Dolphy in 'a very critical state', says son Eric during a press conference

CEBU, Philippines - Wednesday 6:40PM, Dolphy’s son Eric Quizon read a statement and said his father’s latest diagnosis is ‘toxic metabolic encepalopathy.’

Eric appealed for understanding and his asking for prayers for his father’s recovery. “Dad is critical at the moment. We need your prayers.”

Dolphy is reportedly in a critical condition after his hemoglobin level went down. Earlier, Quizon said that Dolphy is in need of B+ blood and that the actor has kidney complications. Blood transfusion was done after members of the family donated blood.

The King of Comedy, who will turn 84 on July 25, was brought to Makati Medical Center last June 9 due to dyspnea or difficulty of breathing. Eric said, “he himself requested to be brought to the hospital because he had difficulty breathing.”

Dolphy is said to have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) and has survived 10 episodes of pneumonia. Eric said, “He has had 10 pneumonia since his last birthday. I don’t know anyone who has survived 10 pneumonia. He is a fighter.”

After news broke of Dolphy’s critical condition, Twitter has been abuzz with prayers and well-wishes for the actor.

Last Monday, Eric said that his father was finally off his ventilator machine and was only dependent on an oxygen tank.

Tuesday, he said Dolphy was able to breathe on his own for 6 hours before he again had difficulty breathing.

Quizon said: “When I talked to him, last Tuesday, I said ‘Hi dad, how are you?’ and he answered, ‘I’m still alive. I’m feeling OK.’

As of presstime, Quizon said that Dolphy is “groggy, is in and out of consciousness but he responds when we talk to him. He raises his eyebrows or his hand. Even though hindi siya nakakapagsalita, we know he is holding on and still fighting.”

When asked how the family, especially his longtime partner Zsa Zsa Padilla, is handling the situation, Eric said, “We’re all emotional and vulnerable... Our family will accept whatever ang ipagkakaloob sa kanya.”