Panday

Panday (Blacksmith)

The original Panday

Real Name: Flavio

Identity/Class: Normal human armed with magical weapon.

Occupation: Blacksmith

Affiliations: "Tata" Temyong (Papa Temyong)

Enemies: Lizardo, Sombra Oscura

Known Relatives: Flavio (his descendent)

Aliases: None known

Base of Operations: Sto. Sepulcro, Phillippines

Panday discovers the meteor. First Appearance: Ang Panday (Pilipino Komiks)

History: Panday was a metalsmith whose name was Flavio. One night, a meteor (bulalakaw) fell from the sky. He used the metal from the meteor to fashion a dagger and a churchbell. The dagger would magically grow to become a sword when he raised it up and pointed it to the sky. He used this to battle the Sombra Oscura, the minions of evil, who repeatedly beset the town, eventually slaying their leader, Lizardo, the "Son of the Devil".

His main arch nemesis was Lizardo, but he fought many other supernatural beings. Eventually, he kills Lizardo.

Comments: Created by Carlo J. Caparas and artist Steven Gan for "Pilipino Komiks" , adapted to the big screen by Fernando Poe. The original comic was more realistic than the fantastical version developed by Poe, whose movies ensured the character's lasting popularity.

Panday was also the star of an animated series in the Philippines. The character is likely named after real historical figure, metal smith Panday Piray of Pampanga, was so skilled at weapons making and other types of metal working that the Spanish entrusted him with opening the first Spanish artillery foundry in the country.

Thanks to Raffy for correcting me as to the true identity of Panday. He notes of Panday's ally that "Tata Temyong is the wise old man and keeper of the "Black Book" of prophecies who guides and accompanies Panday Flavio on his adventures." He also states "Panday is the Premiere Male Superhero of the Philippines".

Raffy also mentions that in the cinema actor Fernando Poe Jr has played Panday at least four times:

Ang Panday
Ang Panday Ang Pagbabalik
Ang Panday: Ikatlong Yugto
Panday Ikaapat na Aklat

and is generally considered the definitive version.

EA Mendoza got in touch to provide the more detailed origin above, and also noted "Panday, as seen in the animated series is based on a live action movie starring Fernando Poe Jr, the action king of the Philippines. There was the original movie in the mid-70's and 4 sequels."

Thanks to Dan Ramon P. Geromo for providing the photographic images of this incarnation of the character.

Aris Panganiban sent me extensive notes regarding the character's appearances and history: "Ang Panday began as a comic serial in Pilipino Komiks, created by Carlo J. Caparas (a prolific comics writer of the '70's and '80's who would go on to a career in filmmaking) and artist Steve Gan. The character's enduring popularity probably owes a lot to the movies starring Fernando Poe, Jr., an actor of legendary stature about equal here in the Philippines to that of John Wayne in the States (whereas Wayne was "The Duke," Poe is "Da King").

Poe (or FPJ, as he is affectionately called) directed (under the name "Ronwaldo Reyes") and starred in four Panday films in the '70's and '80's. An animated TV series modeled on the movies appeared in the mid-'80's. FPJ was credited with providing the voice, but it could've been a sound-alike.

FPJ also played Panday in cameo appearances in other films. In She-Man, Mistress of the Universe, he fought alongside his gay counterpart (Joey de Leon as She-Man/Pando) in the movie's climax. He performed similar duties in Janno Gibb's Ang Pagbabalik in Pedro Penduko, which also featured cameo appearances by Darna (Anjanette Abayari of Darna, Ang Pagbabalik) and Extranghero's Andrew E. as an under-muscled Captain Barbell.

As of this writing, FPJ is running for president here in the Philippines. In 2002, he made what may as well be his last film (should he win the election). Alamat ng Lawin (Legend of the Hawk) involved a gang of street children (with the annoying habit of breaking into song) who inexplicably get zapped to another dimension. There they meet Lawin (played by FPJ), a legendary hero armed with a magic dagger (forged from a meteor) that transforms into a sword. Sounds familiar? This is basically the Panday character under a different name. Though not one of FPJ's better films (he also directed this one), in a way it's fitting that his (possible) final performance is as the character he had become synonymous with.

Philip Salvador as Flavio in the new TV series Dugo ng Panday was serialized in Liwayway Magazine in the early '80's. The 1993 film was not a direct adaptation of the comic. Max Alvarado, who played Lizardo in the original Panday films, returned as Lizardo's disembodied head. Edu Manzano (1986's Captain Barbell) played Lizardo's robotic alter ego, Konde Kalatrab.

Hiwaga ng Panday (Mystique of the Blacksmith) ran as a newspaper comic strip in the tabloid People's Journal. It was again by creator Carlo J. Caparas, who also helmed the film adaptation. Caparas is famous (and infamous) for his so-called "Massacre Movies," lurid, low budget films based on actual (usually unsolved) murder cases. Unfortunately, his low budget approach to filmmaking didn't do justice to his own creation.

In this film, Guiller melts the sword and re-forges it into a gun. The gun fired explosive bullets and stun rays. When needed, the gun can transform back into a sword.

The images of the original Panday in your site appeared in Hiwaga ng Panday, from an opening flashback scene summarizing the original's career. The actor pictured isn't FPJ, but a look-alike."

In addition to the two alternate versions of Panday who have turned up in movies, a Panday TV series is currently being produced by ABS-CBN and its global cable/satellite station TFC (The Filipino Channel), with Jericho Rosales as the new Ang Panday, a man named Tristan. Actor Philip Salvador will have a short role as Flavio (the original Panday, previously played by Fernando Poe Jr.).

Jess Fernandez adds "In the late 80s and early 90s, Joey de Leon starred in a Panday movie entitled "Pandoy, Ang Alalay Ng Panday". In the movie, Joey de Leon gives a comic twist to the popular "Panday", a fictional action hero popularised by the King himself, Fernando Poe, Jr. The mystical town of Sta. Monica is perennially raided by pirates led by Redentor and Vibora. The womenfolk are kidnapped and sold to a white slavery gang. The town needs a blacksmith with a pure heart for only he can forge the magical sword of justice and wield it against the evil forces hounding the town. In the absence of the "real Panday", stable boy Pandoy (played by Filipino comedian Joey de Leon) is conscripted to be blacksmith of the gods. He leaves his beloved Cristina to fulfill his mission. But then Pandoy meets beautiful Issa in Sta. Monica. Pandoy succeed in banishing Redentor and his ilk. In the end, he preferred to go back being a stable boy in Cristina's hacienda than being a blacksmith with Issa in Sta. Monica."

Panday (descendent of the first)

Real Name: Flavio

Identity/Class: Normal human armed with magical weapon.

Occupation: Blacksmith

Affiliations: None known

Enemies: Lizardo

Known Relatives: Flavio (original Panday, ancestor)

Aliases: None known

Base of Operations: The Philippines

First Appearance: Dugo ng Panday

History: Centuries later one of the original Panday's descendants found the magic sword and discovered that because he was pure of heart, it worked for him. However Lizardo had been resurrected, his brain preserved in an alien robot. Eventually the new Panday kills him.

Comments: From EA Mendoza: "In the 90's the mantle of Panday was worn by a new action star, Ramon Revilla Jr. He is not really Flavio but one of his descendants worthy of the sword because of the pureness of his heart. Lizardo's brain is resurrected and preserved by an alien robot. The new Panday eventually kills both of them."

Raffy sent me the image of this Panday (above, right), along with a note "Dugo ng Panday" means "Blood of the Blacksmith"

Panday (Guiller)

Real Name: Guiller

Identity/Class: Normal human armed with magical weapon.

Occupation: Gunsmith

Affiliations: Emily

Enemies: Unknown

Known Relatives: None known

Aliases: None known

Base of Operations: The Philippines

First Appearance: Hiwaga Ng Panday

Powers/Abilities: Panday's dagger (balaraw) can cut through virtually any substance without resistance. At times of need it can expand to become a full-fledged sword (espada). It hums when danger threatens. In gun form, it fires explosive bullets and stun rays but can transform back into a sword as required.

History: "Flavio is dead but the Legend of Panday continues. The magic sword is firmly planted on a stone wall waiting for the man with a clean heart and a noble intention to pull it out. Guiller (Jinggoy) is an expert gunsmith and a fearless protector of the poor. Emily is a feisty woman fighting for her rightful inheritance. Meeting in the oddest of situations, they band together to battle a ruthless enemy. The adversary is mighty but Guiller and Emily remain undaunted. They have uncovered the myth of the sword and Guiller has become the new Panday." Guiller melts the sword and re-forges it into a gun which can transform back into a sword when needed.

Comments: Dan Ramon P. Geromo has informed me of yet another incarnation of Panday, this time played by Jinggoy Estrada in Hiwaga Ng Panday. He also provided the image of this incarnation of the character.

Panday

Real Name: Tristan

Identity/Class: Normal human armed with magical weapon.

Occupation: Kargador (porter)

Affiliations: Eden, Tata Selo, Utoy

Enemies: Lizardo, Sombra Oscuras, Socur

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Sto. Sepulcro, Philippines

First Appearance: Ang Panday (ABS-CBN 2, 2005)

History: After defeating Lizardo, Flavio disappeared into a mystical ray of light, leaving the people of Sto. Sepulcro to live in peace. Unfortunately Lizardo was not as dead as it first seemed; his brain survived and was salvaged by his henchman Socur, who began looking through time and space for the girl who could restore his master to life. He found her in the form of Eden, the daughter of a wealthy family; Scour kidnapped the girl, but in so doing inspired Tristan, a brave kargador who loved her, to come to her rescue, travelling through different worlds to rescue her. In Sto. Sepulcro Tristan discovered Panday's magic dagger, and took up the mantle to become the town's new defender.

Comments: Played by Jericho Rosales in the new Panday TV series, with Philip Salvador playing the original Panday.

Before the airing of the TV series, there was 2-hour special documentary to pay tribute to the development of this character.

Thanks to both Raffy and Jess Fernandez for information on the latest incarnation of the character, and to Raffy for images.

CLARIFICATIONS: None

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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