Friends, fans to flock Dolphy’s wake

MANILA -- Loyal supporters and fans of Comedy King Dolphy attended the first public viewing of his remains at the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, more than three thousand people waited for hours at the vicinity of the Kapamilya Network to get a glimpse of the comedian.

The viewing was opened to the public around 10 p.m. after the necrological service and eulogy arranged by the station.

The mass was officiated by Fr. Tito Caluag, while the tribute was led by broadcast journalist Ted Failon, Toni Gonzaga and Queen of All Media Kris Aquino.

Dolphy's former director in "Home Along Da Riles" Victor De Guzman, and Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda, the daughter of lawyer Jose Vera Perez of Sampaguita Pictures, paid their last respects to the Comedy King.

De Guzman remembered Dolphy as a big star with a humble and big heart. He said the comedian inspired him to better his craft and treat the production staff and the artists with utmost respect.

Maceda described the 83-year-old actor as the biggest yet the most humble star.

"He was an example of a good, decent human being who brought us all a lot of joy. He was, he is and he will always be the Filipino people's artist in our hearts," she said.

The comedian did more than 60 films under Sampaguita Pictures from 1953 to 1962.

Dolphy's son Eric Quizon thanked all those who included his father in their prayers and for the undying love and support for their family.

Quizon said that last month has been an ordeal for them but he said it was a kind of ordeal the whole family enjoyed. He said it brought their whole family closer.

"I think this is what my dad wanted to happen, for us to be together... for us to be united. Like I said, this is a trying time. It was a good time because it was like a bonus time with our father," he said.

"His illness brought us together. It made us a family. I think he was creating a movie again in his life. ‘Yung andito lang kami tapos sasabihan kami na anytime (he's ready to go), then he bounces back. He'll smile," he added.

Eric also thanked ABS-CBN for the tribute it gave his father. He recalled a story of Dolphy and the Chairman Emeritus of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr.

Lopez recruited the comedian to do a radio program, and eventually a television show in the station. The close bond between the two lasted for decades.

Lopez died in 1999, while ABS-CBN named its Studio 1 after the Comedy King.

"I imagine them right now, together, having a toast for old time sake," he said.

"My dad kept on saying 'uwi na ako.' That was the phrase he kept on saying to all of us. His wish was granted. Today (Wednesday), we brought him home to Marina and then we brought him here, in his family, in his Kapamilya, and now he's home with his creator," Quizon said.

The necrological service for Dolphy was attended by more than 50 stars of the Kapamilya station.

Among those who attended the event were Maricel Soriano, Vina Morales, Dawn Zulueta, Richard Gomez, Gloria Diaz, Myleen Dizon, Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, Diether Ocampo, Maja Salvador, Nikki Valdez, Rayver Cruz, Gerald Anderson, Angelica Panganiban, Ejay Falcon, Jessy Mendiola, Sam Milby, Vhong Navarro, Slater Young and more.

The Comedy King’s remains were brought back to Heritage Park in Taguig City early Thursday morning.

The public viewing will follow at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the next two days.

The Comedy King's interment is scheduled on Sunday, July 15. (Sunnex)