Stars recount Dolphy stories

EVERYBODY likes Pidol. INQUIRER photo

Everyone in the biz has a Dolphy story to tell. He has a way of leaving an  indelible mark in people’s hearts.

The Comedy King is not the beso-beso/chika-chika type. Still, he makes every encounter with people special. One can’t help but be drawn to him.

I will never forget the long talk we had during my mom’s wake. I was so touched because he stayed till the wee hours.

I also remember the time I got the scoop on Vandolph’s love child with my friend. When we saw each other at a party, he told Vandolph to talk to me and settle matters with my friend. Thank you, Tito Dolphy, for always being so fatherly and for giving us the best years of your life.

It’s not his nature to make us cry, so hold back those tears. Let’s just keep storming the gates of heaven for him. The King of Kings won’t let our prayers for the King of Comedy go unanswered.

Vilma Santos: “Tito Dolphs is one person I truly admire and respect. Hindi matatawaran ang contribution niya sa industriya. Isa siyang haligi at institusyon. I made one movie with him and Nida Blanca when I was a kid. Then we made a movie together when I was 24, “Buhay Artista.” Whenever we see see each other, ’di ko makakalimutan ang pag-flying kiss niya bago mag-‘I love you’ sa akin.”

BOX OFFICE King Dolphy, and queen Vilma Santos starforallseasons.wordpress.com

Imee Marcos: “I have been obsessed with making a Dolphy film for decades. I’m such a hopeless fan! First dream project namin ’yan nina Rolando Tinio at Joel Lamangan. We had dinner when the Manila Opera House was going to be demolished. We believed a hit Dolphy film would stop those developers. He was at his droll and piquant best remembering his famous bangko step. His uncle, Colonel Brauner, was my dad’s buddy and was among the guerrillas who risked life and limb just to watch shows at the Opera House. Dolphy never mentioned the heroism of performers like himself who pushed on despite bombings, raids, closures to keep up the morale of Filipinos.”

Boots Anson-Roa: “I cherish the time Dolphy taught me how to dance the cha-cha when I was about 6. He and my dad, Oscar Moreno, were barkada. Years after, naging leading man ko pa siya. He has always been a staunch supporter of Mowelfund.”

Gloria Diaz: “I worked with Dolphy in ‘Goatbuster.’ He had a way of making me and everyone else feel important. We had a dance sequence where he had to lift me even if he had asthma. He made me look good even if my timing was off.”

Coney Reyes: “Everyone knows Mang Dolphy to be a very humble person. But watching him humble himself before God, I will never forget. With tears in his eyes, head bowed, Mang Dolphy prayed and asked Jesus to come into his heart. I’m not sure if Zsa Zsa remembers this. She prayed along with us, too. This was when Vandolph was in the ICU after an accident. I’m so blessed to have worked with him and even more blessed to be given an opportunity to pray with him!”

Carmi Martin: “During ‘Dolphy’s Angels’ days, naka-take-five kami because it was raining so hard. Tito Dolphy hollered, ‘Uy, ’wag na kayo maarte! ’Di naman kayo matutunaw sa ulan.’ Tawang-tawa kami! He taught me a lot about show biz and I’m forever grateful for that.”

Mark Gil: “I did a movie for his RVQ Productions in 1983. I wrote Tito Dolphy a letter requesting an advance for a new car. No questions asked, he gave me the full amount so I got to buy my car sooner than I thought. I will never forget that.”

Coney Reyes

Arnel Ignacio: “Preparing a hospital scene with Mang Dolphy, he was quiet, almost mumbling in our small humorous talk about the script. Then the lights went on and the assistant director hollered, ‘Tape rolling … action!’ Mang Dolphy’s face lit up, his back iron-straight. I felt a surge of energy that almost made me forget my lines. Unforgettable, amazing! The scene was hilarious. Then he went back to his usual calm self—the great Mang Dolphy.”

Lorna Tolentino:  “I have nothing but good words to say about this great man. Kayamanan si Tito Dolphy ng ating industriya. It makes me smile when I remember the time na nagbiruan sila ni Daboy.  ‘Pamangkin’ ang tawag niya kay Daboy at  ‘pinsan’ sa akin.”

Pokwang: “During our “Quizon Avenue” sitcom days, lagi niya akong pinapayuhan na gawing inspirasyon ang pamilya, lalo na ang mga anak, para ganahan sa work.”

Bayani Agbayani: “’Di ko makakalimutan ang bonding namin sa isang US tour. Sobrang saya! At nung minsan, birthday niya, inutusan niya ako na ilagay ko sa mukha niya yung cake. Umayaw ako siyempre…pero sabi niya OK lang so ginawa ko kahit nahihiya ako. Tapos kumuha siya ng cake sa mukha niya at ipinunas sa mukha ko. Para kaming mga bata!”

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