Comedy King Dolphy Gets Recording Break At 82

We had so much fun talking with the one and only Comedy King Dolphy at the presscon of his "Handog ni Pidol: a Lifetime of Music and Laughter" album last Nov. 11 held at Discovery Suites in Pasig.

The Comedy King was in his element and he went all out in giving interviews to the press who attended the album launch.We had fits of laughter because the Comedy King would throw a punchline for every question that we'd asked him.

He said he thought that the bosses of PolyEast Records were just pulling his leg when they told him they want him to record an album. He initially thought they were asking his daughter Zia to sign up with the label.

Tito Dolphy said that he didn't imagine that at his "young age of 28" (he's actually 82) he would be asked to make an album.

Nevertheless, it will be noted that this is not exactly his first album, but his second recording in his long and storied showbiz career. His first was a novelty album released in the 1960's and he recorded this together with his favorite comedic partner Panchito.

He couldn't even recall the recording company, let alone the album title, although Tito Dolphy said it was probably titled Dolphy and Panchito. In "Handog ni Pidol," however, Tito Dolphy sings standards, ballads, and other favorites.

He also said he didn't have a hard time during the recording since he's always had the chance to sing in his movies or his TV shows. In his career that spans six decades, he has had been doing song and dance routines. He added that during the early years of his career, it was a must for performers like him to really know how to sing and dance.

Nevertheless, his new album is very special because of the song "Handog" (popularized by Florante), plus the duets he did with Zsa Zsa ("You Make Me Feel So Young"), his daughter Zia Quizon ("You're Just In Love, I Wonder Why"), and his son Vandolph ("Sitsitritsit/Ang Pipit").

He said it was the idea of PolyEast Records that he would do duets with his children but he was the one who chose the songs, especially the one he did with Zia.

"Mahirap maghanap ng kanta na puwedeng mag-counterpoint ang father and daughter kasi karamihan sa mga kanta ay bagay for father and son kaya ang napili kong duet namin ni Zia ay You're Just In Love (I Wonder Why)," said the Comedy King.

He said doing this "Handog ni Pidol" album is just a "katuwaan" for him and he has no intention of competing with the likes of Richard Poon (who is a crooner) or with Piolo Pascual (who is a pop singer). But if there's an offer to do a second album, Tito Dolphy said he'd be most willing to do it.