John Puruntong. Kevin Cosme.
These names are forever ingrained in Filipino popular culture.
On July 10th, 2012, arguably the Philippines’ most celebrated actor, Rodolfo Vera Quizon, passed away.
He was 83.
Dolphy, as he is famously known, was as iconic as any Filipino because of what he meant to the public. He was the epitome of Philippine comedy for decades, a career that began in the 1960’s.
In 1971, he starred with the late, great Nida Blanca in the hit TV series John En Marsha, which would go on to become a classic, and it would propel Dolphy’s popularity to greater heights. It was also around this time that his talents gave the country something to distract itself with, away from the struggles that were caused by the Marcos dictatorship, if not for a few moments when it was aired. The show also starred his real-life son Rolly Quizon, and then-child star Maricel Soriano.
Dolphy then comes back to the television spotlight in 1992, when his “Home Along Da Riles” sitcom becomes a hit – elements of which were taken from the movie ‘Home Alone’ which starred the famous child actor, Macaulay Culkin who played Kevin McCallister. Dolphy played a widower whose family tried to get by while squatting along railroad tracks.
Undoubtedly, the Filipino community mourns the passing of an icon, and will forever remember how he made an archipelago laugh with him.
Thank you, Dolphy. We will miss you!
[Featured Photo Source] [John En Marsha photo source]
