The Quizons go rolling along

Ask Dolphy and he’ll rattle off the names of his 18 children (with four different women, none of whom he has ever married) without missing a beat.

"You’re right," the Super Comedian confirms good-humoredly. "I have only 18 children," in vague reference to other showbiz great lovers said to have a community of children (in and out of wedlock), like former Sen. Ramon Revilla who reportedly has 88 (actually, said Ramon, he has only 44, all recognized and accounted for) and the late Lou Salvador, Sr. who reportedly has, well, lots of them.

Okay now, let’s call the roll.

"Manuel, Salud, Dolphy Jr., Freddie, Edgar and Rollie. Six, ‘no? They have the same mother. Ronnie, Eric, Madonna and Jeffrey. Four, ‘no? They have the same mother. Mariquit, Carlos, Geraldino, Edwin and Rommel. Five, ‘no? They have the same mother. Vandolph (with Alma Moreno). And then, Nicole and Zia (with Zsa Zsa Padilla)."

Eighteen all in all. Count ‘em!

Besides being an, ehem, elusive bachelor (who might tie the knot with Zsa Zsa, his current beloved, maybe early next year), Dolphy also happens to be the country’s foremost Unwed Father who has kept a happy balance between fathering and nurturing an enduring career that has spanned more than six decades.

Doesn’t he play favorites with his children (on whom he’s said to shower not only affection but material things)?

"If I do," he assures, "I don’t make it obvious to avoid others from getting jealous."

Three of his 18 children are co-starring with him in the ABS-CBN sitcom Quizon Avenue (Saturdays at 8 p.m.) – Eric, Jeffrey and Vandolph – but it doesn’t mean that they are their father’s favorites.

In observance of Father’s Day (next Sunday), Conversations asked Eric and Jeffrey to describe what kind of person their father is. (Although included in the pictorial, Vandolph refused to be interviewed for this piece for I don’t know what reason. The boy is perceived to be a "spoiled brat" who has given their doting dad the most headaches and problems, maybe because he’s the youngest boy among the Quizon siblings.)

How would you describe your dad?

Eric: How would I describe my dad? Well, he’s a man of few words. You won’t really know him unless you spend time with him. He’s quiet; he seldom shows emotion.

Jeffrey: In one word? Humble! He’s a great father who never forgets special occasions, he remembers everyone’s birthday. Very generous not only to us his children but to everyone around him. He treats everyone like his own child.

Doesn’t he know how to be angry?

Eric: Oh, he does. And you’ll know at once if he is. But he’s the type who contains his emotions deep inside him. He doesn’t just explode.

How does he express his anger?

Eric: Basta, you’ll feel it. Mayayanig ka!

Is he physical (you know, violent)?

Eric: No, he’s not. He’s not a violent person.

What makes him angry?

Eric: When you, well, push the button to the extreme. When you say something against his loved ones (especially his children), he really reacts.

Have you ever hurt, maybe not deliberately, your dad, and how did you make up or apologize for it?

Eric: I don’t think I’ve ever hurt him deliberately. If ever, maybe I did it thinking it was for his own good.

Such as what?

Eric: Well, one time I suggested something about his finances. I said, "Dad, maybe this is what you should do, etc." He snapped at me, "Wala kang pakialam. Hindi pa ako patay; huwag mo akong pakialaman. I know what I’m doing." I told him, "I’m sorry, Dad, I mean well."

Jeffrey: I must admit that I was a rebel when I was younger. I don’t exactly remember when or how but I’m sure I did say something or did something that must have hurt him and I’m eternally sorry for that.

Does your dad play favorites?

Jeffrey: In any family, usually the youngest is the apple of the parents’ eye, di ba? Or the girls. But I haven’t seen my dad play favorites. As far as I know, he treats us children equally.

What’s the best gift that your dad has ever given to you?

Eric: My dad is not expressive with what he feels. Usually, he gives me money and asks me to buy whatever I want. But always, he encloses loving notes, such as "Eric, happy birthday. I love you very much!" It always makes me cry – the note.

Jeffrey: My dad is not materialistic. I should say that the best gift he has ever given me and my brothers and sisters is his constant reminder for us to keep our feet on the ground. He always tells us, "Be humble."

And what’s the best gift that you’ve ever given your dad?

Eric: My dad can have anything he wants so it’s hard to think of something that will please him. Yes, caps! He’s fond of caps and I usually give him a cap. Or rubber shoes. When I see a shirt that I think he likes, I buy it for him. True enough, he’ll wear it over and over again. He’s very appreciative of what you give him. But what he really treasures are the cards that go with the gifts. Nata-touched siya.

Jeffrey: It’s not for me to say. With the number of gifts I and my brothers and sisters have given him year in and year out, I don’t know if my dad ever notices what gifts I am giving him.

What do you usually give him on Father’s Day?

Jeffrey: One time, I gave him a painting of a clown. I don’t know if he still has it. You know, my dad loves caps and that’s what I usually give him – caps. How do I know that he appreciates my gift(s)? When he wears them.

What’s your most memorable moment with your dad?

Eric: As I’ve said, my dad seldom expresses what he feels. But I remember when I lost in the Bodyshot search. I told him, "Dad, I’m sorry I lost." He consoled me, saying, "Why be sorry? Why apologize? You heard the crowd; the crowd loved you." His words made me cry, made me feel like a winner. My dad doesn’t praise you to your face; he does it by telling other people, so it’s sweeter when you learn it from others.

Jeffrey: It happened a few years ago when Vandolph was badly hurt in an accident. We picked him up from a hospital in Pangasinan and brought him to Manila on a helicopter. During that fateful flight, I saw the various emotions going on at the same time in my dad’s heart. He was so vulnerable at that moment; it seemed that he wanted to tell me something, everything that he saw, what he and Vandolph went through, but no word came out of his mouth. He was so human, he was so real,

and that made it more memorable. It was a harsh and painful reality. So human and so true.

What’s your dad’s weakness (aside from beautiful women)?

Eric: Caps and white clothes (and shoes). You may not have noticed it but my dad is also superstitious in a way. He always wears red on Mondays for good luck according to the Chinese.

Is it true that he’s a sucker for sob stories (and some people take advantage of him because of that)?

Eric: Right! He’s all ears for sob stories. Dad is too kind and too generous so people take advantage of him. But he knows it. Just the same, nagbibigay pa rin siya.

Jeffrey: Kids. He’s fond of kids. If a kid goes near him, kahit mainit ang ulo niya tumatawa siya. I think my dad is a kid at heart.

What are the qualities that you got from your dad?

Eric: Well, like him I’m also sympathetic to people with problems. Dad is, you know, madaling lapitan. Like me. I don’t know why but lapitin ako ng mga taong may problema.

Jeffrey: I’m still learning how to be one – humble. That’s dad’s trait that I want to acquire – humility. You know, I grew up a brat and I’m only learning now how to be humble. Dad keeps on telling us, "Humility is the best policy."

How are you different from your dad?

Eric: Maybe I’m not as generous as he is.

Jeffrey: Oh, in many ways. One, my dad is more patient than I am. Two, he knows how to carry problems; marunong magdala ng problema. He’s so good at it that you won’t ever know if he is bothered by any problem. Me? I’m very transparent. It’s easy for you to know if I have a problem.

What’s the best legacy (aside from the name) that you got from your dad?

Eric: The lessons in life. Such as, don’t force things; don’t pretend; just be yourself.

Jeffrey: Still humility.

How do you want to remember your dad?

Eric: More than being a great actor, his being a basically good person...a humble human being.

Jeffrey: A great man and a great lover!

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