Singer calls for flag to be worn to honor 'People's Artist' Dolphy

To honor the Comedy King Rodolfo "Dolphy" Quizon, singer and former Quezon City Councilor Anthony Castelo urged Filipinos to wear a Philippine flag this Sunday, the day in which the Comedy King was buried.

 

"Ito kasing Philippine flag ang pinakamahalagang simbolo ng ating bayan. Ito ang magsysymbolize that Dolphy is truly the people's artist. This will be the Dolphy flag for us. Ang panawagan po namin, wear a flag today for Dolphy," said Castelo, who is also chairman of the Dakilang Lahi Foundation.

 

Castelo said the foundation will be placing 83 miniature Philippine flags in a small memorial at their office. 

 

"Nagpagawa kami ng 83 pieces nito, 83 years old po si Dolphy at ilalagay namin ito sa aming isang maliit na memorial sa opisina for everyone to see," he said in an interview on Balitanghali on Sunday, hours before Dolphy was laid to rest at the Heritage Park in Taguig. 

 

The Dakilang Lahi Foundation offices are located in Mandaluyong City.

 

Castelo did not elaborate further on purposes of the Dakilang Lahi Foundation. 

 

People's Artist Award

 

As debates continue on whether or not Dolphy will become a National Artist, the Dakilang Lahi Foundation awarded the veteran comedian with the first People's Artist Award. 

 

"Ito pong People's Artist Award ang sagot ng bayan sa National Artist Award na hindi naigawad kay Dolphy na maraming humihiling at nagdadalamhati at nagdurugo ang puso, lalo na ang mga mahihirap at maliliit," Castelo said.

 

Former President Joseph Estrada presented the award posthumously on Friday, two days before the Comedy King's burial. Castelo said they had planned to award Dolphy directly on July 11, but were unable to do so as he passed away on July 10.

 

"Noong July 10 yumao na ang ating mahal na Dolphy, pero the week before nalaman naman niya na tatanggap siya ng People's Artist Award, at ibinulong na sa kanya ni Jr. na padating na si Pres. Estrada at ang mga kasama niya sa industriya kaya nag-smile pa nga si Dolphy. Kasi ang akala namin noon eh uuwi na nga. Nagce-celebrate na nga kami, may one week pa, aba uuwi na," recalled Castelo.

 

According to Castelo, they chose to give the award to Dolphy as a symbol of justice that is due to Filipino artists who contribute so much to the country. 

 

"Dahil yung struggle po niya, siya ay naging simbolo ng hustisya na dapat naibigay sa mga artistang Pilipino na napakalaki ang kontribusyon sa ating bansa, na hindi naman nabibigyan ng nararapat na karangalan. 'Di katulad ng panahon ni dating First Lady Imelda Marcos, na nagtayo ng Cultural Center of the Philippines, ay hindi siya nagtipid sa pabibigay ng parangal," he said.

 

A February 2009 philStar.com story identified Castelo as a “Marcos loyalist”. 

 

Castelo described the eagle-shaped trophy which they awarded to Dolphy as representing the Comedy King's achievements, and at the same time, his humility. 

 

"The Philippine Eagle is our national bird, which is considered one of the largest birds in the world, and they fly the highest. But like Dolphy, ang Philippine Eagle ay hindi niya nakakalimutan bumalik sa lupa, sa kanyang pinanggalingan," he said.

 

Dereliction of duties and inaction

 

Castelo also said that the group may possibly file a complaint with the ombudsman against the National Historical Institute for “dereliction of duties and inaction”. 

 

"Kasi sabi ng Malacañang, kinukunsidera nila yung aming panawagan na ibaba yung flag na half mast katulad ng ginawa ni Mayor Lim. Agad-agad sumagot ang Malacañang, pero nagtaka kami nung nakarating na sa National Historical Institute ay wala nang kumilos. I think, because of the National Historical Institute, President Aquino missed the opportunity to heal wounds, missed the opportunity that he may have wanted to pacify the hearts and the sentiments of our Filipino people," he said.

 

On July 11, Philippine flags were flown at half mast in schools and public offices in Manila in honor of the late comedian. 

 

Meanwhile, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III proclaimed July 13 a National Day of Remembrance for Dolphy. In 2010, Aquino presented Dolphy with the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart, in recognition of his achievements and his philanthropic efforts. The National Historical Institute could not be reached for comment as of posting time. — DVM, GMA News