Remembering Dolphy

The very popular comedian and Filipino entertainer par excellence Dolphy, whose real name is Rodolfo Vera Quizon, passed away Tuesday night due to multiple organ failure. He was 83 years old and thus passed one of the greats in the Filipino movie industry.

Because I was born in a family of theater operators, we often helped the movie producers when they come to Cebu to shoot certain scenes here. I first met Dolphy when he came to Cebu for the filming of his movie right in our residence in Capitol Hills, entitled “Mag Tago kana Binata” with the famous Nancy Kwan, who at that time was one of the more famous Asian film stars that made it to Hollywood with her film “The World of Suzie Wong” and “Flower Drum Song.” How Dolphy got her into that role I really had no idea. It was a full day of filming in our house and we got to know Dolphy who was also funny in real life.

We saw Nancy Kwan’s movies as we would show it in our movie houses but I never got to see the movie that Dolphy shot because back in those days (I was still in high school), Tagalog movies were shown in mostly second-run movie houses, which often show double film features. Our theaters were considered first-run theaters and would show only movies from American companies like MGM and Warner Brothers.

But the popularity of Dolphy became known all over because of his “Buhay Artista” black and white TV series. This later evolved into the “John and Marsha” comedy teleseries. But the movies of Dolphy gained acceptance among many Cebuanos and his movies were shown in President Theater in Colon St. across our theaters. Sensing that the Tagalog films have come of age, my father, Atty. Jesus “Lindong” Avila, started booking the films of action hero Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) starting with his “Ang Panday.”

In his own way, Dolphy removed the colonial mentality of most Filipinos who in the 70s would only watch American films. I was a personal witness of this evolution of the Tagalog movies. Later, when we promoted one of the first movies of Sharon Cuneta entitled “Dear Heart” and had lunch at the Baseline Restaurant, I was taken by surprise that Sharon was mobbed by her fans coming from St. Theresa’s College (STC) and Sacred Heart School for Girls. Thus, it was no longer “daduy” to watch Tagalog movies.

If you ask me, this is Dolphy’s major contribution to the Filipino movie industry, where Filipinos from all walks of life, rich or poor would watch his films. Today, the Filipino film industry stands together with American films depending on how the movie was made. More often than not, an ordinary American film would get beaten in the box office by a well-made Tagalog movie. This for me is Dolphy’s greatest contribution to our nation.

But the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) couldn’t see the greatness of Dolphy. They only see him as a slapstick comedian with no cultural contribution. They couldn’t see his greatness when he had a movie entitled “Pacifica Falayfay” where he played the role of a homosexual, a subject which was taboo in those days. But Dolphy did those films including a tear jerker and it is for this reason why I strongly believe he should have been bestowed the title of National Artist. Shame on the NCCA. We have lost in Dolphy the king of comedy and there is no one in sight to replace him because he is irreplaceable. May Dolphy rest in God’s peace.

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You may think it is early, but yes, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) is now accepting nominations for the 6th RAFI Triennial Awards for Exemplary Individual and the Eduardo Aboitiz Awards for Outstanding Institution. The Triennial Awards is open to every Filipino, natural born or naturalized citizen, at least 30 years old and of good moral character whose dedication to their profession has made significant contributions to the achievement of the well-being of fellow Filipinos.

The RAFI Awards for Outstanding Institution is open to all institutions or organizations… non-government organizations, civic organizations or people’s organization which have been operating for at least three years with a functional programs and work with other groups in bringing about a comprehensive and responsible development.

The RAFI Triennial Awards is given once every three years and thus, they are the most prestigious awards given to individuals or institutions outside Manila. Indeed it takes three tedious years to look for those unsung heroes in a sea of individuals or organizations helping our lesser brethren. For more info on this please contact Cathy Margate at (032) 418-7234.

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