| Sandugo | |
|---|---|
Promotional mini-poster for Sandugo. Art by Ner Pedrina. |
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Kathang Indio |
| First appearance | Handicrapcomix #5 (Summer 1998) |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Hidden Underground base in Mount Arayat |
| Member(s) | Adarna Alamid Anino Bato Bernardo Karpio Diwata Lam-Ang Datu Pag-Asa Sandata Sidapa Supremo |
Sandugo is a Filipino superhero team created by Gener 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.
The original, line-up is Sandata, Supremo, Diwata, and Sidapa. The team was assisted by Bernardo Karpio also known as the Maharlikan God 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.
The team made its debut in Handicrapcomix #5 (1997). 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. 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.
Contents |
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.