Manay Gina nominates Dolphy for Highest Congressional Award

R.P's Comedy King Dolphy

Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Congressional Medal of Distinction, the highest award the House of Representatives can confer to an exemplary individual is being sought by two lady solons for “Comedy King” Dolphy. In House Resolution 2581, filed by Reps. Gina De Venecia of Pangasinan’s 4th District and Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Partylist, it is sought that the congressional medal of achievement be conferred posthumously to Rodolfo “Dolphy” Vera Quizon for his outstanding accomplishments as a stage, television and movie actor over a span of seven decades, earning for himself the title “Comedy King of Philippine Show Business.” According to De Venecia, “Tito Dolphy was worthy of that honor, in recognition not only of his performance as an actor but more so for his role in making the Filipino people laugh amidst crisis and poverty, a feat not every actor is able to achieve while maintaining humility and kindness.” De Venecia is the daughter of Sampaguita Pictures owner Dr. Jose “Doc” Perez, who gave Quizon the screen name Dolphy and popularized the comedy duo of Dolphy and Panchito. Sampaguita was Dolphy’s home studio for the first ten years of his illustrious movie career. Herrera-Dy said she expects the resolution to receive strong support from her colleagues. “Mang Dolphy was deserving of that distinction because he was very influential in eradicating gender bias by portraying homosexuals in his movies. He was also recognized for championing the plight of the common man, through “John En Marsha.” Comedians are not usually considered as serious actors but Dolphy broke the mold when he won as FAMAS Best Actor for “Omeng Satanasia” in 1977. He was also the only performer, who won as Best Actor and Best Actress for “Markova: Comfort Gay in Festival de Berlin where he was awarded the Prix de la Meilleure Interpretation. Dolphy started performing onstage during the Japanese occupation and got a job as a chorus dancer at age thirteen at the Avenue Theater, the Lyric Theater and the Orient Theater. He capped his movie career in 2010 with “Father Jejemon” and “Rosario”. His television series “John En Marsha” in 1971 and “Home Along Da Riles” in 1992 were also considered as the two longest-running TV shows. The Congressional Medal of Distinction is the same award given to Manny Pacquiao in 2010 when he captured his eighth world title by defeating Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito.