Dolphy in Atlantic City for fans and families

By Len Manansala

A Chaplinesque gift for physical gags and tearful pathos. Flicks of limp, un-masculine wrists in a series of signature films, and improbably macho stunts in a hit James Bond parody. A skillful dancer, pioneering TV star, serial movie hit-maker, lover to jaw-dropping beauties of Philippine entertainment. Facifica Falayfay, Dolpinger (Agent 1-2-3), John (the other half of Marsha). Melded into a first-name-only screen name that pre-dated the slew of Hollywood stars such as Cher, he is simply Dolphy.

But “simply” hardly captures the essence of the man known to his legions of fans as The King of Philippine Comedy. It is an undisputed label dating from the slapstick ‘60s to the ultra-jaded ‘00s, a span of four decades that helped define Philippine movies and TV serials. But despite starring in more than 100 movies that run the gamut from black-and-white classics to downloadable YouTube segments, Dolphy is actually as human as one’s funny uncle. He may be larger than life from a reputation as legendary romancer and a mind-blowing asking price for marquee roles, yet he has the unremarkable physique of a malnourished tramp (shades of Charlie Chaplin, again). Now, that regular guy appeal is tinted by a most human milestone: an 80th birthday. Yes, Dolphy turned 80 on July 25, sparking a frenzy of celebrations in the Philippines and the US west coast. This November 29, 7pm at the Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, what could be the opportunity of a lifetime for most Dolphy fans is coming to the east coast with an Atlantic City (NJ) that promises to be a rare combination of tribute to a fabled star and family day at the boardwalk’s varied attractions.

“Dolphy : A Tribute at AC” is the latest multi-media, family-friendly production of Special Edition Press, Inc & ERJ Productions in cooperation with Trump Entertainment Resorts. Supporting the event are ABS-CBN-Global, The Filipino Channel, Philippine Airlines, Calayan, The Garden State Travel Group of Companies, Northwest Airlines, Western Union, United Staffing Registry, Inc., Tancinco Law Offices, Asian Journal Publications, Perlas ng Silangan, Tiketan online(Carouselpinoy.com), Philippinefiesta.com. Dolphy with Zsa-Zsa together with his sons– Eric, Boy2, Jeffrey, Ronnie & Vandolph will sparkle at Back2Back Live Concert for day-tripping families, as well as spectacular concert performances from Diva star Pops Fernandez and together with Kris Lawrence, Geneva Cruz, & JAY-R. Topping it all will be the King of Philippine Comedy on center stage, with his inimitable brand of Pinoy humor, engaging wit, and reminiscences of a storied career that is unlike any other in Pinoy entertainment.

Tondo-born-and-bred, Dolphy was a skinny 13-year-old when Japanese bombs fell on Pearl Harbor. He was the second son among the 10 children of Melencio Quizon, a ship engine mechanic, and Salud Vera, a dressmaker related by blood to Lamberto Avellana, a pioneering film director. Like most Filipinos of the early 1940s, the Japanese occupation was a tough time for the Quizon family. Dolphy recalls earning a living by shining shoes, hauling sacks of rice at the pier, buying and selling all sorts of merchandise, driving a horse-pulled cart (kalesa), and hawking peanuts and watermelon seeds at the local movie house. Radio was media king at the time, led by the married performing couple of Dely Atay-Atayan and Andoy Balunbalunan. In Manila, then and now the country’s entertainment capital, stage shows at the Life Theater and Avenue Theater starred the baldheaded comedic duo of Pugo and Togo, who modeled their zany antics after Laurel and Hardy; dancers Benny Mack and Bayani Casimiro, the latter known as the “Fred Astaire of the Philippines”; and dramatic actor Rogelio de la Rosa, who was later crowned King of Filipino Movies.

Introduced to show business as a chorus dancer by Benny Mack, the then 17-year-old Dolphy passionately yearned for the chance to perform a solo dance in the star-turning mold of the great Astaire. He forever shed his birth name of Rodolfo Quizon, his first stage moniker of Golay, and the vaudeville stage after shifting to radio skits in the 1940s through the sponsorship of popular writer, director and producer Conde Ubaldo. Dolphy’s first radio series was a supporting role in “Huwag Naman,” which starred Pancho Magalona, Tessie Quintana and Baby Jane. In quick succession, Dolphy’s budding career in show business took him to 1950s road shows in Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan; to his big break when he was introduced in 1952 by Pancho Magalona to Sampaguita Pictures’ Dr. Jose “Doc” Perez; to a first movie role in a Pancho Magalona-Tita Duran feature (“Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita”); and a star vehicle in what eventually turned out to be a hugely popular and later stereotypical gay role, with Rogelio de la Rose and Lolita Rodriquez in “Jack and Jill,” from a Mars Ravelo comics series.

In the 1960s, a career-changing move for Dolphy was initiated by Sampaguita Pictures. He was teamed up on screen with comedian Panchito who, before becoming an actor, actually worked with Dolphy years earlier on Conde Ubaldo-produced radio skits. The Dolphy-Panchito tandem became immensely successful, moving with ease from radio to film to TV (“Tawag ng Tanghalan,” “Buhay Artista”), and ending only when Dolphy successfully pursued a solo career in comics-inspired film roles including Captain Barbell, Silveria, and his signature limp-wristed Facifica Falayfay. With an eye for greater control over the movies he was starring in, Dolphy established his own film production company, RVQ Productions, in 1965. RVQ would eventually produce more than 100 films.


Dolphy was one of a very few Filipino actors who found blockbuster success in both the big and small screens. In 1971, he starred with Nida Blanca in the Ading Fernando-helmed TV comedy “John and Marsha”. Not only did the sitcom regularly topped its time slot; “John and Marsha” was also made into hit films eight times, and inspiring a hit spin-off.

And now, as the King marks the rosy autumn of a remarkable career that spans over 60 years in almost every medium of entertainment, he still admits wanting to be remembered only “as a good person.” The concert event offers what may be the valedictory of an unquestioned legend – “Dolphy:A Tribute at AC.” On what many of his fans would consider as Dolphy Day, there’s nothing more appropriate to say than “Thanks for the memories, your Majesty.”

For show information, call (212) 682-6610, (973) 641-5665 Ticketmasters: (800) 736-1420
or for on-line ticket orders: shop.specialeditionevents.com.