Zsa Zsa Padilla to Dolphy: "Thank you very much for being so proud of me"

Friends, relatives, and supporters of Comedy King Dolphy, who passed away on July 10, couldn't help shed tears when singer Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dolphy's long-time partner, delivered a touching eulogy at his necrological service at ABS-CBN's Dolphy Theater, PEP.ph reports.

Zsa Zsa herself was battling tears as she approached the podium, but she also tried to smile as she made her speech. The star revealed that Dolphy had been fighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for the past six to eight years, and she thanked the country for their support during his most trying times.

"Nais naming pasalamatan ang sambayanan na nagdasal at nag-shower ng pagmamahal kay Dolphy throughout his life, his career, and of course, during his illness (We'd like to thank the nation for praying for Dolphy and showering him with love throughout his life, his career, and of course, during his illness)," she said. "Naiparamdam n’yo po sa kanya na mahalagang bahagi siya sa buhay ninyo at pagkatao natin bilang Pilipino. Sa napakarami, kapag binigkas ang pangalang Dolphy, nakadikit, ngiti. (You made him feel that he was a big part of your life and the formation of every Filipino. To a lot of people, when you say the name Dolphy, it's synonymous with smile.)"

Zsa Zsa went on to thank Dolphy's children, relatives, and his two networks, ABS-CBN and TV5. But it was the end of her eulogy, in which she thanked Dolphy for being with her, which really struck a chord in people's hearts.

"To Dolphy, thank you very much for being so proud of me, for giving me my two girls, for being so thoughtful, and for doing your best to provide for us," she is quoted as saying. "Kung meron siyang kapintasan, palagi kong sinasabi, 'yun ay ang pagiging sobra niyang mapagbigay. Mahirap magsabi sa kanya na may gusto kang bagay kasi kung mahal ka niya, gagawin niya ang lahat para maibigaay niya sa iyo. Lovey [taught] me how to be strong. Ayaw niyang nakikita akong umiyak. (If he had a negative attribute, I always used to say it was how he was too generous. It was hard to tell him you wanted something because since he loved you, he would do everything to get it for you. Lovey taught me how to be strong. He didn't want to see me crying.)"

She then sang lines from "Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers with tears in her eyes. After she was done, she said through her tears, "Kagaya ng huling ibinulong mo sa akin bago ka mamaalam, lovey ko, I love you. (Just like you whispered to me before you left, my lovey, I love you.)"  

She received a standing ovation from everyone in the theater, including ABS-CBN's CEO, Gabby Lopez.

Dolphy's body is currently at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. His wake is open to public viewing from July 12 to 14 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.



(Screencap via ABS-CBNNews.com)