Hal Santiago

HAL SANTIAGO’s name is synonymous with the komiks novels “Pinoy Houdini”, “Talim”, and “The Hands”. The Hands won for him the award for Best Written and Illustrated Novel by an Artist from the komiks contributors’ association, WIKA, in 1984. The three aforementioned novels were all written by him when he joined Graphic Arts Service, Inc. (GASI) in the 1970s.

Santiago, who started his komiks career in 1958 as an illustrator, won the Best Illustrator Award in 1980, his first, also from WIKA – for his artistic visualizations of various novels. These novels, all written for GASI by various writers include: “Sun God” by Pablo S. Gomez, “At Saka Natin Itanong sa Diyos” by Carlo J. Caparas, “Isang Minutong Kasalanan” by Elena M. Patron, and “Medusa” and “Unica” by Jim M. Fernandez.

It was a very young Santiago who had for many years vowed to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Harold Foster, the distinguished American comics artist who illustrated Tarzan in 1929, then proceeded to carve a niche for himself in the international comics world as the creator of Prince Valiant. Indeed, Santiago idolized Hal Foster so much that he changed his own name to HAL. In 1958, Santiago wrote Foster about his desire to learn the ropes of komiks illustration and, inspired by Foster’s swift and sincere reply, immediately sent out for the komiks publishing houses to give his talent a try.

He illustrated short stories for Manila Klasiks until he was commissioned by Gil Evangelista to illustrate Bert Tablan’s novel, “Puso sa Puso” for Screen Komiks. His first komiks novel was “Tatlong Hari” for United Komiks, written by Rene Rosales and published by PSG Publishing House. As a class A Illustrator with Atlas Publications, he had teamed up with Jim M. Fernandez, Vic J. Poblete and Carlo J. Caparas. He illustrated Danilo Roman’s memorable novel, “Shanghai Joe”.

It was while he was with Atlas that Hal Santiago tried his hand at writing, and came up with “Huling Umaga” which he himself illustrated. Of Hal Santiago, writer Jim M. Fernandez had this to say: “I consider him as the Raphael of Komiks Illustrators”. [1]

Published Works

• 13 Little Fingers, Holiday Komiks (1986-1987)
• 666, Pinoy Klasiks (1986-1988)
• Ang Asong Itim sa Gulod, Fantasia Komiks (1967)
• Ang Bukas ay Walang Hanggan, Liwayway (1966)
• Ang Kampana sa Santa Quiteria, Continental Komiks (1970-1971)
• Astrobal, Pinoy Komiks (1990-1991)
• Bakawan, Holiday Komiks (1980)
• Banaba, Holiday Komiks (1979)
• Blood Sweat and Fear, Shocker Komiks (1987)
• Bob Steel, Holiday Komiks (1981-1984)
• Buntala, Planet Komiks (1968-1969)
• Captain Crossbone, Aguila Qualikomiks (1986)
• Cara, Kislap Magasin (1977-1980)
• Chiradee Suterisasok, Aliwan Komiks (1986-1987)
• Combat Dragons, Commander Qualikomiks (1986)
• Cowboy Domino, Pinoy Klasiks (1991-1992)
• Danny Comet, Holiday Komiks (1979-1980)
• Dimalupig, Aliwan Komiks (1972)
• Durando, United Komiks (1969-1970)
• Erickson, Holiday Komiks (1978-1979)
• Faded Star, Damdamin Komiks (1988-1989)
• Florinda, Tagalog Klasiks (1972)
• Galaxy of Horror, Space Horror Comix (1988)
• Gallery of Terror, Pinoy Komiks (1987-1988)
• Garnet, Teens Weekly Komiks (1983-1984)
• Gumgum, Aliwan Komiks (1990)
• Hell and High Adventures, Pinoy Komiks (1988-1989)
• Hercules (The Return), Aliwan Komiks (1992)
• Hogarth: The Ape Man, Pinoy Klasiks (1989-1990)
• Horus, Aliwan Komiks (1991-1992)
• Hulog ng Impiyerno (1966-1967), Lagim Komiks (1966-1967)
• Inca, Teens Weekly Komiks (1970s)
• Isang Daang Oras ng Katahimikan, Darna Komiks (1976)
• Karugtong Ka ng Hininga Ko, Romansa Komiks (1992)
• Katwin en Dolly, Pinoy Klasiks (1988-1989)
• Kongga, Pinoy Klasiks (1983-1984)
• Kontra-Bandido, Pilipino Reporter Komiks (1972)
• Kontra-Bandido, Topstar Komiks (1973)
• Kroko, Klasik Komiks (2007)
• Kulatog, Pioneer Komiks (1988-1990)
• Kuwatro, United Komiks (1969)
• Kuwatro Kondenado, Pioneer Komiks (1981-1983)
• Medusa, Pinoy Komiks (1984)
• Mga Ligaw na Punglo, Espesyal Komiks (1971)
• Mga Limot na Kasaysayan, Lagim Komiks (1964)
• Mga Reynang Walang Trono, Bondying Movie Specials (1974-1975)
• Monsters of the Universe, Kilabot Qualikomiks (1986)
• Mister Flo, Precious Komiks (1983-1984)
• Nalibing Nang Buhay, Superstar Komiks (1970-1972)
• Onono, Holiday Komiks (1983-1984)
• Parcenet Isolde, Estudyante Komiks (2007)
• Pinoy Houdini, Pinoy Komiks (1993-1994)
• Pipay, Pinoy Komiks (1983-1984)
• Prinsipeng Walang Gulat, Lagim Komiks (1964)
• Pubring Alindahaw, United Komiks (1970)
• Pugad ng Agila, TSS Komiks (1975)
• Roman Bunganga, Precious Komiks (1978-1979)
• Sakmal sa Dilim, Aliwan Komiks (1983-1984)
• Sarang, Pioneer Komiks (1991-1992)
• Shanghai Joe, Tagalog Klasiks (1977-1978)
• Sirenita, Pinoy Komiks (1987-1989)
• Talim, Pioneer Komiks (1978-1979)
• Tatlong Hari, United Komiks (1964-1966)
• Tender is the Night, Superstar Komiks (1981-1982)
• The Cannibal, Aliwan Komiks (1977-1983)
• The Gorgon, Pinoy Komiks (1977-1981 )
• The Hands, Pioneer Komiks (1977-1983)
• The Hands in the Lost World, Pinoy Klasiks (1990-1991)
• The Horrifying Nightmares of Father and Son, Nightmare Komiks (1988-1991)
• The Singing Samurai, Shogun Qualikomiks (1986)
• The Stranger, Bondying Movie Specials (1972-1973)
• Tierra Sagrada, Lagim Komiks (1967)
• Twilight Land, Super Fantasy Komiks (1987)
• Unica, Aliwan Komiks (1983-1984)
• Valentina, United Komiks (1968)
• Vengadora, Kidlat Komiks (1969)
• Vog, Aliwan Komiks (1989-1990)
• Weird Fantasy, Holiday Komiks (1987)
• Winterela, Kuwento Komiks (1986-1987)
• Zarbot, Aliwan Komiks (1987-1989)
• Zuma-Maria, Pinoy Komiks (1989-1990)

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