TV network pays last respect to actor-comedian

MANILA -- It was an emotional afternoon for ABS-CBN employees as they welcomed and paid their last respect to the King of Comedy, Rodolfo "Dolphy" Vera Quizon Sr.

Dolphy's remains arrived at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City past 3 p.m.

Star Magic main man Johnny Manahan and Dolphy's former co-stars in "Home Along Da Riles" carried his gold coffin inside the theater named after the late comedian.

Fr. Tito Caluag blessed the remains of Dolphy.

On his speech, ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez thanked the Quizon family for allowing the comedian to be brought to the network before his interment on Sunday.

According to Lopez, he met the comedian when his late father, ABS-CBN's chairman emeritus Eugenio "Genny" Lopez Jr., recruited Dolphy to star in "Buhay Artista."

"If today's people marvel at how time stands still when Manny Pacquiao has a fight, 'Buhay Artista' was the original traffic crime stopper. The whole nation stopped and watched Dolphy and Panchito," he said.

He said the passing of the Comedy King marks another end of an era of television watching in the local entertainment industry.

"Mang Dolphy was more than just a comedian he exemplified in many ways the best in every Filipino. His humble demeanor, his generosity and compassion, his ability to roll with the punches and evolve through the years," he added.

Dolphy was an ABS-CBN talent for more than 40 years.

He did "Buhay Artista" in 1964 and became a household name when he portrayed Kevin Kosme in "Home Along Da Riles" in 1992.

Dolphy worked opposite Nova Villa, Babalu, and Carding Castro. His five kids in the show were Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Claudine Barretto, real son Vadolph and Boy2 Quizon.

When "Home Along Da Riles" ended, it was then followed by "Home Along Da Riber" in 2002 and "Home Along Da Airport" in 2003.

"Mang Dolphy was an extraordinary person who became a symbol for the ordinary Filipino. He will always live in the heart and soul of ABS-CBN. He is an inspiration to all of us in the broadcast business with his humility, his talent and above all his ability to constantly reinvent himself to live and fight another day," Lopez said.

"Paalam Mang Dolphy. To all of us here at ABS-CBN, you will always be a Kapamilya," he added.

Other ABS-CBN executives who attended the arrival honors are Cory Vidanes, Linggit Tan, Malou Santos, Deo Endrinal and Johnny Manahan. Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Ryan Bang, Ariel Ureta, Gio and Gia Alvarez are also present during event.

A necrological service is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to be followed by a eulogy. Public viewing is at 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. His remains will be brought back to Heritage Park in Taguig early Thursday morning. (Glaiza Jarloc/Sunnex)