Boy 2 Quizon backs renewed push for Dolphy’s National Artist bid

The actor-director says Comedy King’s legacy proves he deserves the honor.

Calls to confer National Artist status on Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon are gaining fresh momentum ahead of the Comedy King’s 14th death anniversary this July.

In July 2025, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua filed House Resolution No. 41 seeking to recognize Dolphy’s immense contributions to Philippine cinema and television. With a career spanning over six decades, many believe the honor is long overdue. Some are even arguing it should have been granted during his lifetime.

More than a year later, the clamor remains alive.

During the recent “Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion” screening at the Metropolitan Theater, Dolphy’s grandson, Boy 2 Quizon, welcomed the renewed push, expressing hope that the appeal gains traction.

“Maraming nag-a-appeal na mangyari ’yon. I’m very happy na at least nababalik ’yon. Of course, sa amin, kahit kay Lolo naman, parang noong time na ’yon he said, ‘hindi, okay lang ’yan.’ Para sa kanya, ‘Kung ’di para sa akin…,’ laging gano’n,” he said. “Pero feeling namin, hopefully, ma-appeal lang ulit, deserving talaga siya.”

Quizon also addressed long-standing debates questioning comedy as a basis for the country’s highest artistic honor.

“’Yong pagpapatawa—if there’s any question about it, ’yong legitimacy kung bakit ’di pa siya nagiging National Artist ay dahil comedy raw. Pero ’yon na nga ’yon: gaano karaming tao ang napasaya ni Lolo? Gaano kaimportante ba ’yon?” he said.

“Mahirap kaya magpatawa. Hindi ’yon biro. Sana magkaroon ng appeal uli for Daddy.”

At the same event, the cast of “Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion” turned emotional as they revisited memories of working with Dolphy, whose absence remains deeply felt.

Quizon, who serves as both director and producer of the film alongside Vandolph Quizon, admitted the process was both fulfilling and heavy with responsibility.

“Of course masaya dahil nabuo namin ang pamilyang Cosme, pero ’yong buong process, siyempre, malungkot din. Marami na kaming kasamang nawala,” he said.

“Kung tatanungin n’yo ako kung may pressure, oo, sobra. Siyempre, if you are working on something na minahal ng mga tao, kasama ’yon.”

He said legacy became his driving force. “Ang naging motivation ko na lang is legacy, to honor everyone who’s been part of it. Surreal lang kasi dati isa lang ako sa nangungulit, tapos ngayon isa na ako sa nag-a-action.”

Despite initial hesitation, Quizon eventually took on directing duties after encouragement from Vandolph and Maybelyn dela Cruz.

“’Yon, si Vandolph talaga saka si Maybe ang nag-push sa akin. They said, ‘Dos, ikaw ang mag-direk.’ Nung una ayoko talaga. Gusto ko sana mag-focus sa isang role, pero naisip namin na kailangan may isang talagang nakakakilala sa amin,” he shared.

To bring the project together, Quizon leaned heavily on collaboration. “Para magawa ko siya nang mas madali, kinailangan kong i-collaborate ang buong cast. Kung wala sila, hindi ’yon magiging madali. Feeling ko naman nagawa siya.”

Addressing comments that the franchise would never be the same without Dolphy, Quizon agreed, but said that was never the point. “Like anybody na nagsabi no’n, yes, it would never be the same. Kaya namin siya binuo. May magic kasi tuwing magkakasama kami, at lumalabas ’yong mukha ni Tatay sa amin,” he said.

“Wala kaming papalitan. Hindi ito remake. Parang pangungumusta ito sa mga nanood noon.”

He added that mounting the reunion film took more than two years, with the team carefully navigating expectations and honoring Dolphy’s legacy.

“Hindi nila alam, it took us two and a half years to mount it. Marami kaming pinagdaanan. Marami rin ang nagsabi na baka masira lang ang legacy,” he said. “Pero kahit ano pa ang maging outcome, happy kami kasi nagawa namin ito.”

“Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion,” produced by Riles Productions and TJAV Productions Inc., opens in cinemas nationwide on June 17.

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