Comics

- are a visual storytelling medium that combines illustrations and text in panels to narrate stories across
various genres.
- engage readers with dialogue balloons, captions, and images, serving purposes like entertainment,
education, and social commentary.
- not only entertain but also educate and provoke thought, making them a powerful tool for cultural
reflection and influence.

Forms of Comics

- Superhero Comics - Focus on superhero characters and their

adventures, often with themes of justice and morality.
- Adventure Comics - Feature characters in action-packed narratives,
exploring new worlds or facing challenges.
- Slice of Life - Depict everyday experiences and relatable scenarios,
often emphasizing realism and character development.
- Fantasy and Science Fiction - Explore imaginative worlds, magical
elements, and futuristic themes.
- Horror Comics - Aim to evoke fear or suspense, often featuring
supernatural elements or psychological tension.
- Romance Comics - Center on love stories and relationships, often
targeting young adult audiences.
- Autobiographical Comics - Use personal experiences and narratives,
blending memoir with visual storytelling

Philippine Komiks

Komiks
- vernacular equivalent of the English “comics” or “comic
book.”
- inspired by American comics
- widely popular after World War II. (1945-1970s)
- refers to a form of illustrated stories portraying various characters and topics from experiences in
everyday life to different kinds of adventures, exploits and heroism, to dramatic or humorous scenes
- Cheapest form of reading entertainment in the Philippines since 1922

komikero - describes someone adept at telling humourous stories

Antonio Velasquez (29 October 1910 – 1997)

- Father of Tagalog Komiks
- Don Ramon Roces was impressed by the confidence of Tony Velasquez, whom he appointed to manage
the komiks publication.
- He gave Velasquez 10,000 pesos as initial budget to
start the company, which later becomes Ace Publication.
Marcial Custodio Ravelo (1912 - 1968)
- King of Philippine Comics
-gained fame for his influential work s a comic strip artist and writer
- began his career in the 1940s, contributed to various publications
- co-created the iconic comic character "Kenkoy"

EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPINE KOMIKS 1920-1930

-Philippine Comics scene began to take shape, marking a pivotal period in the country's literary and
artistic development
- This decade saw the emergence of comic strips in newspaper and magazines with characters like
"Kenkoy"
- strips often reflected Filipino culture, humor, and daily life, addressing social issues

Romualdo Ramos
- well-known for his distinctive illustration style and has contributed to various popular titles
- featured themes of fantasy, adventure, and local folklore, resonating with leaders

Tony Velasquez
- instrumental in popularizing comics as a form of entertainment and storytelling in the country

Kenkoy
- pioneering comic strip created by Tony Velasquez in the 1920s widely regarded as one of the first
Filipino comic strips

Dyesebel
-popular comic series created by Mars Ravelo in the late 1930s

1940

-during world war 2, Japanese occupation led to a temporary ha;t in komiks production
- the medium rebounded quickly after the war ended in 1945
- komiks became a symbol of resilience and escapism, with post-war themes centering on heroism,
justice and nation's recovery
- Komiks saw a rise in demand

Halakhak Komiks (1946)

- marked the revival of the komiks industry shortly after war
- first regulary published Filipino Komiks magazine and included both humourous and serious content
- sparked the growth of Philippine Komiks

1950 : Golden Age of Comics

- Komiks became an integral part of Filipino life
- major publishers like Ace Publication and Atlas Publishing were established
Marcial Custodio Ravelo
- filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist
- King of Pinoy Komiks

Pablo S. Gomez
- one of the top komik writers in the Philippines
- popular works include Kurdapya and Petrang Kabayo

-legendary creators like Ravelo and Gomez rose to prominence with iconic characters such as Darna,
Captain Barbell, and Lastikman. These characters reflected the Filipino's aspiration for heroes during a
time when the country was recovering from colonialism and war
- Themes: heroism, moral lesson, love, filipino values intertwined with elements of fantasy and
mythology

Darna
- created by writer Mars Ravelo & Nestor Redondo
- debuted in Pilipino Komiks #77 on May 13 1950

Captain Barbell
- created by writer Mars Ravelo & Jim Fernandez
- first appeared in Pinoy Komiks #1 May 23 1963

Lastikman
- created by Mars Ravelo & Mar T. Santana
- debuted in Aliwan Komiks #56 Dec. 7 1964

- Komiks became deeply ingrained in popular culture that their influence began to extend beyond the
printed page
- recognizing the widespread appeal, the entertainment industry began to adapt popular komiks into
movies, radio dramas and television programs

1960's: Expansion and Innovation

- More artists and writers entered the scene, and komiks production reached its peak.
- era was marked by increasing experimentation in storytelling
- Komiks genres diversified further, with the rise of horror, sci-fi, and historical dramas.
- Francisco V. Coching, considered the "Dean of Philippine Comics," brought sophistication and
complexity to the stories, with social and political undertones becoming more apparent

Francisco Vicente Coching (January 29,1919 – September 1, 1998)

- was a Filipino comic book illustrator and writer during the Golden Age of Philippine comics.
- one of the "pillars of the Philippine Komiks Industry", the "King ofKomiks", and the "Dean of Philippine
Comics".
- created the iconic characters Pedro Penduko, Hagibis, and Sabas, ang barbaro
Ang Barbaro
- adventures and travails of Sabas who takes to arms to avenge his father’s wrongful death

Pedro Penduko
- Filipino fictional comic book character created by National Artist for Literature Francisco V. Coching.
- styled as a folk hero, debuted in the magazine Liwayway in 1954.

1970s -1980s : Rise of soft porn

-1980s were a turning point in the Philippine komiks industry. As readership continued to decline,
publishers attempted to reinvigorate interest by introducing bold komiks— featuring explicit content and
erotic theme

Bomba
- describes explicit films and komiks during this period
- means "nude" or "naked"

Bomba Komiks
- featured highly sexualized stories and images.
- Widely consumed by male readers

Tiktik,
- a magazine that began in 1948,
- showed some form of soft pornography in its so-called “true to life” crimes of passion contents,
- was far milder than what is shown and be read in the Sex Mini-Mags.
- started as a scandal and crime magazine, it quickly gained a reputation for its risqué and erotic stories,
often featuring suggestive illustrations.
- one of the most recognized publications associated with adult content during this era

-In the 1980s, there were still at least 60 to 70 komiks in circulation

throughout the Philippines.
- A study made on February 1989 on the people’s choice of entertainment (media behavior) pastime,
showed that komiks was “the most popular” pastime of Filipinos.
- this decade, the most popular komiks were Graphic Arts’ Aliwan Komiks, Lovelife Komiks and Pinoy
Klasiks, Ace Publication’s Happy Komiks and Love Story Komiks, Atlas Publication’s Pilipino Komiks,
Tagalog Klasiks, Darna Komiks, Hiwaga Komiks and Espesyal Komiks, all reputed to have a circulation of
over 150,000 prints per issue
-a number of komiks stories ended up in films and later on as telenovelas
- popularity of komiks assured film producers that movies based on hit komiks stories would also be
successful commercial ventures
The Exodus and the Decline

-In 1971, DC Comics publisher Carmine Infantino (1925-2013) and editor Joe Orlando (1927-1998) went
to the Philippines to scout for more talents among Filipino komiks artists. Soon the Philippines’ best
komiks artists started working for DC, Marvel, Warren, and other American comics publishings
- mass exodus of talented komiks writers and artists to the United States created problems in the local
industry.
- although there was quite a fall in the popularity of komiks, the industry was still financially viable.
- however, a mark decline, especially in the artworks
- Higher pay in American (as well as European) comics and the Japanese manga lured the local talents to
work abroad.
- It was good in one point of view, since the Filipino talents were showcased throughout the world in the
pages of Marvel and D.C.
- Names like Nestor Redondo, Jim Fernandez, Alfredo Alcala, Mar Amongo (1936-2005), Alex Niño, Ernie
Chan (1940-2012), Rico Rival, Abel Laxamana, Gerry Talaoc bannered American comics.
- Waves after waves of Filipino komiks artists went to the West in seek of better opportunities, fame and
greener pasture
- pool of komiks artists in the Philippines continued to drain
- The outflux was, however, a terrible blow to the local komiks industry.
- While the imported comics were making a heyday in the international market and branching out into
animation and movies, the quality of works done locally became less and less interesting
- Foreign telenovelas and anime series also contributed to the decline in popularity of the komiks.
- Local television networks making locally produced teleseryes, rather than uplift the komiks industry,
contributed much to its decline. Although some of the stories were based on komiks series, they kept on
making remakes after remakes without investing in original stories that would otherwise resurrect
the value of komiks.

The Struggle to Survive

70’s to 80’s - Struggle to Survive

During the Martial law (1972-1986)

-Komiks publishing under martial law was controlled by the State.
- No one was allowed to print and publish unless one had a permit from Malacañang.
- Many of the contents of komiks-magazines were censored
- President Ferdinand Marcos also ordered to use cheap paper to produce komiks, so the visual and the
physical qualities of komiks-magazines were affected,
- the exodus of Filipino artists to the U.S. and other countries to seek greener pastures, and the
skyrocketing costs of paper and ink, resulting in the eventual decline of readership in the 1980s

DON RAMON ROCES “The Grand Old Man of Philippine Popular Press”
- Roces family were allowed to resume their magazine and komiks publishing business so long as they
became partners of the government by publishing stories with a “developmental thrust”.
- Roces komiks monopoly became part of Marcos’
“counterfeit revolution” as coined by oppositionist Ruben Canoy
FERNANDO AMORSOLO “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art”

- considered as the first illustrator of regular komiks strips in the Philippines, was the first-ever to be
recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines ( First lady Imelda Marcos initiated the establishment of
the National Artist Award in 1972)

AFTER THE MARTIAL LAW

- After the lifting of Martial Law, the komiks industry began to generate new readership.
- Heavy drama komiks novels was the trend, with such writers as Pablo S. Gomez, Elena Patron, Nerissa
Cabral dominating the field.
- Publishers tried to subsist by using very low quality paper and marketing was limited to a minimal or
disregarded altogether to further cut cost
- Censorship on published materials was said to have slackened.
- Articles, stories, even illustrations in komiks, magazines and newspapers bordering on criticisms against
the Cory Aquino regime, against the American meddling in Philippine political affairs, and similar topics,
were not allowed to be published.
- There was even a time when priests and nuns were used to discourage the public from reading komiks.
- Writers, illustrators and editors were frustrated as works were either turned down or need to be totally
remade
- Some publishers have tried Tagalizing DC and Marvel comics, but this backfired because local komiks
fans found it unacceptable, especially given the very subpar paper quality utilized.
- The number of Filipino readers decreased as there were less compelling stories available each week.
Even though Darna was brought back to life in Atlas' Super Action with altered plotlines, the public's
excitement for komiks never returned

1990 - 2000

- comics industry underwent significant changes and developments.

- decade was pivotal in transforming comics into a more diverse and respected art form.
- Notable comics from this period included Panday and Lagim

Panday
- created by Carlos J. Caparas & Steve Gan
- fantasy actionseries featuring a blacksmith turned hero who wields a magical sword

Lagim
- horror komiks series that persisted into the 1990s
- known for its eerie stories and supernatural elements
Factors Affecting the Decline of Comics

1. Emergence of Alternative Media

-Television, Video Rentals and Cable TV

2. Shifting Consumer Preferences

-Interest in DIverse Genres, Demand for Sophisticated Narratives

3. Economic Challenges
- Recession Impact, Increased Production Costs

4. Censorship and Societal Pressure

- Stricter Regulations, Moral Backlash

5. Technological Advancements
- Rise of Digital Media, Smartphones and Social Media

6. Market Saturation
- Overabundance of Titles, Diminished Quality

Impact on Komiks Creators

- fall of mainstream komiks industry left many legendary cartoonist without platforms
- some artist managed to transition to new careers while others faded into obscurity
- digital age has brought some revival but the industry has shifted dramatically
- aged of mass-produced, widely circulated komiks in the Philippines is unlikely return
- Nonetheless, the legacy and cultural importance of Philippine komiks remain significant, and their
influence is felt in various creative industries today

The legacy and revival

- Known as "Philippine Komiks Revival Act of 2010."

- SECTION 3 - The Department of Education is hereby mandated that ten percent(10 %) of all instructional
materials being printed and utilized in all academic institutions, both public and private, shall be in
komiks form.
- SECTION 6 - Five percent (5 %) of the total travel tax collection for five (5) consecutive years beginning
the year of effectivity of this Act shall be constituted as a fund to conduct valuable research on the re-
introduction and revival of the komiks as a popular art
- The legacy of Philippine komiks is being attempted to be revived and reintroduced by a new generation
of makers. These young artists produce self-published works and hold exhibitions in an effort to spark
public interest in the genre.
- Annual gathering of comic- book artists, publishers, and enthusiasts in
the country called Komikon–spreading public awareness and appreciation in the art of komiks.
TELEVISION - HISTORY
Early Concepts and Inventions (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

1890s
-Theoretical groundwork for television begins with advances in electricity and optics.
-Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi explore wireless communication, which would influence future
broadcasting technologies.
1900
-Paul Nipkow invents the Nipkow disk, a mechanical device that can scan images,
providing a foundation for early television systems

Key Developments (1920)

1920
-John Logie Baird conducts early experiments with mechanical television and
demonstrates moving images in London.
1927
-Philo Farnsworth transmits the first live electronic image—a simple horizontal line—
marking a significant milestone in television technology.
1928
-Baird conducts the first public demonstration of a televised image of a human
face

Establishment of Broadcasting (1930s)

1930
- RCA (Radio Corporation of America) begins public demonstrations of television
technology.
1936
-The BBC starts regular television broadcasts, becoming the first public
broadcasting service.
1939
- RCA showcases television at the New York World’s Fair, generating excitement about
the medium

Golden Age of Television (1940s-1950s)

1941: The FCC adopts the NTSC (National Television System Committee) standard for
black-and-white television in the U.S.
Post-WWII: Television ownership skyrockets, leading to the "Golden Age." By 1950, over half
of American households own a TV.
1950s Programming: Iconic shows emerge, including "I Love Lucy" and "The Ed Sullivan
Show.

Color Television (1950s-1960s)

1953: The FCC approves RCA’s color television system, leading to widespread adoption.

1960: The first televised presidential debates occur between John F. Kennedy and Richard
Nixon, influencing public perception
Technological Advancements (1970s-1980s)

1970s: The expansion of cable television provides a wider variety of channels. HBO
launches in 1972.
1975: The introduction of the Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) allows viewers to record
programs.
1980: CNN launches as the first 24-hour news channel

Digital Television Revolution (1990s-2000s)

1996: The Telecommunications Act deregulates the cable industry.

1998: The transition to digital television (DTV) begins, improving image quality.
2009: The U.S. transitions from analog to digital broadcasting

Rise of Streaming (2010-2020s)

2010s: Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime change content consumption
patterns.
2013: Netflix releases "House of Cards," marking a shift in original content production.
2020s: Smart TVs and devices enhance on demand viewing experiences

Television History in the Philippines

- began in 1953, when DZAQ-TV Channel 3, operated by the Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) aired the first
broadcast in Southeast Asia
- 1960s - 1970s - saw the growth of television with new networks like Chronicle Broadcasting
Network (CBN) and the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) entering the scene.
- ABS and CBN merged in 1967 to form ABS-CBN, which became a major player in Philippine media.
- during Martial Law in 1972, the Marcos regime seized control of TV stations, shutting down ABS-CBN
and using the medium for government propaganda.
- wasn’t until after the 1986 People Power Revolution that ABS-CBN was revived, alongside the rise of GMA
Network
- In the 1990s and 2000s, cable television became more accessible, and digital broadcasting began to improve
the quality of TV content.
- 2020 shutdown of ABS CBN made GMA and TV5 dominant networks
- Today, Philippine television includes a blend of traditional broadcasting, cable, and digital streaming services,
reflecting the country's evolving media consumption habits.

Evolution of Television
1. Early Beginnings (1930s)

1939
- first experiemental television broadcasts in the Philippines
- conducted by the University of the Philippines
- early broadcasts were very rudimentary, primarily featuring live performances and limited programming
2. Commercial Television (1950s)

1953
- first commercial television station - ABS CBN began operations
- marked official start of commercial TV broadcasting in the Philippines

1958
- first live telecast of a major event occurred during the inauguration of President Carlos P. Garcia
- showcasing the potential of television for mass communication

3. Expansion and Competition (1960s - 1970s)

1960s
- introduction of color television
- broadcasts officially in 1970
- revolutionized how content was produced and consumed, making programs more engaging

1970s
- GMA network started broadcasting, introduced competition in the industry
- saw a significant increase in the number of stations and a wider variety of programming

4. Martial Law (1972 - 1986)

- television was used as a tool for propaganda
- government controlled the media, leading to restrictions on free expression
-programs were censored and opposition voices were often silenced

5. Post - Marcos Era (1986)

1986
- People Power Revolution, media landscape began to liberalize
- government returned control of ABS CBN to its original owners
- revitalization helped re-established the network's position in the industry

6. Cable and Satellite Television (1990s)

1990
- saw the rise of cable television
- emergence of Sky Cable and Cignal Tv

1996
- allowed for access to international channels
- diversifying content available to Filipino audiences

7. Digital Transition (2000s - 2010s)

2000
- shift towards digital broadcasting began
- Digital terrestrial television (DTT) started gaining traction

2015
- National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) set the deadline to digital broadcasting by 2023
8. Streaming and Online Content (2020s)
- rise of internet led to the popularity of streaming platforms

2020-2023
- COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the move towards digital content consumption
- traditional networks enhancing their online presence and creating original digital content

9. Current Landscape
- television continues to evolve
- traditional broadcasters adapting to new media environments and viewer preferences
-integration of mobile apps, social media platforms, and on demand services represents the latest phase of the
television landscape

Peak of Television (1980s-1990s)

Cultural Influence
- 1980s - television became the dominant medium for entertainment
- 1986 - return of democracy after the People Power Revolution revitalized the media landscape

Technological Advancement
- introduction of color broadcasting in late 1960s set the stage for a flourishing television industry
- 1990s - cable television became widely available, providing viewers access to numerous channels and
international content

Decline of Television

Emergence of New Media

- rise of internet and mobile devices began to shift viewer habits
- YouTube and later streaming services offered on-demand content, drawing audiences away
from traditional broadcast schedules
-Social media platforms also changed how content was consumed, with users increasingly
preferring shorter, more interactive formats

Economic Factors
-economic downturn affected advertising revenues - crucial for television networks
- advertisers shifted budgets to digital platforms

Digital Transition
- transition from analog to digital broadcasting introduced competition form new digital platforms
- shift promised better quality and more channels
- required significant investment from traditional networks

Current Landscape
- adapting to change - traditional television are reevaluating their strategies

Inventors of Television

- television was invented through the contributions of several inventors

- two most prominent figures are John Logie Baird and Philo Fransworth
John Logie Blaird
- credited with demonstrating the first working mechanical television system in 1926

Philo Fransworth
- independently developed the first fully electronic television system in 1927

Mechanical Television (1926)

Electronic Television (1927)

Early Mechanical and Black and White TV (1920s)

- Television began mechanical systems in the 1920s
- by 1930s electronic black and white TV broadcasts were being introduced

Color Tv Era (1950s - 1970s)

- color broadcasts started in the 1950s
- widespread adoption by the late 1960s
- was a major advancement from the mechanical systems

Cable and Satellite Tv (1970s-1990s)

- expanded options in the 1970s and 1980s
- giving viewers access to more channels, movies and specialty content

Digital and High Definition (HD) TV (1920s-2000s)

- shift to digital broadcasting in the late 1990s brought clearer images
- became the standard by the 2000s offering high-resolution visuals

Smart Tv Era (2008-present)

-first smart tv in 2008
-internet enabled TVs allow users to stream content, download apps and interact with their Tvs beyond
traditional channels

1st ever color Tv broadcast in USA, 1858

1st Television Program

- a variety show called "The Queen's Messenger"
-broadcast in 1928 by inventor Charles Francis Jenkins
- featured 2 actors performing a short play, making an early experiment in TV broadcasting

Tv Station
- a set of equipment managed by a business, organization or other entity such as an amateur television (ATV)
operator, that transmits video content and audio content via radio waves directly from a transmitter on the
earth's surface to any number of tuned receivers simultaneously.

First Filipino TV Program

DZAQ-TV Channel 3
- owned by Bolinao Eelctronics Corporation
- began commercial television operations on October 23 1953
- first fully licensed commercial television station in the Philippines
- first program aired was a garden party at the Quirino residence in Sitio Alto, San Juan Rizal

1st Colored Tv in the Philippines

- In November 17,1966 ABS-CBN showcased the first Colored TV Broadcast in the Philippines.
- Philippines was also the 2nd Asian country to have a Colored Tv Broadcast after Japan

Filipino Series
- Philippine television drama, also known as teleserye is a form of melodramatic, serialized, televised fiction in
the Philippines.
- Teleserye is derived from two Filipino words: "tele", short for "telebisyón" (television), and "serye" (series).

RADIO

AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD

1924
– KZKZ (AM) in manila, Philippines was established by Henry Herman Sr.
-Henry Hermans Sr. – American businessman and entrepreneur who played significant role in the early
development of radio broadcasting in the Philippines

1929
-