White, not black, and donations, not flowers at Dolphy's wake

(Updated 2:25 p.m.) - The night Dolphy died, fans of the veteran comedian rushed to Makati Medical Center despite the pouring rain. Facebook and Twitter became virtual tribute pages, with the topic "RIP Dolphy" trending on Twitter in a matter of minutes. 

 

And on Thursday, hundreds of fans arrived at the Heritage Park in Taguig City early morning to pay their respects. 

 

Dolphy's son Ronnie Quizon urged the public to wear white in honor of his father. "Please wear white for my dad. It's my father's favorite color," he said in an announcement on Facebook.

 

In his memoir "Dolphy: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa," the late comedian said his favorite colors are red and white. However, red and other bright colors are considered inappropriate for funerals. In the Philippines, there are those who follow the common tradition of wearing black during a period of grieving, but white clothing is also acceptable.

 

Apart from wearing white, those who wish to pay their respects were advised to donate to Dolphy's charity foundation instead of bringing flowers.

 

"Instead of flowers, please make donations to the DOLPHY AID Para Sa Pinoy Foundation. My father would prefer that you help him help other Filipinos," wrote Ronnie Quizon. The Dolphy Aid Para sa Pinoy Foundation gives scholarships to deserving children of overseas Filipino workers. In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III awarded Dolphy the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart – the highest civilian award that a President can give – for his achievements and for his humanitarian efforts such as his work on this foundation. Despite his star status, Dolphy remained humble, never being comfortable being called the Comedy King.

 

Quizon also reminded the public of the schedule of the wake. From July 12 (Thursday) to July 14 (Saturday), doors will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the rest of the time reserved for friends and family. July 11 was also designated for ABS-CBN, while July 12 was designated for TV5.

 

The funeral will be on Sunday, July 15. 

 

Quizon emphasized that absolutely no unauthorized camcording and picture-taking will be tolerated. "I hope you understand this very well. I'm sorry if we have to have you escorted out, arrested or have your cameras confiscated," he wrote.

 

Lastly, he asked everyone to smile. "That's what my father asked from all of you. He would appreciate it if you smile when you think of him, and to smile at someone to make his day brighter too... 'You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile,'" wrote Quizon, quoting Dolphy's favorite song from Charlie Chaplin's “Modern Times.”

 

"Pray for his eternal repose and in his honor, please smile at the person standing next to you. Heaven is a happier place with him there," said Dolphy's son Eric Quizon in his statement on the passing of his father. –KG, GMA News