Dolphy- "A quiet thoughtful man who loved steak and chocolate cake"

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MANILA, Philippines — “Comedy King” Dolphy or Rodolfo Quizon in real life was a quiet and thoughtful man who loved steak and chocolate cake, his personal nurse for three years described him.

“Out of the blue he will deliver a punchline but most of the time he is quiet. I have never seen him angry,” Melissa Barangas said in an interview Friday over Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Barangas said Dolphy was very thoughtful who, like the rest of his family, treated her like a relative.

Last year, Barangas said she took a leave of absence because she got sick. She said Dolphy would send her fruits and would check on her condition.

Dolphy, she said, loved watching movies and would even fall asleep with the television on.

He also loved to eat, especially steak and chocolate cake.

“He likes to eat out. He does that every day. He even went to his favourite restaurant along Bocobo Street in Manila to eat chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream,” Barangas said.

She recalled that at the height of typhoon “Ondoy”, Dolphy insisted on going out but the driver went out first to check the roads but got stranded.

Barangas said she saw a lot of Dolphy’s celebrity friends but was shy to ask for the actor-comedian and his friends’ photos.

“Ma’am Zsazsa [Padilla] gave me [a] camera. Sir Dolphy called me and said that we should have our pictures taken.”

“When he was at the intensive care unit, I told him sorry, ‘Sir I know this is difficult for you but you need this to get better,’” she said.

“I do not know if I can still work as a personal nurse for other people. Rarely can you find someone as nice as him as well as his family,” Barangas said.

Dolphy's Grandsons wear 'his replica tattoos" as a tribute and as a symbol of love

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MANILA, Philippines—Three grandsons of the late comedy king Dolphy are paying him a lifelong tribute by having his image tattooed on their arms.

Rowell, Nico and John Quizon, whose father Freddie is the comedian’s son with Gracita Dominguez, are bearing the portrait to go with their countless stories about life with their lolo, who passed away on July 10.

In an interview with this writer, they all expressed deep sorrow over their grandpa’s passing just days before his 84th birthday on July 25.

“The National Artist award should have been given to him a long time ago,” said Rowell, a singer who reached the semifinals of ABS-CBN’s “Pilipinas Got Talent” competition.

Rowell recalled that on Dolphy’s last few days at Makati Medical Center, he gave his old man a rosary that had been blessed in Rome as a birthday present in advance.

“He never failed to pray the rosary regularly,” said Rowell, who often visited Dolphy at his house in Marina Subdivision, Parañaque City, where he treated him to his favorite delicacy, biko (sweet sticky rice).

Dolphy also frequently attended Mass on Wednesdays at Redemptorist Church in Baclaran even when he was sick, he added.

“When I was a child, I visited him in his taping (sessions) for ‘John en Marsha.’ He would still find time to play with me. I also became an extra in that show,” Rowell said. “As I grew up, he always reminded me to avoid getting into trouble, to study hard and to be friendly with the poor.”

To Nicollo Paulo, aka Nico Quizon and a former child star, Dolphy was a loving and thoughtful grandfather who remembered “all our names, birthdays and even the sizes of our shoes, pants and shirts.”

Dolphy also often visited his old house in Tondo, Manila, his birthplace, where he could still vividly remember many landmarks such as old trees. “At alam niya ang mga tarantado sa aming lugar (He still knew who were the usual trouble-makers),” he said.

Like Nico, John also marvelled at Dolphy’s sharp memory and the personal attention he lavished on each of his grandchildren.

“Whenever he ordered food (in a restaurant) for our big group, for example, he would call you by name and make sure you sample every dish. It’s a simple thing, but that’s how he showed his love for his family,” he said.

At home, Dolphy enjoyed playing the card game tong-its while being massaged by his grandchildren. Later in the day he would go to his room for a nap, John said, and then return bearing gifts like shoes, pants and shirts.

“As a grandfather, he knew his responsibility,” he said.

Zsa Zsa Padilla's last words to Dolphy

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MANILA, Philippines - A grandson of King of Comedy Dolphy revealed the final words of singer Zsa Zsa Padilla to her beloved while his body was being prepared. 

Ruel Quizon said Padilla was present when the funeral home prepared the comedian's body for public viewing.
"Kanina noong inaayusan si Lolo, kinakausap-usap niya parang 'Lovey ang pogi pogi mo' tapos luluha siya," he said in an interview on ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda.
Quizon said Dolphy's children including Sally and youngest son Vandolph are still emotional over the death of the King of Comedy.
"Iba iba kami ng nararamdaman kasi ang iba sobrang pagod na din kaya nag-relax na. Pero ang iba sobrang emotional pa din. Sila Tita Sally, si Vandolph," Quizon said.
He said that a mass will be offered for the soul of Dolphy Wednesday morning  at Heritage Park.
He extended his appreciation to all Filipinos who prayed for the King of Comedy.
"Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat sa pagdarasal niyo sa kanya nadugtungan pa ang buhay niya nitong nakaraan, humaba pa. Mahal na mahal niya kayo kung alam niyo lang, kung makakapagsalita lang siya," Quizon said.
Born Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Dolphy was widely regarded as the country's "King of Comedy" in a career that spanned seven decades playing colourful comedic roles, from a cross-dressing homosexual to a poor jack of all trades.
He made millions laugh even during the Philippines' darkest moments, including the brutal 20-year rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, which ended in 1986.
Dolphy became a household name on "Buhay Artista" produced by ABS-CBN in the 1960s, on "John en Marsha" in the 1970s, and his major comeback sitcom "Home Along Da Riles" that marked his return to ABS-CBN in the 1990s.
ABS-CBN, in a statement, said Dolphy is "the symbol of every Juan de la Cruz who loves his children and can make light of life's trials."

Rival showbiz personalities united by love of Dolphy

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Stars are crossing network and political party lines to pay tribute to and pray for comedy king Dolphy, who is in critical condition and under intensive care at Makati Medical Center (MMC).

Actor-director Eric Quizon told a news conference that his father successfully went through a dialysis Thursday afternoon.

He said his dad was now stable. “It was as if a miracle had occurred overnight because of the prayers from our countrymen,” he said.

He earlier told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that his father was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

At midday Thursday, doctors told the Quizon family that the ailing comedian’s condition had improved enough for him to undergo a dialysis.

Two weeks ago, the comedian was rushed to the hospital after his latest bout with pneumonia, “his 10th time to fall ill since July last year,” said his son, Eric, who is the family’s spokesperson.

Colleagues and coworkers from the country’s top three networks are rallying behind Mang Pidol, as he is known in the biz.

On Thursday, they appealed for prayers and the swift declaration of the beloved comedian as national artist.

Felipe L. Gozon, chairman and chief executive officer of GMA 7, told the Inquirer: “He is not just a national artist. He is an icon. We are praying that he gets well soon.”

Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN president and chief operating officer, told the Inquirer: “He epitomizes humility, sincerity and kindness. Whenever I talk to young stars, I always use him as an example. He is so well grounded.”

Dolphy deserves to be a national artist, Concio said, because “he has defined Filipino humor for generations. He has provided light to our dark existence.”

‘He’s an institution’

Actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, who will soon release a film under Star Cinema, ABS-CBN’s film arm, agreed. “He is an institution in the entertainment industry,” she said. “I am continuously praying for him and his family.”

Dolphy’s fellow TV5 talent, actress Nora Aunor, said in Filipino: “Let us continue praying for him. He has given us so much joy and laughter all these years. Now it’s our turn to give to him … through our prayers.”

Singer Ogie Alcasid, a GMA 7 talent and president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit, said: “He is and will always be the comedic actor that we will emulate because of his wit, charm, comic timing and huge heart. We love him dearly.”

Great father

Cavite Representative Lani Mercado said she had been praying for Dolphy since Sunday, Father’s Day.

“My husband (Senator Bong Revilla) and I are truly appreciative of his kindness,” she said. “He is a great father to his children and great lolo to his grandchildren. May God guide him and strengthen him in this time of struggle.”

Senator Revilla hailed Dolphy’s contributions to show business.

“He is admired, respected and loved not just by show biz people, but by many Filipinos,” he said in Filipino. “I am praying fervently that Tito Dolphy will overcome his illness.”

Actress Carmi Martin, who was cast as one of “Dolphy’s Angels” in the 1980 movie with that title, said, “I always pray for Dolphy’s salvation and his partner Zsa Zsa’s strength.”

Martin and fellow “Angel” Liz Alindogan planned to visit their mentor at MMC Thursday.

“We want to personally pray for him,” she said. “I want to thank him for all the breaks he had given me. He was the one who discovered me.”

Serious comedians

Dolphy’s fellow comedians have turned serious, too—in praise of a pioneering comic genius who has been entertaining Filipinos for 68 years.

Comedian Roderick Paulate is despondent. “It’s hard,” he said. “I am praying for him.”

Comic Smokey Manaloto, who worked with Dolphy on the ABS-CBN sitcom “Home Along da Riles,” was just as emotional. “No words can capture Tatay’s importance in my life,” he said in Filipino.

“He’s my guide and second father.  I consider myself lucky that I was given the chance to work with and learn from him for 13 years. Although we are not related by blood, he loved me like a son. No one can replace him as King of Comedy, now and forever.”

“I am very happy to see him and I am hoping that his condition continues to get better,” Manaloto told INQUIRER.net during his visit at the MMC Thursday night.

Stand-up comic Jon Santos said: “Our King needs our prayers. With his heart and soul, he has given us the healing power of laughter all these years. It is our turn to rally behind him and his family.”

‘You can’t go yet’

Another stand-up comic, Willie Nepomuceno, who impersonates Dolphy in his performances, remarked, half in earnest, half in jest, echoing the infamous farewell speech of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona: “Mang Pidol cannot wish to be excused just yet. A TRO (temporary restraining order) has been filed and you are not allowed to leave this earth until a successor to your throne has been found. There’s no one yet to inherit your crown. Long live and prosper, my friend.”

According to reports, political figures have also called for the proclamation of Dolphy as national artist, including Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Manuel Villar. Former Makati Representative Teodoro Locsin, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Senator Pia Cayetano joined their voices to the clamor for the conferment of the national artist award on Dolphy.

National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera also endorsed the conferment of the title on Dolphy.

Dolphy is better now, ventilator machine is off

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MANILA, Philippines – King of Comedy Dolphy is finally off his ventilator machine and is only dependent on an oxygen tank, his son Eric Quizon told ABS-CBN News on Monday afternoon.

Quizon said his family is grateful for all the prayers that were said for his dad, adding that they were overwhelmed with the amount of moral support their family received.

“I sincerely believe the prayers help kasi minsan ang bilis. Obviously he is sick. We were prepared. We could talk about a lot of things even the worst. Then Ate Sally would tell us eveytime we would talk about the worst thing, doon magkakaroon ng development or improvement sa dad ko,” he said.

According to Ronnie Quizon, Eric’s brother, they are glad that their father seems to be in a better shape.

“I have never seen a man have so much will power. Yung will niya to live. I think he really enjoys life eh,” he said.

Ronnie said he admires his dad's strength because despite his frail health, he is still able to laugh at jokes.

“I just can’t say it on TV kasi nag-joke ako sa loob ng ICU. It’s toilet humor and then tumawa si Zsa Zsa (Padilla), tumawa 'yung nurse. 'Yung dad ko, tumatawa siya pero siympre hindi malakas kasi may mga tubes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Padilla has never left Dolphy’s side while he is in the hospital.

Padilla was supposed to perform at last Saturday's "Icons at the Arena."

“Zsa Zsa is physically tired pero she’s in good spirits kasi nakikita naman niya dahil siya yung pinakamatagal na mag-spend ng time doon. Nakikita talaga niya yung developments. In fact everytime I see her, palaging may update,” he said.

Dolphy is still in the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center. He was rushed to the hospital last June 9 amid escalating concerns over his health.

Dolphy is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Makati Hopital

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MANILA, Philippines—Veteran actor Dolphy, who has been confined at the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center since the weekend, “is responding to treatment very well,” his son and private nurse said Friday.

“My dad was sent to the hospital last Saturday because of pneumonia. This made him weak because of his COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),” Eric Quizon said in a statement.

A respirator has been attached to help Dolphy breath, he said. His private nurse told Radyo Inquirer 990AM that the “King of Comedy” was confined at the Makati Medical Center.

“Currently, his vitals are all in order and he is responding to treatment very well. However, he is still under observation and round-the-clock intensive care to make sure he recovers faster,” Quizon said.

He said that Dolphy would like to thank his fans for the “love and prayers.”

“My dad says, ‘Maraming salamat’ from the bottom of his heart,” said Quizon.