Clodualdo del Mundo (b. Manila, Philippines on 11 September 1911, died 3 October 1977) is a Filipino novelist, playwright, essayist, short story writer, journalist, teacher, critic.[1] And for the many readers of Liwayway and the komiks of Ace Publications, a prolific writer. His life as a writer was a constant struggle between literary writing and popular writing for the mass media, particularly radio and komiks. This life was also characterized by his constant battle for the defense of Pilipino, the national language of the Philippines.
Clodualdo del Mundo was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila. His parents were Mariano del Mundo, a sculptor from Bocaue, Bulacan; and Remigia Legaspi of Sampaloc, Manila. A graduate of Mapa High School, del Mundo obtained a degree in Associate in Arts from Far Eastern College (now Far Eastern University), and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the National Teachers' College. Del Mundo spent a few years studying law at the Philippine Law School, and fine arts at the University of the Philippines.
Del Mundo was at the forefront of literary organizations. In 1936, he co-founded and became president of "Panitikan", an avant-garde group of college writers in Pilipino. He also became president of "Ilaw ng Bayan" in 1937, and a member of "Ilaw at Panitik" in 1938. He provided an active voice in the name of the national language when he became member of "Taliba ng Inang Wika" (TANIW) in 1955, and its president from 1967 to 1972. His name was associated with various magazines as associate editor, managing editor or editor. Among these magazines were Alitaptap, Orient Digest, Nautilus, Halakhak, Mabuhay, Aliwan, Paru-Paro, Daigdig and Liwayway.
Del Mundo continued to write literary pieces. During his later years at Liwayway, he focused his work on the "tanaga", a form of Pilipino poem, with four verses and seven syllables for each verse. A small space in Liwayway was reserved for del Mundo's "Makabagong Tanaga", and he produced a total of 283 of these short poems. He was editorial director of Liwayway when he died on October 3, 1977.
In radio, del Mundo is most remembered for his Prinsipe Amante, which was aired from 1949 to 1953. Rooted in folklore and the comedy, it was made into a film by Lamberto Avellana becoming a box-office success. Del Mundo wrote countless other plays on radio, including biblical plays during Lenten seasons.
In komiks, del Mundo is remembered as one of the prolific writers during the Golden Years of komiks in the Philippines with the entry of Ace Publications in 1947 and the publication of Pilipino Komiks. Through the 1950s, Ace Publications komiks – Pilipino, Hiwaga, Espesyal and Tagalog Klasiks enjoyed huge popularity. Clodualdo del Mundo was the most prolific (other notables being Mars Ravelo, Pablo S. Gomez, and Francisco V. Coching).
Leading illustrators at that time were Francisco V. Coching, Nestor Redondo, Alfredo Alcala and Fred Carrillo. Most of the komiks stories by Clodualdo del Mundo were illustrated by Fred Carrillo. This long collaboration produced many memorable works – from social drama, like Malvarosa and Kadenang Putik; to costume drama, like Kapitan Bagwis and Pitong Sagisag; to action stories like Ripleng de Rapido, Paltik, Asintado; and to science-fiction like Tuko sa Madre Kakaw and Zarex.
For about two decades, del Mundo provided a rich resource of stories for movie producers. Many of his stories were produced by LVN and Premiere Productions. In 1960, Kadenang Putik, produced by Premiere, was awarded the FAMAS Award (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) trophy for best story.
Also noteworthy among del Mundo’s works in komiks medium was his adaptation of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere.
During the height of the popularity of komiks-magazines, del Mundo and his colleagues formed an organization to oversee the komiks industry and to underscore the responsibility of this mass medium. In 1956, the APEPCOM (Association of Publishers and Editors of Philippine Comics Magazines) was formed. In the 1960s, del Mundo served as its president.