Sandugo (comics)

Sandugo is a Filipino fictional superhero team created by Ner Pedrina. In most incarnations, its roster includes several Filipino characters mostly based on myths and thus many of them are easily recognizable to the viewing public.

Sandugo
Promotional mini-poster for Sandugo. Art by Ner Pedrina
From top row:

Adarna, Anino, Diwata, Bato Agimat Warrior, Lam-Ang, Supremo, Datu Pag-Asa Bernardo Karpio, Narra, Sidapa, Sandata,

Alamid
Publication information
PublisherKathang Indio Studios
First appearanceHandicrapcomix #5 (Summer 1998)
Created byNer Pedrina
In-story information
Type of organizationTeam
Base(s)Hidden Underground base in Mount Arayat
Agent(s)Current members:
Adarna

Alamid
Anino
Bato Agimat Warrior
Bernardo Karpio
Diwata
Lam-Ang
Narra
Sandata
Sidapa
Supremo

Datu Pag-Asa
Roster
See: List of Sandugo members

The original, line-up is Sandata, Supremo, Diwata, and Sidapa. The team was assisted by Bernardo Karpio also known as the Kapampangan God Apu Malyari, who became the first hero to be invited by the four founders. The team soon included Narra, Alamid, Lam-ang, Anino, Adarna and reservists Bato and Datu Pag-asa.

Publication history

Created by writer/artist Ner Pedrina, the team first appeared in Handicrapcomix #5 (February 1998).

Most team members have distinctly Filipino attributes, such as having Kapampangan or Tagalog heritage . Throughout most of its history, the team has worked with the government to deal with super-powered villains.

The team made its debut in Handicrapcomix #5 (1998). Although the team hasn't really been in publication, Sandugo had its small following due to its internet presence and commissioned fanart from fans and well-known Filipino artists. In 2007 they were launched in Sanduguan comics.

The team has been well received since inception. It was even included in the well known website internationalhero.co.uk [1] that spotlights other countries characters aside from the big two mainstream publishers of the same genre.

The team's concept was loosely based on the sanduguan ritual (blood compact) done by recruited Katipuneros who fought the Spanish occupation in Philippine History as their oath to the movement.

Fictional team biography

The team Sandugo was formed when the Maharlikan god of evil Siginarugan escaped his hundreds of years imprisonment and decided to wreak havoc on the new world. Creating monstrous automatons, he sowed fear and destruction in the mega city of Kalayaan, formerly known as Clarkfield in Pampanga.

Sandata in his civilian identity was in the area, and jumped in to stop the rampaging monsters. He was soon joined by the beautiful Diwata who was warned of the event in her sanctorium. Sidapa, the hand of death alarmed by the unscheduled deaths of civilians soon joined to investigate. A mysterious figure also saw what was transpiring on television decided to survey the commotion. The four heroes having difficulty in the battle decided to pool their resources then managed to defeat the monster and finally faced the evil maharlikan.

The fight continuous for a length of time until Siginarugan was exhausted due to not being in full power yet. He was then buried by a large amount of rubbles thrown from a distance by the mysterious figure. Drained and almost powerless, the evil dark god escaped retribution. The four seeing the carnage and destruction caused by the battle has then decided to band together to prevent similar events from happening. Supremo called the team Sandugo.

During their early days, the team operated from Diwata's sanctorium located in Arayat mountain, having access to various mystical means to help them in their cause. Soon, they learned the identity of the mysterious figure who helped them in their first battle with Siginarugan. The mysterious figure was revealed to Bernardo Karpio, the legendary strong man of Philippine myths. Soon thereafter, they recruited various heroes to fill their team, they have decided to have an active roster of eight heroes in relation to the number of provinces who waged war against the Spanish regime. It was also at this time that they were able to established their charter and work with the government, helping in extra-special matters that cannot be resolved by the resources of the government.

Pre-regular series

The team Sandugo first appeared in Handicrapcomix #5, February 1998, in which they fought various malignos that crossed-over to the earth realm. This is also the team's first meeting with Bato The Agimat Warrior.

The initial makeup of Sandugo was pan-Filipino, including:

  • Sandata: Jay Avila is an FMA instructor from Mabalacat, Pampanga who uses techno-magical batons, allowing him to upgrade his abilities. Sandata is sometimes the team leader, and wears a costume inspired by the Philippine flag.
  • Diwata: Luzviminda, from Arayat, is a half-breed angkantada.
  • Supremo: Juan dela Cruz is the living personification of the Filipino spirit wielding an enchanted bolo.
  • Sidapa: A former policeman from the line of Macabebe Warriors who became the messenger of death.
  • Bernardo Karpio: first recruit, who claims to be the strongman of the myth who escaped his hundred of years imprisonment.

Sanduguan: Sanction

The team appeared again online in 2003, this time the story was written by Alex Osias, when they were rescuing people kidnapped by Chinese pirates. This issue made first mention of the government-sanctioned team Katipunan, Inc.

A companion was released that details the secret history of the team, the recruits and character profiles.

The new additions to the roster included:

  • Narra: The defender of the green.
  • Lam-Ang: The immortal warrior.
  • Anino: The master of the shadows
  • Alamid: The feline warrior.

Sanduguan Regular Series

In 2007 due to public demand, Ner Pedrina launched the new series on Komikon where they are in battle with the demi-god Vital and his Acolytes for the "Matang Bathala".

The team were transported to an alternate earth where they team-up with a super-powered group of Philippine revolutionaries against the technological might of the Spaniards.

The evil god Siginarugan, once again made an attack to the earth plane with the help of various malignos. They were thwarted by the combined might of Sandugo, Zodiac Force, Bayan Knights and the Pantheon of Philippine Gods.

New additions to the roster includes:

  • Adarna: The fiery goddess.
  • Bato, The Agimat Warrior: The agimat wielding warrior, first honorary member turned regular member.
  • Datu Pag-Asa: The time displaced datu, second honorary member.
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See also

References
  1. Sanduguan Universe
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