Dolphy's alma mater mourns his passing

When asked if they will imitate Dolphy, an energetic crowd of children shouts “Yes!” at the Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School in Tondo, Manila. 

 

Unlike generations before theirs, these children had less exposure to the late Comedy King. But like almost every Filipino, they are proud of Dolphy.

 

Dolphy himself was once a student in the 105-year-old school. It was called Tondo Intermediate School before the Japanese occupation in 1942, according to a July 12 report on TV program Balitanghali.

 

The documents that show the late comedian was enrolled are no longer available as termites and several decades of storage have destroyed the school's records. 

 

But the stories remain, and Dolphy himself said in his memoir that he went to school at Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School. 

 

The school is proud of their former pupil.

 

"Noong nalaman namin na siya po ay aming naging pupil, we deeply mourn his death and we join the country in recognizing the efforts of Dolphy as a true artist, and promoting Philippine culture," Principal Trinidad Galang said in the Balitanghali report.

 

Rodolfo "Dolphy" Quizon died at the age of 83 on July 10. 

 

In his memoir "Dolphy: Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-Isa," Dolphy refers to himself as an "orig na Tondo boy." 

 

Of his experiences as a grade school student, he recalled having two centavos for baon, enough for coffee and pandesal. 

 

"Magaling ang public schools no'ng araw. Hindi mo kinahihiyang do'n ka galing," he said in the memoir.

 

According to extant records, there are 17 prominent graduates of Isabelo Delos Reyes from 1939 to 1941, the years in which Dolphy may have graduated. Among them are judges, engineers, lawyers, and certified public accountants.

 

"Tingin ko, average student ako. Hindi matalino, hindi rin bobo," he also said. Little did he know that he would bring so much pride not only to his alma mater, but to Filipinos all over the world. — DVM, GMA News