Loving family remembers comedy king

The commemoration of comedy king Dolphy’s death anniversary last July 10 was solemn and simple. It was devoid of weeping and wailing. A feeling of peace pervaded. It almost felt like  we were all enveloped in (Tito) Dolphy’s fatherly embrace. The touching message of Fr. Jerry Orbos  and the beautiful rendition of “Nandito Lang Ako” by the blind young singer Fatima Soriano during the Mass made the occasion all the more tranquil.

Here are the musings of some of Tito Dolphy’s loved ones. May the beauty of the memories outweigh the pain. The Quizons now know that there is love after death, indeed.

Zsa Zsa Padilla

Coping without Dolphy is like a roller-coaster ride. There are days when I’m OK; other days I’m mad at him, so I mess up his side of the bed. I talk to him daily. I tell him, if he wants to make pa-pansin to me, to just put a melody in my head of any of the standards he loved listening to me sing. But until now, ’di ko pa rin kaya kantahin ang “Hiram.” That will make me break down. I miss coming home to him and telling him about my day.

At 49, I feel I’m too old to fall in love again. I don’t know what it’s like to date these days. Should I put myself out there? I’ve been with a man since I was 16. It’s only now that I feel at ease being with just myself. My world revolves around my three daughters. I don’t know if they are ready to share me with someone else. But if, and when, the time comes, knowing Dolphy  magseselos ’yun. Love is not on my priority list.

We are planning to sell the house, just to be practical, since it’s too big to maintain. Soon enough, Nicole and Zia will want to live independently, so I’ll be left all alone in such a huge place. But it will be a tough decision; there are too many memories in our home with Lovey.

Eric Quizon

I don’t think I was Dad’s favorite. If I were, he would not have assigned me to take charge of certain matters during the last days of his life. That was quite a load but, of course, I did it all for the love of Dad. Besides, he told me kung ’di daw ako ang aasikaso, sino pa? I guess he was comfortable turning to me because, aside from being father and son, we had also worked together on many projects. So, he knew what I could do.

Whenever I’m troubled, all I have to do is visit my dad at Heritage Park. I unburden myself to him and, just like magic, [I would immediately find] the answer… or the solution would come in a few days.

I will continue Dad’s legacy by continuing to help people the way he did through his foundation.

Vandolph

My funniest moment with my father was when we were inside an elevator in Hong Kong. Some Chinese were conversing so loudly in their language. ’Di na nakayanan ni Dad ang ingay, so he started talking to me in a funny-sounding “language” that made the Chinese stop blabbing and look at us, wondering where we came from. Dad sounded like he had come from outer space.

Zia Quizon

I am like my dad because I always like to look at the brighter side of life—the way he taught me. Every song I sing, I dedicate to him. He was a big influence on my tastes in music. For me, he lives on, through my songs.