Singer Anthony Castelo joins clamor for National Artist Award for Dolphy

Singer Anthony Castelo on Thursday urged government to give iconic actor-comedian Dolphy the  National Artist honor.   Castelo was speaking to the press Thursday night outside the Makati Medical Center, where Dolphy lies in critical but stable condition.   The AKAP-BATA party-list, as well as Vice-President Jejomar Binay and several senators have also called on  President Benigno Aquino III to recognize Dolphy as a National Artist.    Castelo, along with comedienne Pokwang, had just come from the Makati Med intensive care unit, where Dolphy was confined for some days now.   “Tayong mga Pilipino napakagaling natin magbigay ng recognition, natataranta tayo pag may foreign artists, pero pag kapwa nating Filipino artists, hihintayin pa nating mamatay bago natin bigyan ng acknowledgment at recognition,” Castelo said, his voice almost choking with emotions. “To me it’s really disappointment bordering on anger na napakatipid nating magbigay ng recognition sa mga nabubuhay pa nating artists at kapwa Pilipino. Napakatipid natin, pero sa mga foreigner nagkakandarapa tayo. Bat ganon tayo?” he said.   “Masyado tayong legalistic, the rules are so stringent, napakahirap pag bibigyan nating recognition ang kapwa natin,” he added.   Castelo said he spoke Wednesday to Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte about expediting the process of naming Dolphy National Artist.   “Binanggit ko sa kanya kagabi na critical si Pidol,” Castelo noted, referring to Dolphy’s playful nickname.   “Sabi ko baka pwede naman natin kausapin si Speaker na baka pwedeng to urge to approve the national artist recognition for our king of comedy which has long been overdue,” he said.   The vice mayor is House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.’s daughter.   “Hayaan mong matamasan naman ng ating King of Comedy na ang buong bansa ay in-a-acknowledge ang kanyang lifetime achievement award and his contributions for the arts,” Castelo added.   Dolphy had been conferred the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart by President Aquino in 2010, Castelo noted.   The Comedy King is the second Filipino to receive the recognition, the first being Helen Keller in 1955.   Castelo recalled times he spent with Dolphy, repeatedly referring to the actor-comedian as “Idol Pidol.”   He and Dolphy were sent to Washington DC by then-First Lady Imelda Marcos to entertain the Filipino community there, Castelo told reporters, saying it was then that he got to know Dolphy’s sense of humor.   “Siya pala tahimik lang siya pag in person, hindi siya nagpapatawa,” he said.   “Kaya siguro yun ang classic comedy style ni Idol Pidol, pag nagpapatawa siya parang hindi siya nagpapatawa para lang siya nagkkwento,” he added.   Castelo asked the public to keep the King of Comedy in their prayers.   “Let’s continue to pray for him, and may God bless our King of Comedy, Dolphy Quizon," he said. —VS, GMA News