Dolphy, the undisputed King of Philippine Comedy. Photo by Gerry Edra Wikimedia Commons
Dolphy, the undisputed King of Comedy in the Philippines, passed away last night after a long battle against pneumonia. He was 83.
News of his death sent a shockwave not just among his colleagues within the entertainment industry in the Philippines, but among Filipinos all over the world.
An Actor Shared by Generations
Dolphy (Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. in real life) was one of the few Filipino actors watched by three generations of my family. I remember my grandmother watching his early films with Sampaguita Pictures being shown on television with a hint of nostalgia in her face. As a kid, I remember evenings when me, my mom, aunt, and uncle would gather around the TV and watch John en Marsha–the longest running sitcom in the Philippines.
More than the King of Comedy
Although he earned the title as the King of Comedy in the Philippines, Dolphy was more than that. His uncanny talent for acting can make you laugh one minute, and then suddenly depict a scene that would just grip your heart and shed a tear the next. Part of this lies with the choice of roles he portrayed. Most of them were situations in real life that the ordinary Filipino faces on a daily basis, whether it was dealing with a notorious loud-mouth mother-in-law or being a father bringing up his children amidst the poverty that surrounded them while living by the side of the railroad.
Dolphy also served as a source of inspiration for many Filipinos. He was a man from humble beginnings, doing odd jobs at a young age from shining shoes to a factory worker and even a horse and buggy driver. During his spare time, he would watch his favorite actors perform onstage (movies were still not rampant then) and would imitate them, perhaps dreaming that one day, he would follow their footsteps. His story from rags to riches inspired the average Filipino to chase after their dreams, regardless of their circumstance. This, is one of the greatest legacies he has left behind.
A World without Dolphy
Dolphy may not have been an actor with the same stature as those great names in Hollywood. But for the millions of Filipinos that grew up watching his movies and television shows, Dolphy was an icon that had touched their hearts. His acting prowess put a smile on the faces of Filipinos even in the darkest times, and give them some diversion to their cares and worries, even if it was just for a brief moment. His ability to make light of even the most dire situations brought hope to his viewers, indirectly telling them that there is always a brighter side through it all.
With his passing, Dolphy left a huge hole in the Philippine entertainment industry that is hard to fill. Although there are many Filipino comedians now rising and bringing smiles on our faces, there can only be one Dolphy. Only one undisputed King of Comedy in the Philippines.
Farewell Dolphy! Thank you for the laughs and the tears. You will be sorely missed.
Farewell, Dolphy!,
About Adeline Yuboco
Twitter: m4bmarketing
says:
Hi Adeline,
There are not too many actors, comedians who can successfully span generations. From your article he seemed to have had that rare talent for touching the emotions in so many people.
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Twitter: catarinaalexon
says:
Sorry to hear he passed away. Met him in Manila a long time ago with my friends Elkin and Victoria Marin. He was a charming man.
Twitter: ronniedare
says:
Farewell Idol! Thanks for the laughter. Thanks for the great memories. Long live the comedy king. Your spirit will always be remembered by millions of Filipinos all over the world.
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Twitter: SusanPCooper
says:
How sad. He certainly left a great legacy of laughter and good humor and will be remember by all that he touched with smile on their face.
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Indeed he will. Once in a while, tributes will be shown on TV showing clips of the movies and TV shows and I still find myself laughing.
He will surely be missed, but the legend will remain forever in our hearts. May he granted eternal rest, farewell Mang Dolphy!
The nation mourns for his lost.
tama he not just a comedy king. he is the best comedian sa lahat….
rip mang pidol!!!
ika gnga nila sa twitter… di masaya ang childhood mo kung di mo napanood ang ilan sa mga pelikula at tv sitcom ni pidol!
making pinoys laugh is his legacy. a great one at that. i went crying at last night\’s eulogy of zsazsa. my heart went out for her.
Yes, it was so moving. I was also sobbing when I was listening to it.
Twitter: terencecoza
says:
The king of comedy may his soul rest in peace. He was a top of the range, very interesting and lovely comedian of all times.
Hi Adeline,
It’s always sad to hear about the passing away of a great entertainer. I’ve been to a few comedy clubs in Manila a few years ago and I know how important the entertainment business is for people in the Philippines.
Twitter: Bindudesigns
says:
Great actors will live in the hearts of people for ever. Even though their physical body is not their, they will touch the minds of generations to come. He will continue to entertain people for ever.
I haven’t heard of him before, but I am a fan of comedy so I’ll be sure to check him out.
It’s such a bitter tragedy and irony when folks that make so many laugh, leave this world.
Hi JD!
Actually, Dolphy was more of a local icon here in the Philippines. It was only later on when he received some international recognition for his talent when he and his two sons won the Best Performer award last 2001 at the Brussels International Film Festival for the film Markova: Comfort Gay.
I have to agree, it is quite an irony that the passing of a great comedian can bring so much heartache.
Thanks for dropping by.
Twitter: artyyah
says:
Sorry to hear of this man’s death who is obviously loved by a nation for making them laugh. Bizarrely a cmedian in America who waspopular in the 70′s has also just passed – Sherman Hemsley, who was in The Jefferson’a. Ground breaking as it was the first African -american sit-com. May they both Rest in Peace.
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