It's more fun watching Jon Santos

My friend Raoul Tidalgo and I are seriously considering filing a case of “slight physical discomfort” against Jon Santos for causing us to laugh so hard and so long that we left Teatrino suffering from bellyache worsened by gas pains.

For nearly two hours a few Saturdays ago, Jon mercilessly tickled our (and that of the SRO audience) funnybone without let-up; he nearly made us choke on the French fries and sandwiches (courtesy of the night’s sponsor, the Philippine International Association of Travel Agents [PIATA]).

The show, called Jon Santos: In.Person.Nation, opened with Jon’s long monologue as Ate Vi, titled “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” that guided the audience on a quick tour from Aparri to Jolo, spiced up with funny/witty commentaries and side remarks about Vilmanians and Noranians, and a rundown of Ate Vi’s memorable screen characters.

That part of the show was so much fun that it would be helpful in the DOT’s “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” campaign, because it captures the inherent happy nature of the Filipinos with scenic spots as backdrop.

We’ve watched and thoroughly enjoyed Jon’s previous shows but watching him again, and again, feels like the first time, never mind if we get bellyaches every time.

When he shifted to his Armida Siguion Macarena alter-ego, Jon turned hilariously irreverent, though never offensive, and we were sure that had Tita Midz been at the audience, she would have shaken in her seat with uncontrollable laughter and, why not, sung along with Jon in his pop-rock version of Tita Midz’s classic signature song Aawitan Kita.

Midway through the show, two latecomers stealthily took their seats, prompting Jon…this time as Miriam Defensive…to take a pause and ask, “Bakit ngayon lang kayo?” and then very kindly repeated in high speed what the latecomers had missed, not missing a beat, not missing a word, not missing a pause or a sigh. Applause, applause, applause!!!

He took up where he had left off and astounded the audience with his heavily Visayan-accented highfalutin’ English that only Miriam could get away with, reminding that audience why a dictionary was named after her.

Did you know how Lady Gaga got her moniker? Jon had a wild guess. When Lady Gaga was messing around at home, her father threatened to give her a good spanking if she didn’t behave, calling her “gaga.” Lo and behold, the lady’s eyes lit up and she exclaimed, “That’s how I should be known from now on!” Or words to that effect.

Jon was just as riotous in his other selves including Miss Dioning Sapakyaw (and her Louis Vuitton bags), Krissy Aquino (and her delightful tactlessness) and Vicky Below (and the twists and turns of her Technicolor love life).

Besides Jon not only as actor but one of the writers (with Enrico Santos and Joel Mercado), credit for the show’s success should go to the directors, Chari Arespacochaga and Johann Dela Fuente. Presented by PLDT in cooperation with BusinessWorld and Flawless, the show is a production of Gran Obra, Inc., line-produced by Ambie P. Burac.

If you want to suffer the same bellyache as Raoul and I did — with pleasure, I should say— I dare you to rush to Teatrino where repeats of Jon’s show are set for tonight, and on July 20 and 28. Reminder: Laugh if you may (and you will, for sure!) but be careful so you don’t pollute the venue with gas.

Award for Madrigal Singers and Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion

The Philippine Madrigal Singers, led by choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, and National Artist for Music and Founder Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion, were conferred The Brand Laureate Premier Award (World’s Best Chorale Ensemble) and the Brand Laureate Personality Award, respectively, at the Penang Performing Arts Center last July 1

The Philippine Madrigal Singers, led by choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, and National Artist for Music and Founder Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion, were conferred The Brand Laureate Premier Award (World’s Best Chorale Ensemble) and the Brand Laureate Personality Award, respectively, at the Penang Performing Arts Center last July 1.

The Madz is the first choir to receive the recognition. Prof. Veneracion, on the other hand, joins the ranks of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former South African President, H.E. Nelson Mandela; founder and CEO of Apple, Inc. Steve Jobs and multi-awarded international stage actress and Disney Legend Lea Salonga, all past honorees of the aforementioned award.

The said awards are given to individuals, institutions and groups who have contributed significantly to the lives of people around the world through their areas of expertise. McDonald’s, Samsung, Nokia and Shell are among the top international brands conferred with this distinction. 

The awards were presented by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF), the world’s only branding foundation, in conjunction with the George Town Festival 2012 held in Penang, Malaysia, a month-long celebration of art, music, theater and film. — Reported By Celso De Guzman Caparas

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