What was our very first recollection of Dolphy, King of Comedy? We don’t even remember the dates, but would catch him often at Hizon’s in Malate, having merienda. Why was Dolphy, then at the peak of his fame and fortune, constantly at this quiet simple bakery with ordinary people, friends we surmised, where no one seemed to bother him? We had then formed an opinion of him that appeared so obvious to us. It was because Dolphy, too, was quiet and simple.
He didn’t care about crowds fawning over him. He was loyal to people and places he liked. Later, when we had already met him, he had found another spot which was Café Adriatico in Malate. He would greet us and retire to his nook, again with these nameless friends. Looking back much later, this was why his relationship with a very public celebrity like Alma Moreno could never have survived.
Upon reading his autobiography titled Dolphy: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa, we felt tears streaming from our eyes. We realized then it was because it was him talking, sharing his ups and downs, baring his soul, confident that in his admissions, he would be imparting his lessons in life to everyone.
We visited his home at Marina Bay for an interview for Rod Reyes’ Seniors magazine in March of 2009, with some amount of trepidation. The simple living room had family pictures of him and Zsa Zsa Padilla, his partner of more than two decades, his children, travel photos, a den where he kept some of his trophies and watched TV and DVDs, a kitchen that had seen better days, a small garden where the fountain wouldn’t spout out water. Dolphy, seated beside us, asked the maid what the problem was. She replied, “Sira ho kasi.” Dolphy laughed. We, too, laughed and immediately felt at home.
In our short conversation, we gathered that he didn’t mince words. Dolphy told you what he felt, calling a spade a spade without sugarcoating just to please. Still, it was evident he was fair in his dealings, in his appraisal of people. He would always give you the benefit of the doubt.
He had a special place in his heart for the OFW. His book details how he was among the original OFWs of the 1950s. He did shows in Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan where he met Bimbo Danao, father of Laura Danao, an actress at LVN. He loves to talk about those years when Bayani Casimiro brought him to Hong Kong and Japan, where Bayani was director and Dolphy the choreographer. He was paid P200 a week in Hong Kong while Bayani got the King’s share, but he didn’t mind that, Dolphy told us, “May utang na loob ako kay Bayani, at marami na ang mabibili ng P200.” He recalled that a suit of English wool only cost P15 then.
“Siguro one million lang ang tao sa Hong Kong at mataas pa ang pera natin. That was when the peso-dollar exchange rate was P2.80 to HK$1. Before, the Filipinos were the amos, the Chinese yayas were called amahs. Now the amahs are the amos,” he mused shaking his head.
Dolphy had strong opinions about many matters that he wasn’t afraid to voice out. Still on OFWs, Dolphy declared before Pinoys in the West Coast: “The Chinese, Japanese, Koreans help one another when abroad. But the Filipino would point the finger at a TNT (illegal alien).” No one apparently had dared speak that way. After a moment of shock, the audience broke out in unmitigated applause. He was forthright yet pragmatic when we mentioned loyalty in show business. “In this business, hindi uso ang loyalty. Loyalty should be there if the other party is also loyal — a two way street.”
On politics, he asserted, “Sabi nila madumi ang mag artista. Mas marumi ang politics. That’s why hindi tayo umaasenso. Nauunahan na tayo ng lahat ng bayan.” Then, repeating his oft quoted response to why he wouldn’t enter politics when he would surely win, “That’s what I’m afraid of. Diyan ako takot, baka manalo ako,” he chuckled.
Ading Fernando created John and Marsha, but few know how it became John and Marsha from the Stan Freberg-Spike Jones’ hit song of 1951. “The first title was Kapag Walang Tiyaga, Walang Nilaga,” shared Dolphy. He recalls suggesting to Ading since they were squatters (way before they were called informal settlers), why not “gawing mga squatters pero Kano ang mga ngalan. Tumutulo uhog, labas ang pututoy ng mga bata na Richard at Robert ang ngalan.” Ading agreed and gave Dolphy and Nida the names John and Marsha. It became their biggest hit lasting 17 years on RPN-9 television with seven movie versions. It jumpstarted the careers of Maricel Soriano, Rolly Quizon, Matutina and Dely Atay Atayan.
Dolphy has set many records in the industry. He popularized the common shorts or puruntong which he wore on John and Marsha until the puruntong became a national wardrobe, John Puruntong became a household name, and Dolphy our Pinoy Everyman.
He also popularized the gay character, most successful of whom was Facifica Falayfay directed by Luciano “Chaning” Carlos with whom he did 23 other comedies. His portrayals were always positive, never insulting.
What have been his biggest trials in life, we questioned him? Quickly, he responded, “When bad things happened in the family or with friends; when someone close died; when my son was imprisoned; when my relationship with Alma ended with the press taking her side against me and Zsa Zsa.” The couple left for abroad. “Three years of doing nothing went by. I just hid in America.”
Then ABS-CBN called for a project. GMA also wanted to do a remake of John and Marsha, but Dolphy had already said yes to Home Along the Riles at ABS-CBN which aired from 1992-2003. It was an astounding comeback. It got an 81-percent audience rating, the highest in his career. Everything had been forgiven. Dolphy was back on top. We remember what he told us about loyalty being a two-way street.
At the time of our visit, Dolphy was living a less hectic life and he looked hale, healthy and happy. Zsa Zsa was on a concert tour of the US while Dolphy was preparing for a show in Hong Kong where son Eric Quizon is based, had a fantaserye, launched his book, then accepted an offer from the newly-launched TV5 Kapatid network.
Dolphy had been hounded by various illnesses from which he had always recovered. This last one is the most critical, with children based abroad coming to Manila. When it looked worrisome for a while, we remember his answer to what he felt would help the Filipino face the many problems in life. He said, “Tayong mga Pinoy kahit naghihirap, our sense of humor is always there. We can even make a joke out of not having enough food to eat. So my advice is to make everybody happy, and you will be happy wherever you are.” On his hospital bed, we are certain, Dolphy is still striving to make thousands of us happy.
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