Real jungle man played ‘Kulafu’

Sometime last year, this columnist met Mrs. Lorna Perez Laurel at the Cultural Center of the Philippines where we had a short talk. Knowing my interest in old movies, Lorna asked me if I was familiar with a Fil-American actor who played the ‘local Tarzan’ in the ’30s. His name was Andrew Cobb. I said yes.

Lorna said he was an uncle, her middle name being Cobb. She wanted her children and grandchildren to be aware of their American roots. Lorna wondered if I could write something about Andrew Cobb.

Actually, I’ve featured him way back in 1994. But for Lorna and others who may be interested in the ‘local Tarzan,’ Remember When? is doing a repeat... with additional photos and data.

Andrew was hyped as a real jungle man, roaming the forests of Zambales, hunting wild animals and befriending the natives. When it was announced that the popular Liwayway magazine serial — illustrated by Francisco Reyes and penned by Pedrio Reyes, not related to each other — was being made into a movie, scores of young men auditioned. But Hollywood-based director Fred Weller handpicked Andrew    whose photo was sent by a lady friend. He was the perfect Kulafu, tanned and handsome and muscled, moving with agility and grace. With movie queen Rosa del Rosario as leading lady, Kulafu was meant for international release.

A University of the Philippines fine arts graduate, Francisco Reyes said he was heavily influenced by Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan in creating Kulafu, which was also carried by Hiligaynon and Bisaya, Liwayway’s sister magazines.

In the early ’40s, Reyes stopped doing Kulafu and teamed up with Clodualdo del Mundo and created other well-read strips like Talahib Kilabot, Buhawi, Mahiwagang Sinulid, Joe Safari, Dagog, Sphinx, Ogganda.

After World War II, Kulafu was remade with Ben Perez in the title role. A few years back, Paul Soriano produced and directed Kid Kulafu, referring to the young Manny Pacquiao who used to run errands for older boxers, buying the alcohol drink Kulafu, named after the jungle character.

Perhaps the offspring of Lorna  could trace their American forebear, including Andrew, the local Tarzan.  — RKC