Zsa Zsa Padilla diagnosed with kidney cancer 40 days after Dolphy’s death

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“When life situations get rough, I find myself taking deep breaths… And I am ready 2 take on new challenges. Living life. One day at a time.”
That was Zsa Zsa Padilla’s tweet early Sunday morning as news broke out that the already grief-stricken partner of the late, great Comedy King Dolphy had been diagnosed with stage 1 kidney cancer.
Earlier reports stated that the 48-year-old singer-actress was conspicuously absent at the Mass for the 40th day after Dolphy’s death held Saturday because she had left for Los Angeles to seek medical treatment.
She consulted doctors at Cedars Sinai Hospital after her doctors at the Makati Medical Center had detected an abnormal growth in her kidneys.
Zsa Zsa told ABS-CBN News on Sunday that a certain Dr. Folkes, her doctor at the Los Angeles-based medical facility, told her that she has a malignant growth the size of a golf ball.
“The first time I saw Dr. Folkes, he immediately told me it was malignant. So when I heard that word ‘malignant,’ I said, ‘Oh man, I have cancer.’ I went back the next day for blood work and a scan and it showed the same thing — almost a 3 centimeters growth — and he advised for it to be taken out,” Padilla said.
News of her ailment took everyone by surprise, including the very people that form part of her extended Quizon family.
“I just heard about it too,” Ronnie Quizon, one of Dolphy’s 18 children, admitted to Interaksyon.
“Whether it’s confirmed or not, I think, with a little help, it could be cured. I have a friend who was diagnosed with stage 1 cancer before, and now he’s completely cancer-free. We even had common friends who were praying for him before, and have passed on even ahead of us,” Ronnie added.
Zsa Zsa’s colleagues in the industry were also quick to issue statements of support.
“We love you. Get well soon. We are all praying for you,” said fellow singer Gary Valenciano, a co-host at the Sunday noontime show, “ASAP” and a co-star in the upcoming movie musical, “I Do Bidoo Bidoo (Heto nAPO Sila)”.
Twitter was also flooded with an outpouring of support as “Zsa Zsa Padilla” is now a trending topic following the news of her ailment.

Zsa Zsa said: "I don't know if I will be able to let go of Dolphy"

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MANILA, Philippines—“I don’t know if I will be able to let go of Dolphy,” Zsa Zsa Padilla, the common-law wife, said in an interview with reporters Thursday at the public viewing of Dolphy’s remains at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.

“I have a lot of friends who went through the same loss of a mother, of a father, of a partner, and sabi nila it really just gets harder,” Padilla added.

Padilla said that members of their family were having a hard time but that they were trying their best to cope with the loss of a loved one.

“Alam ninyo the past few years nakasentro ang aming mga schedule at lakad kay Dolphy. Pag magbabakasyon kami talaga namang iniisip namin kung kailangan naming bumalik. Kadalasan nakikiusap kami sa family member kung pwedeng magbantay kung kailangan naming ng konting break,” Padilla said.

“Naninibago kami na hindi na naming kailangan i-consider yung ganong bagay,” she added.

Padilla said that Dolphy tried his best to mouth the words “I love you” to her during his last hours. She said that up to the last minute, she was being “makulit” with Dolphy by saying “Lovie, lovie, I love you.”

She said that she knew that Dolphy did not want to let go for he loved his family and the Filipino people.

“ Alam ko yung pagkatao niya talaga kaya nga hirap na hirap siyang umalis sa mundo dahil sa sobrang pagmamahal,” she said.

“Kaya palagi naming sinasabi lovie okay lang kami huwag mo kaming intindihin. I know that up there in heaven you will guide us. Nararamadaman ko naman yun na ituturo niya kami,yung mga mahal niya sa buhay sa tamang direksyon,” Padilla said.

Padilla said that she continued to say goodnight to Dolphy and that Dolphy was blessed to have a wonderful children and family members who loved him dearly.

She said that the members of the family drew strength from one another during the trying times.

“We’re constantly texting each other and assuring each other that we will always be around for each other,” Padilla said.

She said that though it was still hard to accept what happened, the family would try its best to move forward.

“”I think It’s a process. Kung kailangan mag grieve counsel gagawin naming as a family,” she said.

She described her relationship with Dolphy as an “unconventional” one and that if there was one thing she wished Dolphy could have done, it would be to “travel to Hongkong.”

“Wala namang pinagsisishan kung hindi siguro mga wish pa . He wanted to go to Hongkong  to travel and eat,” she said.

She said that she was truly grateful for the Filipino people for the overwhelming love and support for the family.

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.