Is There Laugh After Dolphy?

Is there laugh after Dolphy? Definitely. And he wanted it that way. In an interview with Arnold Clavio of GMA 7, the ace comedian said he wanted to be remembered and talked about by people with smiles on their faces. Better if they'd LOL, I guess.

The actor-comedian, Rodolfo Vera Quizon, succumbed to multiple organ failure, among other things, at the Makati Med yesterday at around 8.30 pm, several days before his birthday, July 25. He was 83. He left behind 18 children from different partners. As I watched the news on  his demise, images of the teenage Dolphy in his earlier movies ran through my mind. He certainly made me laugh so much and I loved watching him when he was slender and young and very, very funny.

He'd been funny in his later movies, too, but they're nothing compared to his earlier ones. I remember him with Luis Gonzales when they tried to beat each other in a contest of who was worthy for the love of a pretty rustic girl. Dolphy was supposed to come from Spain assisted by his personal servant, Manaloto, who would whistle to the tune of a famous bull-fight music each time Dolphy would make an appearance.

I remember watching him as sidekick to famous leading men in the 50s and 60s, and I clamored more for him than for the leading men. There was this movie, "Kalabog en Bosyo," where Dolphy and Panchito were really hilarious that they made my stomach ache laughing, even becoming almost breathless. Dolphy was especially funny here. 

Is there laugh after Dolphy? Yup. They just have to play and replay his movies, especially the earlier ones. Oh, did you now that his first screen name was Dolay? It was taken from the name of a hardware store I think somewhere in Ascaraga.

Among my favorites then was when Dolphy was partnered with Chiquito, both comedians, where they played top secret agents out to bust a big syndicate. The fight action was superb, with some hints of Karate, and the comedy was tops. I don't remember the two being partnered again in a movie. They were somewhat pitted against each other in comedy in those days.

Accordingly, when asked who among the young comedians today he admired, Dolphy pointed to Michael V first before mentioning several others. Michael V has his flair for comedy in his own unique ways and appears to be the more intellectual among them, always coming up with something different. Is there laugh after Dolphy? With guys like Bitoy, Bossing Vic Sotto, Jose and Wally, and Willy Nepumuceno around, yeah  sure. 

Especially if they're inspired by Dolphy.

No doubt, there would not be another Dolphy. They would have to create themselves differently. Nobody likes a second rate, trying hard, copycat. And I do hope they run a Dolphy movie now and then, so there's no more question like is there laugh after Dolphy?

Yes, of course. Laugh goes on...