Simply Dolphy

A LOT will be said about the man, with praises springing from every heart, from those whose very lives he touched and those whose lives he made better. Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon, the comic who made us embrace his brand of comedy that connected effortlessly with our realities, left this mundane world with so much contribution to both life and film.

In John and Marsha, Dolphy as John Puruntong was husband, dad and son-in-law to everyone, for what he portrayed in every figure was what others lived in actuality. It is but remarkable that every Filipino husband, dad and son-in-law would find motivation and inspiration in a situation comedy with the backdrop of life’s daily struggles. Dolphy gave them that by simply being Puruntong.

Amid the hardships of rearing a family, John Puruntong never ceased to put a smile towards life’s complexities, a parody that for the many drew similarities. Indeed John Puruntong was them too, even as they all wished Dely Atay-atayan wasn’t the wife’s mommy.

Perhaps it was what made Dolphy easy to like, that behind the simplicity of his comedy is the message that there is always hope in all of life’s difficulties.

In “Markova the Comfort Gay” and “Facifica Falayfay”, he convincingly gave us a glimpse of the exploitations and discriminations committed against homosexuals. Dolphy played many gay roles and though some failed to gain much in viewership, his portrayal, nonetheless, succeeded in promoting acceptance of and compassion towards sexual orientation.

Beyond his comedy, Dolphy, even only in film, was an advocate of equality. Be it Walterina in “Markova” or as Coring in “Ang tatay kong nanay”, Dolphy gave much attention to the sensitivities of homosexuals in not only depicting the challenges of gays in times past, but also in calling for open-mindedness of today’s society.

But Dolphy in real life wasn’t at all perfect, not even close, which made him human in spite of all the superlatives. His reputation of being a womanizer - and siring many children – had long been his critics’ ammunition. But his inspiring relationship with Zsa Zsa Padilla perhaps proved to be his redemption, though, sadly, marriage can’t be realized now, just when things were right and ripe for it. Life sometimes gives humor a twist.

To friends, Dolphy was a shoulder to lean on, even through the worst of times. Testimonies of those he helped make ends meet are as countless as the souls he levitated with his anonymous deeds. Perhaps it has here Dolphy was strongest, that despite his fame and stature, he chose not to make known his generosity. What humility, what character.

The king of comedy may be dead, but what he left us shall live for ages and ages. And if indeed heaven exists, God and the angels will have laughter for eternity, with Dolphy in their company providing the comedy.
Thanks for the laughs.