So a cartoon named ‘Tarantadong Kalbo’ now counts as a hero of the resistance

Throughout Philippine history, political dissent has come from all sorts of people, from the most unlikely backgrounds. There are heroes like Tandang Sora, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto…and now, Tarantadong Kalbo.

Tarantadong Kalbo—whose name translates roughly to “Troublemaking Bald Guy”—is a web comic with a slant toward political satire, created by artist Kevin Eric Raymundo. It’s become popular over the past few months for its outspoken opposition to the government

Last Saturday, July 17, Tarantadong Kalbo released a cartoon showing a figure standing up amidst a sea of others bowing down. The one-word caption read: “Tumindig” (stand up).

Not coincidentally, the bowing figures form the signature Duterte fist bump.

 

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A post shared by Kevin Eric Raymundo (@tarantadongkalbo)

 

The post was popular on both Instagram and Facebook, where it has been shared and liked thousands of times.

However, other cartoonists have started joining in the online protest using the hashtag #Tumindig, led by Kapitan Tambay and then by Cartoonist ZACH. The latter also reposted an old cartoon, a modern-day Filipinized depiction of a historical photo showing a man refusing to join a crowd in the Nazi salute.

 

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A post shared by Kapitan Tambay (@kapitantambay)

 

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A post shared by Cartoonist ZACH (@cartoonistzach)

In the hours that followed, cartoonists and activist groups have followed suit, prompting users on social media to like the movement to a scene from Avengers: Endgame.

Raymundo has posted a follow-up cartoon, acknowledging the wave of support his cartoon has received. “Artista ng Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban! ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏻✊✊🏾” (“Artists of the country, now fighting back!”) the accompanying caption reads.

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Read: Peasant leader dies of COVID-19 in Pampanga jail

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A post shared by Kevin Eric Raymundo (@tarantadongkalbo)