The Comedy King in a famous fan’s eyes

DOLPHY in four of several caricatures by members of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, given to him during a tribute at the Manila Hotel in the 1980s. by the late Menny Martin, Larry Alcala and Hugo Yonzon; and by Danny Franco. PHOTOS BY ROMY HOMILLADA

Vic Sotto describes his interaction with Dolphy, “my idol,” before they appeared together in a movie as very casual: “Hi-hello lang.”

Before “Dobol Trobol,” was even released in August 2008, the characteristically reticent and quiet Vic had a lot to say about Pidol.

The Comedy King, in Bossing’s eyes:

“Tawag ko sa kanya,  Pidol or  Dolphs. We may be considered funnymen but we are both serious about doing comedy. Hind basta-basta ang comedy. Sineseryoso ’yan. I learned that from him.

“Nakakainggit si Dolphy. Hindi ko na inabutan ’yung Opera House at Clover Theater. Nandun ang mga magagaling. Masaya ko na inabot ko pa siya, at sina Balut, Panchito, Bayani, Pugak, Tugak…

“Bukod sa style ng pagpapatawa, natutunan ko rin sa kanya ’yung style ng pag-react… kung paano i-set up ang sitwasyon. Comedy is action and reaction. Kahit anong galing mo magbitaw ng punch line pag mahina ang magre-react sa ’yo, patay ang eksena.

“From Dolphy I also learned how to deal with people. You don’t really pay attention, until you see someone like him in action. Nakikipagkuwentuhan siya kahit kanino.

“When the two of us talk, may seryoso, may kalokohan. But most of the time we talk about his past experiences. I’m very interested in his vaudeville days.

“He answers all my questions, although I ask very few. Many things that are not in his biography (“Hindi ko Ito Narating Mag-Isa”), naikuwento niya sa akin.

“There is only one Dolphy.”