source: ABS-CBN
Dolphy, dubbed the country’s “King of Comedy,”whose body of work on stage, movies and television mirrors the history of Philippine entertainment, died on Tuesday night. He was 83.
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.
Life & Career
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 month, 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.
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