THE BEST OF THEM ALL

THE BEST OF THEM ALL

Yesterday evening, we lost a legend. But he was a legend who never thought of himself as one, and neither did he ever act like someone who believed he was one. Oh he was indeed worthy to be thought of as a "legend", a "King".

For more than 6 decades, he sang, he danced, he made us laugh and he made us cry.....but what he kept hidden, was that for more than 6 decades he had extended enormous and unquantifiable help to the small people in and out of the movie industry. This he never bragged or even talked about...he just went on his merry way, spreading laughter and putting a smile on everyone's heart, by his words, by his actions in front of the camera and by his actions when there were no cameras.

Bibeth Orteza, the writer of his biography, marveled at how this superstar would wake up for a fan who wanted his autograph, because he did not want to hurt anybody's feelings. Ms. Orteza asked him..."Bakit po hindi kayo yumabang?" His answer..."I travel a lot, nakita ko and mga nilikha ni Michelangelo, sino lang ba ako?"

This, in my mind added to his greatness, his absolute humility about everything he has achieved.

When asked several years ago, why he did not want to enter politics, his answer was...."Madaling tumakbo...papaano kung manalo?" There he showed his brilliance and again his humility.

I have met him, fleetingly, when I was a medical intern, and what I felt from that very short moment was warmth, kindness and humility.

Again, for more than 6 decades, more than 200 films and several tv shows and specials,'he made us sing with him, dance with him, laugh and cry....he was Jill in "Jack en Jill", he was Facifica Falayfay", he was "Captain Barbell", he was even "Darna Kuno",....but the roles that would define him and imprint him in every Filipino home was as John Puruntong in "John and Marsha", and for another generation, as Kevin Kosme in "Home Along The Riles"....he was the father who loved his children above all, and he never allowed his financial conditions to prevent him from always being honest, principled and God-fearing....in his own way, he was advising every Filipino father to act that way.

Last night, must have been a special night in heaven...a reunion of sorts....for I am certain that a welcoming committee was waiting for him...composed of....Panchito, Babalu, Bayani Casimiro, Teroy de Guzman, even Chiquito, and, of course, his "Marsha", Ms. Nida Blanca.

With all the problems of the world....heaven must have needed a great show....and the Lord decided to call on the best of them all....The King of Comedy....DOLPHY!

GOD BLESS YOU MANG DOLPHY! GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY!