Kapamilya network honors Dolphy

"Mang Dolphy is more than just a comedian. He exemplified in many ways the best in Filipino."

Thus spoke ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez at the arrival honors for the late Comedy King Dolphy Quizon at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theatre on Wednesday, July 11.

The place was abloom with white flowers and Dolphy’s photos – especially vintage ones when he was many years younger – adorned the entrance to Dolphy Theatre and the stage itself.

President Noynoy Aquino’s giant spray of white flowers stood beside Dolphy’s bronze casket.

A red carpet served as fitting welcome to the Comedy King, who worked for the Kapamilya network for more than 40 years.  His first ABS-CBN show was the highly-popular "Buhay Artista" in the `60s. The younger generation knows Dolphy best as Kevin Cosme in the sitcom "Home Along da Riles."

Original crime stopper

"If people today marvel at how time stands still when (Manny) Pacquiao has a fight, "Buhay Artista" was the original traffic crime stopper as the whole nation stopped and watched Dolphy and Panchito, and ever since that show, Mang Dolphy has been part of the public limelight," Gabby Lopez said.

He added that the Comedy King was “an extraordinary person who became a symbol for the ordinary Filipino.”

“He is an inspiration to all of us in the broadcast business with his humility his talent and above all his ability to constantly reinvent himself to live and fight another day. Paalam Mang Dolphy, to all of us here at ABS-CBN, you will always be a kapamilya,” Lopez went on.

The Comedy King’s remains was transferred from Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig to  Dolphy Theatre, where a necrological Mass will be held at 6:30 pm on July 11.

Dolphy's son Epi Quizon, Kapamilya stars Vhong Navarro, Ryan Bang, Jhong Hilario, Gio Alvarez and Isabel Granada and ABS-CBN executives Cory Vidanes, Deo Endrinal and Johnny Manahan were present at the tribute to the Comedy King.

People’s tributes for the Comedy King

After fellow celebrities expressed their mourning over the death of Dolphy, his fans have come forward to show their love for him.


Synonymous to comedy


One Yahoo! Philippines user suggested that “the name Dolphy should be made a synonym of the word comedy.”

“Guys, why don't we ask the Oxford English Dictionary to make this revolutionary change, as a fitting tribute to the man who exemplified the best in Philippine comedy? If Oxford is not convinced, let them watch ‘Kalabog and Bosyo’ with Dolphy and Panchito, and they will surely agree,” Yahoo! User Marlo said.
He added, “To you, Dolphy, your legacy as the king of Philippine comedy will always live in the hearts of Filipinos from all walks of life.”

“He's a simple man but had a big heart to the people.  He had shown he's extra- ordinary talent to the whole world. As I remember ‘Home Along Da Riles,’ I always remember Mang Dolphy and it will be forever. He would stick on my mind until to my siblings. To the family of Mang Pidol my deepest sympathy,” Yahoo! User be happy said.

A generous man

Others went on to relate instances where they met Dolphy in public and experienced first hand how accommodating he was to fans.

“I'm lucky I had a chance to say ‘hello’ to you while we were at Rockwell mall and you were passing by and I’m so happy you replied back, you are indeed a very kind and humble king of Philippine cinema. Until we meet again Tito Dolphy. Eternal peace be with you now. God bless you,” one Yahoo! user said.

Gailey shared: “I feel so sad... I am not from Manila but I will always remember the day I saw Mang Dolphy in one of the best restaurants in Ongpin. Not only did the Comedy King give us a surprise but he went up to our table and jokingly said, ‘Anong ulam nyo?’ We all laughed!!! He is so refreshing and soooo nice. HE FILLED OUR HEARTS WITH JOY.”

Of course, the veracity of these stories cannot be confirmed. But these vignettes about the Comedy King proves, at the very least, that Filipinos see Dolphy as warm and hospitable despite his revered stature in the industry.

Awesome childhood

A number of fans also took to the Internet to express how much they value Dolphy’s brand of comedy.

“Before Tito, Vic, and Joey, Jose and Wally, Kimmy and Dora, Mara and Clara, There was Dolphy and Panchito,” Twitter user steventhegreat said.

“If you know ‘Home Along Da Riles’ and the comedy King of the Philippines Tito Dolphy, your childhood was awesome,” zeldaxilove64 posted.

“Isa kang Haligi ng Industriya. Hindi lamang sa Sining kung hindi pati sa pagmamahal ng puso mo. Malaking kawalan ka sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ikaw na nagbibigay gabay ang dapat na tinutularan ng kapwa natin Pinoy. Saludo ako sa'yo Mang Dolphy!” Yahoo! user arn said.

But one fan said it best: “If laughter is the best medicine, then Mang Dolphy had been curing Filipinos for decades.”

The memorial service for Dolphy is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City from July 12 to 14.