King of Comedy Dolphy’s “Banayad Whisky” gag from the 1995 film Father En Son proved to be more than just a punchline — it’s now a premium bottle, a family enterprise and a cultural heirloom.
Nearly three decades since the sketch first aired, the image of the late Comedy King grimacing over a gulp of cheap whisky while muttering the unforgettable words “Lasang blade (Tastes like blade)” has resurfaced with viral force. Shared millions of times across platforms, the scene is now legendary, both for its hilarity and the sheer Dolphy-ness of it: Honest, humble and hilariously human.
But behind the laughter came a sobering truth. As bootleggers began to capitalize on the sketch’s popularity — selling questionable liquors under the “Banayad Whisky” name, some even bearing Dolphy’s face — the Quizon family was forced to draw a line. They had to protect not just a name, but a legacy.
A joke turned into justice
“There was a bottle circulating online, and it had my dad’s face on it,” recalls Eric Quizon, one of Dolphy’s 18 children and the steward of his estate. “It was using the line from the film, too. I told them, ‘I could sue you. But I’m not a bad person. Why don’t we collaborate?’”
That olive branch was met with silence. The sellers disappeared, but the damage had been done.
The Quizons knew then: they couldn’t let Dolphy’s image be used without care — or consent. That’s when the family officially created PBW Manila Enterprise Inc., which stands for Pidol’s Banayad Whisky — the only whisky line legally and emotionally tied to the man who made it famous.
“This one is real. It’s official. It’s trademarked. It’s our way of honoring our father — and ensuring that his legacy stays classy, not clumsy,” Eric says.
From sketch to scotch
Ironically, Dolphy wasn’t far removed from whisky in real life. According to son and actor Epy Quizon, the late comedy legend was a fan of dark liquors like cognac and whisky before switching to red wine for health reasons.
In crafting PBW’s first line of whisky, authenticity was key. One of their partners reached out to a Scottish supplier who had initially balked at the idea — until he watched the viral clip.
“He realized it wasn’t just some internet joke,” says Epy. “It was a cult classic. He flew to Manila with samples.”
The result: Two carefully selected Scotch blends. The first, a three-year-old blended Scotch, is light, floral and honeyed — perfect for casual drinkers. The second, a 12-year-old blend, has more weight, but remains approachable, with a smooth finish and a whisper of oak and smoke.
Each bottle features Dolphy’s smiling face and a small razor blade icon — an irreverent nod to the “lasang blade” punchline that started it all.
Not just a drink, but a tribute
Despite its novelty, Pidol’s Banayad Whisky isn’t a gimmick. It’s positioned as a premium product — priced at P2,499 for the younger blend and P3,499 for the 12-year-old.
While distribution is still being finalized, the bottles are available directly through the Quizon family, often signed and numbered, making them collector’s items as well.
“It’s funny,” Eric muses. “My dad is gone, but he’s still providing for us. His name, his legacy — it still opens doors. We want to protect that.”
And they’re not stopping at whisky. The Quizons have launched Pidol’s Bakeshop, a bakery franchise that pays homage to Dolphy’s humble roots; and are building Dolphy Manor, a museum and heritage complex in Calatagan, Batangas. Plans are underway to stream remastered versions of his classic films and hold retrospective screenings.
In all of this, unity is key. With 18 heirs involved, the family operates on consensus. “One ‘no’ and the project doesn’t move forward,” Eric explains. “But we always go back to one question: What would Daddy do? That keeps us grounded.”
Dolphy’s enduring humor —and humanity
At the heart of Pidol’s Banayad Whisky isn’t just a funny scene — it’s a celebration of Dolphy’s enduring ability to connect with Filipinos from all walks of life. His comedy was never cruel. He never punched down. Even in the famous whisky scene, his discomfort becomes the joke — not the product, not the people around him.
That kind of humor — disarming, warm, self-deprecating — has aged as well as the whisky now bearing his name.
So, when you finally take a sip of Pidol’s Banayad Whisky and ask yourself, “Lasang blade ba?” — maybe the best answer isn’t yes or no.
Maybe it’s just “Huwaw… swabe.”