July 23



JULY 23

Holiday Komiks  Taon 4 Blg. 88, Hulyo 23, 1966

Nasa taklob-pahina ang “Buhay Tin-edyer” ni Ading Gonzales

UNANG LABAS

Ang unang labas ng “Varga”
na katha ni Mars Ravelo
sa Bulaklak (Hiyas ng Tahanan)
Taon 4, Blg. 17, Hulyo 23, 1947.

Marami ang nakakaalam na ang kinikilalang paboritong superheroine ng bayan na si Darna ay mula sa naunang katha ni Mars Ravelo na Varga. Alam niyo ba na ang konsepto ng isang babaeng superhero ay unang sumagid sa isip ni Mars Ravelo noong 1939, matapos niyang masubaybayan ang paglitaw ni Superman sa Action Comics? Si Superman ang naging inspirasyon ni Ravelo sa paglikha sa isang original Filipino superheroine na una niyang tinawag na Suprema, ang “Kamangha-manghang dilag” (“The Wonder Woman”). Ang pangalang Suprema ay halaw sa salitang “Supremo” o “pinakamataas na pinuno” na siyang pangalang-sagisag na ginamit ni Andres Bonifacio. Tataglayin ni Suprema ang kakayahang katulad ng kay Superman.

Binago ni Ravelo ang pangalang Suprema dahil sa payo ng isang kaibigan na nagsabi sa kaniya na baka may magalit at sabihin pang iniinsulto niya si Bonifacio. Taga-Cavite kasi si Ravelo at nang panahon iyon ay mainit pa ang usapin sa nangyari sa magkapatid na Bonifacio. Ang pangalan ngang ipinalit niya ay Varga. Si Varga ay lubhang napakalakas, nakalilipad at ang costume ay mala-watawat ng Pilipinas. Inialok ni Ravelo ang kaniyang konsepto sa mga American at Filipino publishers subali’t hindi ito agad binigyang pansin. Ang sabi nila, hindi raw bebenta ang isang babaeng superhero.

Noong huling bahagi ng 1939, inalok ni Ravelo sa magasing Liwayway ang “Varga” subali’t hindi ito tinanggap. Kaya pansamantala itong itinago ni Ravelo hanggang matapos ang World War II. Noong 1947, muling inialok ni Ravelo, sa pagkakataong ito, ang kaniyang nilikhang superheroine sa magasing Bulaklak. Unang nabasa ang pakikipagsapalaran ni “Varga” sa Bulaklak (Hiyas ng Tahanan) Taon 4 Blg 17, Hulyo 23, 1947.

Ang “Varga” ay isinulat at iginuhit mismo ni Ravelo, na ang paraan ng pagdidibuho nang panahon yaon ay pinaghalong mga istilo ng kaniyang iniidolong Irish cartoonist na si George McManus (1884-1954) at ng Jewish-American animator na si Max Fleischer (1883-1972). Subali’t naging malikot ang tadhana kay Ravelo, hindi nagtuloy-tuloy ang kabuuang kuwento ng Varga dahil nagkaroon siya ng di-pagkakasundo sa kaniyang editor, at ang pagmamay-ari sa kaniyang katha ay napunta sa Bulaklak.

Nang ilipat niya sa Pilipino Komiks ang kaniyang superheroine, kinailangan niyang baguhin ang pangalan nito. Ang “Darna” taliwas sa mga hakahaka, ay hindi nagmula sa “Ibong Adarna” ng panitikang Pilipino. Ito ay mula sa anagram ng “Narda” na pangalan ng batang babaeng alter-ego ni Varga.

 

Events that happened on July 23:

1935 – The first Commonwealth election was approved.

Personalities and celebrities born on July 23:

1815 – Apolinario de la Cruz (better known as Hermano Pule), founder of the Cofradia de San Jose, a messianic organization – in Lucban, Quezon Province (d. November 4, 1841)

1864 – Apolinario Maranan Mabini, revolutionary thinker, political philosopher and the “Brain of the Philippine Revolution” – Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas (d. May 13, 1903).

1954 – Bernard Fabiosa, basketball player known as the “Sultan of Swipes” – in Bohol.

Bernard Fabiosa
on the cover of Sports Weekly Magazine (July 24, 1981).

1971 – Maureen Mauricio, actress and model – Olongapo, Zamabales.

Maureen Mauricio
on the back cover inside spread of Pinoy Erotika Extra Hot No. 2 (March 1989)

1971 – Eugene Domingo (full name Eugena Roxas Domingo), actress-comedienne and television host – in Malate, Metro Manila. 

Eugene Domingo
on the covers of Star Studio (November 2009) and Bannawag (June 11, 2012)

1982 – Zanjoe Acuesta Marudo, actor and model – in Tanauan, Batangas. 



Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern
on the cover of Entertainment Weekly
(July 23, 2010).

Picture Trivia

          Do you know that the film Green Lantern (2011) was conceptualized as early as 1997? Warner Brothers approached filmmaker and comic book writer Kevin Smith to write the script for the first Green Lantern film, but he declined. A few directors were also offered to do the film including Greg Berlanti and Zack Snyder but it didn’t push through. Many actors were also being eyed to portray the role including Sam Worthington, Chris Pine, Brian Austin Green, Bradley Cooper, Justin Timberlake at Jared Leto. Finally, Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim wrote the script while Geoff Johns became creative consultant. Martin Campbell took the helm as director, and in 2009, Ryan Reynolds was chosen to portray the role of Hal Jordan and his alter-ego superhero the Green Lantern.
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July 22



JULY 22

MOD Girl, July 22, 2005
On the cover: Katrina Anne Aguila

 

GLIMPSE FROM THE PAST

1940s Hollywood stars Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young and Orson Welles (for the film The Stranger),
on the cover of vintage magazine, Movie Mystery (July-August 1946).

Events that happened on July 22:

1900 – General Emilio Aguinaldo issued a proclamation declaring that all those who attended the “peace festival” in Manila are traitors.

Personalities and celebrities born on July 22:

1853 – Joaquin Gonzalez, doctor, Malolos Congress delegate and rector of the Universidad Cientifico Literaria de Filipinas (d. September 21, 1900).

1961 – Dulce (real name Maria Theresa Magdalena Llameda), singer and “Theme Song Queen of the Philippines” – in Bulalacao, Pardo, Cebu City.



Andrew Garfield as The Amazing Spider-Man
on the cover of Entertainment Weekly
(July 22, 2011).

Picture Trivia

          Do you know that the third sequel of the film Spider-Man was supposed to be released in 2010? It was, however, delayed for one year because Sony Pictures decided to change the franchise of the said film. A new director took the helm, and new actors were cast. Andrew Garfield became the new Spider-Man and the title was changed to The Amazing Spider-Man.

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July 21



JULY 21

MOD Filipina Vol. 21 No. 933, July 21, 1989
On the Cover: Luisa Ledda Uy

SULYAP SA NAKARAAN

Ang full-spread cover illustration ng Alcala Komix
para sa kanilang unang taong anibersayo (Hulyo 21, 1964),
tampok ang “Goya, the Flying Carabao” sa harapang bahagi
at ang mga iba pang pangunahing karakter na lumabas sa komiks na ito sa likurang bahagi.

 

Events that happened on July 21:

1969 – Dipolog (in Zamboanga del Norte) was declared a city and provincial capital by virtue of Republic Act No. 5520.

1974 – The 23rd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant was held at the Folk Arts Theater in Manila. Amparo Munoz of Spain won the pageant with the Philippines’ candidate, Guadalupe Sanchez, among the 12 semi-finalists.



Newly-crowned Miss Universe 1974 Amparo Muñoz of Spain
on the covers of Expressweek (August 8, 1974) and Focus Philippines (August 10, 1974)

 

Personalities and celebrities born on July 21:

1870 – Daniel Maramba, revolutionary leader during the Spanish and American colonization and governor of Pangasinan – in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan (d. December 27, 1941).

1871 – Praxedes Julia Fernandez, artist and “Queen of Philippine Drama” – in Sta. Cruz, Manila (d. August 22, 1919).

1965 – Edward “Jovy” Marcelo, race car driver (d. May 15, 1992).

1971 – Paco Arescopacochaga (Enrico Luis Victor Santos Arespacochaga), musician and songwriter – in Manila.

Paco Arescopacochaga (with Geneva Cruz)
on the cover of Mr. & Ms. (December 24, 1996)



Larawang Tribiya

Ang iba’t-ibang larawan ng Bulkang Pinatubo (“Mount Pinatubo’s Many Faces”),
nasa taklob-pahina ng Pilipino Reporter Magasin (Hulyo 21, 1991).

          Ang Mount Pinatubo, na matatagpuan sa malapit sa sugpungang hangganan ng tatlong lalawigan ng Zambales, Pampanga at Tarlac, ay isang dormant stratovolcano na muling naging aktibo makaraan ang humigit-kumulang 600 taon. Nagsimula itong magkaroon ng major eruption noong Hulyo 12, 1991, na tumagal ng apat na araw. Tinatayang umabot ng 12 cubic kilometer ng volcanic debris ang ibinuga ng bulkan at ang abong-alikabok nito ay kumalat halos sa buong mundo.

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July 20

JULY 20

Hiwaga Komiks Blg. 256, Hulyo 20, 1960
Tampok sa taklob-pahina ang kuwentong “Ako’y Manananggal” ni Pablo. S. Gomez
na iginuhit ni Elpidio Torres.

 

 

Events that happened on July 20:

1961 – President Carlos P. Garcia signed the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Law.

1979 – The television variety show Eat Bulaga, hosted by the troika of Tito, Vic and Joey (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon) premiered on RPN Channel 9. It is the Philippines’ longest running television show.

Personalities and celebrities born on July 20:

1826 – Margarita Roxas de Ayala, businesswoman, philanthropist and founder of the Colegio de la Concordia – in San Miguel, Manila (d. November 1, 1869).

1911 – Jose Zabala Santos, cartoonist and komiks illustrator – in Calumpit, Bulacan (d. September 7, 1985)

1935 – Renato de Villa, AFP Chief of Staff (1988-1991) and Secretary of National Defense (1991-1997). 

1966 – Agot Isidro (full name Maria Margarita Amada Fteha Isidro), actress and singer.

Agot Isidro
on the covers of Preview (December 2009) and Women’s Health (July 2010).

  

1970 – Anjanette Abayari, actress (known for portraying Darna), model and beauty queen – Passi, Iloilo

Anjanette Abayari
on the covers of Artista Magazine (March 18, 1996), Celebrity World (November 18, 1996),
and Savvy (January 26, 1998)

 

1979 – Claudine Barretto (full name Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto), award-winning actress and product endorser – in Manila. 

Claudine Barretto

on the covers of Mega (August 2004), Youngstar (September 2004) and Good Housekeeping Philippines (July 2008)

1985 – Solenn Heussaff (full name Solenn Marie Adea Heussaff), French-Filipina video jockey, model, actress, television host and fashion celebrity – in Makati City.

Solenn Heussaff
on the covers of UNO (October 2010), FHM Philippines (March 2011),
Sense & Style (May 2011) and Health Today (September 2011).

1996 – Sue Ramirez (full name Sue Anna Garina Dodd), actress, model, actress, and singer – in Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

Sue Ramirez
on the covers of Liwayway (August 6, 2018), and Speed Philippines (February 2019)

 

A portrait of Nikola Tesla on the cover of
Time (The Weekly Newsmagazine)
July 20, 1931 issue.

Picture Trivia

          Many knows, especially those fond of general information, that Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) is the inventor of the electric motor and pioneer of modern electrical engineering. Tesla is a Serbian electrical and mechanical engineer, physicist and inventor that became an American citizen. He has many inventions that can be considered “groundbreaking” and ahead of his time.

          Do you know that in 1891, Tesla demonstrated the possibility of wireless energy transfer? Tesla envisioned of an intercontinental wireless transmission of industrial power, but he wasn’t able to finish his Wardenclyffe Tower project. He also planned to use ocean thermal energy as a power source. He died before this could be put into reality. Upon his death, all his concepts died with him; the concepts that scientists today are still trying to rediscover.

          In 1960, to honor this great man of science and engineering, the System International (SI) unit for magnetic flux density was named after him – the Tesla.

          During Tesla’s 75th birth commemoration (July 10, 1931), and to honor his contribution in the field of electric power generation, he was in Time magazine July 20, 1931 cover. Under his name was written the caption “All the world’s his power house.”

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July 19

Mga Kwentong Puro Wakas Taon 4 Blg. 178, Hulyo 19, 1993
Tampok sa taklob-pahina ang kuwentong “Bukas ang Magpapasya... Bukas ang Hahatol”
na sinulat ni Ysidore Rey Avila at iginuhit ni Ernie Ocampo.

GLIMPSE FROM THE PAST

Eva Marie-Saint (for the film Waterfront),
on the cover of Life July 19, 1954 issue.

 

Events that happened on July 19:

1969 – Gloria Diaz won the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, the first Filipina to do so.

Miss Gloria Diaz, First Filipina and third Asian to be crowned Miss Universe,

on the cover of The Sunday Times Magazine (August 31, 1969).

 

Personalities and celebrities born on July 19:

1933 – Juancho Gutierrez, actor – in Manila (d. October 2, 2005).

1976 – Diether Ocampo, actor and model – in Bacoor, Cavite.



Diether Ocampo on the cover of Health Today April 2003 issue.

 

1984 – Alessandra de Rossi (real name Alessandra Tiotongco Schiavone), award-winning actress, singer and model – England.

Alessandra de Rossi on the covers of MOD (July 8, 2005),
Girlfriend (March 2007), and FHM Philippines (April 2008).

Brooke Burke on the cover of
TV Star Guide July 2005 issue.

Picture Trivia

          Do you know that Brooke Burke, the often bikini-clad host of Wild On! first appeared in the 1986 film The Wraith? She did a cameo of a waitress on roller skates at the age of 15. Prior to this, she won her first beauty pageant at age 14.
          In 2005, she hosted the six-part anniversary special of the Lifestyle Network, Life is Great With Brooke Burke, and the CBS summer reality show Rock Star. In that same year, she divorced her husband of four years, Garth Fisher. They have two daughters, Neriah (born March 2000) and Sierra Sky (born April 2002).  

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July 18



JULY 18

Hits Vol. 2 No. 99, July 18, 1988
On the cover: American singer and four-time Grammy winner Pat Benatar.

 

SULYAP SA NAKARAAN

Pinoy Komiks Taon 1 Blg. 5, Hulyo 18, 1963
Tampok sa taklob-pahina ang orihinal na “Captain Barbell”
na kinatha ni Mars Ravelo na iginuhit ni Jim Fernandez

 

Events that happened on July 18:

1893 – Rosario Villaroel was accepted as a Mason with the name “Minerva” becoming the first Filipina auxilliary of the Masonic order, La Semilla.

Personalities and celebrities born on July 18:

1875 – Marina Dizon, first woman member admitted to the Katipunan women’s chapter – in Trozo, Manila (d. October 25, 1950).

1977 – Sunshine Cruz, actress and singer – in Manila.

Sunshine Cruz
on the cover of Celebrity World (December 26, 1994)

  

The Star Wars Character C-3PO

The Star Wars droid C-3PO, on the cover

of People Weekly July 18, 1977 issue.

          In the Star Wars universe, C-3PO is a protocol droid constructed to serve people and animals. The droid is an expert in more than six million languages and different means of communication. Its priority task is to aid in the communication, racial interrelation in connection to the tradition and culture of different races of beings and the translation and interpreting of different languages.

          In the first three original Star Wars series and the three prequel series, C-3PO is always accompanied by another droid – R2-D2. The C-3PO (voiced by Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (voiced by Kenny Baker) are the only two characters having the same portrayers in the six Star Wars films.

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Angelina Jolie on the cover of
Entertainment Weekly (July 18, 2003)

Picture Trivia

          Do you know the title of the film that Angelina Jolie first appeared together with her father Jon Voight? It was in the film Lookin’ to Get Out (1982), when she was just seven years old.

          Jolie’s acting talent was first noticed in the low-budget film Cyborg 2 (1993). She was first included in a major film starring role in Hackers (1995). In the film Girl, Interrupted (1999), she won the Academy Best Supporting Actress Award.

          Jolie zoomed into stardom and became an instant international superstar for her portrayal of a video game heroine, Lara Croft, in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), and its sequel Tomb Raider 2: The Craddle of Life (2003), when she became among the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.

          In her relationship with actor Brad Pitt, she gave birth to three children (Shiloh Nouvel and the twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline), and they have three adopted children (Maddox Chivan from Cambodia, Zahara Marley from Ethiopia and Pax Thien from Vietnam).

          Aside from her beauty at seductive lips, Jolie is known for her many tattoos in her body (14 are publicly known), including the geographical coordinates (latitude at longitude) of the places where here children were born.

 

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July 17




JULY 17

Movie King Showbiz Magazine Vol. 5 No. 50, July 17, 1973
On the front cover: Gina Alajar and mike Bilbao
On the back cover: Movie ads for Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel at the Mahiwagang Kabibe
starring Vilma Santos and directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza

Events that happened on July 17:

1892 – Jose Rizal was exiled to Dapitan upon the decree of Governor Eulogio Despujol.

1948 – Quezon City was designated as capital of the Philippines by virtue of Republic Act No. 333.

1959 – The 10th World Boy Scout Jamboree was held in Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna.

1967 – The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) opened as mandated by Republic Act No. 4196.

1984 – The first National Children’s Book Day (NCBD) was held.

Personalities and celebrities born on July 17:

1934 – Lucio C. Tan, Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur and business magnate – in Amoy, Fujian, China.

1954 –Elizabeth Oropesa (real name Elizabeth Freeman), actress – in Manila.

Elizabeth Oropesa
on the cover of Graphic Weekly (with Onelia Jose superimposed, September 15, 1971)
and TV Times (May 23-29, 1982).

 

Ang “MN” ni Pablo S. Gomez

Ang nobelang-komiks ni Pablo S. Gomez na “MN”
tampok sa taklob-pahina ng Pilipino Komiks
(Hulyo 17, 1954).

          Ang nobelang-komiks na “MN” na isinulat ni Pablo S. Gomez at iginuhit ni Fred Carillo ay sinubaybayan sa Pilipino Komiks mula Setyembre 26, 1953 hanggang Setyembre 11, 1954. Ang “MN” ay tatak na sumasagisag sa pangalang Marissa Navarro, isang malupit na hasiyendera na kinatatakutan ng mga nasasakupan nitong magsasaka. Hanggang nakatagpo siya ng katapat sa katauhan ni Armando, na nang lumaon ay kaniyang inibig. Ang malupit na pag-uugali ni Marissa ay bunsod ng kaniyang masamang karanasan sa kamay ng isang dating mangingibig – si Oscar.

          Isinapelikula ang MN ng Sampaguita Pictures noong 1954 sa ilalim ng direksyon ni Mar S. Torres. Si Carmen Rosales ang gumanap na Marissa habang si Cesar Ramirez ang gumanap na Armando. Ang iba pang pangunahing artista na kasama sa pelikula ay sina Alicia Vergel, Oscar Moreno, Panchito Alba, Aruray, Herminia Carranza, Bert Leroy Jr at Apolonia Aguilar.

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Ursula Andress on the cover of Parade
July 17, 1965 issue.

Picture Trivia

          Swiss actress and sex symbol Ursula Andress got the public’s attention in her role as Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film Dr. No (1963) starring Sean Connery. In this first film, Andress won the 1964 Golden Globe Award for “New Star of the Year.” She was cast in two more films in 1963: Fun in Acapulco starring Elvis Presley and 4 For Texas with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
          In 1965, Andress portrayed the role of Ayesha, the queen of the Amahaggar in the world of Kor, in the film She based on H. Rider Haggard’s novel of the same title. She made five more films in 1965: Once Before I Die, Nightmare in the Sun, Les Tribulations d'un chinois en Chine, What's New Pussycat? and The 10th Victim, where she played the role of Caroline Meredith opposite Marcello Mastroianni. 

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