Edge Davao 5 Issue 80 - Indulge

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS & CULTURE

Dolphy does it all

By Edward C. Lactaoen

Diverse. If there’s any single word that could be used to describe the roles Dolphy has portrayed throughout his career, diverse would probably be one of the most fitting words for it.

Born Rodolfo Vera Quizon, and more wellknown by his nickname Dolphy, is an icon in the Philippine art of acting.

With a career spanning several decades, taking on a diverse variety of roles throughout, Dolphy is nothing short of a treasure that represents the best of acting in film and television.

In his breakout role, Dolphy was cast as Gorio, a gay character in 1954’s Jack en Jill. Dolphy’s role as Gorio, would pave the way for him to portray more gay roles in comedies at various other times in his career.

The “Philippine King of Comedy” also had several stints in films spoofing secret agent films when they proliferated in the 60’s.

Taking the moniker Agent 1-2-3 as inspired by Agent 007, Dolphy strengthened his comedic reputation over the years he spent in film.

In 1973, in what would be the first of his major roles in television, Dolphy portrayed John Puruntong in the TV series John en Marsha. In this sitcom, Dolphy was able to portray the plight of the Filipino everyman trying to make ends meet. Even given the character’s grave situation, Dolphy remained successful in bringing smiles to the households who watched the story of John Puruntong unfold. Dolphy would later be cast once again as a Filipino everyman in the series Home Along Da Riles.

These two series combined ran for over two decades, reinforcing the legacy of the career that pays testament to the ability of Dolphy to entertain the Filipino peo-

ple.

Dolphy’s illustrious career may be filled with his track record of comedy films, but ventures into other genres have shown that he is not a one-dimensional actor.

Dolphy departed from his regular comedic portrayal of gays when he played the role of Walter Dempster Jr. or Walterina Markova in the film Markova: Comfort Gay. In the film, Dolphy was successful in showing a more serious side in his acting, ably portraying the struggle that Markova went through in his days as a comfort gay during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. His performance in the film earned him nominations for Best Actor during the FAMAS

Awards and Gawad Urian Awards.

With a career spanning many decades, Dolphy has received numerous awards over the years. His only FAMAS Award is being the Best Actor for the film Omeng Satanasia, but many of the other award-giving bodies in the country have awarded him with Lifetime Achievement awards for his innumerable contributions to the Philippine entertainment industry. In November of 2010, Dolphy was awarded the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart by the president himself, giving recognition to his work in the entertainment industry as well as his philanthropic works.

Dolphy is a single man

who has taken up many names and roles in his career in the entertainment industry, but his best role is he as himself. Dolphy continues to be an icon for the Filipnos, one that has shown them over the years that no matter what happens in life, there will always be a reason to smile.

Edward is a senior Communications student of the Ateneo de Davao University.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

SPECIAL FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT

There shall never be another Dolphy

Since this afternoon we have all remained restless. And sad. Although we have heard about his physical condition for some time, we are still struck with such loneliness when we hear the updates regarding his health.

This time it looks bad.

As I write this, everyone is quiet and speculating. We all love the man. The nation has always loved this man.

We love him because for decades — nay, generations — he never ceased to give us the joys of laughter.

His was a most imperfect life but he never made any claims of sainthood nor did he use himself as an example of perfection.

He shunned invitations to join politics ... and instead preserved that oh-soawesome disposition that had remained unchanging through so many years that we have known him. What was it about him that made him so different — and so loved? It certainly was not his reputation as a Lothario.

It was not the sheer power of his comedic talent. It was his humanity. It was his humility.

It was because they don’t make people like him any more.

There shall never be another Dolphy.

We are in tears because we do not know a life in this country — with our obsession for stars and show business — without that single icon whose very image embodies all of what we know as Philippine comedy.

If Fernando Poe Jr was Da King ... then Dolphy owned the other half of the kingdom. If FPJ shared the throne with the equally iconic Joseph Estrada, Dolphy reigned unquestioned and unchallenged as the Emperor of Comedy. For he, together with only a handful left, represent the entire evolution of popular entertainment in the country as we understand it today. Dolphy is living history.

For the career of Rodolfo Quizon was not as privileged as the “stars” of today who become overnight sensations because of the availability, accessibility and the power of media. Dolphy rose from the ranks. He honed his talents through years of hard work together with some of the legends whose names shall forever remain etched in the annals of entertainment doctrines in our country.

To trace the history of

Dolphy’s career is to create a map of what was Philippine entertainment through decades of the twentieth and the early twenty-first century.

From the bit player of stage shows called bodabil where the likes of Mary Walter, Bayani Casimiro, Katy de la Cruz, German Moreno, Pugo, Tugo, Lupito and Patsy — and, yes, the young Gloria Romero — found their footing into the world of music, applause and laughter, Dolphy evolved into more than just an icon — but a personification of the Filipino immortalized by stage, television and films.

Anyone Filipino familiar with local mass media, its images and elements cannever talk about television without mentioning the name of John Puruntong.

For who of that TV generation escaped the years of amusement that Ading Fernando’s seminal Filipino family in the persons of John, his wife Marsha (played by the late Nida Blanca) and their children Rolly (performed by his real life son Rolly Quizon) and Shirley (embodied by a child star named Maricel Soriano at the start of the series). John En Marsha holds the record of being one of the longest running sitcoms in Philippine television. The family evolved right front of the eyes of the viewer — and, to this day, the Filipino Everyman has been and will always be John Puruntong.

For the younger generation, Dolphy is Kevin Cosme of Home Along Da Riles.A carry-over of the John Puruntong character, Kevin Cosme provided the same image of the Pinoy tatay who dealt with fate with an open heart and who never lost his humanity amid the foibles and complexities offered by life.

One thing notable about Dolphy’s seminal portrayals and characters: they are funny in a Chaplin-esque way: it is the vulnerability of the portrayal that makes him lovable. He is never harsh, he is never impolite — and he does not resort of vulgarity to win his laughs. He is a gentleman as much as he is a

comedian. He dignified the power to generate laughter ... never resorting to the lowest techniques and strategies just to elicit a chuckle.

Unlike comedy as it is understood today (founded more on profanity, insulting and macabre forms of aggression), Dolphy was the master of timing, wit and even underacting. Whereas others resort to in-your-face slapstick even to the point of vulgarity or brutality just for laughs, Dolphy was the original Mister Suave who earned his laughs by being real and human and never insulting the dignity of his co-actors just to pander to an audience.

It is this humanity that has made his other most memorable characters go far beyond the superficiality of slapstick.

Remember Facifica Falayfay or Fefita Fofonggay?

Whereas there are still those who feel that the actor made a mockery of the flamboyant gay image, a closer look would reveal that never did he assume a condescending nor an insulting attitude toward the characters he played. On the contrary, despite the fact that he was going for the laughs, Dolphy showed affection and love for the characters because he made them human and not mere shrill caricatures as others of less talent and nobility of intention would tend to do. He never made his gay characters abrasive — loud perhaps and excessive — but never consciously malicious nor indecent.

That is what made them funny ... yet endearing.

And in that movie where Dolphy worked with another legend of Philippine cinema Lino Brocka, in a film entitled Ang Tatay Kong Nanay with then child superstar Nino Muhlach, the master comedian proved that behind the perfection in comedic timing lived an actor whose sensibilities and sensitivities could easily elicit tears from the audience as well.

For more than anything else, Dolphy was an artist.

During his Buhay Artista days in the old ABSCBN, Dolphy displayed his smooth moves on the dance

floor as well as his perfect chemistry with then sidekick Panchito Alba. To this day, we of that generation recall all those somewhat tired but still funny weekly routines when Dolphy and Panchito translated English songs into Pilipino. The humor was actually a one-note number but still we succumbed to fits of hysterical laughter as the duo massacred their musical translations.

But perhaps for the people in the industry, Dolphy means so much more than the other half of the symbol of the business: the mask that flaunted laughter, he who is the quiet and gentle clown.

Dolphy is loved by his colleagues because of legendary generosity — but more so, his endearing ability to listen to others. Despite his stature, Dolphy never lost his sense of reality — and humility.

He would always be the first to give a helping hand even before anybody asked for it.

He would lavish people with what was within his reach ... inasmuch as he would make sure that he took care of everything and everyone around him. That was his sense of high. That was what kept his humanity.

Whereas nowadays we are surrounded by instant celebrities who think they are stars and behave as if the entire universe revolved around them, a man of such magnitude and stature like our Mang Dolphy remained the same simple, feet-onthe-ground gentleman with a soft voice and immacu-

lately garbed. Unlike today when “stars” enter a room with their intimidating entourage as if demanding everyone within peripheral view to turn around and look while declaring, “Look, you mortals ... I am here!”

Dolphy would slip in quietly, take his seat and make himself as inconspicuous as possible — as if he of the stuff that make legends is wary that he would disturb the peace.

I never had a chance to work with Dolphy as a director — but what I hold dearest was the opportunity to work for him as a writer.

And considering all the volumes of work I have written for television and screen, that single television script I created for a made-for-tv movie starring the King of Comedy should prove to be one of the closest to my heart.

Entitled “Love, Daddy”, it was directed by Peque Gallaga.

Aside from Dolphy, this obscure piece of work also featured the late Charito Solis and his son Eric Quizon as well as Dawn Zulueta.

When I was approached to write for this project, I immediately thought of a story I was yearning to see onscreen and I knew Mang Pidol would be the perfect actor to portray the role. It was about my father’s year right after his retirement: even before Jack Nicholson did About Schmidt, I wrote a teleplay about the pain, agony and frustrations of a freshly retired man who has worked all his life and is now

compelled to stay home and feel absolutely useless.

I guess the story was just too close to my real life because when my parents — as well as my other relatives — saw the telecast, the reactions were varied. Some of my cousins were on the floor laughing as Dolphy faithfully captured the pagkabugnutin of my father as he found himself at home doing nothing except nitpicking on all the details of running a household and looking over my Mommy’s shoulders while she underwent her own therapy to cope with my Dad’s omnipresence: making endless kalderos of mango jam.

My mother was not too happy because she said I did not characterize her correctly (and I still laugh each time I remember how my mother berated me for making her look somewhat like a contravida — and worse, when she went completely ballistic and said, “Hindi ko iniwan ang tatay mo, ano? Bakit mo pinalabas na hiniwalayan ko ang Daddy mo?!”)

But it was my Dad who was the best sport. That is why to this day I miss him.

Amid all the flurry of reactions, my Dad said: “How much more honor can I get?

Somebody portrayed me ... and it was no less than Dolphy.”

I never had the chance to tell Mang Dolphy the happiness he gave my father for unwittingly portraying his role.

But now that I think of it, I feel bad ... I feel sad when I hear all the news about Mang Dolphy’s state of health. I guess the affinity is there.

Like so many of us in the entertainment business, we are so afraid — so terrified — to be left behind by a man who we all consider as our father.

I have said it once and I will say it again: Rodolfo Quizon may not have been given the honor of being a National Artist (for some reason or another to which I will refuse to even think about or discuss because the deed has been done) — but to a number of us, nay, a great number of us not only in show business — Dolphy is more than a National Artist appointed by a committee and anointed by a Palace.

The man who made us laugh is a national treasure.

And no simple decision of men or laws can make some as priceless.

We love you, Mang Dolphy. We cannot imagine Philippine entertainment without you.

(As published on the blog of Direk Joey Reyes, chokingonmyadobo.blogspot.com, last June 20, 2012.)

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT Sneak Peek

The Amazing Spider-Man: Look what Spidey’s snagged in his web: some early-bird reviews!

The Amazing SpiderMan doesn’t open Stateside until this weekend, but a handful of critics have already swung into action with their verdict on the highly anticipated reboot.

And although the friendly neighborhood webslinger has proven to be one of pop culture’s most beloved superheroes, the flick is anything but a sure bet: It’s got an untested leading man (Andrew Garfield) and a first-time big-budget director (Marc Webber).

Not to mention the fact that this do-over comes just five years after Tobey Maguire hung up his Spidey suit from Sam Raimi’s trio of Spider-Man blockbusters.

So has this new webslinger spun gold?

Sure looks like it: Many reviewers seem sold on the reboot, singling out its fresh cast and darker tone, with just a few holdouts

Swinging good or all bugged out?

dinging the flick for failing to live up to its predecessors.

“Leaping back onto the screen with a new cast, crew, costume and a whole new array of daddy issues, The Amazing Spider-Man reboots the top-grossing Marvel franchise to altogether satisfying results,” praises Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter.

“Directed with emotional depth and plenty of comedic touches, this somewhat darker depiction inserts a touching portrait of ado-

lescent angst into an otherwise predictable dose of CGI-fueled action.”

“Webb successfully treads a fine line between keeping the hardcore superhero-movie fans happy and injecting a dose of meaningful affect,” writes The Guardian’s Andrew Pulver, noting that the director is “aided by a terrific performance from Andrew Garfield, who brings a genial unflappability…It’s the successful synthesis of the two—action and emotion—that means this

Spider-Man is as enjoyable as it is impressive: Webb’s control of mood and texture is near faultless as his film switches from teenage sulks to exhilarating airborne pyrotechnics.”

“Swinging from fresh to faithful-to-source, Marc Webb’s reboot is a sparky, well-cast, often punchy Spidey spin” observes Total Film’s Kevin Harley, “but it’s also Spider-Man Begins Again, struggling in places to assert its own identity….

[Webb] gets enough right to sign us up for a sequel.”

“The film’s second half offers more than enough bungee-swinging through Manhattan’s concrete canyons, immaculately rendered in vertiginous, silky-smooth 3D, to satisfy thrill-seekers of either sex,” writes The Telegraph’s Robbie Colin. “What’s refreshing is how Webb makes those action sequences count: with a plot that rests almost entirely on the romance between his two leads.”

The Daily Mail’s Chris Tookey, meanwhile, derided the film as “an efficient piece of corporate filmmaking, but nothing more,” adding that “there isn’t a lot that hasn’t been seen before, and although the special effects are impressive, they’re no improvement on Spider-Man 2, which remains by far the best of the franchise. Webb. does a competent job, helped by his two talented leading actors, but doesn’t bring anything fresh to the party.

“Webb’s film is slow on plot, skimpy on character development,” writes the Evening Standard’s Nick Curtis. “The ‘RealD 3D’ is fine for the flying sequences, confusing in the fights, and gives that awful cardboard-cutout look to narrative scenes. Webb saves up most of the emotional punch for a downbeat, wet-eyed ending in which Garfield and Emma Stone are superb.”

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

World today Serving a Seamless society

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Davao

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Koronadal

Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal City Telefax No.: (083) 520-0816 Mobile No.: 0922-843-9427 email: manggorio09@yahoo.com

Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Davao City

General Santos F. Torres St., Davao City Tel No. 227-3773 - (72) Fax: 295-3485

VOL.5 ISSUE 80 • JUNE 24 - 25, 2012

Olympic countdown

What will be on the playlist come opening night?

Danny Boyle is going for gold!

The Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire director, who’ll be helming the vaunted opening ceremony at the 2012 Olympics in London, has already revealed his head-scratching plans for the blockbuster bonanza. (Brace yourself for livestock, meadows and village cricket!)

Now, the musical playlist for the opening has supposedly leaked, giving Olympics watchers a preemptive glimpse at what the brazenly singular director might have in the works.

Is it a perfect 10?

Depends on how you look at it.

The full list, as reported

by The Telegraph, offers a sweeping survey of the British musical canon that spans eras and genres.

There are classics from the Beatles (“She Loves You”) and The Kinks (“All Day and All of the Night”), along with, er, all-out classics: Handel’s “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” supposedly makes an arrival.

Punk rock gets a shoutout with the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” and The Clash’s “London Calling,” while glam-rock is am-

ply repped by David Bowie (who reportedly gets three tunes—”Starman,” “Heroes” and “Absolute Beginners”) and Queen (“Bohemian Rhapsody”—natch!).

You’ve also got British rock royalty, with the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction,” Led Zeppelin’s “Trampled Under Foot” and The Who’s “My Generation.”

The playlist also gives props to New Wave— Duran Duran and New Order are in there—as well as Top 40 hitmakers, with ditties from Adele and Coldplay.

Noticeably absent, however, are tunes from British musical icons Elton John and Tom Jones, who recently played at Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee concert. (Guess Boyle didn’t want this playlist on “repeat”?)

Speaking of the monarch, the queen herself will be attending the opening ceremony, which should make for a very interesting situation if one particular song, which is also on the reported lineup, actually gets played: “Relax”

by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Looks like Boyle’s ready to score a new world record for testing the queen’s poker face!

The Business PAPER

HAVEN BODY WORKS SPA & SALON Door 5 Kaykay Baloons Bldg., Laurel North Cor. Bayabas St. General Santos City Tel # (083) 301- 1991

You can now buy your weekly paper fill of in-depth business news and features from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Tel No. (083)- 553-2211

Jose Abad Santos St., Corner Arellano St., Tagum City 8100 Philippines Tel. No.: (084) 216-3003 Cell No,: 0939-243-8539

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.