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
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