The Flag Bearer
I have always found it curious that in Philippine pop culture, there has never been a popular flag-bearing character.
In United States, the obvious example would be Captain America; followed by Wonder Woman (with her red, white, blue and star-spangled outfit) and of course, Superman (whose costume follows the color motif of the American flag). They became symbols for the American people during World War II. In the days after 9/11, more New Yorkers were seen wearing their Superman and Captain America t-shirts.
If we take a look at other countries, they didn’t seem to see the need to create such a character. Even when Marvel created characters like The Guardian (a Canadian super-hero) and Union Jack (a British super-hero), they didn’t seem to develop a big enough following and have comic book titles that reached the 100th issue or spin-off to become a TV or cartoon show.
Here in the Philippines, popular characters like Darna and Panday are not “flag bearers”. I guess, more important that wearing the colors of the flag, the Filipino people identify more with the poor, little girl who becomes a super-woman and the struggling, good-hearted laborer who becomes a hero.
Maybe the Pinoy isn’t so interested in a symbolic figure, but would rather side with someone they can identify with.
So, I find it interesting that there are now several characters that proudly wear the Philippine flag and try to fight the good fight.
These characters are currently independently produced and don’t have the massive distribution of a Darna or Superman comic book, but they do have a following. It would be interesting to see how far their creators can take them.
Maybe someday we’ll see Pinoy kids at the playground, pretending to be these new Pinoy heroes instead of tying blankets around their necks and pretending to fly like Superman.
Maybe someday I’ll give it a try and create a hero that would bear the three stars and the sun.
I have always found it curious that in Philippine pop culture, there has never been a popular flag-bearing character.
In United States, the obvious example would be Captain America; followed by Wonder Woman (with her red, white, blue and star-spangled outfit) and of course, Superman (whose costume follows the color motif of the American flag). They became symbols for the American people during World War II. In the days after 9/11, more New Yorkers were seen wearing their Superman and Captain America t-shirts.
If we take a look at other countries, they didn’t seem to see the need to create such a character. Even when Marvel created characters like The Guardian (a Canadian super-hero) and Union Jack (a British super-hero), they didn’t seem to develop a big enough following and have comic book titles that reached the 100th issue or spin-off to become a TV or cartoon show.Here in the Philippines, popular characters like Darna and Panday are not “flag bearers”. I guess, more important that wearing the colors of the flag, the Filipino people identify more with the poor, little girl who becomes a super-woman and the struggling, good-hearted laborer who becomes a hero.
Maybe the Pinoy isn’t so interested in a symbolic figure, but would rather side with someone they can identify with.
So, I find it interesting that there are now several characters that proudly wear the Philippine flag and try to fight the good fight.
These characters are currently independently produced and don’t have the massive distribution of a Darna or Superman comic book, but they do have a following. It would be interesting to see how far their creators can take them.
Maybe someday we’ll see Pinoy kids at the playground, pretending to be these new Pinoy heroes instead of tying blankets around their necks and pretending to fly like Superman.
Maybe someday I’ll give it a try and create a hero that would bear the three stars and the sun.
Comments
I created Sandata because i felt we need one hero who can easily be identified as Pinoy/Filipino. The character already have a following around the world, i get emails from UK, Canada and America.
I wish time will come when children can play as Sandata and not Captain America.
BTW Darna in her appearance as Varga wore the sun and stars too.
Tnx again!
:-)
Three mainstream komiks superheroes I remember who had a flag motif during the late 80s to early 90s were R. Pinoy (or was it Super R. Pinoy?), Kalasag, and Sibabina She-Oktong (yup, that was his name. He turned gay when he became a superhero, with a flag-themed costume, to boot).
According to a friend of mine, it's illegal to render the flag in such a fashion.
http://alamat.multiply.com/journal/item/221/The_Flag_Bearer
From what I remember, in the US, it's illegal to use the actual flag and use it for something else.
--budjette