SOURCE: http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/07/10/12/dolphy-dead-83
"Dolphy is dead at 83"
MANILA, Philippines – Dolphy, dubbed the country’s “King of Comedy,”whose body of work on stage, movies and television mirrors the history of Philippine entertainment, died on Tuesday night. He was 83.
With his lean physique and humble demeanor, Dolphy’s memorable characters, notably as the down-on-his-luck family man John Puruntong in the long-running sitcom “John and Marsha,” effectively captured the travails of the common Filipino who is able to find humor even in the direst situations.
Dolphy, who was just as known for his colorful love life, died after a five-year battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to his long-time partner, actress and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.
“Sinasabi ko, huwag pamarisan ang mga ginagawa ko doon. Well, doon napunta ang buhay ko. Madali akong umibig, magdali akong magmahal kaya ganoon,” he said in his biography “Dolphy: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-Isa,” which was released by ABS-CBN in time for the comedian’s 80th birthday.
Dolphy had 18 children with six women: Manny, Salud, Rodolfo Jr., Freddie, Edgar and Raul with Engracia Dominguez; Mariquita, Carlos, Geraldino and Edwin with Gloria Smith; Ronaldo, Enrico, Madonna and Jeffrey with Baby Smith; Vandolph with actress Alma Moreno; and Zia and adopted daughter Nicole with Padilla.
He also had a child, who’s now living in the United States, with Evangeline Tagulao.
Tondo boy
Born Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr. on July 25, 1928 to ship mechanic Melencio Quizon and seamstress Salud Vera in Tondo, Manila, Dolphy was probably fated to enter show business.
As a young boy, Dolphy sold peanuts and watermelon outside a nearby theater.
He took on other lowly jobs – as a porter and shoeshine boy – amid the hardships of World War II before trying out as a dancer and chorus boy at the Avenue and Lyric Theaters, where he took on the name “Golay.”
He reverted to his given name when he was discovered by Fernando Poe Sr. This led to Dolphy’s first movie “Dugo ay Bayan,” which he made when he was 19.
In 1952, he joined the stable of Sampaguita Pictures, where his star slowly began to shine with films such as "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita" with Tita Duran and Pancho Magalona,” “Jack ‘N Jill,” “Silveria,” “Tanzan,” “The Big Broadcast” and many others.
In interviews, Dolphy had said his favorite and most memorable movie was “Jack and Jill,” where he portrayed a gay character for the first time. Dolphy also said this was the movie that made him a star.
The country's iconic comedy duo of Dolphy and Panchito was born in 1963, when the two comedians were cast on the ABS-CBN show “Buhay Artista,” which was conceptualized by ABS-CBN patriarch Eugenio Lopez Jr. and renowned TV director Ading Fernando.
Two years later, Dolphy founded his own film company, RVQ Productions, which helped propel his status as the country’s comedy king with movies such as “Dolfinger,” “Fefita Fofonggay,” ‘El Pinoy Matador” and numerous others.
TV times
But for many followers of showbiz history, Dolphy’s biggest triumph was the multi-awarded sitcom “John en Marsha,” with the late Nida Blanca as his wife and a young Maricel Soriano as his daughter. The TV comedy series about the struggles of a poor man working hard for his family while enduring the contempt of his condescending mother-in-law (Dely Atay-atayan) premiered in 1971 and ran for 15 successful years. It also spawned eight movies.
It was also around this time when Dolphy was finally recognized for his acting skills, after he bagged the FAMAS Best Actor prize for the critically acclaimed “Omeng Satansya.” He also earned raves for his dramatic turn as a transvestite raising a young boy in Lino Brocka’s “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay.”
By the late 1980s, however, Dolphy’s career took a downturn after his controversial breakup with Alma Moreno and news of his relationship with Padilla.
But in 1991, the comedian staged a major comeback with the ABS-CBN sitcom “Home Along Da Riles.”
Using the same formula that made “John en Marsha” a hit, “Home Along Da Riles” revolves around an extended Filipino family living alongside the railroad tracks. Dolphy played the family breadwinner Kevin Kosme, who works as a messenger and janitor but dreams of working overseas. While the Kosmes are poor, they, like the Puruntongs, are happy, maintaining a positive outlook on life.
The series, which ran for 11 years from 1991 to 2002, featured at one time or another several actors who later on would become major stars in show business, including Claudine Barretto, Rica Peralejo and Vhong Navarro.
Later years
Dolphy would once again win an acting award for yet another gay role when he starred in 2001’s “Markova: Comfort Gay,” about the real-life story of a Filipino homosexual who was forced to have sex with Japanese soldiers occupying Manila in World War II.
Dolphy shared the role with his real sons Eric and Epi Quizon, who played Markova in various stages of the character’s life. All three shared the Best Perfomer award at the Brussels International Film Festival.
Amid public clamor to have him declared a National Artist, Dolphy, who would have turned 84 next month, was awarded the Grand Order of the Golden Heart by President Benigno Aquino III in November 2010 for his contributions to art and culture.
It was also in 2010 that Dolphy released his last film "Father Jejemon," an entry to the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival, for which he won the Best Actor trophy. It was a double victory for him as he also took the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in another entry, “Rosario.”
He also managed to star in a one more television show, “Pidol’s Wonderland,” for TV5.
Sickness
According to the comedian’s son, Eric Quizon, his father was diagnosed with COPD five years ago. The illness, which hinders the flow of air to the lungs, is generally permanent and may be progressive over time.
Likening COPD to cancer, Quizon said Dolphy's illness has developed into a toxic metabolic encephalopathy, which could lead to sepsis or the poisoning of the blood.
“It’s a progressive disease. Para siyang cancer pero hindi kasing grabe ng cancer. 'Yung body niya, patuloy lang siyang manghihina. It’s like emphysema. Ang ganitong klaseng sakit, five years ago sinabihan na siya na parang stage 4 ang sakit na iyon. In cancer terms, very critical na iyon,” Quizon explained.
Reports of Dolphy’s deteriorating health surfaced in late 2010, triggering numerous rumors about his death. Since then, he had been in and out of the hospital due to respiratory problems. Quizon said Dolphy survived ten bouts with pneumonia before the disease hit him again last June 9.
Yet despite his frail condition, Dolphy still managed to attend the launch concert of his daughter Zia Quizon last year.“Kahit medyo tagilid ako kailangan andito ako, bunso ko yan eh. I wish her all the luck,” he said at the time.
Throughout his battle with his illness, Dolphy maintained his sense of humor until the end, poking fun at the undying rumors about his condition.
“Huwag niyong madaliin; darating din tayo dyan,” he once said.
Dolphy leaves ABS-CBN: From one Manny to another Manny
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
MANILA, Philippines?After starring in an ad endorsing presidential candidate Manny Villar, the country?s King of Comedy has hitched his wagon to another rich and powerful Manny?TV5?s Manny V. Pangilinan.
In an exclusive phone interview, Dolphy Monday confirmed he was ?committed to do a sitcom? with the fledgling network, now under the management of Pangilinan who also heads telecommunications giant Smart.
His most recent show with his longtime network ABS-CBN, ?Utoy,? had been shelved, the veteran comedian disclosed.
?I?ve talked to Manny himself and the top brass of the network last week,? he said. ?I?ve also informed ABS-CBN about my decision.?
Dolphy said he had the chance to talk with ABS-CBN Entertainment head Linggit Tan during the Jan. 27 birthday party of another Villar supporter, Willie Revillame.
?I think ABS-CBN felt bad about it. But I just wanted to work. I?ve been waiting for a job for the past three years,? he said.
Dolphy said his contract with TV5 is non-exclusive.
?I love ABS-CBN, but I need to move on. I?ll be working with TV5 in the meantime, but anytime ABS-CBN needs me, I?ll just be here.?
He said he had accepted the TV5 project because it would provide jobs to a lot of people.
?I?m not only thinking of myself and my children. I also hope to invite my regular bit-players and old-time comedy writers,? he said.
Two of his sons, actors Vandolph and Epy Quizon, will be in the cast of the new show while another son, Eric Quizon, will direct.
?Eric knows my limitations and work style,? Dolphy said. ?I hope my stay with TV5 will be fruitful.?
Dolphy said he was touched by the warm welcome accorded to him by Pangilinan and other TV5 executives during a recent meeting.
?I really felt welcomed,? he said.
