Zia Quizon, daughter of Comedy King Dolphy and singer Zsazsa Padilla, said the family simply laughs off intermittent online reports saying her father has died.
“When we hear something like that, we just automatically confirm with him—he’s just a phone call away,” Zia, 20, told Inquirer on Wednesday at the launch of her self-titled album with PolyEast Records. “We take it to heart only because we’re concerned about his health. I don’t like people saying things about him that aren’t true, especially that. It’s happened three times.”
She said her 83-year-old father, who was recently down with pneumonia, is now doing well. “For his age, he’s okay. He stays active, working… he doesn’t like just sitting around the house.”
If she had her way, Zia said, she’d make Mang Dolphy stay home. “But entertaining people is what he really enjoys. That’s what he’s been known for all these years. I don’t want to keep him from doing what he loves. I just hope people would take time to confirm before publishing those stories about him. They can call me, for instance.”
Zia described her father as “really quiet and reserved.” She added, “He keeps an eye on the guys I introduce to him. He’s not overprotective. He’s just careful because he knows what men are capable of.”
How many relationships have you been in?
My first boyfriend went to study abroad so we tried this long-distance relationship—Skype’s the limit—but we drifted apart. We’re still friends. I like being friends with my exes, as long as hindi away ang dahilan ng breakup. I’ve had only two exes. Thankfully, they’re both nice. I’m seeing someone right now, but he’s not from show biz. I don’t want to talk about my love life so much. I’m quite sure it will get complicated if I do.
You prefer nonshow-biz guys?
I’d like to stay as normal as possible. My work is show biz na. My parents are also show-biz people. I would like to retain some sense of normalcy so I can stay grounded, too. Also, uso kasi ’yong may magandang abs. Nakaka-insecure silang tabihan (laughs).
Do you plan to stay long in the biz?
Yes, I would like that. But if this doesn’t take off, I will not force it. This is why I’m still in school. Further down the line, I would like to do something stable. In show biz, you’re always away from home. I’d like to spend more time with my family. Mama and Papa were always busy but they made sure to have time for us. The drawback was that, their careers sometimes dipped. Hopefully, in the future, I won’t have to work away from home that much.
Why did you choose to take up literature and not music?
I always knew that I wanted a career in music. I would prefer that music be my passion and not my work. I took up literature kasi, kahit papaano they’re still related. Literature can help me in writing songs.
Who sparked your interest in the guitar?
Most of my brothers play the guitar. There’s always one in the house. I learned to read tabs online, and then I started playing. When I started singing, my mother bought me my own guitar. It was more professional, there were plugs that I didn’t really know what to do with. She gave me another guitar when I turned 19 last year. I like the acoustic types. I had a Yamaha while growing up. I also had a classical guitar, but didn’t use it much—it was hard for me to play. I’m used to metal strings.
Did your mother give you any tips?
She’s excited that this could be my future. She’s more than happy to be a stage mom. She hasn’t given me any advice. I’m with my parents every day, so when I have questions I just ask. There’s just the three of us at home. My sister, Nicole, is in Melbourne, Australia, studying to be an anthropologist.
Mama just tells me to take care of my voice. Don’t drink cold water before a show. Always practice. Sing constantly, even in the shower. She wants me to be better than she is.
What does she say about your love problems?
When I turned 18, she said, “Okay, you’re an adult now.” She trusts me to make the right decisions about guys. She’s happy that I’m not boy-crazy. I focus more on school and work. I simply don’t have time to flirt and play.
You revived her song, “Mambobola.”
I meant it to be a tribute to her. I have a hard time with the Filipino words when spoken at a certain pace, nabubulol ako. I made sure boses ko pa rin. I didn’t want to be compared to mom; if I wanted to sound like her I’d have just played her record. I didn’t imitate her. Her voice is more bongga. Mine is understated. I’m not used to birit. I like jazz, soul, R&B and standards. My influence is more eclectic. The song “Smile” is a tribute to my father.
E-mail the author at mcruz@inquirer.com.ph.