Vhong: A different look at a time

At first, no one noticed the tall waiter impeccably dressed in an all-white long-sleeved polo and black pants. No one even gave him as much as a second look when he took orders from the movie press.

But once the presscon for ABS-CBN’s Pirated CD (Celebrity Disguises) started, everyone gasped. The "waiter" humbly bowing before members of the press minutes ago happened to be the host of the show, Vhong Navarro.

The disguise was in keeping with the concept behind his new weekly (Saturdays, 7 p.m.) reality-comedy show. The idea is for everyone, from the host to the celebrity guests, to shed their celebrity image and dress up like a common tao. They will, in other words, learn how it is, for once, to eat humble pie.

Thus, Sandara Park dressed down to look like a taong grasya or homeless person during the show’s premiere.

After getting the principal’s blessings, Vhong himself donned a lady public teacher’s uniform and went to a grade one classroom in Kamuning one day.

"I taught Math and Filipino to the 60 seven-year-olds in the star section," recalls Vhong. The problem, he adds, was not so much his looks but his voice. Vhong had a hard time raising his naturally low speaking voice.

Most of the pupils didn’t suspect a thing. But as the day wore on, their more observant classmates wondered aloud why their substitute teacher had narrow hips and flat buttocks.

No one was telling, however, Not even the regular Math and Filipino teacher, who lent her lesson plan to the principal’s "new faculty member," had any inkling of what was going on.

"I even asked the class to sing Pamela-Mela-Wan (the hit song Vhong recorded months back)," relates Vhong. "Then, I took off my disguise. Everyone was shocked!"

Shocking everyone is just part of the deal. Vhong and company also enjoy the thrill of slipping into the shoes of someone they dream of becoming one day.

"I want to be a cop even for a day," says Vhong. "You see, a cop’s life is full of adventure."

Before he and any of his guests assume a disguise, they first interview the person they’ll dress up to be. He or she could be a Metro aide, a hermit, ice cream man, security guard, etc. This way, the celebrity concerned can get tips on the right way to do the job. What kinds of persons do they encounter? How will they behave in certain situations?

These inputs are important for the celebrity to carry out the disguise well.

The person "robbed" of his job for a day has no reason to complain.

"At the end of the day," reports Vhong, "We turn our earnings over to the person we disguised."

Vhong is so busy these days he doesn’t even have time to take Diana Zubiri – whose heart he admits he’s trying to win – out to dinner. But he assures everybody that he reminds Diana of his intentions by texting her often.

"We became close on the set of Whattamen," Vhong’s eyes sparkle when talking of Diana.

"Mondays I tape for Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis," Vhong ticks off his weekly schedule. "Tuesdays are for tentative appointments that usually push through anyway. Wednesdays, I go live in Yes, Yes Show. The next day, I go live again, this time for Wazzup Wazzup. I also do the voice over for Pirated CD on this day. On Friday, I do the Wazzup voice-over and attend to Pirated CD."

Weekends, he says are reserved for Ice (real name: Isaiah Vhong Lapus Navarro), his five-year-old son by Bianca Lapus.

Vhong and Bianca may have broken up, but they’re on friendly terms. Thus, Ice is familiar with his dad’s movies (Mr. Suave, Gagamboy, Spirit Warriors, etc.), which the boy sees on video.

"My son even knows my dialogues and wants to be an actor someday," the proud dad goes on.

This early, the former Streetboys dancer knows that his son has inherited his dancing skills.

"You should see him do the Otso-Otso. And he’s so funny!" observes Vhong.

He longs to spend more time with his son, who has been complaining that he has little time with his dad. Like a typical parent, Vhong feels guilty about it, but his busy schedule leave him no choice. His four ABS-CBN shows demand undivided time and attention.

That’s not all. Vhong is coming up with a new album to be called Totoy Bibo. The album, reveals Vhong, will carry novelty songs, rap numbers, even ballads.

Is the 26-year-old comedian rolling in wealth?

"My money goes to the bank," Vhong answers tersely.

Now that he’s on top though, there’s one thing he misses: dancing.

Whenever he turns on the TV set and sees young people opening noontime shows with a production number, Vhong wishes he’s 16 again, dancing with Chito Roño’s Streetboys group.

You can’t blame Vhong. Dancing started the ball rolling for the then unknown Ferdinand Navarro (Vhong’s real name). And, after 10 fruitful years, he can’t help but feel grateful.