Dolphy: A 'beauty-ful' life & career

I take my hat off to Dolphy for a thousand and one reasons, some of them:

• He’s the only actor in the world who has won Best Actor and Best Actress (for playing the title role in Markova, about a comfort woman) at the Brussels International Film Festival;

• He has ruled the four mediums of entertainment: Stage (during the Japanese Occupation), radio, television and movies;

• He’s the country’s most eligible bachelor, never been married but with 17 children by different women;

• Despite his stature, his feet remained firmly planted on the ground, a gentleman through and through; and

• He’s a good man which he said in an interview is how he wants to be remembered, shunning politics by saying (in a STAR interview years ago), “Madali ang tumakbo; paano kung manalo?”  

Zsa Zsa: Dolphy’s all-time leading lady, But, of course, Zsa Zsa Padilla is Dolphy’s all-time leading lady on and off screen, the woman he wanted so much but could not marry due to some legal impediment, mother of his two children and, as he said in a STAR interview, ‘the last woman in my life.’

And, most of all, he’s a great lover of beauty as shown in the following pictorial tribute, prepared by Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas, enumerating the beauty queens he has done movies with:

• Nida Blanca: 1952 Miss Philippines-Universe finalist (Adiang Waray, 1963; Ecu Tatacut, 1963; Utos ni Tale, Hindi Mababale, 1964; Ayaw ni Mayor, 1967; Together Again, 1967; Pag-ibig Masdan Ang Ginawa Mo, 1968; Tiririt ng Maya, Tiririt ng Ibon, 1968; Utos ni Mayor, 1968; Tayo’y Mag-Up, Up and Away, 1970; Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib, 1970; Family Planting…Pagpigil sa Panggigigil, 1971; Kitang-Kita Ang Ebidensiya, 1973; Happy Days Are Here Again, 1975; Kisame Street, 1976; Dancing Master, 1979; The Quick Brown Fox, 1980; Dancing Master 2, Macao Connection, 1981; My Heart Belongs To Daddy, 1982; Always in My Heart, 1983; and John & Marsha series [1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1986 and 1991]).

• Gloria Romero: 1954 Princess of Visayas, second runner-up to 1954 Queen of the National Fair Maria Teresa Larrazabal (Dalagang Ilocana, 1954; Artista, 1955; Despatsadora, 1955; Hindi Basta-Basta, 1955; Hootsy Kootsy, 1955; Teresa, 1956; Bakasyonista, 1956; Hongkong Holiday, 1957; Paru-Parong Bukid, 1957; Dewey Boulevard, 1958; Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, 1958; Mga Reyna ng Vicks, 1958; Sa Libis ng Nayon, 1959; Wedding Bells, 1959; Siete Amores, 1960; Lawiswis Kawayan, 1960; Kurdapya, 1960; Hani-Hanimun, 1961; The Big Broadcast, 1962; Kung Ano’ng Puno, Siyang Bunga, 1971; Nardong Putik, Kilabot ng Kabite, 1972 [Dolphy was a special guest]; Happy Days Are Here Again, 1975; Once Upon A Time, 1987; Atorni Agaton, Abogadong de Kampanilya, 1990; Daddy O! Baby O!, 2000; and Nobody, Nobody But Juan, 2009).

• Shirley Gorospe: The first Miss Philippines-USA 1956 (Happy Days Are Here Again, 1975).

• Pilita Corrales: 1956 Goldwyn Girl of the Philippines second runner-up (Buy One, Take One, 1968; and Tiririt ng Maya, Tiririt ng Ibon, 1968).

• Marlene Dauden: 1956 Goldwyn Girl of the Philippines candidate (Dewey Boulevard, 1958; Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, 1958; Pulot-Gata, 1958; Silveria, Ang Kabayong Daldalera, 1958; Ipinagbili Kami ng Aming Tatay, 1959; Isinumpa, 1959; Siete Amores, 1960; The Big Broadcast, 1962; and Happy Days Are Here Again, 1975).

• Meldy Corrales: 1956 Miss Manila candidate and 1956 Goldywn Girl of the Philippines candidate (Ipinagbili Kami ng Aming Tatay, 1959; Kalabog en Bosyo, 1959; Beatnik, 1960; Dobol Trobol, 1960; Love At First Sight, 1960; Kandidatong Pulpol, 1961; Operetang Sampay-Bakod, 1961; and The Big Broadcast, 1962).

• Cynthia Ugalde: 1958 Miss Philippine Air Force, 1961 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines and 1962 Miss Philippines-International (Tansan vs. Tarsan, 1963).

• Fe Galvez: 1958 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines first runner-up (Pasiklab ni Long Ranger, 1963).

• Miriam Jurado: 1958 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines candidate (Mr. Melody, 1963; Keng Leon, Keng Tigre Ecu Tatacut, Keka Pa, 1965; and The 7 Faces of Dr. Sibago, 1966).

• Mila Ocampo: 1959 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines (Utos ni Tale, Hindi Mababale, 1964).

• Lilibeth Vera Perez: 1959 Princess of Charity and 1972 Miss La Salle (Paru-Parong Bukid, 1957; Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, 1958; Mga Reyna ng Vicks, 1958; and The Big Broadcast, 1962).

• Josephine Estrada: 1960 Miss Luzon (first runner-up to Edita Vital), 1961 Miss Aviation and 1962 Miss Philippines-Universe (Operetang Sampay-Bakod, 1961; Sa Linggo Ang Bola, 1961; Tansan, The Mighty, 1962; The Big Broadcast, 1962; Tansan vs. Tarsan, 1963; and Happy Days Are Here Again, 1975).

• Helen Gamboa: 1961 Miss Aviation finalist, 1961 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines first runner-up and 1962 Miss Asia, a local pageant (Dolpinger, 1965; Like Father, Like Son, 1967; and Hey Boy! Hey Girl!, 1967; O Kaka, O Kaka!, 1968; The Graduation, 1969; and Sarhento Fofonggay, Ay Ewan!, 1974).

• Vilma Valera: 1961 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines second runner-up (Shake-a- Boom! Naghalo Ang Balat Sa Tinalupan, 1967).

• Maggie dela Riva: 1961 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines candidate, 1962 Miss Asia and 1962 Miss Caltex finalist (Show Business, 1965; and Buhay Bombero, 1969).

• Sylvia Gumabao: 1962/1963 Miss Philippines-International candidate and 1963 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines (Dolpong Scarface Agent 1-2-3, 1966).

• Stella Suarez: 1962 Miss Asia (Isinumpa Ko!, 1963; Dr. Yes, 1965; Operesyon ni Adan, 1965; Dolpong Scarface Agent 1-2-3, 1966; Dressed To Kill, 1966; and Kaming Taga-Ilog, 1968).

• Gina Pareño: 1963 Rose Queen of Mindanao (Tansan vs. Tarsan, 1963; and Meron Akong Nakita…Hindi Ko Sasabihin!, 1975).

• Imelda Ilanan: 1963 Miss Night Owl and 1963 Miss Channel 11 third placer (Alias Popeye, 1966; and Home Sic Home, 1995).

• Dulce Lukban: 1963 Miss Night Owl for August (Show Business, 1965; and Pambihirang Dalawa…Sa Combat, 1966).

• Elvie Gonzalez: One of 1964 Philippines’ Fairest Ten, 1964 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up (to Myrna Panlilio), 1965 Bb. Pilipinas fourth runner-up (to Louise Vail Aurelio) and 1965 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines (Together Again, 1967; and Adolpong Hitler, 1969).

• Nina Zaldua, 1964 Bb. Pilipinas finalist (Agent Dolpinger sa Lagim, 1965; and Dressed To Kill, 1966).

• Anna Ledesma: 1964 Miss Philippines-International semi-finalist and 1970 Miss Lux Star of Stars (Ang Banal, Ang Ganid at Ang Pusakal, 1976).

• Shirley Moreno: 1965 Rose Festival’s Queen of the Roses (Tansan vs. Tarsan, 1963; and James Batman, 1966).

• Liza Lorena: 1966 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up to Clarinda Soriano (Sampung Labuyo, 1969).

• Pilar Pilapil: 1967 Miss Cebu first runner-up and 1967 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (Buy One, Take One, 1968; Facifica Falayfay, 1969; Golpe de Gulat, 1969; Boyoyoy, 1970; El Pinoy Matador, 1970; and Cyrano de Bergerac at Roxanne, 1973).

• Lotis Key: 1967 Princess Royale de Quezon City, 1967 Bb. Pilipinas second runner-up (to Pilar Pilapil) and 1971 Miss Aviation (Captain Barbell Boom!, 1973; Fung Ku, 1973; Biyenan Ko Ang Aking Anak, 1974; Meron Akong Nakita, Hindi Ko Sasabihin!, 1975; Taho-Ichi, 1976; War Kami ng Misis Ko, 1977; Mokong, 1978; Facundo Alitaftaf, 1978; Bugoy, 1979; Darna, Kuno?, 1979; and Max en Jess, 1980).

• Gloria Diaz: 1969 Quest For A Model finalist, 1969 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and 1969 Miss Universe (Brutus, 1976 and Goat Buster, 1985). Trivia: Dolphy and Gloria were crowned 1975 Box Office King and Queen of Philippine Movies.

• Cita Avecilla: One of 1969 Manila’s Five Prettiest, 1970 Bb. Young-Pilipinas and 1970 Miss Young International second runner-up (Rodolfo Valentino, 1970).

• Marilou Ver: 1969-70 Miss RP candidate (Utos ni Mayor, 1968).

• Jean Yazmin a.k.a. Jean Altavas: 1970 Mutya ng Pilipinas first runner-up to Alice Crisostomo (Rodolfo Valentino, 1970).

• Charo Santos: 1971 Miss Southern Tagalog Athletic Association, 1973 Miss Calapan, 1974 Miss Green Race, 1975 one of Manila’s Five Prettiest and 1976 Baron Travel Girl (My Juan en Only, 1982).

• Elizabeth Oropesa: 1972 Miss Luzon (first runner-up to 1972 Miss RP Onelia Jose), (Sarhento Fofonggay, Ay Ewan!, 1974; and War Kami ng Misis Ko, 1977).

• Maripola “Polly” Penson: 1972 Bb. Pilipinas second runner-up (to Armi Barbara Crespo) and Miss Photogenic, 1974 Mutya ng Pilipinas and 1974 Miss Asia second runner-up (Bornebol Special Agent, 1974).

• Cristina Reyes: 1972 Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist (Fung Ku, 1978).

• Eva Reyes: 1972/73 Miss RP and 1972 Miss World semi-finalist (Huli, Huli ‘Yan!, 1974).

• Maureen Ava Viera: 1974 Miss Aruba and 1974 Miss Universe fourth runner-up (Jack and Jill and John, 1975).

• Coney Reyes: 1974 Baron Travel Girl finalist (Bornebol Special Agent, 1974; and Daddy’s Little Darlings, 1984).

• Jean Saburit: 1975 Bb. Young-Pilipinas (Kapten Batuten en His Super Batuta, 1977).

• Azenith Briones: 1975 Mutya ng Pilipinas second runner-up (to Mutya Tourism Marissa Recto) and 1976 Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist (Omeng Satanasia, 1976).

• Chona Castillo: 1975 Miss Press Photography of the Philippines finalist (Jack n’ Jill of the Third Kind, 1978).

• Tina Monasterio: 1975 Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist (Superhand, Shadow of the Dancing Master, 1980).

• Suzanne Gonzales: 1975/76 Miss RP (Bata Batuta, 1987).

• Tetchie Agbayani: 1978 Bb. Pilipinas semi-finalist and 1979 Mutya ng Pilipinas first runner-up (Mga Kanyon ni Mang Simeon, 1982).

• Yehlen Catral: 1978 Mutya Tourism (Dolphy’s Angels, 1980; and Dancing Master 2, Macao Connection, 1981 ).

• Criselda “Dang” Cecilio: 1979 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (Haw Haw de Karabaw, 1988).

• Nona Herrera: 1979 Bb. Pilipinas candidate (Max en Jess, 1980).

• Joyce Ann Burton: 1981 Bb. Young Pilipinas, 1981 Miss Young International semi-finalist and 1985 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe (Kalabog en Bosyo Strike Again, 1986).

• Dina Bonnevie: 1981 Miss Magnolia first runner-up (Home Sic Home, 1995).

• Bong Dimayacyac: 1983 Mutya ng Pilipinas and 1983 Miss Asia Quest (Kalabog en Bosyo Strike Again, 1986).

• Rachel Anne Wolfe: 1984 Bb. Young Pilipinas (My Bugoy Goes To Congress, 1987).

• Alice Dixson: 1985 Eat Bulaga’s Mutya ng Santacruzan, 1986 Bb. Pilipinas-International and 1986 Miss International semi-finalist (May Pulis, May Pulis Sa Ilalim ng Tulay, 1989).

• Pebbles Asis: 1987 Bb. Pilipinas and 1987 Miss Universe finalist (Action Is Not Missing, A Crack Platoon, 1987).

• Jennette Fernando: 1991 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up and 1993 Bb. Pilipinas Tourism (Home Along Da Riles, Da Movie, 1993).

• Anjanette Abayari: 1991 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, dethroned (Aring King King, Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy, 1996).