Adelaida Marquez Fernando-Villegas a.k.a Dely Atay Atayan

Remembering her as Dona Delilah from the famous TV sitcom John en Marsha as John Puruntong’s (Dolphy) wealthy and disapproving mother in law, who always had a famous nagging line “Kaya ikaw John, Magsumikap ka”  in the sitcoms’ episodes.

Adelaida Marquez Fernando-Villegas also remember in her screen name Dely Atay Atayan was born March 17, 1914 in Tondo, Manila. She is a true blood artist from her father Amado Fernando, who is a known painter and composer. And also her mom, who is also a popular singer, Carmen Marquez. Her younger brother is the prominent director and comedian, Ading Fernando who also happen to be the director of John en Marsha.

She enter show business as a Kundiman singer at the Palace Theater in Manila after she had completed her second year in high school. For 4 years she was billed as the “Queen of Laughs" by her colleagues in vaudeville. Her vaudeville troupe travel in different places to share their outstanding performance to their audience.

She also become a radio comedian in programs like Tangtarang-Tang. Performing with Pugak, Lopito and Doro de los Ojos, she put up the comedic quartet “Ancient Fox”. In 1940 she made her debut in Philippine cinema in “Lakambini”, a romantic-drama film with her husband, comedian Andoy Balunbalunan (Alejandro Villegas) and also with the film Libingang Bakal.

Her first performance under Cervatina Filipina Corp. entitled “Muse” and in Sampaguita pictures “Recollection”. She also made movie under LVN Pictures before she eventually become one of the stars in Premiere Production.

She is also a singer and had a duet with her husband Andoy in 1952 entitled “Chicken Song”. After the World War II, she continuously perform in comedy skits under Lou Salvador Sr. at Life Theater in Quiapo, Manila and Manila Grand Opera House in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Coping up with the loss of her only son and husband Andoy and how she deals with her life.

She was given a chance to feel in love again with another man (Catalino Ong) and later on they got married.

For 54 years she made more than 300 films in Philippine cinema. Achieving the popularity as a comedienne to 2 most popular TV sitcom John en Marsha and Iskul Bukol. For 17 year of John en Marsha on TV, she portrayed as John Puruntong’s (Dolphy) wealthy mother in law. It shows a typical archetype figure of mother in law in Filipino Culture. In Iskul Bukol she plays as Vic Sotto’s mother from Tiaong, Quezon, whose famous term of endearment to the latter as “Bunsoy”. Both TV sitcoms made such a great distinction on her television career. 

She retire in mid ‘90s. She became sick for several time, in 1997 she was hospitalize for pneumonia and the year later for high blood pressure. At 85 she was diagnosed with gallstones but doctors refuse on operating her due to age reason.

Dely daughter Amore is the ex-wife of Manuel Quizon who happens to be Dolphy’s son. Boy 2 Quizon also a known comedian and actor is the grandson of Dely and Dolphy. She lives with the Quizon family since 2002 in BF Homes, Paranaque.

In 2002 interview she says “I’m weak because I’m already tired, but I feel okay”. During that interview she was just lying and could no longer walk. She sits up just to give us another chance of seeing her as our loving mother in law Dely.

Her death was accepted with a light heart by her family because she didn’t suffer to any major complications and they knew she made a true success in her life as an actress and a person. She left a lot of true artist in line through her granddaughters and grandsons.

Rodolfo Vera-Quizon A.K.A. Dolphy, Comedy King of Philippine Cinema

Dolphy or Rodolfo Vera-Quizon, who would not know these name. In every household, from the time of our grandfather to the generation of our kids. If we are talking about laughter and comedy, the first name that will pop in our mind is the King of Comedy “Dolphy”. Rodolfo Vera-Quizon Jr. was born on July 25, 1928 in Tondo, Manila. He was second from the 10 children of Melencio Quizon, who is a ship mechanic and Salud Vera-Quizon, who is a tailor. During his younger years, he dreamt of being part of the US Navy. But as of that time he does different odd jobs like calesa driver, porter, factory worker and a shoeshine boy. During World War II, the skinny peanut and watermelon seed vendor while watching shows from Avenue and Life theater was fascinated by the vaudeville actors and actresses that led him to have a career in vaudeville. He started as a chorus boy in a revue along with stars during that time Fernando Poe Sr., Bayani Casimiro Sr., Benny Mack and the comedians Pugo and Tugo. During that time it’s not an easy time for all theater actors and actresses especially when there’s an air raid, where they have to take cover for their safety and stop performing for a while until everything calm down and no bomb fall from the sky and they will resume their performance.

Name such as Dolphy, Golay, and Pidol are his known screen names from theater to big screen. He was also given a break in DZMM through Conde Ubaldo. And the comedy duo of Philippine radio Dolphy and Panchito was born. Dolphy’s career lasted six memorable decades to all Filipinos. Making a mark in the vaudeville stage, radio, movies and television. And as he says he will not reach what he was today if not from a lot of people who help him out through his journey in his career. Such as Fernando Poe Sr., who gave him his first break on stage. From radio is was Conde Ubaldo who introduce him to radio world. While Pancho Magalona who introduce him to Dr. Jose Vera-Perez of Sampaguita Film. Then after two years he was given a break to become a star in gay film of Jack and Jill by Mars Ravelo. And a lot of several lead roles followed through his entire career. And as his contract with Sampaguita Films expired, he was left jobless and it was Kapitan Geny Lopez who got him to television.

He gave his trust to television industry at 36 and gambled his career life not very much interested in money but what matter most is his interest to come out on TV. As his first project and top rater “Buhay Artista make a hit for eight years. The cast consists of his colleagues from vaudeville stage (Teroy de Guzman, Babalu and Bayani Casimiro Sr.) and radio Panchito Alba and writer-director Ading Fernando, who become his collaborator on television until the latter’s death. As what Dolphy says comedy is the hardest role to portray and you need a great team to play their part to make a good laughter to your audience. Martial law was declared in 1972 and Abs-Cbn was forced to shut down and that includes to take the project off. He put his own company, the RVQ Productions whose first movie is the top rater in television “Buhay Artista”. And another film that make in box office hit is his film Pacifica Falayfay, That he produced and also the lead star of the said film. In 1973, Dolphy’s TV career moved to RPN 9 where John en Marsha sitcom was born under the late Ading Fernando’s creations. His role made a trademark to all Filipino lives.

It creates a realization about how Filipino family become one especially in the hardest moment our life. How a poor guy Dolphy who plays the role of John cope up with his rich mother in law (Dely Atay-atayan) that even being put down for a lot of times because of being poor and was married to the latter’s only daughter played by Nida Blanca as Marsha. But because of their love to each other and their children nothing could break the bond between them. It is the longest straight year record in Philippine television that outlast the Marcos era.

 A lot of film followed up and gave a chance for new actors and actresses to be launched on their career. Like Maricel Soriano, who played Shirley the daughter of John en Marsha. Films such as “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay” with child wonder Nino Muhlach, he plays as a gay surrogate parent. He was nominated as Best actor but came second from his friend Fernando Poe Jr. in “Durugin si Totoy Bato”. His love life is never been a secret. He falls in love and had domestic partners 5 times but never married anyone. But a great dad to all his 18 children, he provides them even to their adult life. But his sixth domestic partner, his greatest love Zsa Zsa was his devoted partner for 22 years and the only woman he plans on marrying but was not given a chance due to the full decade process for Zsa Zsa’s petition for annulment with his former husband Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari. His love for Zsa Zsa conquers everything even from the outrage of public for their relationship. That caused the cancellation of the TV sitcom and the adoration of masses didn’t break their love to each other that they have to exile to US for 2 years.

Their great come back after 2 years was also the reestablishing period for ABS-CBN after the Lopezes regain the network through the Edsa revolution in 1986. ABS-CBN gambled on him and launching two days before Christmas “Home Along da Riles” hoping that the public already forgive and forget what happen from the past. And it proved an astounding YES to Filipino people. The new sitcom ran for 11 years and his career was back on track. No one can follow the footsteps that Dolphy made for his career life. Several other sitcom was launched and with moderate success didn’t last so much in television such as Quizon Avenue, a comedy sketch with his sons; Eric, Jeffrey and Vandolph. Also the John en Shirley a spin off from John en Marsha; with Maricel Soriano and Susan Roces. His film career shoot up for his dramatic gay role “Marcova: Comfort Gay”, it is about the life of a gay prostitute who claimed that he was used by Japanese soldiers during World War II. Dolphy portrayed the old Marcova while his two sons Jeffrey and Erick played the character in his teenage and adult life. This film earned Dolphy and the two younger Quizons the Prix de la Meilleure Interpretation acting award at the Brussels International Film Festival that same year.

 His last taste of box-office success was when he teamed up with Vic Sotto in “Dobol Trobol”. He waited for three years and despite for his love to ABS-CBN he needs to move on. And even he felt about it he signed to TV5 that shock the TV network. He works along with his sons and be directed by Eric. He was given a chance played as a narrator to TV5’s first film venture about the life of Pangilinan’s grandmother “Rosario”, the role won him the best supporting actor at 36 And with a bonus for his best actor trophy for his other MMFF entry, “Father Jejemon” and also his last entry in his long filmography. rd On his 83 November 2010 he was bestowed the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart, the highest honor given to private citizen by President Noynoy Aquino. His peers believe that he is no ordinary person and they believe that he deserves to be a National artist. And was nominated twice for National artist during the term of President Arroyo. Bestowal of the award build up in months and weeks leading up to his death. As Jose Javier Reyes says, Dolphy is more than a National Artist appointed by a committee and anointed by a Palace, “he is the man who made us laugh is a national treasure and that no simple decision of men or laws can make some as priceless.”

 When he became sick and was diagnosed in 2009 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and his stay for 31 days in intensive care unit. He was admitted last June 16, 2012 at Makati Medical Center after his complaint for breath shortness, after 8 days he shows a positive signs. But later was hospitalized again in early July because of recurring pneumonia. July 10, 2012 His son Erick made the announcement and confirmation on TV that Dolphy passed away at 8:34pm, Tuesday at Makati Medical Center due to complications from pneumonia. And as his son says

that Dolphy meets our creator and that heaven will now be a happier place. Filipino people mourn and weep worldwide and was totally affected by his death. And no one in all walks of life can say that their life had not affected even once by Dolphy. Because every time we smile and laugh one name do cross in our mind and his name is DOLPHY. We thank you for the laughter and joy. And I’m personally thankful that I live my life seeing one of the great sitcom if not the greatest. We will not say goodbye but thank you. birthday he was given a two hour special “Talentadong Pidol” by TV5. To honor Dolphy for his contributions in Philippine showbiz industry, President Aquino declared July 13, 2012 as “National Day of Remembrance”. And a monument was constructed along Roxas Boulevard in front of Museo Pambata near the US Embassy honoring the late comedy king Dolphy.