The Philippines' "King of Comedy," the performer fondly called Dolphy by generations of Filipinos, has died.
Famous of the name Dolphy from it real name Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. was 83. He died Tuesday night (July 10, 2012) at Makati Medical Center of multiple organ failure and complications from pneumonia, according to an email from the hospital where he had been treated. He also suffered from kidney failure.
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.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 died after a five-year battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to his long-time partner, actress and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla.
"We would like to inform the public that Mr. Rodolfo 'Dolphy' Quizon, passed away today, at 8:34 p.m. due to multiple organ failure, secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure," the Makati Medical Center said in a statement.
"We join the entire Filipino Community in praying for the soul of Mr. Quizon and his dearly beloved family and friends. To the Quizon Family, we extend our deepest condolences," the hospital said.
Philippine government officials, fellow movie and TV celebrities and common folk heaped praise on Quizon, who shot to fame for portraying gay roles and odd characters.
One of the late actor's sons, Eric Quizon, read a family statement before a huddle of TV cameras and journalists, thanking millions of Filipinos for supporting his father and asking for prayers.
"Heaven is a happier place with him there," said Quizon, who is also an actor.
The elder Quizon started performing on stage in the 1940s during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and made his final comedy flick, where he played a priest, two years ago.
One of Quizon's biggest comedy hits was 'Facifica Falayfay," where he played a gay man. He also starred in a popular, longtime television comedy, "John en Marsha," where he played a man perpetually at odds with his mother-in-law.
Quizon starred in more than 200 films in his 66-year career, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.
Many of his comedy flicks were produced by his own movie firm, RVQ Productions, which he set up in the 1960s.
President Benigno Aquino III said Quizon was a kind man who represented the Filipino everyman and gave his countrymen "a reason to smile for the daily happenings" in their lives.
Ex-President Joseph Estrada, a former actor, says Quizon should receive the prestigious National Artist award.
Quizon had never been married but bore children with a number of women. Some of his children also entered the movies, with a few following in his footsteps as a comedian.
As a young boy, he worked as a laborer, watching comedy stage shows before he himself became immensely popular. Philippine presidential candidates had sought his backing during elections to endear themselves to his massive following.
Caught by surprise
Dolphy's family was caught by surprise over his death on Tuesday night.
According to a medical bulletin issued Tuesday at 4 p.m., Dolphy was said to be responding well to treatment.
"Dolphy underwent dialysis and blood transfusion yesterday. Platelet apheresis is also being performed. X-ray results show that he is responding very well to the treatment and recovering from his pneumonia," the bulletin said.
Doctors noticed, however, that compared to yesterday, Dolphy was asleep most of the time on Tuesday.
"He is not as lucid and active as yesterday, however, and is seldom awake. Doctors are awaiting other results from the tests and the treatments, and has advised to give him a rest day today," the bulletin added.
Eric Quizon, spokesman of the Quizon family, rushed to the Makati Medical Center after he received information that his father had passed away.
Dolphy's remains were brought to the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City past midnight.
Colorful love life
Apart from his work as an actor, Dolphy was just as known for his colorful love life.
"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 this July 25, 2012, 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.
But on late Tuesday of July 10, 2012, in Makati, Philippines - the laughter had finally come to a stop.
