✐ Philippine Folklore: Who is Pedro Penduko?

PHOTO SOURCE: Net Archives
ARTICLE SOURCE: Wikipedia

Pedro Penduko is a Filipino comic book character
styled as a folk hero or superhero, created by
Francisco V. Coching and debuted on Liwayway
Magazine.

In his numerous incarnations, Pedro Penduko is
consistently portrayed a normal human being who
has no superpowers, but is resourceful and quick-
witted in battling evil forces. He is aided by a magical
amulet (known as Mutya in the TV Series).

He was actually introduced in the 1994 and 2000
movies as a descendant of a family of legendary
heroes but is a coward.

In the TV version however, Pedro is the son of a
mortal and a lambana (fairy) whose adventure begins
as he starts searching for his lost father. He then
encounters extraordinary creatures unique in
Philippine folklore.

Filipino actor Efren Reyes Sr. was the first to play
the role in the bigscreen. This was followed by
Ramon Zamora. The most popular Pedro Penduko
was Janno Gibbs who appeared in two Pedro Penduko
movies. Matt Evans reprised the role on television for
a season of Komiks. Komiks Presents: Da Adventures
of Pedro Penduko is supposed to be only for a season
but because of good ratings it was extended for two
more seasons. The third and last season was retitled
Komiks Presents: Si Pedro Penduko at ang mga
Engkantao.

Evans is the first actor to play Pedro Penduko on
television and the fourth actor to play the role. Evans
is credited for giving Penduko a curly-haired image,
which had already become a trademark of the character.