The cartoonist known as Tarantadong Kalbo

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Tarantadong Kalbo is a controversial Filipino cartoonist who gained notoriety for his irreverent and often offensive cartoons. His real name was not publicly known, as he has chosen to remain anonymous.

Now we know him as Kevin Eric Raymundo, a visual artist and animator. He is the creator of the comics Tarantadong Kalbo or TK to his legion of followers.

Tarantadong Kalbo first rose to prominence in the early 2000s, when his cartoons began circulating on social media and through underground publications. His cartoons are known for their crude and vulgar humor, often featuring sexual and scatological themes.

Many of Tarantadong Kalbo's cartoons are also politically charged, taking aim at government officials, religious figures, and other public figures. His work has been criticized for being insensitive and offensive, with some calling for his cartoons to be censored or banned.

Please note that his humor is often sarcastic, irreverent, and can be offensive to some audiences.

One example of Tarantadong Kalbo's humor is a comic strip where a man asks his wife to accompany him to the gym, but she declines, saying that she prefers to stay home and watch her favorite soap opera. The man then responds, "Why do you need to watch soap operas? We have one here at home!" while pointing to the dishes stacked up in the sink.

This type of humor is known as a "punchline" where the joke builds up to a surprise ending, often using wordplay or irony. Tarantadong Kalbo's humor can be controversial, and some of his jokes may not be suitable for all audiences.

In one of his cartoons, he depicted former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a large and grotesque creature with numerous arms, each one holding a bag of money. The image was a commentary on the numerous corruption scandals that plagued Arroyo's administration.

Tarantadong Kalbo also made fun of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's signature hairstyle, portraying him with a large pompadour and labeling him as "President Kulot" (kulot means curly-haired in Filipino). The caricature was a humorous way of commenting on Aquino's popularity and image-consciousness.

In another cartoon, he depicted Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV as a mouse caught in a mousetrap, with a sign beside him that reads, "Trillanes Trapo Catcher." The image was a commentary on Trillanes' reputation as a "trapo" (traditional politician) who engages in political maneuvering and backroom deals.

Tarantadong Kalbo also poked fun at Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, portraying him as a superhero named "Duterte-Man," complete with a cape and a mask. However, instead of fighting crime, Duterte-Man is shown cracking down on drug users and political opponents, highlighting the controversial aspects of Duterte's administration.

These are just a few examples of Tarantadong Kalbo's political humor, which often uses satire, caricature, and exaggeration to comment on current events and political figures in the Philippines.

He uses simple illustrations in featuring personalities provoking social commentaries and noise on current events and social issues. His raised fist cartoon inspired the #Tumindig Resistance Movement in the Philippines.

You may follow him on Tarantadong Kalbo’s Facebook, Instagram @tarantadongkalbo and Twitter account @KevinKalbo 

Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Tarantadong Kalbo has maintained a loyal following of fans who appreciate his edgy and unconventional approach to cartooning. Some have praised him for his willingness to speak truth to power and challenge societal norms through his work.

However, others argue that his cartoons are harmful and perpetuate negative stereotypes and discrimination towards certain groups of people. They also point out that humor should not come at the expense of others' dignity or well-being.

In recent years, Tarantadong Kalbo has become less active in the public eye, and it is unclear if he is still creating new cartoons. However, his legacy as a controversial and polarizing figure in Filipino cartooning remains, and his work continues to spark debates about the limits of free speech and artistic expression.

In conclusion, Tarantadong Kalbo is a Filipino cartoonist known for his controversial and often offensive cartoons. While some admire his unapologetic approach to cartooning, others criticize his work for being harmful and insensitive. Ultimately, the impact and legacy of his cartoons remain a subject of debate and discussion in the Philippines and beyond.

It is important to remember that using derogatory terms towards any individual or group is disrespectful and dehumanizing. Language has the power to shape our perceptions and attitudes towards others, and using derogatory terms can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination.

Instead of focusing on derogatory terms, we should strive to use language that is inclusive, respectful, and promotes empathy and understanding towards others. Let us choose our words carefully and be mindful of the impact they have on others.

DepEd, DOH, Groups urge motorists to ‘stop for children’

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday joined public interest law group ImagineLaw in reminding Filipino motorists to ‘share the road and stop for children.’

ImagineLaw urged drivers to observe traffic rules, drive under the speed limit, and abide by road safety policies to avoid road crashes that oftentimes lead to casualties involving children.

“Hindi pwedeng hari-harian sa kalsada,” said Atty. Daphne Marcelo, the law group’s Project Manager for Road Safety. “We need to learn how to build a community and a road system that protect vulnerable road users, especially children,” she added.

The groups made the call during DOH’s Pista ng Kalusugan, an outdoor weekend-long festival at the Quezon Memorial Circle to promote Filipinos’ health and well-being. DepEd Assistant Secretary Dr. Dex Galban and DOH Health Promotion Bureau Chief Rodley Carza joined the call.

 

ImagineLaw, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), said that at least 1,670 Filipino children are killed by road crashes every year. “Road crashes are an epidemic that kills our children,” Marcelo said. Just last month, a 5-year-old was killed by a passing truck in Taguig, the law group also cited.

“We need to work together in building a set of solutions to end this epidemic: safer driving behavior, better infrastructure for pedestrians, commuters, and drivers, and strict and sensible enforcement of traffic rules,” she also said. #


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Top 7 Things to Do in Cambodia

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It's usually Thailand and Indonesia that get all the attention in South East Asia, but Cambodia is slowly and surely taking over the spotlight. Located on the Mekong River and surrounded by jungle, this is the home of the Khmer people famous for their optimistic nature.

Ancient temples, magical beaches, elephant sanctuaries, and many more attractions waiting for visitors here. But although it's not a huge country, you still need some kind of plan for the best things to do in Cambodia.

 
Survey coral reefs near Samraong

One of the most popular activities in Cambodia is diving considering the rich marine life. However, if you want to join a volunteer abroad program and have a non-tourist experience, come to Samraong to survey the coral reef. This rural village is secluded from tourists and offers genuine immersion into the Khmer culture and language.

Besides learning and upgrading your diving skills, you can join community projects that will help the area grow economically and ecologically. If volunteer work is something you are interested in, Cambodia offers several options besides surveying the coral reef, like mangrove environmental conservation and teaching.

 
Wait for sunrise at Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Archaeological Park where you can learn a lot about Khmer history. The area is one of the most recognizable in South East Asia with millions of tourists visiting it every year. Besides the gorgeous temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon, you can admire Indian architecture and its depiction of Buddhism.

However, even with all those amazing things, the number one reason people come here is the sunrise. You have to come early to catch the best seat, but it's worth it, especially in March and September during the equinoxes. At these times, the sun comes up above Angkor Wat’s central tower creating a sight to behold.

 



Visit an animal-free circus Phare in Siem Reap

Phare the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap tells folklore stories through theatre, music, dancing, and of course acrobatics. All performances come from the non-profit Phare Ponleu Selpak School, while all funds from tickets go to help youth education. What makes this circus show even more great is the fact they don’t use animals in their performances.

Since Phare has nightly shows, it's a perfect way to finish your busy day of sightseeing in Cambodia. The reputation of a legitimate national act gathers quite an audience every day so you might want to get your tickets beforehand.

 
Go up to the temples of Preah Vihear

Preah Vihear is a remote temple located in the Dangrek Mountains at 625 meters in elevation. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and has been a pilgrimage route for centuries now. Unfortunately, the temple is the cause of tension between Thailand and Cambodia, some that even lead to armed conflicts.

Because of its elevation, you can go to the temple by motorcycle or 4WD truck for a fee, as well as arrange for an English-speaking guide. The road up is bumpy and if the ride makes you nervous, it might be best to finish the last mile on foot.

 
Go dolphin-watching on the Mekong River

The Mekong River is a great spot for kayaking and coming across endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. These mammals live close to Kratie, in the Kampi dolphin pool and a kayak will take you to them over flooded forest terrain.

Not many tourists come here because it's remote and in the middle of nothing else to see unless you plan to travel to Laos. However, the dolphin-watching experience is reason enough, considering it's a rare opportunity to observe these unique creatures in a lifetime.

Learn to prepare Cambodian dishes

Khmer cuisine is equally exquisite as famous ones coming from Vietnam and Thailand. Since chances are you didn’t have any opportunity to encounter national Cambodian dishes, taking a cooking class is a wonderful way to do it. You will learn to make teuk trey or fish sauce and prahok a fish paste, which will undoubtedly impress people back home.

On the other hand, if you are more interested in eating than cooking, you will find lots of great places to try Cambodian cuisine, like at the night markets. Beware if you are a picky eater since insects dominate most of the dishes and are considered a delicacy. Wild crickets, beetles, worms, and other creepy crawlies are commonly served at these markets, as well as scorpions and snails. However, dishes like amok and nom banh chok are an insect-free and delicious display of tastes of this Southeastern country.

 
Hike in the Kep National Park

The Kep National Park is ideal to meet the wilder side of Cambodia by hiking among its forests and wildlife. It takes approximately 3 hours to finish a trail, but make sure you are done before dark since there are no lights in the park. When planning a hike, pack enough water and snacks, as well as a mosquito repellent, and wear enclosed shoes.

While the park has rich wildlife, chances are the animals will keep away from you with occasional insects, lizards, toads, and birds that may cross your way. From Wat Samot Raingsei temple you can proceed to the Sunset Rock Viewpoint with an amazing view over the Kep Beach and Kep Crab market.

 
All in all

As you see, the best things to do in Cambodia include learning about its culture and offering a helping hand to the friendly Khmer community. Even though it’s not overrun by tourists like its neighbors, Cambodia is gaining popularity, promising to become one of the IN places to visit in South East Asia. So, it may be wise to travel here in the next couple of years if you want to avoid crowds.