Jason Paul Laxamana, the award-winning writer and director of blockbuster films such as “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” and “The Day After Valentine’s”, makes a long-time dream a reality with the publication of “Anitu”, his very own historical fantasy comic book series that aims to showcase the beauty and strengths of our ancestors even before we fell in the hands of colonizers.

In this story set in the land of Kapampangan, man, spirit and nature live in harmony. The peace is disrupted upon the arrival of outsiders who take over most of the region. Those who resist the power of these conquistadores flee to the mountains and are tagged as remontados and tulisan.

Uri, a young warrior, knows it’s only a matter of time before his town called Purak is conquered, so he makes great effort to train his fellow men to fight. But instead of an army of conquistadores, they find themselves facing a friar. Padre Galvan is sent to convert them to a new religion and make them abandon their worship of nature spirits and ancestors.

“Anitu” gives birth to four protagonists: Uri, a principled swordsman; Sampaga, an aspiring shaman; Miguel Batibot, a trainee in native martial arts; and Tuyag, a half-human/half-Aswang healer. Each will exhibit skills and qualities, and even possess weapons and magical items that will educate the readers about bits and pieces of pre-colonial and early colonial Philippine culture. Meanwhile, some antagonists draw inspiration from characters from Philippine literature and real figures from actual Philippine history.

“The creation of “Anitu” involved months of research,” shares Laxamana. “ While it is fictional and fantastic, many elements of the comic book allude to real historical events, such as pacification campaigns by conquistadores, uprising by natives, and the friars’ eradication of shamanism. The ultimate purpose of this comic book is to draw attention, heighten curiosity, and inspire interest in Filipino culture and history. “

Brilliantly illustrated by Ruel Enoya, every issue of Laxaman’s “Anitu” is guaranteed to be filled with action and adventure while showing our rich ethnic identity. If you’re thinking Pinoy Pride, this is it.

Published three times a year by Viva Books, Inc., “Anitu” is available online on VivaBooks.Ph, and at all Book Sale and Pandayan Bookshop branches nationwide. Get your copy and venture into a world inspired by the ancient glory and spirituality of the Philippines.