Dolphy’s conferment as National Artist pushed in Senate

Dolphy. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MIKE ALQUINTO

MANILA, Philippines – Two Senators on Thursday called for the conferment of the National Artist Award to ailing Comedy King Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon.

In a press briefing Thursday, Senator Pia Cayetano said that Filipinos were aware of how deserving the veteran actor was of the honor.

“I think everyone knows that he deserves it, syempre meron ding nagsasabi na [of course there are those who are saying that] he’s already the national artist in the Filipinos hearts and everything, but of course, it’s always nice to have an official recognition,” Cayetano said at the weekly Kapihan sa Senado media forum.

Quizon, 83, has been confined at the Makati Medical Center and his children said that he was in “critical but stable condition.”

She added that Quizon was a good friend of her late father, Renato Cayetano, and that she has met the veteran actor several times since he was a supporter of Senator Manuel Villar’s Nacionalista Party where the lady senator is a member.

“He reminds me of that generation of hardworking people, yung galing sa hirap at talagang umasenso sila dahil, well, sa sipag at tiyaga [those who rose from rags to riches because of their persistence and determination],” she said.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Senator Gregorio Honasan II said that it was “appropriate” to confer the award while Quizon was still alive. He added that he would file a resolution on Thursday (today) to reiterate Quizon’s conferment as National Artist.

“Any formal national recognition of Rodofo Quizon [Dolphy] would be appropriate now while he, his loved ones and our people can better appreciate it,” Honasan said.

“He has brought so much joy and hope to the generations of Filipinos not only as an entertainment icon and comedian but as a human being,” he added.

Likewise, Honasan said that he would also file another resolution to recognize the contributions of Quizon to the advancement and international recognition of Philippine television and movie industries.

Nevertheless, both senators wished the Comedy King a speedy recovery.

“We join our countrymen in wishing him a good fight and speedy recovery as we stand in vigil over his medical condition,” Honasan said.

For her part, Cayetano urged the public to also pray for the recovery of Quizon and for strength for his family.

“Let’s still pray. Mukhang [It looks like] he’s still a fighter. Sana bigyan pa siya ng ilang masaganang taon [We hope that he would have many more prosperous years],” she said.