Dolphy's lifetime of music & laughter

The jurors gave Dolphy two acting awards at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival. He was named Best Actor for Father Jejemon and Best Supporting Actor for Rosario. Before that he was conferred the Order Of the Golden Heart (Rank of Grand Collar) by President Aquino. Maybe getting proclaimed a National Artist is not too far off.

All very nice. But I still think that the man deserves more. In the 66 years that he has been in the entertainment business, Dolphy has proven many times over what a great actor he is. Think John, the much-put upon Everyman of the John & Marsha TV series. Remember the gay beautician of Lino Brocka’s Ang Tatay Kong Nanay. He is one of the greatest actors in the history of Philippine movies.

Take note, he is not only an actor. The King of Comedy is a total entertainer. He also recently released an album made up of his most memorable and favorite songs. In case you do not think he can do this, please allow me to remind you that Dolphy is also a singer and dancer. Tap dancing in vaudeville was how he started his career.

Dolphy has since done a lot of singing and dancing on stage, the movies and television. Also I remember him tap dancing solo in many films from Sampaguita Pictures. I delighted in those duets of translations from Tagalog to English of popular songs that he did with his partner Panchito in the comedy series Buhay Artista.

It was just too bad that the recording phase did not come early enough for Dolphy. It was said that only those who could not be movie stars thought of recording in those old days. And when somebody brought up the idea later on, Dolphy had already become such a big star in the movies and television, there was really no time left for him to do recordings.

There was one actually, an album titled The Best Of Dolphy And Panchito that I came across when it was reissued by Alpha Music on CD some years ago. I do not recall though if it was really a recording or made up of soundtracks from Dophy’s TV appearances. Given that I think we should herald the arrival of Handog ni Pidol, A Lifetime Of Music and Laughter, his very first album ever.

Now 82, Dolphy, the singer is not likely to win singing contests anymore. But the Rat Pack swagger and cool approach to material so characteristic of the man remain. These coupled with the well-chosen songs make the CD a great treat. Here is the music he likes and that we can all associate with his career.

He did dance to the perky Tequila. I watched him sing and dance to The Way You Look Tonight. You’re Just In Love (I Wonder Why) is a duet with his daughter Zia Quizon, who has the makings of a future diva. You Make Me Feel So Young is a duet with his love partner Zsa Zsa Padilla. Zsa Zsa sings If in the CD which I find so apt. How indeed do you paint the likes of Dolphy? May Sakit Ang Tao Sa Ilalim Ng Kubo, a duet with Mar Lopez is a round novelty song. His son Vandolph joins him in a medley of Sitsiritsit and Ang Pipit. And to cap the line-up there are What A Wonderful World and Florante’s Handog. The latter has become known as the Filipino entertainers’ tribute to their fans.

Handog ni Pidol is a sweet album. I also like the cover art and the wonderful pictures of Dolphy’s assorted faces. I have two complaints though. One of those translation numbers would have been nice. But then Dolphy only did those with Panchito. The other one is that the CD does not include Baby, It’s Cold Outside. I had lately been listening to various versions of the song and I can’t get out of my head the idea that it would have made a great duet for Dolphy and Zsa Zsa.

Anthony Castelo stars in Songs of Love and Peace 2011. The popular balladeer performs his hits in Songs of Love and Peace 2011 at the Teatrino in the Greenhills Promenade on Jan. 15 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at P2,800 and P1,500 for the fundraising concert which will benefit the Dakilang Lahi Foundation. Anthony is set to do songs like Balatkayo, Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig, Maghihintay Sa ‘yo, Ibig Kong Ibigin Ka, Kaibigan and others. For details, call 722-4501 or 0915-7736601.