Late Dolphy gets ‘long-overdue’ recognition

In true comedy fashion, something funny happened when entertainment industry people gathered for the third Film Industry Month’s closing ceremony to honor comedy icons and idols led by the late Rodolfo Quizon Sr., popularly known as Dolphy.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines, helmed by Tirso Cruz II, dedicated the entire month of September to the celebration of Philippine comedy. The month-long series of events culminated with the recognition of the King of Comedy, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 83.

“This is really our way of recognizing Tito Dolphy, Da King, no one can dispute that he’s really the king of comedy and that will be forever. I think it will take many, many more years for someone to come close to what Dolphy has established and done. And the most important thing is what he has done for Philippine cinema,” said Tirso.

“It’s a long overdue recognition for somebody who should be a National Artist,” also noted veteran director and FDCP technical consultant Jose Javier Reyes.

Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon are represented by their sons Quezon City Mayor Gian Sotto, Oyo Sotto and Jako de Leon.

It was Maricel Soriano, best-known for working with Dolphy in the sitcom John En Marsha, who presented the citation onstage at Acacia Hotel Manila in Alabang.

Receiving on behalf of the Quizons was Dolphy’s son Eric Quizon.

“Thank you for honoring my dad because if you honor him, you honor us as well. Our family is very grateful for this recognition,” began Eric whose mic suddenly went off as he started to quote a line from his late father’s book, prompting him to dispense some anecdotes about how his father was ‘making his presence felt.’

“This is not the first time. Two days ago, I was reading his book, my TV turned on its own. Yesterday, I was at the bathroom, yung salamin ko sa banyo umiilaw yun ‘pag pinipindot. Pero bumukas siya, sumara, bumukas ulit. Then somebody told me, it might be your Dad. So, I guess Dad this is for you (laughs),” Eric said.

Ai-Ai delas Alas’ award is received through her son Sancho Vito and Eugene Domingo is represented by filmmaker and bestfriend Chris Martinez.

To which the FDCP chair quipped: “Eto kasi ‘di mo pinapansin yung ‘pag bukas ng ilaw. Ah ganun ayaw mo ako pansinin, pwes tanggalan kita ng mic.”

Eric further said, “I guess, He’s just trying to tell me something. Probably, he wants to convey his gratitude to FDCP. If I may quote from his book, hindi ko marating ito mag-isa. You’re honoring my dad but my dad said you’ll never be the great man that he is without his co-actors. Remember, in comedy, it’s a give and take. You also need to have a good partner. Kung hindi magagaling yung kasama mo, hindi ka rin mag-sha-shine (If the people you’re with are not good, you won’t be able to shine).”

Eric then expressed his big hopes for comedy.

Michael V personally accepts his award from FDCP.

“You know, in the last couple of years, comedy was like a dying art. I guess, this, with what the FDCP is doing, hopefully, mabalik natin ulit ang ningning ng komedya,” he said.

This would set the tone of the night, which went on to honor other artists for their important and tremendous contributions to the business of making people laugh, namely, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Eugene Domingo, Vice Ganda, Michael V and TVJ (Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon).

Except for Michael V, the rest of the honorees were a no-show due to various reasons. The two female comedians Ai-Ai and Eugene, who were in the US and Europe at the time of the awarding, were respectively represented by son Sancho Vito and bestfriend, director Chris Martinez.

Meanwhile, the anticipated meeting of TVJ and Vice, hosts from rival noontime shows E.A.T. and It’s Showtime, didn’t happen as the former sent their sons to represent them, while Vice gave a message through a representative from Star Cinema, the producer of the comedian’s biggest blockbusters films.

“I dedicate this honor to everyone who continues to trust and support my brand of comedy,” read Vice’s message through rep Daniel Saniana. “I draw strength from you to continuously bring joy and happiness.

“To the LGBTQIA+ community, this is our victory. It is a symbol that we are recognized by the industry we love so much. Long live the Film Development Council of the Philippines and all the Filipino comedians who tirelessly make us all happy! Thank you very much!”

Receiving on behalf of TVJ were their sons — Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, Oyo Sotto and Jako de Leon.

Gian said, “A simple message lang po na gustong iparating ng aming tatlong tatay. It’s always been in their heart itong word na ito, which is we rise by lifting each other up.

“Sa totoo lang po, wala tayong ibang gustong gawin sa industriyang ito kundi magbigay ng saya at iangat talaga yung kapwa natin. And our hope and prayer is that we continue to help each other out.

“Let’s pull each other up because this is the only way for Philippine cinema to be known all throughout the world. We are truly humbled and truly grateful for this recognition for TVJ.”

Jako, for his part, said,  “One thing that I was thinking about earlier, on the way here, was a quote. It says, ‘No person has ever been honored for what they’ve received. People are honored for what they’ve given.’

“And TVJ in the 50 years — this is their 50th year in the industry — they’ve given so much to comedy, music, film and television. And receiving things like this… even for us who are here for our dads, we’re very proud of it. It’s very humbling and very grateful, we’re very grateful for it.”

Oyo also reiterated the messages of thanks, “Congratulations, Daddy, Ninong Tito and Tito Joey! And thank You, God, for everything!”

Michael V, creator, brains and star of the longest-running gag show Bubble Gang and other comedy shows, who made sure to accept his award personally, made audiences laugh and reflect, as how comedy should be, with his thank you speech. This as he also gave a thought-provoking statement about the current state of comedy.

“I just want to make an announcement that after receiving this award tonight, I’m planning to shift careers. I will probably sign up with Vivamax to be a full-time sexy star dahil hirap na hirap na po ako maging komedyante,” began the comedian also fondly called Bitoy.

“Every generation, mas naging mahirap magpatawa. We get more and more restrictions when it comes to making jokes and punchlines. Nowadays, ‘di ka na pwede mag-joke tungkol sa superhero na African-American, na bading na suicidal na police na may kapansanan.

“Kahit ang punchline mo ay tungkol sa pagiging superhero at walang kinalaman sa race, gender, mental and physical health ng isang tao, yun at yun ang pupunahin ng mga netizens na mga dalubhasa na ngayon.

“It takes a certain level of intelligence to come up with a very entertaining punchline but a very shallow level of opinionated ignorance to destroy it. It turns out comedy is not as universal as before, and what is funny to some may not be funny to others anymore.”

Michael V then highlighted how “true” comedians will never hold back and will exert all effort to roll with the punches and keep going.

“Pero ang totoong komedyante po ay hindi magpapa-pigil. We learn, we adapt and we persevere. Ako, personally, kahit ganoon ang situation, asahan niyo po hindi ako titigil na hahanap ng paraan kahit papaano mapangiti at mapatawa kayo lahat.”

“Unless direk Joey Reyes gets me for a Vivamax full-length movie,” Michael V jokingly concluded.

The closing ceremony ended with the Film Academy of the Philippines announcing Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing) as the country’s official entry to the 2024 Oscars.