Almost one month after his untimely demise, the profound impact of Comedy King Dolphy is still being felt in more ways than one.
Even as the National Artist recognition, which was recently bestowed by President Noynoy Aquino on fellow screen legend Fernando Poe, Jr. remains elusive to Dolphy, other sectors have taken it upon themselves to honor the memory and legacy of the late, great comedian.
This month, it’s the Philippine National Police’s turn to recognize Dolphy for his roles as a “man in uniform” in past movies such as “Da Best In Da West 2: Da Western Pulis Istori” and “May Pulis, May Pulis Sa Ilalim Ng Tulay” as well as the numerous secret agents he played in many of his films from the ’60s and ’70s.
Son Ronnie Quizon said he was asked to receive the award in his father’s behalf last August 7 but it was postponed due to bad weather.
“I don’t know when they will hold it but they already informed me of this even while my dad was alive,” the younger Quizon said. “He didn’t live to receive the award himself but I told him about it during one of my watches at the ICU.”
In addition to the PNP recognition, Dolphy was also recently honored by Cinemalaya with a Parangal after announcing, rather belatedly that “Jack and Jill,” one of his very first features, would be the closing film of the independent film festival that concluded last July 29. Sons Eric, Epy and Ronnie were on hand to accept the honor during the screening.
“The Cinemalaya Parangal was a great honor, and much of the things I like the most that night were what Ms. Bibeth Orteza said about my dad, what Ms. Marichu Maceda revealed about my dad, from his Sampaguita days from way back up to the recent years, and what Cinemalaya expressed when they presented the award,” Ronnie said.
Also last month, popular fashion retail brand Bench hailed Dolphy as the King of Pop Culture during the red carpet premiere of its first wave of Benchingko Films short movies. Sons Eric, Epy, Ronnie and daughter Zia were present at the event.
“Unfortunately, all the Quizons have left by the time they gave the award. I didn’t even know there was supposed to be an award to be presented for my dad,” Ronnie recalled. “But I was told earlier that there was going to be a tribute to my dad. We just didn’t know when it was, or if it was going to be given. We thought it was all over after the last film was screened.”
Just the same, Ronnie added that the Quizon family members are grateful to all those responsible in giving those honors.
He also cited earlier recognitions such as the 2012 People’s Artist award bestowed by the Dakilang Lahi Foundation and presented by former President Joseph Estrada during his father’s wake and “the awards given by the City of Manila and Quezon City honoring him as one of the most honored and distinguished residents and citizens.”
“If my dad was alive, I’m pretty sure he would have appreciated these recognitions,” Ronnie concluded.
