Tribute film for Dolphy revives push for his nomination as national artist

The tribute movie for Dolphy about to be shown in cinemas revived talks about considering anew the King of Comedy for the Order of National Artists.

Dolphy’s son Vandolph said two Metro Manila mayors are the latest individuals to have expressed interest in helping their family push for the late veteran actor’s nomination and eventual conferment as national artist, an endeavor that started even before his death in 2012.

“Sobrang outdated na, kung iisipin mo. Buhay pa tatay ko pinag uusapan na yan. So pumu-push kasi marami rin naman talagang may gusto, even us. Pero para sa akin naman, national artist o hindi, he is still the best for me,” said Vandolph in an interview with INQUIRER Entertainment on the sidelines of the advanced screening of his movie “Home Along da Riles, Da Reunion.”

“So sana they would bring back to the table yung pinag uusapan sa Congress sa pagiging national artist nya,” he continued.

Vandolph said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has reached out to their family to help in this quest, as well as Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, who sponsored the tribute film to be shown at the Metropolitan Theater where Dolphy first started his foray in showbiz as a stage performer.

“Ang kausap namin na gusto mag open is Mayor Joy Belmonte, and also si Yorme (Moreno). Lahat naman sila talagang nag papa-update, ano raw nangyari bakit daw bigla tumigil ang usapan. kasi ako nung sinabing di na pinag usapan, di na ako nag pumilit. Kung ibibigay nila, salamat. Kung hindi, e di ganun din,” said the former child star son of Dolphy with former partner Alma Moreno.

Becoming a national artist is the highest recognition given to Filipino citizens whose contributions have greatly influenced the country’s culture and shaped the Filipinos’ identity through excellence in their body of work. The award may be conferred posthumously.

The title requires formal nomination before the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) by a recognized cultural organization and conferment by the Philippine President.

But the family and supporters will have to wait another year before Dolphy could be nominated into the Order, as the NCCA already closed the nomination period for this four-year cycle.

The most recent call for nominations was in late 2023 and officially closed on June 30, 2024. This means that next official nomination period and conferment cycle are expected to open sometime in late 2027, while proclamations may be in April 2028.

Several resolutions and petitions seeking to nominate the late comedy king reached the NCCA, among them the nomination by Manila Rep. Joel Chua, who last year formally asked the House of Representatives to nominate Dolphy for the Order of National Artists when the secretariat opens its next call for nominations.

Dolphy was conferred the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart in accordance with the Honors Code of the Philippines by then President Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., because “his comedy has brought joy to millions but just as importantly, his well-known philanthropy and encouragement of charitable and good causes as well’,” Chua said in the resolution.

Senator Pia Cayetano and former Sen. Gringo Honasan also filed similar petitions in the Senate.

In the showbiz industry, among the most vocal in supporting Dolphy was internationally renowned singer Lea Salonga — herself at the receiving end of support for national artist nomination — who said that it’s a long-overdue honor that Dolphy deserved.

Born Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., Dolphy died of complications from his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure on July 10, 2012, at the age of 83.

Asked what he thinks the public should remember about his father, Vandolph said Dolphy had lived and died with the goal of wanting to make people happy and forget even for a little bit their own tragedies and sufferings.

“Ang tatay ko walang ginawa sa buhay kundi magpasaya ng tao. Mahirap yun ha, yung magbigay ka ng kasisiyahan sa tao maski na may pinagdadaanan ka. Sabi ko nga kanina, kahit sa burol nya, may nagsabi sa akin, pag nakakapanood sya ng ‘John en Marsha’ or ‘Home along da Riles,’ maski anong gutom nya nakakalimutan nya. Sa panahon ngayon na madaming nangyayari sa Pilipinas at sa ibang lugar, kailangan natin ito,” he said.

Vandolph said “Home Along da Riles, Da Reunion” is dedicated to the memory of his father, who has always aspired to bring happiness to every Filipino.

For Father’s day, his message to Dolphy is simple: “Dad, relax ka lang dyan, kami na bahala ni Boy2. This [movie] is for you.”