his story got published on print.
So, as we celebrate his strength and legendary heroism, let us remember some of the fictional Filipino heroes who graced our screens:
Captain Barbell
First appearing on prints in 1963, Captain Barbell was created by Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez. In the original version of the character design, the hero was depicted shirtless, but after some revision, the final design made the hero wear his iconic red and yellow outfit. Over the years, many actors took over the role of Captain Barbell such as Richard Gutierrez and Bong Revilla.
Lastikman
Another superhero created by Mars Ravelo, Lastikman had the power to stretch and transform into things. His first appearance was a year after Captain Barbell, in 1964, wherein his original spelling was “Lastik Man.” On film and television, Vhong Navarro, Vic Sotto, and Mark Bautista played the roles of the hero.
Panday
Created by Carlos J. Caparas, “Ang Panday” was originally drawn with Fernando Poe Jr (FPJ) as the inspiration. And so when the time came when the superhero character was planned to be turned into a film, they immediately booked FPJ for the role. The film became a hit which ended up with another three successful movie installments.
Pedro Penduko
Published by Joshua Calungsod, Pedro Penduko was made to be an ordinary person without any superhuman abilities, except for his resourcefulness and wit. However, his amulet, that he always wears, was the one giving him the power to battle elementals. First portrayed onscreen by Efren Reyes Sr., Pedro Penduko became known in the current generation because of the portrayal of Matt Evans in the series followed by Matteo Guidicielli in the most recent film adaptation.
So, which Filipino superhero would you want to share superpowers with? Tell us in the comments and let’s dive into a world of extraordinary abilities together as we celebrate one of the most loved heroes in the world: Superman!
