Farewell Dolphy!

Sad to hear, but the Philippine King of Comedy is gone forever. “Dolphy” whose real name is Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. was declared dead at 8:34 PM yesterday, in ICU of Makati Medical Center (MMC) where he stayed there for almost three weeks due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and recurrent pneumonia.

He would have turned 84 this July 25. (Sayang!)

My generation is fortunate enough because I was able to witness how his comedic talent brought laughter and happiness to the Filipino family through his several TV programs and numerous movie appearances. Unquestionably, Dolphy is the King of Comedy of Philippine entertainment because of his exceptional wit, humor, and absurdity towards his character portrayals in radio,TV or movies and even in his personal life. I may not been existing during the “John and Marsha” era, but I was lucky enough to watch and laugh hilariously from his 1990s sitcom “Home Along Da Riles” that lasted for more than a decade.

So since all life after all shall come to an end. Dolphy’s death is not merely the end of the comedy but the beginning for the new generation to appreciate life amid adversaries and sacrifices, not to frown but to smile and laugh as what King of Comedy himself did.

As to the question in a certain interview, of what did he think of the best legacy he would be leaving behind besides making people laugh,

He said: “Kapag naaalala ko kung tumatawa ang tao , masaya na ako.” (When I remember seeing people laugh, I’m happy already!)

Indeed, your legacy you instilled in the mind and hearts of the Filipino people will always be remembered. Thanks Kevin Cosme for making us laugh and happy!

Sample clip of Dolphy's exemplary comedic talent (taken from the movie: Father and Son - 1995):

Good Bye Robin Gibb of Bee Gees

Personally, I feel saddened by the demise of one of the Bee Gees brothers, Robin Gibb. Unfortunately, the long battle of Robin from colon cancer and series of intestinal surgery these couple of years has ended today. It was reported that on April 10, Robin fell into comatose after contracting pneumonia. His doctors announced that his chance of survival and his prognosis was very slim and literally was fighting for his life. But, few weeks later, he staged a tremendous recovery and started to communicate little by little to his family. This miraculous recovery from coma bestowed the family to hope more, keeping their fingers crossed for the total recuperation of their beloved Robin. Sadly, he finally succumbed to death this Sunday after a lengthy struggle from his disease. The Grammy’s 2000 Lifetime Achievement and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer awardee was 62.

(L-R, Robin, Barry and late Maurice Gibb of Bee Gees
- Photo taken from http://www.metro.co.uk) 

His passing away, left his only eldest brother, Barry Gibb since Robin’s twin brother, Maurice (53 years old) also died last 2003 after complications following an operation to correct a twisted intestine. Andy, their youngest brother who is not part of the Bee Gees, also became famous for being a solo performer, died of heart failure at the age of 30.

I was born in 80s but Bee Gees songs are well-loved by my ear drums. Robin, together with his brothers, Barry and Maurice, is one of my favorite artists of all time. Their music sounded differently from the rest of the musicians I used to listen to, with a distinction of having high-pitched collaborated vocals, their music was legendary and timeless. Though I never experienced the time where their rhythmic songs was really popular during early disco era of 1970s, such as “Jive Talkin”, “You Should Be Dancing”, “Staying Alive”, “Night Fever”, “More Than A Woman”,  and so on, but their discotheque-themed tunes were played in disco houses and radio stations even today. My personal favorites of all the Gibb brothers’ songs were ballad “How Deep Is Your Love”, “Words”, “I Started A Joke”, “Massachusetts”, and “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.”

As an avid fan of their trio group, and also a tribute to Robin Gibb, I would like to share their music videos which were my personal picks from among their successfully released masterpieces.

1. How Deep Is Your Love

(Live Performance)

2. Words

 (taken from Festival Hall of Australia, 1978)

3. I Started a Joke

(Live performance by Andy Gibb as the main vocals)

4. Massachusetts

(Live Performance in Melbourne, Australia, 1989)

5. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

(Live Midnight Special Performance, 1975)