The late Dolphy may have had his funny moments but, frankly, he does not qualify for the honor of National Artist
According to a feature story published in the entertainment section of a newspaper (not the Manila Standard), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) paid tribute to the late comedian Dolphy (Rodolfo V. Quizon in real life) during its celebration of film industry last month.
Tirso Cruz III, a 71-year-old film actor, is the FDCP chairman. Cruz hopes the tribute will help get Dolphy named as National Artist.
The title of National Artist was created under Proclamation 1001 issued by President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos in April 1972.
It is conferred on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine art.
The awardee is chosen by the President of the Philippines from a list of recommendations submitted by a selection committee created by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
A National Artist is entitled to, among others, financial benefits and a burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Cruz claims Dolphy’s name often gets included in the initial list of possible recommendees, but in the end, Dolphy gets eliminated from the final list drawn by the selection committee.
Quite haughtily, Cruz says if he were a member of the selection committee, he would have made Dolphy a National Artist. Cruz, however, laments that the FDCP is not part of the selection process.
FDCP technical adviser Jose Javier Reyes cites the reasons which, in his opinion, prevented Dolphy from getting the award.
According to Reyes, Dolphy’s personal life is used against Dolphy. Although Reyes was not specific, many believe the reference is to Dolphy’s having sired many illegitimate children by different women.
In addition, Reyes says comedians are not taken seriously, unlike dramatic actors. For Reyes, people are unmindful that it is more difficult to make the audience laugh than to make them cry.
Reyes also claims certain sectors disapprove of gays, and Dolphy has portrayed gay characters in his films.
Considering that Cruz and Reyes are publicly advocating that Dolphy be named National Artist, a distinction which carries with it benefits paid from taxpayers’ money, their views may be the subject of public commentary and criticism.
Cruz’ and Reyes’ arguments lack substance.
The newspaper story cited above does not indicate the reasons for Cruz’s favorable disposition toward Dolphy. Cruz’ high but unexplained regard for Dolphy is not a sufficient justification for naming Dolphy a National Artist.
As for the reasons given by Reyes, the same are misplaced.
Dolphy’s personal life is a moot and academic issue. The personal life of Nora Aunor once became a point against her with the selection committee, but Aunor eventually got the award in 2022 anyway.
Reyes’ statement that it is more difficult to make the audience laugh than to make them cry is misleading.
For instance, slapstick comedy, the genre Dolphy is known for, can easily elicit laughter from an audience long exposed to slapstick comedy.
In contrast, there are film tragedies that, despite their sad endings, do not elicit tears from the audience.
At any rate, Reyes did not cite any credible source for his sweeping statement.
There is no empirical evidence to even suggest that people, the selection committee in particular, do not take comedy or comedians seriously, or are prejudiced against gays.
At the very least, I do not think Reyes qualifies as a mind reader. Besides, the historical record belies his views.
Herbert Bautista was a comedian before he got elected Quezon City mayor.
The late comedian Chiquito (Augusto Pangan Sr. in real life) was repeatedly elected councilor of Makati. Comedian Lou Veloso is a veteran member of the city council of Manila.
Roderick Paulate, another comedian and one known for his portrayal of gay characters, was elected Quezon City councilor for several terms.
The real reason why Dolphy has never been named National Artist is in the slapstick comedy he is known for. Slapstick comedy does not require much intelligence for many to find funny.
Yes, Dolphy’s comedy triggers much laughter, but it is almost always at the expense of another performer’s physical disability or deformity.
For example, whenever the late comedian Babalu (Pablo Sarmiento in real life) was with Dolphy in a movie scene, the latter’s jokes are almost always about Babalu’s legendary pronounced chin (baba).
Often, Dolphy grabs Babalu’s chin and pulls it away to add to the slapstick humor.
A National Artist for cinema and television is required to have made substantial contributions to the development and advancement of this field.
During his 67-year career first in cinema, and then on to television, Dolphy never elevated the Filipino’s taste and preference for comedy beyond the slapstick.
The late Dolphy may have had his funny moments but, frankly, he does not qualify for the honor of National Artist.