No one like Dolphy

Our first recollections of Dolphy are short and fleeting but, nonetheless, memorable. We remember catching him often having merienda with friends at Hizon’s in Malate and although we had yet to meet him, we were already anxious for answers to the whys, the hows and the what-ifs. While reading his book, an autobiography titled Dolphy: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa, we found the many answers we were seeking, our tears free-falling. Then, we realized it was because it was him talking, directly to his readers, sharing his ups and downs, his sorrows and his joys, baring his soul to all, confident that he would be imparting important lessons to everyone. What a humbling and generous gesture, we thought.

When we visited him at his home in Marina Bay for an interview, we found a comfortable lived-in residence, certainly not a showcase home of a super artista. It had the usual family pictures of him and Zsa Zsa Padilla, his partner of two decades, his children, some travel photos, a den, a kitchen and a small garden which had a fountain they had forgotten to repair. In our short conversation, we gathered that he didn’t mince words. Dolphy told you what he felt, calling a spade a spade. Yet he would always give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Dolphy had strong opinions about many matters that he wasn’t afraid to voice out. We asked him about loyalty in show business. He answered, “In this business, hindi uso ang loyalty. Loyalty should be there if the other party is also loyal to you, (it’s) a two-way street.” On the topic of politics, we felt his ears turning red. “So dirty. Sabi nila madumi ang mag-artista. Mas marumi ang politics.” Dolphy repeated this over and over again. We told him he would win easily. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” he replied.

Dolphy was Zsa Zsa Padilla’s partner for two decades (left). Dolphy and Claudine Barretto in Home Along Da Riles (right). File

Dolphy had set many records in the industry. He popularized the gay character, the most popular being Facifica Falayfay. He popularized the puruntong his father wore at home until puruntong became a national wardrobe. Dolphy set many other records — John en Marsha with Nida Blanca that lasted 17 years on TV and Home Along Da Riles that lasted 14 years.

We asked what were his biggest trials in life to which he quickly responded that it was when there was a virtual ban on him and Zsa Zsa, forcing them to leave abroad. Then ABS-CBN called for a project, a remake of Home Along Da Riles which Dolphy accepted and which got an 81 percent audience rating, the highest in his career.

Even today, years after Dolphy’s demise, he is still missed by all who have known and loved him. We recall he had started a fantaserye with ABS-CBN titled Utoy which told of the friendship between a toy (Makisig Morales) brought to life by the fairies. How appropriate, we thought, for Dolphy’s life was a fantaserye where there was no bida and kontrabida, and only those who understood one another.

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