Final Tribute for Dolphy at the Dolphy Theater

Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., better known as Dolphy, passed away at 8:34 p.m. on July 10, 2012, fifteen days before what would have been his eighty-fourth birthday.  Dubbed as the King of Philippine Comedy, Dolphy left behind a legacy of giving smiles and laughter to Filipinos of all walks of life for more than six decades. As an icon of Philippine culture, his unequaled talent was highlighted in theatre, radio, television, and film.

His remains were brought the next day to the Dolphy Theater within the compound of the television network ABS-CBN for public viewing.  This also provided an opportunity for the public to pay their final tribute to the late Comedy King.

It can be recalled that in 1965, Dolphy launched his television career with the network through the program Buhay Artista. During the 1990s onwards, he starred in the sitcoms Home Along da Riles, Quizon Avenue and John en Shirley for the network.


I will be sharing with you pictures relating to the situation outside the Dolphy Theater before the public viewing of Dolphy's remains started.

An area was set up outside ABS-CBN's Audience Entrance in order for the public to offer candles and write final messages to their beloved idol.

This is the Audience Entrance along Eugenio Lopez Drive:

People started to fall in line about 11 hours before the viewing schedule, which was 10:00 p.m. on July 11 to 3:00 a.m. on July 12.  As a sign of respect, they were requested to refrain from bringing out their cellphones and cameras inside the Theater.

A gate (not shown in the pictures) separates the long queue.

This picture was taken near the intersection of Eugenio Lopez Drive and Sgt. Esguerra Ave. The line continues from there:

One aspect that I did not like was there were some ambulant vendors capitalizing on what should have been a solemn occasion. These vendors were selling T-shirts and button pins that bore Dolphy's image.  As you can see at the bottom left area of the picture, there is a vendor's hand holding cash and some button pins hanging on the railing.

After the public viewing at the Dolphy Theater, Dolphy's remains was brought to The Heritage Park in Taguig City.

President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 433, declaring July 13, 2012 a National Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of Dolphy.

Dolphy's remains would lie in state at The Heritage Park until the interment on Sunday, July 15.