Why Dolphy’s properties are for sale

All systems go.

Saturday (Jan. 31) next week, the exclusive auction for some of the 32 real-estate properties of Dolphy will be held at the Dolphy Theater at ABS-CBN, with Dolphy’s son Eric Quizon, the family’s administrator, at the helm.

Among those on the block are those in Calatagan, Batangas (13 hectares, with several titles); Gen. Trias, Cavite (five lots); Lian, Batangas (10 properties, one of them on the beach front, with individual titles); Antipolo, Rizal (one); Novaliches, Quezon City; Sta. Maria, Laguna (two lots beside each other); Samar (15 hectares); Baguio City (one hectare); and Balagtas, Bulacan (two lots, one big and the other smaller).

“There are other properties but we are keeping them,” said Eric.

The auction is not open to the public. Bidding will start at 1 p.m. (For registration and inquiries, go to www.hmrauction.com.)

The money raised (estimated amount confidential) will be divided among Dolphy’s heirs including the late comedian’s siblings and his 18 children, two of them Zia and Nicole, with Zsa Zsa Padilla whom Dolphy wanted to but was never able to marry due to legal impediments (Dolphy was not married to any of his children’s mothers).

“Pantay-pantay,” stressed Eric. “That’s what our dad wanted…lahat pantay-pantay.”

The family plans to put up a museum in memory of Dolphy whose memorabilia are  intact, now being catalogued by production designer Joey Luna. The operation of Dolphy’s foundation is on hold.

The big house in Marina, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, is not included in the auction. That’s where Dolphy lived with Zsa Zsa until his death in July 2012, with now only Zsa Zsa and daughters Zia and Nicole living there. It’s in Zsa Zsa’s name. Mother and daughter have reportedly agreed not to sell the house, maybe because not so much for its material but for its sentimental value.

Asked why the family has decided to part with the properties, Eric was realistic and practical.

Dolphy with some of his children and grandchildren. (Photo courtesy of PEP). Inset: His widow Zsa Zsa Padilla, Best Actress winner in the Metro Filmfest’s New Wave Section for M (Mother’s Maiden Name), opening nationwide tomorrow.

“People think that we have so much money when, in fact, we are not liquid,” explained Eric. “Our dad was sick for four years and the hospitalization cost so much that, even when he was alive, he told us to sell some properties to raise money for his treatment. We spent more than P12 million during those years, with about P17 million during his last confinement.”

Eric revealed that, like FPJ and other superstars of his time, Dolphy invested in real estate.

“He taught us how to do it,” added Eric. “When we were kids, he used to play Monopoly with us and maybe that’s how he got the idea which he handed down to us.”

Zsa Zsa, who has found a new love in architect Conrad Onglao (who is divorced from his wife), only shrugged off rumors that they are getting married. She often spends her time in Conrad’s posh condo unit in Makati City.

Incidentally, Zsa Zsa won Best Actress in the New Wave Section of the just-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for her portrayal of a brilliant lawyer battling cancer in M (Mother’s Maiden Name), with Nico Antonio as her gay son, directed by Zig Dulay. Also starring Gloria Sevilla, Dennis Padilla, Sue Prado and Mark Topacio, M is produced by Quantum Films of Joji Alonso, a lawyer and cancer survivor whose story, I suspect, inspired M. Joji is also a co-producer of English Only, Please, the MMFF much-talked-about surprise hit (Second Best Picture).

M (Mother’s Maiden Name) is opening nationwide tomorrow. Watch it, it’s worth your money.

What’s up?

= Medical update on German “Kuya Germs” Moreno: The Master Showman was discharged from St. Luke’s Medical Center last Saturday after more than two weeks following a mild stroke on Jan. 2. According to his son Federico, Kuya Germs will continue with his therapy both at home and at the hospital. “He’s in high spirits and he’s sending his love to everybody,” said Federico. “I thank you for your love and prayers for Papa.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)