The Absent-Minded Dolfo in "Ta-ra-ra-dyin ... Pot-pot!" (1972)

Ta-ra-ra-dyin ... Pot-pot! is a 1972 romance-comedy film that follows the hilarious adventures of an orphan named Dolfo. Directed by Jose 'Pepe' Wenceslao, the film is topbilled by Dolphy. The music was created by Jose Mari Chan. At that time, Chan has already established himself as a creator of jingles for use in TV and radio advertising.

This is one of the major films in which Dolphy worked with Jose Mari Chan. The others are Karioka Etchos de Amerika (1971) and Pinokyo en Little Snow White (1972).

The title Ta-ra-ra-dyin ... Pot-pot! comprises onomatopoeic words referring to items used by the character Dolfo in his job as a vendor:

Ta-ra-ra-dyin for the drum-like sounds that can be made from the two large cans attached at the sides of his bicycle. These cans contain Dolfo's merchandise.

Potpot is for the the horn with a rubber bulb. This bulb is squeezed to get the attention of potential customers.

Screen Capture: Lea Productions / Dolphy Filmography

PLOT

The film opens with two men near a bridge. Mario stops Dolfo from attempting to end his life. From that moment, they become friends. With nowhere else to go, Dolfo accepts Mario's offer to stay at his house.

Dolfo finds work as a newspaper boy, but one day his bicycle collides with Tomas, a moneylender. While on the street, Dolfo is captivated by a young woman named Cynthia—who turns out to be Tomas's daughter. Distracted by her beauty, Dolfo crashes and eventually loses his job.

At home, Dolfo remains absent-minded. He forgets the rice cooking on the stove, and the house nearly catches fire—saved only by Mario's timely arrival. Mario scolds Dolfo but reassures him about the broken bicycle. Soon after, Dolfo secures new work as a pan de sal peddler.

In their conversation, Dolfo mentions the beautiful woman he encountered. Being shy, he asks Mario for advice on how to court her. But as events unfold, it is revealed that Cynthia is Mario's classmate—and the real romance is between Mario and Cynthia.

The introduction also allowed to patch up things between Dolfo and Tomas.

Meanwhile, at Tomas and Cynthia's house, a woman is often seen lingering nearby. She is later revealed to be Luisa, Tomas's former lover and Cynthia's mother.

One day, Roger, a persistent suitor, deceives Cynthia into a kidnapping. He tells her that Tomas has been in an accident and that she must rush to the hospital. Luisa happens to be nearby and enters Roger's car, perhaps hoping to finally speak with her daughter.

Dolfo's co-workers witness the abduction. Though heartbroken in love, Dolfo informs Mario of what happened. Together, they head to Roger's resthouse to rescue Cynthia. In the midst of the action, mother and daughter are finally reunited.

Cynthia is successfully rescued, and Dolfo steps aside, entrusting her to Mario. As Dolfo walks away, he is struck by a car. A woman emerges from the vehicle and offers to take him to the hospital—hinting at the possibility of a new love awaiting Dolfo.

MAIN CAST

Dolphy ... Dolfo

Hilda Koronel ... Cynthia

Caridad Sanchez ... Luisa

Raul Aragon ... Mario

Da Big 3 Sullivans ... Dolfo's co-workers

Juano Juarez ... Roger

Boots Anson Roa    ...    Woman from Car (uncredited)

Dolphy and His Children in "Kung Anong Puno, Siyang Bunga"

Kung Anong Puno, Siyang Bunga (Tagalog: What the Tree Is, So Is Its Fruit) is a 1971 Filipino comedy - family drama film directed by Luciano Carlos. 

Produced by Dolphy's RVQ Productions, the film was the company's fourth anniversary presentation. 

It was top-billed by Dolphy, Gloria Romero, Sahlee Quizon, Manuel 'Boy' Quizon, Katy de la Cruz and Panchito.

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions

SYNOPSIS

Rodolfo 'Dolfo' Vera (Dolphy), a composer with a wife and two children, was just released from prison after being granted with a presidential pardon in time for Christmas. 

As he reflects on the events that led to his plight, a series of flashbacks was shown.

About fifteen years ago Dolfo went home and found his wife Rebecca (Gloria Romero) in a seemingly compromising situation with another man.

He accidentally killed the man during the ensuing scuffle, resulting in a prison term.

Harboring the feeling that Rebecca was unfaithful to him, Dolfo resolved never to see Rebecca again.

One day, a new prisoner arrived and turned out to be an accomplice of the man who died in the said scuffle.

This new prisoner disclosed that a setup was hatched to make it appear that Rebecca was committing infidelity.

With this information, Dolfo proved that he had made wrong accusations against Rebecca.

His efforts to apologize to and make amends with his wife proved futile, as the letters he wrote mysteriously failed to get into his wife's hands.

From the prison, Dolfo stayed for a while in the house of his cousin (Balut) and made plans on how to reach his family.

Dolfo found out that Rebecca and their two children lived in the house of his mother-in-law (Katy de la Cruz).

The children, Malou (Sahlee Quizon) and Marlon (Boy Quizon) are now teenagers who grew up without knowing their father. 

Dolfo applied for a job as a family driver. Rebecca saw her and talked about how things have changed.

Malou suddenly appeared and asked her mother who is the man she is talking to. 

Dolfo promptly said that he is the new driver, and Malou said that he is hired.

Malou found a father figure in the Dolfo, and music became their shared interest.

On the other hand, Marlon was antagonistic toward Dolfo.

Growing up without a guidance from a father figure, Marlon gravitated toward vices.

Meanwhile, Rebecca's mom was furious to find out that Dolfo is in her house.

She was also the one who made actions to alienate Dolfo from his children, reaching to the point of setting up a false tomb that bears Dolfo's full name.

She eventually agreed for Dolfo to work as a stay-in family driver on the condition that he will not reveal himself to their children as their father.

Another condition is that Dolfo should allow Rebecca to get married to Ferdinand (Panchito).

Rebecca's mother thinks Ferdinand is the better choice.

A drug deal gone wrong put Marlon in danger, prompting Dolfo to come to the rescue and almost lose his life in the process.

The incident served as the catalyst for Dolfo's reconciliation with Marlon and the rest of the family.

OTHER NOTES:

Zandro Zamora, later known for villainous roles in action movies, was cast as Zandy, Malou's suitor.

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

*** Like many other movies from RVQ Productions, family members are part of the cast. Sahlee and Boy Quizon are Dolphy's children. The late Georgie Quizon, who played the role of the hippie houseboy, was Dolphy's brother.

*** Panchito's character is Ferdinand, a namesake of the Philippine president at the time of the movie's release.

*** In a scene inside the police station, Dolfo complains that the youth are into shenanigans and watch a lot of bomba movies. During that period, the bomba genre was characterized by gratuitous use of sex scenes.

*** Taglines: "This Is Definitely the Most Bombastic Picture of 1971," "The Family That Hates Each Other Kills Each Other"

*** A musical number featuring Dolfo and Malou was set on a rainy night. It samples 'rain' songs such as "Rain Rain, Go Away," "Singin in the Rain" and "Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Hand."

*** A number of shots were made at the Lamesa Park, a public park with lots of trees. The Tagalog translation of the movie title is 'What the Tree Is, So Is Its Fruit.'

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

*** Speaking of parks, Dolfo has a musical number that features the song "MacArthur Park."

Video Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

"Dolphy Alay Tawa: A Musical Tribute to the King of Philippine Comedy" Airs Tonight

On September 19, a musical special dedicated to the late Dolphy, King of Philippine Comedy, was held at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The special, titled Dolphy Alay Tawa: A Musical Tribute to the King of Philippine Comedy, celebrated the life and times of the showbiz luminary. It was originally scheduled on August 31.

SOURCE: Facebook page of SM Mall of Asia Arena

Mang Tomas the Sari-Sari Store Owner

In the Philippines, the sari-sari (Tagalog for "variety") store is an avenue for economic and social activity.  Aside from allowing customers to buy items by piece or by small portions (e.g. half a liter of cooking oil), the sari-sari store credit purchases.  Store owners can make a list of outstanding balances, and payments can be made depending on the agreement between owner and customer.

Friends and neighbors can stay outside the store and talk about topics, ranging from the most inane to the most relevant, during business hours. Sari-sari stores also function as makeshift drinking bars. If a brawl ensues due to excessive drunkenness, the help of barangay patrols or policemen is necessary.

The sari-sari store and the people inside and around it have been depicted in Filipino popular culture countless times.  In the universe of the sitcom Home Along Da Riles, Mang Tomas is the sari-sari store owner to whom Kevin Kosme depends on.

The following screen captures from Home Along Da Riles: The Movie show Kevin Kosme (Dolphy) and Mang Tomas (Tommy Angeles):

Comments about "Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa"

In 2008, Kaizz Ventures published "Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa," Dolphy's tell-all book (as told to the writer Bibeth Orteza).  With the demise of Dolphy, anything related to him has seen renewed popularity including this book.  A good friend of mine was kind enough to lent me a softbound edition for weekend reading.  I hope that in the future the price of the hardbound edition will decrease, so can I avail of my own copy.

In the book's opening pages, Dolphy dedicated the book to those who followed his career, and to those he made cry and laugh.  Aside from asking forgiveness from people he had hurt, Dolphy also forgives people who have offended him.


The book increased my adoration for the undisputed King of Philippine Comedy.  Like every other common Filipino, he had a considerable share of joys and sorrows.  As he laughed in times of happiness and cried in times of despair, Dolphy shrugged off worries brought by problems and faced them full of courage and dignity.

Dolphy's "Home" Movies

Dolphy will be laid to rest this afternoon at the Heritage Park in Taguig. His memory will remain in the hearts of many people. Recognizing that in many ways heart equates with home, I'll be sharing some images relating to some of Dolphy's movies, titles of which include the word 'home.' 

(NOTE: Movie rights belong to RVQ Productions and Star Cinema.)

Home Along Da Riles is the first movie version of the ABS-CBN sitcom. Dolphy plays the role of Kevin Kosme, a widower who makes ends meet for his children.  Released in August 1993, the movie was co-produced by Dolphy's RVQ Productions and Star Cinema under the direction of Johnny Manahan.

Final Tribute for Dolphy at the Dolphy Theater

Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., better known as Dolphy, passed away at 8:34 p.m. on July 10, 2012, fifteen days before what would have been his eighty-fourth birthday.  Dubbed as the King of Philippine Comedy, Dolphy left behind a legacy of giving smiles and laughter to Filipinos of all walks of life for more than six decades. As an icon of Philippine culture, his unequaled talent was highlighted in theatre, radio, television, and film.

His remains were brought the next day to the Dolphy Theater within the compound of the television network ABS-CBN for public viewing.  This also provided an opportunity for the public to pay their final tribute to the late Comedy King.

It can be recalled that in 1965, Dolphy launched his television career with the network through the program Buhay Artista. During the 1990s onwards, he starred in the sitcoms Home Along da Riles, Quizon Avenue and John en Shirley for the network.


I will be sharing with you pictures relating to the situation outside the Dolphy Theater before the public viewing of Dolphy's remains started.

Dolphy's Father Roles in Movies

I  support the call to proclaim the Philippines' King of Comedy, Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr., popularly known as Dolphy as a National Artist for Film.  With a showbiz career that spans almost seven decades, Dolphy deserves the accolades. The condition of his health is very delicate nowadays, and I am one of those who hope for his recovery.


In celebration of Father's Day and as a tribute to Dolphy, let us recall some films in which he played father roles. The titles include the word 'tatay' or 'father.'