Dolphy joined His creator yesterday, July 10, 2012 at 8:34 pm. He succumbed to multiple organ failure "secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute renal failure." He was 83. (He would've turned 84 on July 25th.)
I grew up watching his movies and sitcoms. As a kid, me and my siblings would be glued to the television on Thursday nights. We sat around the dinner table, sang along the theme song of 'Home Along the Riles' (I'm surprised I still know the lyrics!) and laughed at the antics of Kevin Cosme and his outrageous family. The sitcom ran for 11 years, the longest running comedy series in Philippine TV history. Now that I am working for TV production myself, I could imagine the long hours, the hard work and sacrifices the staff and its actors had dedicated to the program. But more than the wonderfully-written script and the equally talented cast, the show's longevity was apparently due to Dolphy's impeccable comic timing, which never waned even as he aged. I found him as funny in his last television guestings as he was as Kevin Cosme, and as he was way back when I used to watch reruns of 'John and Marsha' on channel 9. Laughter was his gift. He deserved to be called the "King of Comedy . And I believe it will take a while for anyone to take his place for he'd left very big shoes to fill.
I may have not known him personally, but I count myself fortunate to have had a glimpse of his remains, thrice during the public viewing here at ABS-CBN. He looked peaceful. He knew he was loved -- by his family, by the industry he loved as much, by the entire nation. But more than anything, I know had rested at the thought that he IS loved first and foremost by His creator.
"To live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21; NIV)
We are nomads here on earth. This is not our home. Everything we do on earth is in preparation for the eternal life that the Lord has promised us.
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)
In this world, we will suffer. We suffer from persecution, we suffer from ailments, we suffer from poverty, we suffer from pain. But like Paul has declared in Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" Let us not focus our eyes in the temporal joys of this world, but rather, let us set our sights in God's promise of everlasting life in paradise. Where there is no more persecution, no hunger, no ailments, no suffering.
Truth is, my greatest fear used to be death. But when I came to know Christ as my Lord and my Savior, I am no longer as afraid as I was before. I know that to die is gain. I am sure of my salvation. And I eagerly await that day when I'll come face to face with my Creator and sing praises to him with the angels. ♥
Long live, Dolphy. Thank you for the laughter.
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