It saddens me that the outpouring of grief and avalanche of tributes for the late Rodolfo “Dolphy” Vera Quizon Sr. only center on his valuable contributions to the arts, especially, in the sphere of comedy-drama where—thanks to his outstanding roster of works on stage, radio, television and the movies—he reigned supreme.
This is because I choose to best remember Dolphy in a different light. For me, his most memorable line is not those naughty and hilarious punch lines that he delivered in “Dolfinger,” “Dr. Yes,” “Buhay Artista,” “Facifica Falayfay,” “John En Marsha,” “Ang Tatay Kung Nanay,” “Darna Kuno,” “Home Along Da Riles,” “Markova,” and “Atorni Agaton.” Rather, it was his honest assessment of himself in an interview where he explained why he wouldn’t join any political race. He said, “Walang problema sa pagtakbo. Ang problema e ano ang magagawa ko kung manalo!” (I have no problem with running, the problem is what I would do should I win!)
Doubtless, Dolphy was a sure winner had he run for Senate. As a winner, he would have been guaranteed P200 million in pork barrel every year. A senior citizen then and with that money, he would not have had to break his back shooting movies, taping television shows, and doing lengthy commercials, all of which took a heavy toll on his frail health.
Yet in the face of relentless political pressure from opportunists egging him to run for Senate, the man held to his dignity. Dolphy would politely decline and humbly declare that he did not have the all-important education and training needed to make him a competent and distinguished legislator. While he believed that he could make some contributions, he was nevertheless sure that there were others less popular but more deserving than him to be in Congress—people with the wisdom, better judgment and experience to craft laws and policies needed for nation-building.
I therefore pray that more than his magical ability to bring sunshine and laughter even during our darkest of days, we should also pay homage to Dolphy for his great sense of selflessness and self-restraint, which I consider acts of patriotism in their purest form.
Alas, it is ironic that it would be this watermelon-seed-vendor-turned greatest-comedian-of-all-time who will teach us valuable lessons on self-respect and self-sacrifice. For his love of country and for his priceless legacy of self-sacrifice, Dolphy, both in the world within and outside show biz, is truly sui generis or a class of his own.
And so, to my “Idol Pidol,” a remarkable artist, a staunch nationalist and a true hero of our time, may the Almighty God grant you eternal peace.
(P.S.: And if I am not asking too much, my Lord, I also pray for the “eternal repose” of the senatorial, vice presidential and presidential ambitions of Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Tito Sotto, Robert Jaworski, Freddie Webb and Alma Moreno, Amen.)
—ROY P.M. PEREZ,
president,
Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Leyte (IBP-Leyte) Chapter,
roperzlaw@yahoo.com