ShareThisTop comedian Dolphy is not joking. His admission that he has a weak heart is not a laughing matter.
But despite his being sickly, aside from his age of 83, Dolphy continues to work to be able to give what his fans for long years want.
Dolphy
As in the past, he joined this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival with his own production outfit’s entry, “Father Jejemon.” It is said that the film festival will not be complete without his entry.
And whatever he does, his long-time partner, the singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, remains at his side.
Zsa Zsa’s to Dolphy is laudable. She was there when Dolphy launched his first album with PolyEast Records and was at the presscon of his filmfest entry, “Fr. Jejemon.”
“Hindi kami pinalad sa gusto naming pagpapakasal but I think our relationship for the past 21 years is better than some of those who had a wedding but didn’t last,” she was quoted as saying by top columnist Mario Bautista.
Zsa Zsa is glad that her daughter Karylle also has an entry in the filmfest, “Dalaw,” where she plays villain to Kris Aquino.
“Yeah, why not?”
“Yung sakit ko, medyo… kumbaga sa kuwan eh mahirap gumaling. Mahina ang lungs ko…ilang beses na kong na-pneumonia. Muntik na ko no’n. Pumapasok ako no’n [sa] ‘John and Shirley,’ ‘di ba may dala-dala kong oxygen dun, o,” Dolphy said.
Dolphy, whose real name is Rodolfo V. Quizon, admitted his failing health in his one-on-one interview with top ABS-CBN television host Korina Sanchez on “TV Patrol,” last December 9.
The Comedy King admitted he has contracted pneumonia thrice and during the last few weeks, he was rushed to the hospital twice.
Even at the press conference for his movie, “Father Jejemon,” an entry of RVQ Productions to the Metro Manila Film Festival, Dolphy admitted that he is undergoing oxygen therapy.
Even his son Epi Quizon had disclosed that Dolphy’s doctor had advised him to avoid going to the malls and other crowded areas for health reasons.
Dolphy has been receiving awards one after the other despite his age, one of which was a Presidential Merit Award from President Aquino in ceremonies in Malacanang.
During that event, he even joked that the award was better than the “National Arthritis Award,” a referral to the National Artist award which he has not won.
Lately, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 12th Cinemanila Film Festival.
Dolphy, whose movies have topped the box office, says he does not expect a box office this time for his latest movie, “Father Jejemon.”
What is important is that the viewers are happy, he said.
“Kahit ‘di na tumabo, basta kumita lang okay lang, masiyahan lang ang tao okay na. Okay na. It could be my last [movie], no?” the Comedy King said.
Dolphy appears for the first time as a priest in “Father Jejemon.”
Is this his last movie?
“Hindi naman,” he said.
He said he is concerned about his family.
In fact, his wish for himself this Christmas is to have more time for his family, he said.
Having accomplished what are to be accomplished in life, Dolphy jokingly said he was ready to go.
“Ako, hinihiling ko, hindi para sa ‘kin na eh. Always for my kids and ZsaZsa and our kids, mga apo ko. Ako, ready na ko sa Kanya. Sa Kanya, ako, ang pinagdadasal ko madalas yung sarili ko bigyan lang ako ng konting lakas pa para medyo tumagal pa ko dito sa piling nila, ‘di ba?” the Comedy King said.
Asked how he wants people to remember him, Dolphy answered, “Kamukha nga nung [kanta sa] album ko, ‘Handog,’ yung kay Florante. Napakagandang kanta, eh. Akmang-akma sa mga artista.”
He then proceeded to sing the song’s chorus, with slight modifications in the lyrics: “Tatanda at lilipas din ako / ngunit mayrong tawanang / iniwanan sa inyong alaala / dahil minsan / tayo’y nagkasama.”
“Ako, hindi ko masasabing mamamatay na ko. Kaya sinasabi ko, kanya-kanya tayong oras ng pagdating do’n. So huwag niyo kong apurahin, darating tayo dun,” the Comedy King said in jest.