Happy birthday to our beloved Comedy King

There will always be a movie fan inside us.

The very first Filipino movie I ever saw was the iconic Lino Brocka drama film, Ang Tatay Kong Nanay, starring the great Dolphy and Niño Muhlach.

I was only eight years old and I didn’t fully understand the whole plot then, but the film’s images struck me, especially that scene when he was singing a lullaby to Niño’s character, and his fun, all-out gay scenes in the beauty parlor.

I belonged to the John Puruntong generation during my growing up years. And later on, I was a fan of Kevin Cosme.

Probably, everyone has his own fan moments with the Comedy King. Small or big encounters, I am sure they are all memorable moments with greatness.

I first met Mang Dolphy in the flesh when I guested and had a cameo role in Home Along the Riles. Knowing that I was going to share screen time with The Comedy King, I memorized my lines — every single word. I played the role of a reporter. Actually, I played myself being a Star News reporter at that time. During that scene, Mang Dolphy did a lot of joking and ad-libbing and I got lost with my lines. I couldn’t stop laughing on the set. Standing with heels, I almost lost my balance and almost fell in the pool. I couldn’t believe I was acting with Dolphy. There he was throwing jokes with a straight face. It was amazing how he did that. It was so serious yet so funny. That experience was really unforgettable and funny because naging instant komedyante ako in that episode.

I would bump into him during movie presscons, in the malls or restaurants and he would always be the warm Mang Dolphy with the warm smile, asking, “Kumusta?”

Dolphy clowns around with my parentin.tv team

In 2003, he and Zsa Zsa Padilla gave us a really nice wedding gift — a white crucifix and a touching handwritten letter.

In 2009, I got to interview him in his home. This was for my web show, parentin.tv. It was a rare moment where I saw Dolphy up close again, but this time, he was talking intimately about his life, loves and being a tatay and grandpa. During the interview, Mang Dolphy was in his element — serious but cracking jokes and throwing punchlines every now and then. He reminded me to call him Tito Dolphy instead of Mang Dolphy. My favorite part of the interview was when he shared how he would sing Italian lullabies to his apos and gamely sang them, too. He revealed his pain seeing his kids get involved in vices and drugs, or in near fatal accidents and his thankfulness and joy upon seeing them recover spiritually and getting back their lives. On being a parent, he isn’t the type who would shout or raise his voice. As a form of discipline, he would give his kids the silent treatment. Sometimes he would spank his kids “para magtanda.” 

He jokingly said, “Nung maliit sila ang sarap yakapin, nung malalaki na, gusto mo ng sakalin. Nung maliliit kinakagat-kagat mo sila ng kaunti, nung lumaki, pasaway na.” Then he laughed at himself. (Watch the entire two-part interview on www.parentin.tv. )

On June 22, Julius and I visited Tito Dolphy at the ICU of Makati Medical Center (MMC). Thank you, Zsa Zsa, Karylle, Zia and Nicole for allowing us to visit. We also met Rodolfo Quizon Jr. who was so kind and accompanied us to the ICU. Seeing Tito Dolphy having a hard time breathing broke my heart. Yet Julius and I sensed that he was a true fighter and survivor. Each time Julius and I would call out his name, he would acknowledge by stretching out his neck, moving his head and moving his eyes. After that visit, Julius and I held much optimism that Tito Dolphy would be able to recover in due time. How we prayed that, as much as he healed the nation’s tired souls with the laughter he gave us, Dolphy, the clown, the “healer “ would be healed, too.

But God had other plans. Last July 10, he joined our Creator.

The cross that Dolphy gave me

On July 14, the last night of the wake before he was laid to rest, Julius and I, together with my mom-in-law Mommy Cena, Dr. Joan Albito and other close friends paid our last respects for Mang Dolphy.

On July 23, just two days before what could have been Mang Dolphy’s 84th birthday, and 13 days after he breathed his last, the Tres Kumares of Good Morning Club (Amy Perez, Chiqui Roa-Puno and me) held an exclusive three-on-one interview with Zsa Zsa in what she calls her comfort zone — the home which she shared with Mang Dolphy for 20 years. The home has been renovated from the last time I was there in 2009. It now sports a modern kitchen with a huge granite top worktable. “Perfect ipatong ang lechon tuwing may party,” Zsa Zsa narrated. I learned that lechon was a favorite of Pidol.

The interview was aired yesterday morning and the highlights of our conversation with Zsa Zsa included her plans for Dolphy’s birthday. “It will be a simple one. We will just visit him at the Heritage and then have a simple, intimate dinner. When I was 26, Dolphy was 62. When I was 37 he was 73. I’m now 48 and he would have been 84.” Age is really just a number. Beyond the numbers is their eternal love for each other.

Zsa Zsa also revealed how she is trying to move on and move forward, but not in a hurried pace. She still communicates with Dolphy in her dreams by “sending him messages” and “talking to him” as if he is just there, calling him “Lovey.” Zsa Zsa showed to us the profile image of Dolphy caught on the CCTV cam inside their home. I tell you, it was really a profile image of him in that image: His nose, his hair complete with patilya. During the wake, Zsa Zsa felt her Lovey hug her. I admire you, Zsa Zsa. You are truly a woman of faith, strength and love.

Countless tributes and accolades have been given in honor of Dolphy in all forms of media to express our grief in losing an icon, a legend, a father and a friend. His generosity, kindness and humility are legendary. The outpouring of tears, emotions, admiration and memories of the Great Pidol became an unparalleled shared experience among us Filipinos.

Zsa Zsa Padilla (second from left) with the Tres Kumares Chiqui Roa-Puno, this writer and Amy Perez

Dolphy’s passing reminded us all of our own immortality. But unlike many of us who will fade into oblivion at least in the greater public’s eye when we pass away, Dolphy is no ordinary mortal for he lived an extraordinary life. He has left behind an incomparable body of work that will live on long after he is gone.

“Tatanda at lilipas din ako, ngunit mayroong awitin iiwanan sa inyong alaaala dahil minsan tayo’y nagkasama.”

You didn’t just leave a song Mang Dolphy, you left a whole lotta laughter.

Dear Mang Dolphy, Tito Dolphy, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for reminding us to laugh and forget our problems. Thank you for the legacy of laughter.

Much as we are deeply saddened with your passing, I would like to quote what you said in your interview with Ricky Lo:

“And also, I want people to remember me with a smile. “ (Aug. 10, 2008)

Happy birthday, Dolphy!

Long Live, The King !