AQUINO LEADS NATION IN HONORING DOLPHY; FLAGS AT
HALF-STAFF
[PHOTO - PRESIDENT BENIGNO
AQUINO III]
MANILA,
JULY 12, 2012
(INQUIRER) By Michael Lim Ubac - President Benigno Aquino on
Wednesday led the nation in mourning the death of the Philippines' "King of
Comedy," Dolphy, whose greatness, he said, lay in his portrayal of the Filipino
everyman.
Dolphy—Rodolfo Vera Quizon in real life—died late Tuesday at Makati Medical
Center after three weeks of battling complications of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. He was 83.
Government officials, fellow movie and TV celebrities and common folk heaped
praise on Dolphy, who shot to fame for portraying gay roles and odd characters.
Malacañang hinted at a posthumous award for Dolphy, saying he was "deemed
nominated" for this year's Order of National Artists.
There were proposals for a national day of mourning for Dolphy and Palace
officials were discussing them as of press timeWednesday night.
"The passing of Rodolfo Quizon Sr.—our King of Comedy—is a truly sorrowful
moment for a nation that, for so long, found happiness in his work," President
Aquino said in a statement issued by Malacañang.
Common man
Dolphy, the President said, symbolized the typical Filipino who made light of
the travails of daily life.
His greatness lies in his portrayal of the common man, the President said.
"Dolphy was a good man who embodied the common Filipino: He loved deeply,
knew the value of humor, respected his fellowmen, and was always ready to face
any challenge life threw at him," the President said.
Mr. Aquino noted that Dolphy "came from a generation that went through a lot
of trials—and the struggle taught him to be humble, honest and helpful."
Dolphy "never turned his back on his peers; he never turned his back on the
people who had propelled him toward success," Mr. Aquino said.
The President, who awarded Dolphy with the Grand Collar of the Order of the
Golden Heart in 2010, said that throughout his life, "Dolphy showed that hope
and happiness always lie at the other side of adversity; he knew that any
problem can be overcome through a positive outlook."
Dolphy, Mr. Aquino said, "did not only revolutionize the entertainment
industry; he also changed our national consciousness for the better: Through his
art, he extended our world views, and gave us the ability to reflect on, value,
and find joy in the daily realities of Filipino life."
Vice President Jejomar Binay also joined the nation in mourning the passing
of Dolphy, calling the actor the "one and only King of Comedy."
Humble beginnings
In a statement, Binay described Dolphy as an "inspiration to millions of
ordinary Filipinos."
"He rose from humble beginnings to become one of the pillars not only of the
entertainment industry, but also of Philippine arts and culture," Binay said.
"In spite of his success, he remained humble and loyal to his friends and
shared his blessings with the less fortunate," Binay said.
The Vice President hailed Dolphy for bringing "joy to the hearts of the
Filipino people."
"As much as we wanted, needed and hoped for more time to spend with him, he
is now with our Creator in a place without suffering," Binay said. "It is only
fitting that we remember Dolphy for the happiness he brought to our lives."
One of Dolphy's sons, Eric Quizon, read a family statement before a huddle of
TV cameras and journalists Tuesday night, thanking millions of Filipinos for
supporting his father and asking for prayers.
"Heaven is a happier place with him there," said Quizon, who is also an
actor.
More than 200 films
Dolphy started performing on stage in the 1940s during the Japanese
occupation of the Philippines and made his final comedy flick, where he played a
priest, two years ago.
One of his biggest comedy hits was "Facifica Falayfay," where he played a gay
man. He also starred in a popular, longtime television comedy, "John en Marsha,"
where he played a man perpetually at odds with his mother-in-law.
Dolphy starred in more than 200 films in his 66-year career. Many of his
comedy flicks were produced by his own movie firm, RVQ Productions, which he set
up in the 1960s.
Dolphy had never been married, but bore children with a number of women. Some
of his children also entered the movies, with a few following in his footsteps
as a comedian.
As a young boy, he worked as a laborer, watching comedy stage shows before he
himself became immensely popular. Philippine presidential candidates had sought
his backing during elections to endear themselves to his massive following.
National artist
Former President Joseph Estrada, a former actor, said Dolphy should receive
the prestigious National Artist award.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the National Commission
for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which jointly undertakes the selection of
national artists with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), had informed
the Palace that Dolphy had been "deemed nominated" for the award. The NCCA, she
said, had already secured clearance from the Office of the Solicitor General to
proceed with the screening of nominees for the Order of the National Artists for
2012.
Nominated in 2009
In 2009, Dolphy was nominated for the award but only managed to get past the
first stage of the screening process, Valte said.
That year's nominees did not get their awards because politics tainted the
selection, prompting a challenge in the Supreme Court, which temporarily stopped
the awards.
With a new government, however, the NCCA is again free to confer the awards.
Recently, the City Council of Manila passed a resolution nominating Dolphy for
the national artist award.
Valte said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also introduced a resolution last year urging
the conferment of the national artist award on Dolphy.
House resolution
Lawmakers joined the nation in mourning the passing of the actor. Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led the House of Representatives in paying tribute to the
King of Comedy. "We condole with his family and likewise express our gratitude
and respect for his talent and gift of laughter to Filipinos of different
generations and from all walks of life," Belmonte said.
Representative Anthony Rolando Golez Jr. of Bacolod City filed a resolution
Wednesday, urging the House to pay tribute to Dolphy who, he said, made life
lighter for his audiences.
Representative Juan Edgardo Angara of Aurora province said heaven must be
rolling with laughter by now, as Dolphy has brought his act there.
"If laughter is the best medicine, Dolphy is a pharmaceutical giant," Angara
said.
Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño said Dolphy portrayed roles that
reflected love and laughter in the lives of Filipinos.
"Today we mourn and shed tears for someone who filled our lives with so much
laughter," Casiño said. "Thank you very much, Dolphy."
Flags at half-staff
In Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the Philippine flag lowered to
half-staff at all government offices and schools as a sign of mourning.
Last month, during the celebration of Araw ng Maynila, Lim conferred on
Dolphy the city's Gawad Diwa ng Lahi award for excellence in the arts. Dolphy's
son Vandolph accepted the award on his behalf. With reports
from Jerry E. Esplanada, Cynthia D. Balana, Jaymee T. Gamil, DJ Yap, Jocelyn R.
Uy, Nathaniel R. Melican and AP
FROM MANILA STANDARD
Day of mourning for Dolphy eyed By Joyce Pangco
Pañares | Posted on July 12, 2012 | 12:02am | 0 Comments
Malacañang said Wednesday it will study the proposals to declare a national
day of mourning for the late comedian Dolphy, who was born Rodolfo Vera Quizon.
[PHOTO -Tribute to the King. Friends and relatives took turns paying
tribute to Comedy King Dolphy during the wake at the Dolphy Theatre inside the
ABS-CBN building in Quezon City. DANNY PATA]
"That will have to be discussed with the President," deputy presidential
spokeswoman Abigail Valte said.
"He's already aware of several proposals to that effect. It will have to
undergo discussion."
Valte said President Benigno Aquino III also intended to visit Dolphy's wake
to pay his last respects.
She deferred to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the
Cultural Center of the Philippines in so far as the proposals to confer the
National Artist Award on Dolphy was concerned.
She said the NCCA and the CCP would definitely take into consideration the
strong clamor to have the award conferred on him.
"They don't live under a rock. They know all these statements of support,"
Valte said.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Sorsogon Bishop
Arturo Bastes, and Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles sent their condolences.
"We thank God for the gift of Dolphy…" Lagdameo said.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, The House of Representatives, Senators Manuel
Villar, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Aquilino Pimentel III, Pia Cayetano, Loren
Legarda, Bong Revilla, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno,
Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Las Piñas Mayor Vergel Aguilar, and former actress
and now Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla also sent their condolences.
"Dolphy rose from humble beginnings to become one of the pillars not only of
the entertainment industry but also of Philippine arts and culture," Binay said.
"I join the whole country in mourning his passing," Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte said.
"It will take generations before the could be another Dolphy," Quezon Rep.
Danilo Suarez said.
"He was loved by many not only because he could make people laugh but because
he connected with them as a person." Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said.
Dolphy as a national artist must never be considered a debatable issue,"
Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said.
Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone filed House Bill 6392 declaring July 10 as
Dolphying Day, and Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said Dolphy was an
outstanding comedian and entertainer. With Vito Barcelo,
Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Ferdinand
Fabella
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved
PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet
This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.
To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/
(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phno/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
phno-digest@yahoogroups.com
phno-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
PH Headline News Online. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved