Today on July 25, 2012, Dolphy would have turned 84.
But as the adage goes, "The show must go on".
We remember this day as the day Dolphy was born. I recall that whenever his natal day approaches, there's always a two-hour birthday special aired on ABS-CBN complete with special guests, song and dance numbers, and of course, what's a Dolphy special if there's no comedy included? Siyempre, meron!
But when I was young, I was able to watch a Dolphy special in RPN-9 when "John en Marsha" was still airing. I was 7 years old then when Dolphy revealed on TV that he was 60 years old already while thanking loyal viewers that supported his movies and TV shows over the years.
I then figured out he was the same age as my grandmother, and also wondered if he will live longer to make us laugh.
Turns out, the answer is yes!
I was able to witness Dolphy's career fading back when I was Grade 3, when he eloped with rising singer/actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, who was then popular as Joey de Leon's leading lady in "Starzan" and "Starzan 2". I always hear priests during homilies mentioning Dolphy and Zsa Zsa as bad examples for Filipino relationships. But as they say, "love conquers all". Everyone was forgiven and the incident was forgotten as the public awaited for Dolphy's next career move when most of the press people were already considering De Leon's erstwhile sidekick Rene Requiestas as the new "Comedy King" following the success of "Pido Dida" and "Michael and Madonna".
It was in 1992 when ABS-CBN's new talk show "Showbiz Lingo" reported that the network had acquired the services of the Comedy King for a new show. It was on December 26, 1992 when Dolphy's new sitcom "Home Along da Riles" premiered on national TV. I was one of those who eagerly anticipated his return to television. I look up to him like a father when I watch his sitcom on TV weekly, because most of the time my real father is abroad as a seaman. A lot of life's lessons were learned while watching "Home Along da Riles".
In 1998, when Dolphy turned 70, he underwent a delicate heart bypass operation. I was confident that he will survive it but there was a moment when my aunt broke the news to me that he "died". For a minute, I could barely speak or move. To verify the "news", I turned on the radio and it turned out he was still alive. The reported comedian who died was his erstwhile comedy partner and friend, Babalu.
I was very busy with college already when I experienced it. I took Mass Communications with high hopes that I'll be able to work in the showbiz industry. While enjoying college life, I was able to watch Dolphy for the first time on the big screen in 2000 when his comeback movie "Daddy O, Baby O" was showing. Although he was a little bit rusty in that movie, I still enjoyed his comic antics. Best of all, I watched that movie with the whole family.
When I graduated in 2002, I briefly had a career as radio/events host, assistant director/extra for an indie movie and TV reporter in a span of one year. In 2003, I set foot in Manila trying my luck in show business while moonlighting as a call center agent. I tried my luck at the ABS-CBN writing workshops during that year and guess what? I almost bumped into Mang Dolphy when I went on a mini-studio tour on my own after I had that brief interview for the workshop. Want to know what happened? Read on...
After that brief interview, I decided to loiter around the whole ABS-CBN compound for about 2 hours after waiting on the line at the Audience Entrance area for also 2 hours. I was able to go through the different studios where I was able to see different celebrities readying for their turn in "ASAP" and "The Buzz". But when I saw Dolphy's son Vandolph, Bing Loyzaga and her daughter Alyssa Gibbs, and Aubrey Miles whom I had a brief chat, I realized that there was a taping of "Home Along the Airport" happening in the studio not far from "ASAP" and "The Buzz". I tried to sneak inside the "Home Along" studio but decided not to after realizing that the security guards might be there and drag me out.
That was quite a close encounter with the Comedy King. But in 2004, I had the chance to shake his hand when he attended the premiere night of "So Happy Together" at the Podium where his son Eric Quizon was one of the lead stars, the other is Kris Aquino. I was there as a member of Lucky 13, Mark Herras' fans club. Mark was also one of the cast members of the movie. I still remember telling Dolphy while shaking his hand: "Idol ko po kayo". After that moment, I entered the theater and watched the whole movie with former President Corazon Aquino and the Comedy King among the audience members.
I will never forget that day when I shook his hand. Surreal.
Mang Dolphy, happy birthday and I will never forget you.
