One of the great names in the field of komiks or popular literature is Clodualdo del Mundo Sr. Many of his illustrated novels were made into movies mostly in the ‘50s, among them: Paltik, Texas, Malvarosa, Tuko sa Madre Kakaw, Eskrimador, Kerubin and Kadenang Putik.
Most of his komiks stories were illustrated by Fred Carillo and published in Pilipino, Hiwaga, Espesyal and Tagalog komiks.
On radio, Del Mundo Sr. (or Clod) is best remembered for Prinsipe Amante, which aired from 1949 to 1953. It was made into a film twice, topbilled by Rogelio dela Rosa.
During his later years in Liwayway, Del Mundo Sr. focused on writing literary pieces like Tanaga, a form of Filipino poem, and the novel Sambutil na Kanin.
For Taliba, he penned the critical column Tao sa Parolang Ginto, later compiled in a book.
He was Liwayway editorial director until his death on Oct. 3, 1977.
To mark the novelist’s 101st birth anniversary in September, his son Clodualdo ‘Doy’ del Mundo Jr. mounted a photo exhibit at De La Salle University, where he is a professorial lecturer. Doy is educator, author, scripwriter and filmmaker.
Clodualdo del Mundo Sr.’s life was said to have been characterized by his constant battle for the defense of the Filipino language and struggle between literary writing and popular writing. — RKC