By JOSE PAOLO DELA CRUZÂ
While life has drawn the curtains on Rodolfo “Dolphy†Vera Quizon Sr., the “King of Comedy†lives on in the laughter that he left in the hearts and minds of his grateful countrymen.
For a measly fee of P5, Dolphy was first thrust into the spotlight when he was 19 years old, as part of Fernando Poe Sr.’s movie, Dugo at Bayan (I Remember Bataan) in 1948. While it was his first time onscreen, it was not his first time in cinema. He had been part of the industry for a long time, having sold watermelon seeds and peanuts to moviegoers since he was a young boy.
(The lanky, asthmatic boy from Tondo made his cinema debut in the 1952 Sampaguita film, Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita)
Fast-forward to today and Dolphy has become a pillar of Philippine Cinema. He has breathed life into iconic portrayals such as that of the title character in Facifica Falayfay in 1969, which paved the way for gay comedy in Philippine cinema. Other notable works onscreen — both big and small — were as Pepe in Pepe and Pilar (with Susan Roces), John Puruntong in RPN 9’s John en Marsha (with Nida Blanca), and Kevin Cosme in ABS CBN’s Home Along da Riles (with Nova Villa), to name a few.
But where most comedians stopped at laughter, Dolphy was also known for drawing audiences to his more dramatic characters. Who could forget his heartbreaking turn as a gay foster father to a young Niño Muhlach in Lino Brocka’s Ang Tatay kong Nanay in 1978. And then there’s Markova, where he shared the billing with his sons Eric and Epi Quizon, in a film that portrayed the life and times of comfort gays during the Japanese Occupation. The trio made history for Philippine Cinema as they bagged the Best Performer award at the Brussels International Film Festival in 2001. It was a Best Actor and Best Actress feat rolled into one.
While his showbiz life has earned his fair share of fans and friends, it cannot compare to the joy his real family has brought him offscreen. Dolphy is father to 18 children — all of whom he can name chronologically from eldest to youngest. And then of course, there is the queen of his life, the Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, with whom he has shared his life for the last 23 years.
In her eulogy for her “Lovey,†Zsa Zsa poured her heart out one last time. Below is an excerpt from her eulogy:
In loving the man, I came to accept all that came with him: his legacy, his personality (when not in front of the camera) and of course, his children. It was not easy doing that, but it was worth it. To his children, I know each one realized that their father loved them totally. And in his dying days, when we would all crowd his ICU room, I would tell him that he was so lucky. I would always tell him, ‘Your are so lucky. You are so loved’.
To Dolphy, thank you very much for being so proud of me, for giving me my two girls, for being so thoughtful, and for doing your best to provide for us. If there is one flaw with him, it’s that he’s probably too generous. It’s so hard to tell him what we want, because he will move heaven and earth to give it to us. Lovey, you taught me how to be strong.
He doesn’t like seeing me cry. As I always tell the directors I’ve worked with, I only do the crying for the shows I acted in. In real life, even while we were in the ambulance, we remained catatonic. He could never bear the sight of a loved one crying.
Ours was not a conventional family. But through you we have all learned how to love and be loved. Allow me to close this with lines from our favorite song.
(Friends, family and fans say their final goodbyes as their beloved “King of Comedy” is laid to rest in Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig)
And with that, Zsa Zsa belted out Kenny Rogers’ Through the Years.
At 83, Dolphy succumbed to multiple organ failure brought about by pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure. President Benigno Aquino III declared July 13, 2012 as “National Day of Remembrance†in honor of his passing. Dolphy was buried on July 15, 2012 in the Heritage Memorial Park.
One of his last wishes was to be remembered, not with sadness, but with a smile. And judging from how YouTube hits of his videos have skyrocketed recently, and the outpouring of love and support from his friends from the media and the public, it’s easy to see that the Filipino people is more than willing to oblige.
(Dolphy with his partner for 23 years Zsa Zsa Padilla)
“Seriously Now, Dadâ€
By ERIC QUIZON
Â
Twelve years ago, actor-director Eric Quizon and his father, the late “King of Comedy†himself, chatted with PeopleAsia about career, love and the many things that make life worth living. Below is an excerpt from that nostalgic conversation and rare father-and-son moment.
E: Do you ever think of retiring, of slowing down?
D: I always think about it, especially when I get sick. I’ve been retired for two years, remember? But when you see yourself on TV or in a movie, it makes you want to go back. It’s in your system; it’s in your blood.
E: And Dad, you were always getting featured in tabloids. They said you already died and when we read them, we got scared.
D: It seems that I’ve already died 10 times because of the media. There was a time when I got back from Hong Kong and I was so surprised to read a paper with the headline: “Dolphy dead.†A big picture even went along with it. Below it was another, smaller heading that said: “Or alive.†It was after the operation. Even Ronnie (Fernando Poe Jr.) called just to make sure everything was alright.
E: Dad, you mentioned earlier that all of your contemporaries have died — Bayani (Casimiro), Panchito, Babalu. Do you feel lonely? I’m sure you miss them.
D: Of course I miss them. There are times when you see something and you’ll instantly be reminded of them. It may be a funny thing or incident and you’ll see flashbacks — especially if it’s a movie. Sometimes I feel like laughing and crying at the same time.
E: Dad, how does it feel to make people laugh?
D: The happiness doubles. It’s in my nature to be happy and to make people happy. I do what I can to make people smile. When you see that what you’re doing elicits good reactions from the audience, it’s a great feeling.
E: Since we’re talking about generosity, you’re also very generous to your women as far as giving them kids (laughs). There are 17 of us, right, Dad? No more, right?
D: 18, including Nicole.
E: And we already know everyone, right?
(The glowing face of the King)
D: There are some who claim to be my children. There was one who said he was my kid, but actually, he’s my godson! I told him, “Why are you introducing yourself only now when you’re already married? You could’ve done it when you were still small.†I don’t even know his mother.
E: So you have 18 kids with different women. How do you divide your time with your kids?
D: It’ s my fate. But I don’t like what happened to my life. It’s hard for me to narrate all the things that have happened.
E: Do you believe in the concept of marriage? Why didn’t you marry anyone?
D: Well, I do. But first, the parents were against it. Because during that time, I looked like a lizard.
E: After so many women and kids, well, I hope Zsa Zsa is the last!
D: I’ve probably already attended a thousand weddings when I was the godfather. But I always imagined that I was the one getting married.
E: Do you have any plans of marrying Zsa Zsa?
D: Of course, of course. I’m already 71, and I might have a cane with me when I walk down the aisle.
E: Did you ever have political ambitions?
D: There’s this joke that goes like this: “Why are you so afraid to run for office when it’s almost sure that you’re going to win?†That’s exactly what I am afraid of. What if I do win?
E: Name three things you can’t live without… besides women.
D: The sun, the rain and a roof over my head. I like to see the sun in the morning, and I like watching the rain also. But I don’t like typhoons. I love early mornings. Unfortunately, I wake up late in the afternoon. Even the sunset, I love too.
E: Lastly, how will you describe yourself in one word?
D: I’m just a simple person, a regular human being. I hate it when I see people sad or crying.
(First printed in PeopleAsia, February 2000)
(Dolphy was honored as one of PeopleAsia’s People of the Year awardees in 2007 at Hotel InterContinental Manila)
(The “King of Comedy†lives on in the laughter that he left in the hearts and minds of his grateful countrymen)
