What? Play and pray on a luxurious ship? That is exactly what happened when Star Cruises, under the navigating prowess of PR prince Keren Pascual, hosted a three-night cruise on board its Super Star Virgo.
Called "Famous: The Voyage Party," the trip covered the magical island of Langkawi in Malaysia, the tropical haven of Phuket Island in Thailand and the urban shoppers’ paradise of Singapore. On board, there was fun, fashion and food–so much of it as guests could pig out on the tempting buffets at the Mediterranean Terrace or order a la carte at Bella Vista, among other restos. They went swimming, exercising, jogging, dancing, singing and watching shows or simply enjoying the gym, the parlor, the library or the computer room. Some found time to meditate under the stars, feel the breeze and bond with family. Just like what Dolphy did with his beloved Zsa Zsa and his son Vandolph still recovering from a near-death trauma. Cruising together is always a good chance to play and pray, gaze at the sky above one’s universe, count the stars and thank God they’re still shining.
But it is hard to resist having fun and going almost sleepless, especially when the star of the cruise is Dolphy. He is turning 75 next year, but he certainly can keep up with the twentysomething stars and models on board. If they dance, he swings; if they eat, he gorges; and if you chat with him, he will regale you with nostalgic stories non-stop. Just like what happened when we asked him questions we’ve always wanted to ask Dolphy. Excerpts:
Philippine STAR: It’s been a year now, but tell us what really happened the night of Vandolph’s accident.
Dolphy: That was November 19, 2001. A son of mine called up Zsa Zsa about the accident. She told me to dress up but I didn’t know helicopters were already being arranged. Imagine being charged P370,000 – na may sentimo pang butal – for a helicopter to fly the Manila-Urdaneta-Manila route! They say it was a paramedic helicopter. I remember I was holding this emergency kit, there was blood all over the place, and Vandolph was breathing through this blower na parang pang blow lang ng gulong sa bisikleta.
Vandolph said that during the time he was comatose he saw a white light with the silhouette of a person.
That was a year ago. Looks like he has recovered well.
He is so frustrated because he loves sports. He can’t drive yet. Baka magdrive, tapos mawala sa loob niya. But for months after his girlfriend died, he would visit her grave every day and sleep right there.
How about the murder of Nida Blanca–how did you take it?
I really cried. We were very good friends.
Do you believe Rod Strunk killed her?
Hindi ako makakakibo kung ginawa niya nga yon o hindi.
Did Nida ever confide to you about her personal life?
Nida would confide to me about Romy (Jalosjos) and I would tell her, sige, follow your heart basta hindi ka makakalimot sa Diyos.
If you were given a position of power, what would be the first thing that you’d do?
I will use idle government lands to provide housing and farms for the poor. Para naman pakinabangan ng bayan. But I am not in favor of land reform. Unfair naman doon sa may minana sa ninuno na pinaghirapan din naman ‘yon.
What would you like the government to do that it seems not to be doing?
Send the criminals to jail. Talagang grabe.
Are you in favor of the death penalty?
No, I don’t like the death penalty because it’s not a form of punishment. At kasalanan pa sa Diyos. You don’t feel lethal injection. Walang pahirapan. A criminal must be punished the hard way.
Who are your best friends?
They’re all gone. Bayani Casimiro, Panchito, Ading Fernando, Teroy de Guzman, Babalu. When I’m alone, I feel sad. During pre-war days, you had to sing, dance, act, tap-dance and do drama in stage shows at Avenida, Rizal.
Bayani and I were the original Japayukis in 1951. Ted Levin was our boss. We would go to Hong Kong for six months or one year, spend Christmas in New York, do sing-and-dance acts. Even during the Japanese and American Occupation we were often naka- suot-babae.
Ricky Lo says you have a fabulous wardrobe. Who are your favorite designers?
I love shoes and clothes, but many of these are gifts. Like my first Burberry was Zsa Zsa’s gift, same with my Kenneth Cole shirt. I would have my clothes made by D’Sharp since the 1940’s when I was a chorus boy at Orient Theater. But even my tailor, Eddie Buscayno, has died. The suit I wore last night was made in 24 hours by a tailor in Bangkok.
Are you also Imeldific when it comes to shoes?
I have about 500 pairs of shoes, many of them rubber shoes.
What do you do with clothes you don’t like anymore?
I give them away to relatives and friends. But I have to keep many of them for I would sometimes need vintage clothes for period movies.
What are your favorite cities in the world?
Paris is beautiful. Heidelberg is nice. Rome, too, with all its fountains and old statues. I can’t forget the Niagara Falls in Canada.
What do you hate most about traveling?
I feel envious and sorry for our country when I see other countries and nakikita ko ang estado ng buhay natin. Bakit nagkaganito tayo? So much corruption and crime, too much politics.
How do you describe your present lifestyle?
No nightlife. Only a little wine and one shot of cognac. No more smoking.
Exercise?
I do the treadmill 30 minutes every day, or at least every other day.
Do you take vitamins?
Vitamins C and E only. And fish oil for the heart.
You have the reputation of being a ladies’ man. Women seem to be so attracted to you. What’s your secret?
Kung hindi mo hinahanap dumadating na lang. Can’t understand bakit malapit ang babae. Hindi ko alam.
Ricky Lo says you have a big secret weapon?
It’s not the size. The question is, how do you use it?
What do you look for in a woman?
First, I look at the face. Then I go down, and up again, listen to the voice and look at the way she moves. Ayoko ng malaswa. Gusto ko ladylike.
Do you remember you first love?
I was 13 years old. Our neighbor. I think her name was Elvie.
You’ve had many women and many children. Did you ever offer marriage to any of them?
Yes, to three women in the past. But I had no children with two of them.
What happened? Your marriage proposal was turned down?
The parents didn’t like me and my reputation as a babaero.
How many children do you have?
I have 18 children by five women. And more than 30 grandchildren. Plus three apo sa tuhod.
And did you offer marriage to Zsa Zsa?
I have offered to marry her. Ito na.
What attracted you to Zsa Zsa?
I admire her as a singer. Tapos maganda pati ugali.
How did you court her?
Puro tingin lang. Pero yung tingin ko sa kanya gusto kong…Zsa Zsa wasn’t minding me. She was even calling me Mang Dolphy. At first I was a friend, always calling, giving advice…
How do you call each other?
Zsa Zsa calls me Papa. I call her Lovey.
When it comes to parenting, who’s the strict one?
Zsa Zsa’s the disciplinarian. I’m the spoiler. Sa edad kong ito, magagalit pa ba ako? So, when the kids do wrong, I tell Zsa Zsa, hoy, yung mga anak mo!
What does money mean to you? We hear you are a very generous person?
My belief is if you do something good today, someday makakabawi ka sa mundo. I am happy when I am able to help people.
Showbiz people talk about how you’ve shouldered the funeral expenses of movie personalities who died poor.
Yes, they say I’m doing what Mowelfund should be doing. Our house is an open house. Ask Zsa Zsa. We spend P3,000 for three days’ ulam and we use two sacks of rice a week. Relatives and friends come in and out of our house every day.
You give to each and every person who knocks on your door?
I don’t turn them down, yes, but if you’re just a drunkard I’ll give you money for just one bottle. I will allow you to fool me once, I won’t allow myself to be fooled by anyone a second time.
How do you save for tomorrow?
I divest some of my earnings to real estate, which hopefully increases in value. In case hindi na ako puwede, at least I have property I can sell.
What is your legacy in Philippine movies?
You know, my life itself would make a good movie. I will be happy if people will smile and laugh when they remember me. Kahit wala na ako.
What advice would you give to FPJ?
Napakarumi ng politiko. Okay lang magpolitiko ang actor basta’t kaya.. Running for a political post is something you would advise only to your enemy. If FPJ runs, I will not stop him. But if he wins and does something wrong, he will hear from me.
It seems you’ve chosen to be an apolitical person.
Since the time of Marcos, countless politicians have asked me to endorse them. I have never accepted any offer, no matter how tempting. If I had, I would have been a much richer person now.
Did Erap hear from you?
Yung nangyari kay Erap, mabuting tao ‘yan. Madalas ang mga nakapaligid ang sumisira.
What would you advise GMA?
Get the right advisers.
What is your frustration? What dreams have you yet to fulfill?
Mga anak ko. Sana mapaige ang buhay nila.
What advice do you usually give to them?
Alam nyo naman ang masama at hindi. Huwag kayong nakakalimot tumawag doon sa Diyos. Huwag kayong nangaagrabyado ng tao.