Dolphy first before Vilma and Nora

Before the Vilmanians and the Noranians clash in another “civil war” now that the idols’ long-dormant rivalry is being revived around the issue of who should be declared a National Artist, I suggest that we should look around first to find out who really deserves it more.

Taking into account not only their body of work but also their great influence and impact on the industry in particular and the public in general, plus of course their longevity in their profession, there are a few others who should be so honored. That’s not to say that Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor don’t deserve it because they do. But it’s not their time yet.

Name three?

One, Eddie Garcia who is an icon who has proven himself in all genres and who has been leading a life both as an artist and as a person devoid of any scandal (he hasn’t been charged for even the slightest offense such as traffic violation, has he?). Eddie is on the same level as those who have been accorded the honor, such as Eddie Romero and Lino Brocka. (FPJ was named National Artist but as far as I know, the honor hasn’t been acknowledged by his family because it was perceived to have been granted by an administration “hostile” to them trying to appease them.)

Two, Rosa Rosal who has amply shown her mettle not only on the screen but also, more so, off it in her capacity as head of the Red Cross. She has distinguished herself on two fronts — as an entertainer and as a public servant. I’m sure the public knows her track record on both fields.

Three, but of course, there’s Dolphy the eternal King of Comedy whose contribution to the industry is beyond reproach. As in the cases of Eddie and Rosa, Dolphy is an artist par excellence. In fact, he has become a brand. Say comedy and what name comes to mind? Dolphy! In fact, Sen. Manny Villar has been moving heaven and earth to have Dolphy given the honor, long before another congressman came up with the proposal in favor of Nora…and yet another one for Vilma. But the congressmen are, so to speak, barking at the wrong tree because it’s neither the Legislative Department nor the Executive Department that’s in-charge of screening the nominees but two duly-authorized agencies, The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Again, before Vilma and Nora, and even before Eddie and Rosa, I second Sen. Villar’s motion to first declare Dolphy a National Artist, considering the Comedy King’s present condition. The honoree should be given the pleasure to savor the honor while he’s still around, don’t you think?

Even Vilma agreed.

Asked by Funfare about her opinion, Vilma texted back , “Okay, of course! I’m 200 percent in favor of Dolphy. He deserves the recognition. It’s long overdue.”

There you are.

In the meantime, the Vilma-Nora rivalry should be swept back to where it has been — in memory.

Briefly noted

• Could it be true that Aga Muhlach (photo) is not happy with the recent guesting of his and Janice de Belen’s son Luigi “Iggy Boy” on Janice show S.I.R. (Showbiz Inside Report) in which he admitted having been drug-dependent, with Janice shedding copious tears as she recounted how she put Iggy Boy in a rehab center? “It’s in the past,” said Aga, “so why dig it up?” Hmmmm, for the rating? At least Janice’s co-host Carmina Villarroel has the decency to draw the line between what’s private and what’s for public consumption by politely refusing to interview her former husband Bebe Gandanghari.

• Could it be true that the real reason why Rufa Mae Quinto (photo) quit Showbiz Central was not because she was going to the States or she wanted her Sundays back or she was moving to another channel, but because GMA didn’t renew her just-expired contract?

• The Batch ’85 of Jose Abad Santos High School (Binondo, Manila) will hold its grand alumni reunion, tagged as Kaya Nyo Pa Ba?, on May 5 starting at 6 p.m. at the Penthouse of Marc Towers 2000 at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Taft Avenue, Manila.

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