To Manong Dolphy. :") (My first time to write in Filipino)


Ang Masayang Pamamaalam sa Hari ng Komedya


                Kevin Cosme, John Puruntong, Facifica Falayfay, or Golay at Darna Kuno;  iilan lamang sa mga pinasikat na karakter na kanyang ginampanan, halos dalawang daang pelikula ang pumatok sa takilya, sampung kwelang palabas sa telebisyon at dalawampu’t isang pagkilala sa kanyang galing at kontribusyon sa mundo ng showbiz– lahat nang iyan sa loob ng animnapu’t anim (66) na taon sa industriya ng nag-iisang Hari ng Komedya, si DOLPHY.

                Matinding lungkot ang bumalot sa puso ng bawat Pilipino nang umugong ang balitang pumanaw na nga sa edad na 83 ang nag-iisang Hari ng Komedya na si Dolphy o Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. sa totoong buhay. Ngunit sa kabila nito, ay naging masaya pa rin ang pamamaalam sa naging hari ng telebisyon at pelikula pagdating sa komedya. Bawat Pilipino, bata man o matanda, may ngipin o wala, at kahit sa’n mang dako ng Pilipinas, ay nakatatak na sa puso’t isipan ng bawat Pilipinong manunuod ang mga ngiti at halakhak na naidulot ni Mang Dolphy sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga palabas at pelikula.

                Taong 1946, siya nuo’y 19 na taong gulang pa lamang, nang unang mapanuod sa pinilakang tabing si Dolphy sa tulong ni Fernando Poe Sr., sa pelikulang Dugo at Bayan 1 (I Remember Bataan). Siya ay mas nakilala nang maging kontratadong artista ng Sampaguita Pictures at gawin ang una niyang pelikula dito, ang Sa Isang Sulyap Mo Tita. Ito ay naging malaking patok sa takilya, na nagbigay daan sa kanyang unang starring role sa Jack & Jill.
               
                Ngunit ang simula ng kanyang mas matagumpay na karera ay nang siya’y maging bida sa palabas na Buhay Artista, konsepto ni Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. at Ading Fernando nuong taong 1960s, sa ABS-CBN. (Dito ay nakasama niya si Susan Roces at Panchito.) At sino nga ba ang hindi nakakakilala kay John Puruntong at ang Puruntong Family sa palabas na John en Marsha na umere sa taong 1970s hanggang sa 1990s. Sumunod pa dito ang John en Shirley na tampok din naman kasama ni Dolphy, ay si Maricel Soriano. At taong 1992, naging bukambibig rin ng mga Pinoy ang pangalang Kevin Cosme na sumikat sa kwelang kwelang Home Along Da Riles na muli ay patok na patok at tumagal hanggang sa taong 2003.

                Si Mang Dolphy, ay hindi lamang sa mundo ng katatawanan at komedya naghari. Bagkus, nahamon din ang kanyang kakayanan sa pag-arte sa ilang mga “gay roles” at seryosong pagganap sa mga pelikulang Facifica Falayfay (1969), Fefita Fofongay (Viuda de Falayfay) (1973), Sarhento Fofongay, Markova: Comfort Gay (2001) kung saan kanya ring nakasama ang kanyang mga anak na sina Eric at Epi Quizon.

                Bilang isang hari, ay nabigyan ang ating Tito Dolphy ng iba’t ibang pagkilala dahil sa kanyang mahuhusay na pag-ganap. At isa sa mga pinakamahahalagang pagkilala na kanyang natanggap ay ang Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart na ipinagkaloob ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III nuong Nobyembre 2010 – Ang pagkilalang ito ay ang pinakamataas na ibinibigay sa isang pribadong mamamayan mula sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas.

                Lubos siya kung magmahal sa kanyang kapwa at wagas siyang nakapagdudulot ng mga ngiti at halakhak – iilan sa mga dahilan kung bakit marami rin ang sa kanya’y nahumaling. At ilang mga babae rin ang nahulog at sa kanya’y napamahal na nagbunga ng kanyang labingwalong (18) mga anak. Ito ay sina Engracia Dominguez, Gloria Smith, Pamela Ponti, Evangeline Tugalao, Alma Moreno at  Zsa Zsa Padilla.

                Sa kanyang naging pagpanaw ay mas nangibabaw ang mga masasayang alaalang kanyang naiwan, at ito’y sa walang pagtataka dahil siya nga naman ang hari ng komedya. Maliban sa mga biro at mga kalokohan na kanyang naibahagi, mapagbigay at may taos pusong kabutihan na hindi matatawaran rin si Mang Dolphy. Lahat sa kanyang paningin ay pantay-pantay. Mapa-cameraman, manunulat, janitor o kapwa artista, ang trato niya sa mga ito ay iisa. At sa oras ng pangangailangan? Si Mang Dolphy, ay laging nariyan. Marami nga naman sa mundo ang may ginintuang puso, pero ang hari ng komedya ay higit pa doon. Ayon sa nakakarami, pag iyong nakilala si Dolphy, ay hindi mo aakalain na isa siyang sikat na artista dahil mas nangingibabaw ang kababaang loob nito.

                Patunay ito na ang hari ng komedya, hindi lamang isang imahen o icon na napapaluob lamang sa apat na sulok ng ating mga telebisyon, kundi natili ang kanyang  mga paa sa lupa, nag-abot ng kanyang matulungin na mga kamay sa mga nangangailangan at nagbahagi limpak na limpak na kaligayahan. Si Mang Dolphy, isang totoong  tao na mababa ang loob, nagmamahal at tunay na minamahal ng kanyang pamilya, mga kaibigan at maging ng buong sambayanan. Isa kang inspirasyon, na habang buhay na mag-iiwan ng ngiti sa aming mga puso sa tuwing aming maririnig ang iyong pangalan, Tito Dolphy.
                

My Feature Article on Progeria


Don’t get old without knowing about PROGERIA

               
                “Kung tayo ay matanda na, sana'y di tayo magbago.. Kailan man, nasaan ma'y ito ang pangarap ko ...”
                Along with this song is a pinky swear and an exchange of a promise to a lifelong friendship. We have always shared hilarious stories, silly jokes and played under the delightful sunlight – We were 5 years old back then, but something had unbelievably happened when we reached 8….

                Getting older is a natural process of our life cycle. This is how it really goes for everybody. As we become older, our bodies grow older as well and make changes to adjust to its changing self. However, one disease threatens this natural process, wherein your body gets older and older than necessary, even way older than our actual age– ever heard of Progeria?
                 In the newest primetime drama series Lorenzo’s Time which tells the story of a 10 year old boy who suffered from Progeria, watching that on TV made me thought of him…
                Hutchison Gilford Progeria Syndrome is a rare genetic disease in which the affected patient ages around eight to ten times faster than normal children, though mental development is not affected. Children suffering from it seem to experience accelerated aging which has transparent skin as an infant, and a small fragile body, like that of an elderly person.

                “Nagtatanong lang sa 'yo, ako pa kaya'y ibigin mo? Kung maputi na ang buhok ko ...”

                I told him our friendship will endure the test of time and any other struggle that may come across us. We still played, had fun and enjoyed the time of our lives. We were 8, but something was seemingly unusual. We were 8 but he looked like an 18 year-old. I was taken aback, I was in huge awe, but I didn’t mind. 

                Progeria is an extremely rare genetic disease wherein symptoms resemble aspects of aging are manifested at an early age with very low incidences and occurs in an estimated 1 per 8 million live births and is rarely inherited. Signs and symptoms of this disease tend to get worse as the child ages. Later, the condition causes wrinkled skin, kidney failure, and loss of eyesight, hair loss and cardiovascular problems.

                “Pagdating ng araw, ang 'yong buhok ay puputi na rin…”
                Yes, his hair turned gray. I was almost terrified…

                Children with Progeria can look quite normal at birth, but eventually they fail to develop properly. They usually build up some distinctiveness. Their height and weight are below average, they have prominent eyes, they may turn gray, bald and have Alopecia, their nose seems pinched, they have decayed teeth or delayed teeth development, loss of eyebrows and eyelashes are evident, their skin turns wrinkled.
                Children with this genetic condition usually look quite similar, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The disease however, does not affect the mental growth and development of the affected children.

                “Ang nakalipas ay ibabalik natin, hmm.. Ipapaalala ko sa 'yo, ang aking pangako na ang pag-ibig ko'y laging sa 'yo kahit maputi na ang buhok ko ..”
                3 years have passed, but he aged even faster than expected. We were 13 but he, as if, was almost dying. I was horrified. Seeing him that weak and that old? I was scared to lose my dearly loved friend. I was beside him, holding his hand, looking into his sorrowful eyes. And right then and there, all that I was able to do was tell a story, our story.. And bring back the splendid memories of our good old friendship….

                Unlike other diseases and disorders, there are no diagnostic tests and examinations. The diagnosis is based entirely on the signs and symptoms, or the physical appearance of the sufferer. The signs and symptoms of the disease become more obvious in the first or second year of life of the child. As far as treatment is concerned, it has no cure. Treatment is mainly aimed towards reducing the complications such as, heart and cardiovascular diseases associated with the condition.

                Till now, only a few children with Progeria exceed the age of 13 years, as most of them surrender to conditions like, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks and strokes.

                Currently, there only 40 to 45 known cases of Progeria in the entire world and researchers are still finding a cure for the disease. Apart from finding a cure, scientists have another special interest in the Progeria, as this disease may unveil some of the very important aspects of the normal aging process.

My Column Article for our 1st issue. :) (Unedited pa ho ito.) :>)

                     

LGBTs’ Struggling Pursuit of Happiness

“Happiness is a form of courage.” – Holbrook Jackson

                Each one of us has our own definitions of “happiness”, and such definitions may be according to our own feelings, thoughts, and perhaps, our experiences. Some may find it in others while some may find it within themselves – but either way, all of us would agree that achieving happiness is not an easy chase, especially if you are facing a lot of social inhibitions, discriminations and unjust judgments.  And to be more specific, the LGBT community, though stronger than ever, is struggling in pursuit of their true happiness.

                It has come to our awareness that our friends from the LGBT community (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) are facing a lot of challenges on their day to day living. Stares of malice, ruthless and unending discriminations, being called harsh names – just some of what LGBTs always deal with. And honestly, many of us may consider ourselves quite guilty of these acts of inhumanity.

                Seeing many controversies, on how the LGBTs voice out and fight for their rights and welfare, arise on TV, newspapers, radios and social networks today urged me to vent my feelings out about it as well. It’s not that I’m against nor in support of the LGBTs but, as a concerned fellow having some friends from the LGBT s, I hope I’ll be able to stretch out some points for us to ponder on. One of which is their battle for the same sex marriage. And ever since the issue poured out, it has been the talk-of-the town and has started debates among the society and even the Church.

                And as quoted from Holbrook Jackson, happiness is a form of courage. Today, the LGBTs are in all courage, fighting for their happiness.

                Marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman, as simply defined by culture, the Church and the society. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State; as well-identified in the Philippine Constitution of 1987. Marriage is indeed a very sensitive matter for us here in the country. Marriage; highly-anticipated by every couple – and is also highly-desired of by the LGBTs.

                But is it just about the “marriage” or the “ceremony” itself, which the LGBTs are so keen about? Or there is more to that?

                A few weeks ago, I have watched Danton Remoto (the Chairman of the Ang Ladlad political party) on ANC being interviewed by Karen Davila about, obviously, the same sex marriage issue. Before watching that segment, I actually have no stand nor was really interested about the most-talked-about issue during those times. But after hearing Danton Remoto reason out and clarify why the LGBTs ask for the legalization of the same sex marriage, I became more open-minded about it. Some points I have heard him say is that, they are not actually after the ceremony itself because it is clear enough, that the Church would not and would never allow it; but in point of fact, the legal aspect of marriage.

                Sure there are lots of benefits when a couple is legally bonded by marriage; tax benefits, employment benefits, medical benefits, death benefits, housing benefits and estate planning benefits. But, there is this one thing Remoto said that caught my sympathy. Same sex couples think highly of having a family. These couples want to have their very own children to love and to take care of; and this would be possible through adoption. But unfortunately, LGBT adoption (which is the adoption of children by LGBT persons, may be in the form of a joint adoption by same-sex couples, adoption by one partner of a same-sex couple of the other's biological child (step-parent adoption), and adoption by a single LGBT person.) is not yet legal here in the Philippines. Hence, having a complete family or just the thought of having to raise your own children – is what every one of us yearns about, or maybe, plans of achieving throughout our lives.

                Many influential personalities have also given their thoughts and opinions regarding the said issue. Manny Pacquiao and Miriam Quiambao are to name a few. It seemed that the LGBTs’ struggle to have the same-sex marriage be legalized here in the Philippines and/or simply being LGBTs didn’t please these two relatively religious celebrities. Their opinions have largely reflected their religious attributes, thus, the LGBT community wasn’t pleased as well. These have created huge debates in the showbiz, political and sports industries. Even us, students and common people, have been utterly aware of such issues but then again all we can do is give out opinions and judge incessantly. We are not being helpful though - might as well not say anything at all.

                What this vast issue about the LGBT’s fight for their right of marriage is not just something they selfishly desire. But this is one thing that all of us may relate to, as Pinoys who have strong love and passion for our families. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people no matter how we condemn or dislike them, won’t stop them from doing what they want or have to do. If we could just live our lives the same way we could without having to give too much attention to them, then why wouldn’t we do so? Besides, if we were in their shoes would you want someone or maybe the whole world to hinder your pursuit of happiness?