Very few people are given the chance to touch the lives of millions by virtue of their craft.  One such person is our country's acknowledged King of Comedy - Dolphy.  For more than six decades, he entertained many of us through his movies and long-running TV shows.

It is not surprising that many of us feel a tinge of sorrow when it was announced that he passed away last night at the age of 83 after a lingering illness, even if we are not personally acquainted to him.  Maybe it was because of the everyday roles that he played in his shows that help us to easily identify with him or maybe it was the familiarity of being constantly exposed to his performances.  In short, he was a constant presence in our regular TV and movie watching and therefore, our lives.

Whether it was a conscious decision or not for him, I was always thankful that he did not succumb to the call of politics lest his real purpose in life of entertaining people will be set aside or his image be tarnished by controversy.  He remained faithful to his craft to the very end. In return, he is rewarded by a legacy that not only his family can partake of but the whole Filipino nation as well.

In one of his TV specials, I remember Dolphy saying something to this effect: "Kahit hindi ko na kayo kapiling, kailangan nyo lang pindutin ang play button at makakapagchikahan at magkakachurvahan pa rin tayo." ( Even if I am no longer with you, all you need to do is press the play button and we will still be together.)

Delivered in typical Dolphy humor, he acknowledges the fact that the time will come that he will no longer be in this world while showing confidence that he will be leaving enough for him to be remembered by.  And that is what we call legacy.

Postscript:  I hope he finally convinces my father to dance.