Rare is a man who inspires such far-reaching devotion from people everywhere, and from all walks of life.
As Dolphy lay in state in the home he spent the most years in, the tributes continued to pour in as everyone who loved him tried to give him one last goodbye.
From those who went to wait for his remains to be brought out of the hospital, laying flowers on the car that would take him to his wake; to those who braved traffic and rain, not to mention a long wait, just to take a peek at his face; to those who mourned his passing at home, watching his familiar face smiling out at them from their screens — millions of ordinary folks once more honored a fellow Filipino in a way that left no doubt of his place in their hearts.
Kevin Cosme and John Puruntong may have been characters created out of some people’s imaginations, but Dolphy gave such life to the roles that people actually attribute life-changing moments to them. And by association, the man that is Dolphy — the person who made everyone believe simply because he believed himself — became significant in their lives.
Rappler.com allowed people to share the “life lessons they learned from Dolphy’s life, love life, dozens of movies through different generations, and positions on different issues.”
Among others, people learned to smile through hardships, to have a positive outlook no matter how difficult life can get, and to persevere.
“Kaya ikaw, John, magsumikap ka!” This was Dely Atay-atayan’s famous line at the end of each episode of John en Marsha. To millions of Filipinos, this was a message that resonated through 17 years of Martial Law and political change. We loved the scenario of a poor man and rich girl creating a happy family together, and best of all, we loved the way John would always manage to circumvent challenges, including his mother-in-law’s maneuvering.
The same can be said of Kevin in Home Along Da Riles, the man who lived along the train tracks, just like many Pinoys did and still do, sad to say. Like John, Kevin was poor, but he held his dignity. He upheld admirable values, even though sometimes he could be weak. What he lacked in material things, he made up for with an abundance of friends, and wit.
Despite his circumstances, Kevin did not feel inferior to the character of Nova Villa, who was rich. He would, in fact, often deride the way she valued material wealth, a sentiment shared by many, that the nouveau riche is often depicted in a similar way, illustrated by the need to cover their sofas with plastic so they would not be soiled, not knowing how tacky this is.
Meanwhile, Dolphy, in his various incarnations, epitomized the cool and the sane, never letting life’s cruelties break his spirit. For him, wealth, power and privilege did not define him as a person. Family and one’s self-respect are what matter most.
This is an image well-loved by Filipino audiences. We see it often depicted in many dramas, comedies, movies and TV shows. Perhaps if it can be said that what is portrayed as fiction is often a reflection of our reality, then the everlasting popularity of such shows is very telling.
Of course, in real life Dolphy was as inspirational as the men he played in long-running John en Marsha and Home Along Da Riles.
He fathered many children, and by all indications was able to provide for them well. Some of his sons followed in his footsteps, entering the entertainment industry with as much gusto as Dolphy showed through all the years of his life. Their love and respect for him reveals a measure of the man that was a father of sorts to so many Filipinos, who looked up to the characters he played as if they were real, and him, as if he were their own.
Comedy King, he was crowned by all, and to his sons, he was a “king” of the best sort. Just as he “retired” but never really left public consciousness, Dolphy — the man, the actor, the father — was a living reminder to never lose faith, and to keep a positive attitude, no matter how tough life gets.
His life was as imperfect as the next man, but he never surrendered to the burdens he would sometimes carry. Keep smiling, he seemed to say. Life is meant to be lived with laughter, with hope and dignity.
And for living up to his title, and sharing both his humor and drama to us all, Dolphy will live on forever.