“Bro. Eli really makes sense, that’s why he is true.” This is how Vandolph Quizon described Bro. Eliseo Soriano when he visited the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga to grace the International Thanksgiving of the Members Church of God International (MCGI).

Vandolph, the son of the late king of Philippine comedy Dolphy Sr., recalled how his father first introduced him to Bro. Eli during the early years of the young comedian’s acting career. He remembered Dolphy telling him whenever they would see the preacher on TV and magazine “That man is sincere, and a good comedian too.”

According to Vandolph, he was moved when he was given a moment to speak and heard Bro. Eli’s concern and worry when the International Evangelist heard of the young actor’s accident. Bro. Eli had hoped that the mishap was not serious as it might devastate Dolphy who already had pneumonia that time.

“Wala ka ng hihinging kabaitan [kay Bro. Eli] (You will not ask for kindness [from Bro. Eli]),” said Vandolph implying that kindness is inherent in the preacher.

The young actor was also amazed at the huge crowd in the ADD Convention Center. He could only say that the huge gathering is proof of Bro. Eli’s credibility as a preacher to be believed in and heard by a great number of people. For Vandolph, Bro. Eli makes sense which makes him true.

“Yung kay Bro. Eli, ‘yung totoo lang, the real thing” ([What’s] In Bro. Eli is, just the truth, the real thing).” Vandolph made the statement in his visit to the ADD Convention Center last September 30 to personally thank Bro. Eli Soriano, Bro. Daniel Razon, and the MCGI Congregation for assisting their family when Dolphy was in critical condition.

Although the movie and television icon passed away in July, Vandolph was still grateful for all the help and support his father received, saying it was very significant to him.

Vandolph entered show business in 1989 when he first appeared in the TV show, Loveliness, which was hosted by his celebrity mother and now councilor Alma Moreno. He has already starred in many television sitcoms and movies along with his father Dolphy. Vandolph was only five when he debuted in the entertainment industry.

Meanwhile, his father Dolphy (Real name Rodolfo Vera Quizon) is hailed as the Philippines’ leading comedian. His career began when he was billed in the movie, “Dugo at Bayan (I Remember Bataan).”

To date, Dolphy has appeared in more or less 200 movies and television shows altogether. He died of multiple organ failure as a result of pneumonia which he contracted in 2009. Unknown to many, Dolphy is an admirer and avid viewer of Bro. Eliseo Soriano’s religious program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).

(Written by Cecile Vizcaya)