John En Marsha

I remember watching John En Marsha every week with my lola as I was growing up. Dolphy, Nida Blanca and the rest of the cast surely gave many Filipino households a treat. It had a simple plot and it made the simple folk laugh. It was in fact, the longest-running and most watched prime time TV sitcom in the 1970s and 1980s.

I write about this because of Dolphy, our beloved comedy king. Dolphy has actually lifted our hearts and given us many breaks from the hard knocks of life. Yes, to some his jokes and comedic acts may be corny but truth to tell many of the masses understood and were able to relate to his jokes. He taught us to laugh, amused us and gave us solace during our darkest hours. And now that his health is taking its toll, I think we should pause and pray for this man who in some way or another has given us good cheer when we most needed it.

By the way, it was during the 1970s thru the 1980s when sitcoms became a major part of our television industry. This was the time when Filipinos needed a comic relief to make us forget about the hardships we were going through during those times. I very well remember that my lola always made me watch sitcoms with her to amuse me because I was very scared of the sounds of martial law.

Everyone in the entertainment industry (radio, television and movie) recognize Dolphy as an icon, a legend and the king of comedy. In fact, when he was supposed to receive the National Artist Award (the highest recognition given to a Filipino for his significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts) a few years ago, and did not receive it, many were dismayed.

Nominations for National Artist of the Philippines are based on a broad criteria set by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. I truly believe that Dolphy qualifies in every criteria: (1) Living artists who have been Filipino citizens for the last ten years prior to nomination as well as those who have died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death; (2) artists who have helped build a Filipino sense of nationhood through the content and form of their works; (3) artists who have distinguished themselves by pioneering in a mode of creative expression or style, making an impact on succeeding generations of artists; (4) artists who have created a significant body of works and / or have consistently displayed excellence in the practice of their art form, enriching artistic expression or style; and (5) artists who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and / or international recognition, awards in prestigious national and / or international events, critical acclaim and / or reviews of their works, and / or respect and esteem from peers within an artistic discipline.

Anyway, no matter how tedious the process is going to be, I hope that Dolphy who started his career during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines (1944) will finally get this award he truly deserves.

My golly, why do we always give awards to those who are racing against time? For the National Artist Award, I’m pretty sure politics got in the way somewhere along the road. Susmariosep! The members of the CCP and the NCCA board should consider this nomination with respect and compassion. The pending case before the Supreme Court concerning giving the National Artist award to seven personalities should not be a hindrance to giving Dolphy due recognition.

Dios Ti Kumuyog, Dolphy!

* * *

The rainy season has arrived and here we are again in troubled waters. When it pours, our roads easily flood. And when the floods rise, our nation is at a standstill – unless we have boats or underwater submarines to take us to our destination.

For school children, rainy days can bring excitement and adventure (but also sickness like dengue or leptospirosis). For school officials, the floods spell trouble because the curriculum and school year calendar is disturbed. For DepEd officials and LGUs the burden of suspending classes is on their shoulders because once they declare a suspension and the sun comes out, they are damned and cursed upon.

A couple of weeks ago, the Department of Education informed the public that the responsibility of suspending classes due to typhoons or other calamities will be done by the local government. Now let’s see if the LGUs will pacify the anxious parents and students with their clear cut announcements. Last Monday’s heavy downpour caused by Typhoon Botchoy tested the capabilities of the different LGUs. It was a test run. Let’s hope things will be clearer next time around. Remember these LGUs are not only measuring the strength of the typhoon but also the height of the floods in the area. This is year 2012 and we are back to square one – another systems revamp. So, what’s new? Our government guidelines seem to change every year. Sanamagan!

By the way, automatic cancellation of classes during typhoons is based on the storm signal sent out by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (PAGASA). The government guidelines are very clear; when Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, kindergarten classes in both public and private schools are automatically suspended. At Signal No. 2, the suspension will include elementary and secondary classes. When Signal No. 3 is announced, classes in all levels and work in all DepEd offices are cancelled. When there is NO SIGNAL but there is water rising due to heavy rains, then that’s when the LGUs come in and make a decision.

While it is true that the local government officials are in a better position to assess the local situation and make the right decision, I think that the schools should also come up with guidelines to follow when classes are suspended after the children have already entered the school premises. Perhaps schools can observe the following: All on-going classes will continue until dismissal time; if suspension is announced in the morning, students will be dismissed during their lunch break; if suspension is announced in the afternoon, all students will be dismissed after the last subject. This way the children are safer in the school grounds compared to leaving the school grounds in haste and chaotic manner. Parents are also assured that their children are well taken cared of inside the school premises. Of course, this is just a suggestion!