Jon says thank you to his mentors

MANILA, Philippines - When one talks about comedians in the local entertainment scene — from comedy king Dolphy and the versatile Joey de Leon to newcomers like Vice Ganda, Pokwang or Eugene Domingo — the name of Jon Santos inevitably crops up.

Since Jon ventured into a solo comic career after doing theater in college for UP Repertory, he has carved a niche for himself. He rules the stage when he does his hundred and one character impersonations which, to this day, remain memorable and sought-after.

Jon attests his longevity in the business wouldn’t have been possible if not for his mentors who have inspired him to do better in his career. That’s why after 25 years, he looks back with fondness and gratitude as he thanks the people who have helped him achieve his esteemed status in the local entertainment scene.

Dolphy – “He taught me that being a funny person and a comedian are two different things. I worked as his sidekick in Gabi ni Dolphy on Channel 9. He is really an entertainer.”

Joey de Leon – “He told me you can practice every day, even when you’re on the road. He can drive from Manila to Baguio, look at every billboard and make a punch line or comic exercise of whatever he sees. He taught me to sharpen my comedy skills by continuously drilling myself.”

Mitch Valdes – “Drinking friendships run deep.”

Tessie Tomas – “Kulang ang three articles to talk about what she taught me. I started with her, from the time I asked for her autograph. Then I did supporting roles in her shows. To this day, I do my shows the same way she taught me how, on index cards with topic outlines. She does a full service script when doing a show, double-checking for moments of self-indulgence. “Rehearsalism” is how she calls it.

“She also taught me how to respect (your) writers and the commitment to the scripted pieces that your do onstage for the paying crowd. Ad-libs are merely icing on the cake. Moreover, she taught me to use glamour in comedy.”

Nanette Inventor – “I’ve been infusing more and more music to my shows because of her encouragement. She influenced me to do characters who sing, like Tita Midz (Armida Siguion-Reyna).”

Willie Nepomuceno – “He emphasized to me the importance of being uncompromising and having the commitment to look the part. He collaborates with the best for his looks. He spends his own money, as long as he gives the best to his audience.

“He would always tell me, ‘Kikitain mo rin ‘yan in another way. But the satisfaction that you give your audience every time you perform will be priceless.’ He really loves his audience.”

Behn Cervantes – “It’s not about the playwright, director or actor. It’s all about the audience. You will always find stage training very handy.”

Martin Nievera – “Every new opportunity to sing the same piece is an opportunity to sing it better. He taught me to love my production and technical staff like family and to give until it hurts.”

Vilma Santos – “You can look gorgeous through any season. For her, walang kapalit ang pakikipag-kapwa tao. I’m a Vilmanian forever and I can say it not just once. She is my eternal favorite.”

Directors Al Quinn and Johnny Manahan – “My TV comedy life was many times in their hands. I learned how to distinguish comedy that is maanghang (sharp, edgy, but feel-good and not sacrificing) and mapait (bitter and angry). They are responsible for making my character cross-over from the lounge crowd to the TV audience.”

The Apo Hiking Society (Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Buboy Garovillo) – “They taught me how to love my country.”

Redford White – “I learned from him the importance of paying it forward. He was quiet and very unassuming. Very few people knew about his advocacies and support to different foundations.”

Anna Valdes-Lim (artistic director of Metta, resident theater group of Assumption College) – “She is my inspiration in balancing fame and family. She taught me how to handle fame, that it is really a vapor.”

Imbibing all those lessons, Jon arrived at his own style to do comedy, which he applies in all his shows. He headlines another series of one-man comedy acts, 101 Jonjemons: The Pinoy Fower List, which runs Aug. 20, 21, Sept. 16 and 17 at Teatrino in Greenhills.

“It’s time to give something back,” asserts Jon. “There is reason to celebrate. I want to prove that I can do a show even when it’s not election season, Valentine’s or Christmas. After all, audiences continue to go to the lounges all these years.”

Jon works with his long-time friends Enrico Santos and Joel Mercado, who are his writers for the show, directed by Chari Arespacochaga (also the director of the recently staged Legally Blonde).

101 Jonjemons, according to Jon, is a “celebratory journey” for most Filipinos, especially now that the country has a new president. “Unlike my show last year when most Filipinos were anxious about what would happen, we are now celebrating because of the new chapter in our history,” Jon offers. “We are proud to be Pinoy. For a change, I am not doing a show that’s seasonal. This new one has a wider scope, with a little music, showbiz, pop culture but less politics.”

Notwithstanding the fame he enjoys, Jon remains modest and will be eternally grateful to all those who have inspired and helped him all these years. “I don’t always live up to it. I sometimes get stupid in front of my audience and forget my lessons (from my mentors), but hopefully, I make them proud,” he says.