MANILA, Philippines - Citing health reasons, “Father Jejemon” marks Dolphy’s final foray into the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“Dati [hangga't] may anghang, sige pa. Pero ngayon talagang hihinto na [ko] after this [movie],” the King of Comedy declared via taped interview on “The Buzz” last Dec. 26.

This announcement comes after his 2010 MMFF entry went on the verge of being axed from the festival just a few days before the event due to issues raised by several groups. Going as far as calling for a boycott of the movie, these groups pointed out that a couple of scenes depicting mishaps in receiving the Holy Communion were “offensive” to the Catholic faith.

However, a full-blown issue was nipped at the bud when Dolphy’s camp immediately apologized and voluntarily removed the scenes before re-submitting the output to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

"Maawa naman kayo sa 'kin, susmaryosep. Sa laki naman ng ginastos namin ,tapos bo-boycott-in niyo [lang]. Panoorin niyo na lang 'yung pelikula, puro maka-Diyos ang sinasabi ko do'n. Puro sa kapakanan ng tao. Huling pelikula ko na nga 'ka ko siguro 'to, eh, magiging gano'n pa.

"Malinis na malinis ang pelikula ko. Patawarin niyo na. 'Yung inaakala nilang mali 'yun... I meant to do good. Pero kung masama, ayaw nila ['yung mga eksena], aalisin ko," said he last Dec. 20 on "TV Patrol."

On Dec. 22, it was finally given a General Patronage rating by MTRCB Chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares and other members of the reviewing committee, a decision agreeable to everyone including those who initially raised objections to the movie.

“I'm very blessed na mapanood 'yung movie. Maganda naman, very positive 'yung values at ‘yun naman pala talaga lang ‘yung eksena na talagang offensive,” Fr. Fernando Suarez said in an interview after the second review.

Fr. Suarez belonged to one of the groups who criticized the movie and was also among those who reviewed it on Wednesday.

Dolphy’s longtime partner and “Father Jejemon” co-producer Zsa Zsa Padilla, who braved the issues together with her beloved, also expressed her happiness over the news.

“Sobrang natutuwa kami... Noong nalaman nga ni Dolphy 'yon eh, sabi niya naiyak daw siya sa tuwa. Tuloy na tuloy na [ang pelikula],” she said in a separate interview with “Showbiz News Ngayon” last Dec. 22.

Meanwhile, Dolphy’s health had been one of the most talked about issues of 2010. Malicious rumors about the 82-year old veteran actor’s alleged demise even circulated on text messages and tabloid reports, which he only laughed off in interviews.

Nevertheless Dolphy admitted the fact that he contracted pneumonia numerous times already, thus making his lungs weaker. His son, Epi, meanwhile, earlier disclosed that his father had been rushed to the hospital twice during the last quarter of the year and that he was advised by his doctor to avoid malls and other crowded places so as to not aggravate his condition.