Family and friends remember Dolphy

MANILA, Philippines – The day that followed comedy king Dolphy’s death on July 10 at 8:34pm came and went in a blur. 

As soon as the news was confirmed, fans began flocking to Makati Medical Center, to find out firsthand what was going to happen next to the king of comedy. How was his family? Where is he going? They all wanted to know.

From Makati Medical Center, Dolphy’s body was taken to Heritage Park in Taguig City. He stayed there until around 11am of July 11, after which his body was taken to his home in Marina Bay in Paranaque.

From there, they proceeded to ABS-CBN in Quezon City. The station’s Dolphy Theater was prepared to welcome its namesake for an afternoon and evening of necrological services.

Public viewing was allowed from 9pm to 2am (July 12). According to ANC, an estimated 2,000 fans came to say goodbye to Dolphy.

Two sons and their promises

TV Patrol anchor Korina Sanchez interviewed Eric and Vandolph Quizon in the July 11 airing of the news program. 

Although grieving, the two Quizon sons remember their father with fondness and much love.

“The most important thing is that all of us had a moment with him. He would tell us that he wanted to go home, that he was tired. He reminded us that family is all we have in this world,” said Vandolph, Dolphy’s son with actress Alma Moreno.

Asked if the family was at Dolphy’s bedside during his time of death, Eric — one of Dolphy’s 4 sons with Pamela Ponti — said, “Most of us were there. I was not because I was working.”

He continued, “My dad wanted us to be together. He waited for all my siblings to come. When we asked for prayers for the first time, we thought we were going to lose him. He improved; it was a miracle. He was smiling, he was saying, ‘I love you.’

We found out that he was sick (with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) 5 years ago. Just seeing him through all of his ordeals with health, he prepared us for the inevitable.

We all promised that we’ll be one for him. He wanted our family to be solid, no ‘half-siblings’ — a complete, real, unified family.”

Vandolph said he gave his father this promise: “That I’ll be a good brother to my siblings and a good father to my kids.”

Friends remember

Manila Mayor Fred Lim was already friends with Dolphy when the former was still a Junior Police. When asked for his message to the king of comedy, he said, “Dude, make the angels there laugh.” 

Vhong Navarro, who saw Dolphy as a father-figure, said Dolphy’s best advice to him was, “Laughter is contagious. Laugh your problems away.”

Other celebrities who were spotted at the Dolphy Theater are Gio Alvarez, Isabel Granada, Rowell and Randy Santiago, Kitkat, Yachang, Maricel Soriano, Nova Villa, Archie Alemania, Ces Quesada, Piolo Pascual, Brod Pete, Bobot Mortiz and Gloria Diaz.

Ted Failon, Toni Gonzaga and Kris Aquino hosted the program.

Flags on half mast

Flags in the City of Manila are on half mast in honor of Dolphy’s demise. He was born in Herrera Street, Tondo, Manila on July 25, 1928. – Rappler.com

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