1 month ago
11
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star
May 2, 2025 | 12:00am
Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon recalled his fondest memory at the Dolphy Theater with his late father, “King of Comedy,” Dolphy. Named after Dolphy, the structure located at ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City is reportedly part of the properties set to be demolished following the purchase of Ayala Land, Inc. of a portion of ABS-CBN Corporation property.
“When we opened it, we were with our dad when he did the ribbon cutting. He was strong at that time. Naka-oxygen na but he was still strong,” he told The STAR at the presscon of the short film “As the Moth Flies” in San Juan City.
When he first heard the news that the theater was part of the deal, he felt hurt. “I’m sure ABS will have their way of honoring my father eventually. Probably not in a theater but you know ABS and my dad have been together from time immemorial so I guess my father will be immortalized in another way.
“But I’m sure ABS will never forget that naman. But when they said na mawawala yung theater, it’s just really the name na mawawala. So yun yung sakin. Of course, masakit. That was where the wake of my dad was held and the memories we had there when we opened it. I mean there’s a lot of memories in that theater. I guess even the theater moves on.”
But if Epy will have his way, he wants the theater to remain there. “But you know Dolphy will be here (mind and heart) of the Filipinos, not in a theater.”
Meanwhile, “As the Moth Flies,” written and directed by Gayle Oblea, is among the finalists at the first Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Short Film Festival 2025. The film event will run from May 3 until May 9 while the Awards Night will happen on May 10.
The short film about mental health is produced by Creative Kartel, in association with Desi Matters an
Epy shares his fond memories at the Dolphy Theater, which was named after his late father, ‘King of Comedy’ Dolphy.
d Happy Manila, and stars Epy, Pam Arambulo, Mina Cruz and Boo Gabunada.
It follows the story of a woman who tries to assess her mentally ill partner and their turbulent relationship, only to unravel haunting truths about their unsettling past.
“As the Moth Flies” earned Best Short Film award in Sinag Maynila 2024 and Best Director for Gayle. It was previously screened in various film festivals abroad, such as Brussels Short Film Festival (Belgium), Little Venice Film Festival (Italy), Greenwich Film Festival (London) and Urban Dreams Festival (New York, USA).
The short film about mental health reminds people that “mental health issues are real,” asserted Epy. “(It’s) tangible, around you. And we need constant reminders, especially to everyone who is suffering from mental health issues. A film like this is a good way to address these issues. It’s like a springboard.
“It’s a constant reminder. You cannot stop from one film though. It has to come from one film, two films, three films but it has to come from us. We have to be aware that it’s tangible, it’s around us,” he reiterated. “And once we are aware of that, we can assess ourselves, we can assess our loved ones on how to go about it.”
He also urged those who are battling from it to call the hotline numbers. The National Center for Mental Health nationwide hotline is 1553.
“So ako, sa mga anak ko, I always say to them that if they have problems, they can talk to me. Always open the communication lines to your loved ones and I think that’s the best way to address these issues.”
Moreover, the veteran actor shared that he once experienced “rejection” in his showbiz career.
He was 19 years old when the late multi-awarded filmmaker Peque Gallaga told him he wasn’t good enough.
“Peque said to me, ‘You’re the brother of Eric, right? And son of Dolphy. You know what, why don’t you find another job?’” he recalled.
As the Moth Flies,’ written and directed by Gayle Oblea, is among the finalists at the 1st FAMAS Short Film Festival 2025
“But I love Peque Gallaga. We’ve done a lot of projects together. Kaya ako tumigil because of Peque Gallaga. That’s how brutally honest he was. That’s how I learned (what) brutally honest means. Pag uwi ko talaga, ‘Ayoko muna. Magaaral muna ako.’”
But that’s when he learned the craft and when they reconnected, they filmed “Pinoy/Blonde,” where he played the lead star. “Bumawi sa akin yun. He told me, ‘I have a film. There’s no other actor but you.’”
