Dolphy deserves 'National Artist' award

CEBU, Philippines - A board member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts on Thursday said he believes comedy king Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon is worthy to be named as a National Artist.

In a television interview, Rep. Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon, NCCA commissioner, said a nomination of Dolphy as a National Artist and the subsequent approval of the NCCA are needed to award the 83-year-old comedian of the recognition.

“I, for one, would fully support him [as a National Artist]. He deserves it,” Escudero said.

The NCCA has 15 board members, three of whom came from the private sector.

According to the NCCA’s guidelines, the Order of National Artists recognition is given to Filipino individuals who have “made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts; namely, Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film and Broadcast Arts, and Architecture and Allied Arts.”

Escudero said after the nomination, the NCCA board members may opt to expedite the grant of recognition to Dolphy, who is in critical condition at the Makati Medical Center, especially because they are “racing against time.”

“He (Dolphy) is an outstanding actor; nagpapatawa, nagpapasaya ng tao,” Escudero said.

Senator Pia Cayetano and Senator Gregorio Honasan II have likewise called for the conferment of the National Artist Award to The Comedy King.  (FREEMAN)