Their 23 years of togetherness may not have been a walk in the park, but Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dolphy’s long-time partner said it “was worth it.”
Zsa Zsa brought many people in the audience to tears as she reminisced her life with the Comedy King during a necrological service at the Dolphy Theater on Wednesday, July 11.
“In loving the man, I came to accept (him) and all that came with him, his legacy, his personality when not in front of camera, and of course his children. Hindi po naging madali lahat ng iyon. Pero he was worth it,” Zsa Zsa said.
She added that theirs is “not a conventional family,”but Dolphy taught her “kung paano mahalin at magmahal.” She thanked the Comedy King for always putting a smile on her face, teaching her “how to be strong” and being a good provider for their family.
“Thank you very much for being proud of me, for giving me my two girls, for being so thoughtful. And for doing your best to provide for us,” she said.
Zsa Zsa went on, “I will always remember him not just for putting smile on my face but of course it’s sad because I will really miss him. I miss you, Lovey.”
Stronger family
Zsa Zsa agreed with Dolphy’s son Eric Quizon that the Comedy King’s illness brought the family closer as they drew strength from each other and showed their love and support to their patriarch.
“Naramdaman ko na isa kaming tunay na pamilya. Posible naman pala na kahit ang mga anak ni Dolphy ay nanggaling sa iba’t ibang nanay ay puwede naman kaming magka-isa.”
Zsa Zsa expressed her gratitude to all of Dolphy’s children because he “went home to heaven with joy in his heart” as they were with him especially during his last days. She said that Dolphy was lucky for getting so much love from his children and family.
Dolphy is known for his generosity and nurturing ways to co-workers from all walks of life.
He “quietly nurtured his co-workers and colleagues not only monetarily but also with his time and wisdom,” Zsa Zsa relates.
Thank you
“Maraming salamat ABS-CBN, for taking care of his legacy, preserving his body of work for generations of Filipinos to enjoy in perpetuity,” Zsa Zsa said.
She is grateful to TV5 for renewing Dolphy’s contract even if the network bosses knew “he couldn’t tape again.”
In behalf of the family, she also expressed her gratitude to Filipinos worldwide who supported and prayed for Dolphy and the family during the ordeal.
“Gusto naming pasalamatan ang sambayanan na nagdasal at nagbigay ng suporta at pagmamahal throughout his life and his career.”
In closing her speech, Zsa Zsa sang a few lines from the song “Through the Years” and broke down in tears saying, “Kagaya ng huling ibinulong mo sa akin bago ka mamaalam, lovey ko, I love you.”
Others who delivered eulogies were Eric Quizon, ABS-CBN President and chief operating officer Charo Santos-Concio, Dolphy’s leading lady Nova Villa, Marichu Vera-Perez and director Victor de Guzman.
Dolphy’s children Epy, Ronnie, Vandolph, Zia and Nicole were also present.
Among the celebrities who paid their last respects were Zsa Zsa’s daughter Karylle, Piolo Pascual, Maricel Soriano, Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Coco Martin, Gerald Anderson, Vina Morales, Vhong Navarro, Gio Alvarez, Erik Santos, Julia Montes, Maja Salvador, Sam Milby, Angelica Panganiban, Rayver Cruz, Jessy Mendiola, Diether Ocampo, Ryan Bang, Gladys Reyes, Richard Poon, Bella Flores and Mich Dulce.
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