Rowell, John and Nico Quizon show their tattoos.
MANILA, Philippines – Three sons of the late actor Freddie Quizon, Dolphy’s son to his first long-time partner, Gracita Dominguez, have Dolphy-faced tattoos on their arms and shoulders to show their support to the country’s Comedy King whose National Artist Award is long overdue.
“Dapat noon pa iyang National Artist Award ibinigay sa kanya. Noon malakas pa si Lolo (grandfather) Dolphy,” says singer and ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent semi-finalist to the Philippine Daily Inquirer in the house of his mother Nelda Quizon in Tondo, Manila where Dolphy was born and grew up.
Rowell recently brought his rosary, which was blessed by the Pope in Rome some years ago, to the Makati Medical Center where his grandfather Dolphy has been confined in the intensive care unit for several days now. He gave it to him as a present.
“My Lolo prays the rosary regularly,” says Rowell.
Dolphy never fails, says Rowell, to do his daily religious obligation of communicating to his Divine Providence and frequently used to visit the Shrine of Mother of Perpetual Help in Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Paranaque early in the morning of Wednesdays. Even when he was sick, says Rowell, Dolphy still found time to go there.
“Gusto namin lumakas pa si Lolo. Gusto pa namin siyang makasama nang matagal,” says Rommel, who often visited Dolphy in his house at No. 10 Bohol Street, Marina Subdivision, Paranaque City, bringing Dolphy’s favorite Filipino delicacy, biko (sweet sticky rice).
“Wish ko na makasama namin siya ng mahabang panahon. Mahal na mahal namin si Lolo. Mabait siya at iba talaga siya,” says Nicollo Paulo Quizon, a.k.a. Nico Quizon, younger brother of Rowell and former child star who appeared in films Ala Eh Con Bisoy with Redford White and Leo Martinez in the lead and Tiktaktoy with Serena Dairymple, Redford White and Carding Castro.
“Noon nabubuhay pa ang papa ko ay madalas kami sa Marina Subdivision. Halos weekly ay magkakasama kami. Ngayon, dumalang kasi nagkasakit siya,” says Nicollo.
“Hindi mahirap lapitan ang Lolo ko kapag may problema ka. He is very approachable. He has a sharp memory. He knows the size of my shoes,” Nicollo adds.
John Christian Quizon, Rowell’s youngest brother, says that his Lolo Dolphy is very caring and thoughtful. “Once na magpa-order siya ng pagkain, lahat ay makakakain. At saka tatawagin ka ng personal. Lalagyan niya ang plato mo ng pagkain at ipapatikim niya lahat sa iyo ang food. Simpleng bagay pero ipinapakita niya kung paano siya magmahal sa mga kamag-anak.”
John appeared in Viva Film’s Single Status (directed by Jose Javier Reyes) as a brother of Rufa Mae Quinto in the said movie and in historical Viva Film’s Baler (helmed by Mark Meily), with Jericho Rosales and Ann Curtis in the lead.
“Gustong-gusto niya na habang nagto-tong-its siya sa bahay ay minamasahe siya. Minamasahe namin, nilalambing namin. Pag matutulog na siya, he would go upstairs, then when he would be back. To our surprise, he would give us presents, our shirts and shoes. Alam niya lahat ang sizes namin and he remembers all his grandchildren’s birthdays. Bilang lolo, alam niya ang responsibilidad niya. He would give us some pieces of advice to study hard, to go away from gulo and be friendly to all, especially to those who have less in life,” says John, who is now studying in a culinary arts school aside from singing part-timely at The Library comedy bar in Malate, Manila with his eldest brother Rowell.
He frequents the Makati Medical Center to watch his grandfather’s condition and he has taken a leave of absence from work until his Lolo Dolphy recuperated.
As to the National Artist Award, John says it is long overdue.
“Hindi naman kami dapat magsumamo. Dapat alam na nila sa sarili nila kung sino ang isinisigaw ng taumbayan. Plake o papel man iyan. Para sa akin, guaranteed na siya na dapat iyon. O hindi na kailangan para sa akin dahil Dolphy na siya,” he says to this journalist. Rogelio Constantino Medina