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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-22/francisco-coching.avif" alt="Francisco V. Coching" loading="lazy" />
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(Francisco V. Coching)
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Early Life and Career
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Francisco V. Coching, born to parents Gregorio Coching and Juana Vicente, was deeply influenced by his father's work as a novelist for the Tagalog-language magazine, Liwayway. His educational journey was cut short as he chose to follow his passion for illustration, becoming an apprentice to <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/716/today-in-philippine-history-october-29-1910-antonio-velasquez-was-born-in-paco-manila" class="news_link">Tony Velasquez</a> at Liwayway. At age of fifteen, in 1934, he created his first work, Bing Bigotilyo, for Silahis Magazine. His style and approach were significantly shaped by Francisco Reyes, another pioneer in the Filipino comic book industry.
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World War II and Post-War Career
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World War II interrupted Coching's career in comics. He became a guerilla for the Kamagong Unit of the Hunters-ROTC resistance organization fighting against the Japanese forces. After the Second World War, Coching created Hagibis, a Tarzan-like and Kulafu-like character in Liwayway Magazine. 
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Francisco V. Coching: A Pillar of the Philippine Komiks Industry was Born on January 29, 1919