A truly ‘Merry Christmas’ for Dolphy fans

The most successful showbiz personalities are fans by heart. Mother Lily confesses to idolizing the late Nida Blanca. Tita Angge is a die-hard Susan Roces fan. My editor Ricky Lo is a fan of the Beatles while my soul sister Kris Aquino idolized Sharon Cuneta as a young girl, while all sea urchins in this country, dead or alive know that I am a fan of Nora Aunor.

I have a friend who is a die-hard fan of Comedy King Dolphy. And who could blame him? Mang Dolphy for 52 years has consistently entertained audiences with his brand of comedy. My friend watched every single episode of John en Marsha when he was growing up and would at times mindlessly say that his family name was Puruntong to the chagrin of his parents. And now, even if he is an executive of a multi-national company and has his own corner office in a high-rise building in Makati, he still makes it a point to watch Dolphy as Kevin Cosme in Home Along Da Riles.

One time, he saw Mang Dolphy in person. He relates, "Dolphy just watched a movie with his children in Glorietta. There he was, hanging out with them and I was so entranced by his presence. I couldn’t move! Nawalan ako ng hininga! I mean, in my over 30 years of living (my friend loves to lie about his age), I just saw him for the first time in person! So I couldn’t help myself! I followed him to Starbucks, where they got coffee and I was just outside waiting for the right opportunity to ask for an autograph! I must have looked like a harmless stalker!

"I don’t know but he suddenly noticed me," my friend continues. "I approached him to ask for his autograph. He gamely gave me one!" But seizing this golden opportunity, my friend whipped out his cell phone which had a camera and asked Mang Dolphy if he could have a photo with him. The Comedy King politely posed with my friend.

But that wasn’t enough for him! He had to ask him one question. "Mang Dolphy, bakit po hindi niyo inaahit ang bigote niyo?" Dolphy answered, "Actually hijo, tinatamad na ako ahitin eh kaya pinapatubo ko lang siya. Baka masugatan pa ako!"

My friend managed to mumble a quick "thank you."

"Ay naku ‘day! I don’t even care if everyone in Starbucks stared at me and thought I was a wacko! Wala akong pakialam! Feeling ko I was Miss Turkey just crowned Miss World!"

Well my friend would be so happy to know that Mang Dolphy has an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival Home Along Da Riber which also stars Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jolina Magdangal, Vandolph and James Blanco. The movie is expectedly a family film. Dolphy plays a man wrongfully convicted of a heinous crime and is jailed. He is set free eventually but he has to gain back the trust of his family. Home Along Da Riber is directed by Dolphy’s son Eric Quizon.

Knowiing my friend, he would be inside a theater on Dec. 25 when the movie opens. And that to him is a truly merry Christmas!

Also a ‘fan’

Another "fan" is Manolet Garcia, an architect and professional lecturer at St. Benilde’s School of Design and Arts, but his passion for entertainment got the better of him as he is now going into full swing into producing quality live entertainment.

"My life has always been architectural blueprints and of course, my students, but I’ve always been a fan of local theater and concerts." says Manolet. In fact, one time, he introduced himself to Anna Fegi as a fan. Anna referred him to her agent Bibsy Carballo and a deal was made where Manolet would act as producer of Anna’s concert.

As producer, Manolet enriched himself with experience at Garibaldi Productions. Last year, he went solo with his own production outfit Entertainment Agenda and since then produced three shows: Lani Misalucha: Nightingale Sings at the CCP Main Theater, Symphony of Summer in Kalibo and Boracay and Voices: Perfect Acoustic Concert at the Philam Life theater.

Tonight, Manolet is producing and directing A Christmas Zong, a free outdoor symphonic concert that also marks the opening of Zong Specialty Chinese Restaurant at the Fort. The concert features Anna Fegi, tenor Ramon Aycomo, upcoming singer Mish Ballesca and the Hiraya’s Men Chorus with the UST Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Professor Herminigildo Ranera with the Legato Strings.

For 2003, Manolet produces and directs a classical dinner concert on board the Superstar Leo of the Star Cruise family featuring pianist Raul Sunico and Anna Fegi titled The Voice, The Piano and The Sea. He will also direct Anna Fegi’s solo concert at the Hard Rock Cafe on Jan. 25 with the Side A as guest. The show is billed Anna Fegi: This is the Moment.

"Look out for Enterteinment Agenda in 2003 as we will be coming up with more quality shows!" declares Manolet.