We are here to celebrate my father’s life—Epy Quizon

Manila, Philippines—Epy Quizon thanked the Filipino people for coming at the public viewing of his father’s remains at The Heritage Memorial Park, saying that the Filipinos were celebrating Dolphy’s life with the family.

“The mere fact that you’re here, we are actually celebrating his life. And that is what everyone is doing for the family right now, you’re celebrating my father’s life with us,” Quizon said during an interview with reporters at the memorial.

The public viewing started at 8 a.m. and was closed at 3 .pm. Thursday. It will resume at the same time on Friday and Saturday.

Epy said he knew the Filipino people were praying for his dad and when Dolphy was alive, he did not stop praying for the Filipino people.

“He did not pray for himself anymore,” he said, adding that Dolphy prayed for peace for he knew that peace brought smiles to people’s lives.

“Nakakataba ng puso kasi alam namin maraming nagmamahal sa tatay ko (Knowing that a lot of people love our father is something really heartfelt from me),” Epy said.

Epy shared that Dolphy lived his life as a simple and humble man, and that what he wanted was just to make people laugh.

“You declared him King, but for him he’s humble enough to play the role of the jester. He did not want to be King, he just wanted to make people laugh,” Epy said.

Epy shared that Dolphy taught him to always put one’s feet on the ground, especially during the time when Epy was reaping awards from the entertainment industry.

“Sabi ng dad ko ang sarap lumipad, lumipad na rin ako. Pero siguraduhin mo na nakatapak ka sa lupa. Kasi pag hindi nakaapak yan, ipako mo. Kasi pag naging mataas ang lipad mo baka mahirapan ka nang lumanding (My dad told me it’s wonderful to savor the glory of having so many awards and money, of soaring with success. But make sure your feet stay on the ground, if not, nail them. Because if you soar so high, you’d find it hard to cope when it’s time to go down again),” Epy said.

Epy shared he was not prepared when he learned about the news of Dolphy’s death, but that he tried to make things calm when he got a text from Zsa Zsa Padilla and his mother Madonna that they decided to stop Dolphy’s medication.

“In my head, hindi pa siguro ngayon although I prepared myself because this could be the time,” Epy said.

Epy said that he did not want to say goodbye to his father, but that the family had to let him go.

“I did not want to say goodbye to my dad, he would be forever with me, why will I say goodbye?” he said.

Epy said he told his Dad, during his last hours at the hospital, to not be afraid to let go because this could be the time that he could be reunited with his loved ones.

“Lumapit ako and said Dad huwag kang matakot. Just go for it. Baka makita mo pa dyan si Mamang at si Papang, si Tito Ading o si Kuya Freddie. Ang Sunogbaga boys at yung mga mahal niya sa buhay,” Epy said.

Epy said the family tried their best to remain calm during the last hours.

“Masakit dahil mamimiss namin siya pero kasi mas masakit yung nakikita namin siyang naghihirap,” Epy shared.

Epy said that Dolphy started to have frequent difficulties in breathing during his last days.

Epy shared that it was hard for him to deal with the media, especially during the time when news broke out of his father’s death.

“In a way ilang din kami dahil may nagkakalat na patay na daw siya, na pinangungunahan kami, so mabigat sa akin yun (In a way we’re warry because there were news circulating back then that he’s dead already, which is hard for me to accept),” Epy said.

“Hindi ako galit, ang sa akin lang hindi malinaw, magulo, dahil hindi ko alam kung (I am not angry. It’s just that it has become so vague if) they want him to get better, or do they want him dead?” Epy said.

He said his older brother Eric would be in charge of information on the next steps for the media and the public after the viewing.