Dolphy remembers Mindanao and Gensan

(Note: Dolphy passed away July 10, 2012)



The Philippines' premier comedian, Dolphy, shared his memories of touring the Philippines post-WWII as a budding dancer/comedian in his book Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa as told to Bibeth Orteza:

Si Paquito Bolero, hindi lang movie director. Siya rin ang impresario ng traveling group of entertainers na umaabot sa Tuguegarao and then later on Visayas, Mindanao, pati 'yung Jolo, Sulu, Basilan; narating namin.


Wala pang mga armalite no'n ang mga sundalo. Ang mga Muslim karamihan pa no'n nakapatadyong, naka-malong. Ang sukbit nila, mga kris, kampilan, parang itak lang. At saka nagkakasundo pa no'n ang mga Muslim at Kristiyano. Very peaceful. Bago pa ito no'ng 'yong Koronadal naging Gensan at ang lahat ay pinalitan ng pangalan.

At that time Dolphy's stage name was Golay for his half-Chinese characterization and jokes.