AFTER almsot six decades of entertaining Filipinos, King of Comedy Dolphy reinvents himself as a drama actor in the forthcoming ABS-CBN soap Utoy. In this series, he plays a Gepetto-like character to Makisig Morales’ Pinocchio.
Friends and colleagues toast the genius of a true Filipino original.

Gloria Romero, actress
During our Sampaguita days, he always made me laugh in the middle of a scene. He’s gifted. He’s lovable. He’s not a clown in real life, but when the camera starts grinding, he’s transformed.

Susan Roces, actress
Dolphy’s Papang and Mamang had a great sense of humor. So does his whole family, to whom laughter comes naturally. There is never a dull moment with him.

Ai Ai de las Alas, comedian
He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Humble, sincere, never hides anything. And he’s the first one to approach you pa nga in public.

Vic Sotto, comedian
He has improved on and polished what he learned from the masters. He has captured the hearts of Filipinos because they relate to his characters.

Epy Quizon, son
No other comedian in the world has consistently provided his audience with humor for six decades. And he’s still at it. He’s funny because he knows the language of the streets.

Eugene Domingo, comedian
Dolphy is King because he has done stage, radio, television, movies. His charm and versatility are evident in the roles he has played. My favorites are Jack & Jill and the classic John en Marsha. Apart from comedy, he also does drama well. His work in Ang Tatay Kong Nanay is remarkable.

Bibeth Orteza, biographer
The man was born poor. But he hasn’t forgotten his roots. He shaped his comedy from his beginnings. He is loved because he gives love. Small wonder his audience crowned him King.

Elwood Perez, filmmaker

Dolphy’s humor, in its many incarnations from Glory of the Morning Sunset (Jack & Jill) to John Puruntong (John en Marsha), has resonated in the Pinoy spirit for generations. As an artist and a personality, he has panache — which those who trailed him sorely lacked, and which those who are now at the forefront of the medium would do well to emulate.
Zsazsa Padilla, partner

I performed with him during the Dolphy@80 World Tour last year. People all over the globe adore him! They find him funny because he is your typical Pinoy. You see in his characters someone you know—your dad, brother, neighbor, husband or friend. I am forever grateful to be part of this extraordinarily gifted man’s life and to be his partner for life.