The Secret Life of Tony de Zuñiga

Mang Tony. Photo by Roi Francisco.

A lot of great things have been said about  Tony  de Zuñiga, the legendary artist who passed away last Friday due to complications brought by  mild stroke. He was the first Filipino artist who worked for Marvel and DC Comics; he co-created the western anti-hero “Jonah Hex” and the bullet-proof  superheroine “Black Orchid;” and in the '70s, he busted doors for other Filipinos when he scouted  talents.

But did you know that he hid his age from the public?

Various news sites have initially reported that De Zuñiga, locally known as “Mang Tony,” was 71 years old, probably basing on previous records that he was born in 1941. But his wife, Tina, clarified that  De Zuñiga was actually 79 years old and was born in November 1932.

“Nahihiya kasi siya na sabihin ang edad niya (He was shy to admit how old he was),” Tina said. “Kaya sinasabi ko na dapat hindi siya mahiya dahil sa edad niya, nakaka-drawing pa siya.(That's why I always tell him that he should be proud that he can still draw magnificently at his age).

His daughter, Cheryll Lim recalled that artists like DC Comics' Rags Morales (“Identity Crisis”) were in awe of his detailed line art when they met her dad at the San Diego Comic Convention in the U.S. “Tuwang-tuwa talaga sila sa dad ko,” Lim shared that  De Zuñiga was fond of cracking “green” jokes.

Growing up, Lim said she tried drawing but she could not match her father's skill in being able to see “shadows” on people's faces when he drew portraits. She also said that her father dreamed of opening an art school for kids. “Malapit siya sa mga bata (He liked children),” Lim said.

In fact, his first students were his grandchildren.“Binigyan niya ng oil pastel, 'yung mga bata naman, nag-scribble sa sahig, hindi na tuloy matanggal (He gave my kids oil pastel but the children scribbled on the floor. It's hard to remove the stains.)

Lim said that her father left the U.S. two years ago to stay in the Philippines for good because most of his friends live here. “Plus, he did  not like the cold weather; he'd always get sick,” Lim said.

Asked if their family would still open an art school, she said, “Wala na dad ko. Siya ang artist. (My dad is gone. He's the artist.)


After De Zuñiga: A call for creators' fund 

Sketch for Mang Tony

While De Zuñiga was confined at the Las Piñas Doctors Hospital last month, his wife asked helped from the comics community to aid them in the medical costs. She said that they were paying P40,000 everyday and their savings had almost ran out.

Last May 5, a sketch drive and a silent auction of artworks were held for Mang Tony, coinciding with “Free Comic Book Day,” an annual event where participating retail stores give out free comics to increase readership.

“It is also a good way to show our brothers to share our blessings,” said Jed Yoingco, a comics fan who brought his younger siblings to the event. “Aside from the free comics, there is a benefit drive to help Mang Tony because he needs all the help he can get right now.”

The Fantastic Four.
Yoingco twins bring their younger siblings to a sketch drive for Mang Tony.

Comics enthusiast Jiggy Cruz of the prominent Aquino clan believes that what happened to DeZuñiga should be a wake-up call to the comics community. “In the States, there's a foundation called the 'Hero Initiative.' 'Hero Initiative ' is a non-profit organization helping the American artists,” Cruz said.

“I don't think the support should come from the government. I think it's the fans, in general, the fans should have a support fund for the heroes they look up to,” Cruz added.

Renowned comics creator Gerry Alanguilan said they have long thought of putting up a foundation since the Ondoy tragedy.

“Pinag-aaralan pa namin kasi alam namin malaking pera ang involved doon at maraming tao ang kailangan to work it. (We are still studying it because we know it involves funding and manpower to make it work.) But definitely we have a plan to do something more concrete,” Alanguilan said.

De Zuñiga's Legacy

“It is very rare that things like these happen. It is unfortunate for this to happen but it really shows that that comics community is just one big family,” Zsazsa Zaturnnah creator Carlo Vergara said.

Vergara admitted that he had not read any Jonah Hex comic illustrated by DeZuñiga when he was young. But when he first met the veteran artist in a convention, Vergara said he was astonished by De Zuñiga's detailed pencils, popularly known as the “Filipino Style.”

“I was just blown away. It brought me back to the time when I was a kid, admiring the work of Filipino artists.” Vergara said. “You're peeking at his work  and you're trying to find what can you pick up from it. In Tagalog, 'paano ko nanakawin ito?”

On May 26, participants of Summer Komikon, a comic book convention usually attended by De Zuñiga, will pay tribute to the legendary artist. Many creators have already posted online their renditions of Mang Tony's famous character “Jonah Hex.”

"Jonah. Walking off to the sunset." by Carlo San Juan

Mang Tony's remains lie in state at Chapel 4, The Heritage Park Mortuary and Crematorium, C5 Road in Taguig City. Necrological mass and cremation will be held on Tuesday.

Jerald Uy