Jon Santos wants to do drama

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

UNLIKE someone else who had a gay marriage in Las Vegas and later denied it, Jon Santos openly admits he got married to an American, West Stewart, in Toronto, Canada on August 24, 2005."I was 40 then and West was 50," he says.

Was it a case of love at first sight? "No, we first met at the despedida hosted by Tessie Tomas for her son Robin who's going back to New York in January, 2005. He's a friend of Roger Pullin, Tessie's husband. We were introduced and after that, text-text muna kami. Seven months later, he took me to the North York Family Court in Toronto and, on bended knees, he proposed to me. The judge said, usually, yung mga kinakasal niyang gay, matagal nang nagsasama before they tie the knot. West told him we don't want to waste anymore time kasi we're mature na naman. One day lang, nabigay agad ang aming license. Now, after two years na nagsasama kami, I can say I'm happily married. We cook for each other at sabi namin, kami na hanggang pagtanda and we'll change each other's adult diapers. Actually, akong nag-adjust sa'min. Kasi nasanay na ko living in my house in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Para na kong probinsiyana. Now, we live in his condo in Ortigas. He also has a house in Palm Springs sa California. We spent Christmas last year sa mom niya in Philadelphia who even shared with me her secret recipes na hindi niya sine-share sa ibang in laws niya. His job is to help turn waste into energy, like yung mga jeep na de baterya in Makati. Workaholic siya and goes traveling all over the country."

What are West's most endearing qualities? "When we met, he had no background before kung ano work ko. Some guys find my work as an actor and impersonator quite weird kasi I spoof various personalities like Ate Vi, Presidents Ramos and Arroyo, 'di ba? But he, he's very tolerant. He accepted me as I am. He even accompanies when I do corporate shows and patiently waits for me hanggang matapos ako. He's very pro-Filipino so he enjoys the political satires that I do."

How did his family react to his marriage? "Lahat naman sila, very supportive. Even my friends. Maging si Ate Vi nga called me to congratulate me. They already met and I told Ate Vi na West is half American-half Italian, but 100% Vilmanian.

"After establishing a name as a comedian in shows like "Ispup" and "Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata," Jon now wants to branch into drama. "I want to show na hindi impersonation lang ang kaya kong gawin. Kaya nga I'm happy to play the role of a doctor and hospital administrator in the new Judy Ann Santos series, 'Humingi Ako Sa Langit.' Ako si Dr. Jerry Donasco, ang strict boss ni Juday in the hospital where she works as a nurse. For this, I took an acting workshop kay Gina Alajar. I'm really enjoying doing the show with Rio Locsin, Derek Ramsey, Melanie Marquez, Angel Aquino, and William Martinez. I hope it opens other doors for me kasi it's not a gay role. Puede rin naman akong gumanap na brother or even father ng bida.

"But of course, hindi ko rin kakalimutan ang comedy as I'm in the comedy revue, 'Spooftacular Showdown,' produced by "ASAP Live" and to be shown sa Music Museum from November 7 to December 6. I enjoy working with new comedians here like Pook Pokwang, John Lapus, at iba pa. Kasama rin namin sina Candy Pangilinan and Kay Brosas. We present slice of life spoof ng TV shows, like I play Anne Curtis in 'Dyosa' and I also do Oprah Winfrey interviewing si Charos Pempengco."

Jon also did two digifilms, "Hanggang Dito na Lamang at Maraming Salamat" and "Hubad." He was also seen in Bobby Garcia's staging of the play "Dogeaters." He's now managed by Arnold Vegafria's ALV Talent Circuit.

Iya Villania left Black-town in Sydney, Australia where she grew up to pursue a singing career in Manila. But something happened along the way. She got into acting, TV hosting, doing endorsements. She started with GMA-7 but moved to be a Kapamilya. Now, six years since she came to Manila, she finally got back to her first love, singing, with the release of her debut album, aptly titled "Finally."

"I was just 16 when I came here after my manager, Arnold Vegafria, saw me perform as front act for Geneva Cruz in Sydney," she says. "I signed up with Viva Records and I'd record only one song a year kaya mabagal talaga. Finally, this year, they told me to focus on the album at natapos ko rin, with Arnold helping me choose some of the songs in it. I was in high school when I got here and I finished it in Colegio San Agustin. Now, I'm a graduating psychology major sa La Salle, cum laude."

While she's here, she found love in TV host Drew Arellano and they've been on for four years. What's Drew's reaction to the album? "He's not a very musical person but I let him listen to my songs. Okay naman daw."

Which of the songs in her album will she dedicate to him? "'Always' and 'All Over Me'."

One of the songs in her album is "My First Broken Heart." Is it also for Drew? "No. It's a puppy love I had for a Spanish guy when I was in grade school. It lasted for about a week."

What makes Drew endearing to her? "We're both close to our families and to each other's families. Drew's mom is here in my album launch with my own mom and I also showed my album to his dad, Atty. Aga."

Her co-host in "Us Girls", Cheska Garcia, just got married to cager Doug Kramer. Doesn't she somehow feel envious? "Nakakaiinggit din. Cheska is such a happy bride and it's nice that they now go home to each other, no need anymore to make or find time to be with one another. But Drew and I are not ready to settle down yet. I'm only 22 and he's 28. We have to take our time muna as there are a lot of other things that need to be done."

Does she compose songs? "I do, but I never get to finish them. Walang ending."

What kind of album did she do? "They say it's guitar driven pop but it's really a fusion of R&B, ballad, pop rock, wala lang dance track. The other songs in my album are 'Spell's Broken,' 'Morning After,' 'Definitely Lonely,' 'Do You Think We'll be All Right?' 'It Takes a Man and a Woman,' 'I Never Cry,' 'Poison' and 'With Me Tonight,' all done as labor of love."

Watch Iya do free shows to promote her album on November 9 at SM Southmall, November 22 at SM Manila and SM Marikina on November 29.

Star Magic's Rikka Dylim hosted lunch for their October celebrants, led by top child actor Nash Aguas who feels sad he's not included in Regal's "Shake Rattle & Roll" entry this year in the Metro filmfest. "Two years po akong kasama doon," he says. "First was in the "Yaya" episode of "Shake 8" then in "Christmas Tree" episode of "Shake 9" kunsaan nanalo po akong best child actor sa filmfest awards night. Baka hindi kailangan ng bata sa new Shake movie. Pero okay lang kasi may entry pa rin ako sa 'Dayo,' a full length animated na ako ang nag-dub ng lahat ng lines ng batang bida, si Buboy."

A winner of "Star Circle Quest for Kids," Nash has been part of hit shows like "Gulong ng Palad," "Calla Lily," "Lobo," "Goin' Bulilit," and "Flor de Luna." He turned 10 on October 10 and celebrated it as the special episode of "Boy and Kris" that day. Nash will be part of a new show, "Batunting" directed by Wenn Deramas and to air next year.

Matt Evans turned 20 on October 22. He gained fame as the lovable and funny Filam in "PBB Teen Edition 1" and gained stardom in "Pedro Penduko" which ran for several seasons. He was also in "Princess Sarah," "Your Song" and now, "Iisa Pa Lamang" where he plays Gabby Concepcion's brother and is paired with Melissa Ricks. He's also in "ASAP" as a member of Dynamite Dance Crew.

RR Enriquez joined the White Castle Girl search but only landed as a runner up. But she took the audition in "Wowowee" and became part of the noontime show as one of the sexy girls who hand out giveaways and prizes to contestants. She clicked with viewers in her projection as a dumb girl who speaks crooked English and became one of the hosts herself. She turned 22 on October 19 and she got another break as a comedian in the gag show "Banana Split."

Nina Dolino was discovered as a tadjock in "Wazzup Wazzup" where she was linked to Archie Alemania, much to the dismay of Mickey Ferriols who later found out the rumor wasn't true. She later hosted "Break the Bank" and became a member of the sexy female group Koolchx. She is now a mainstay in "Pieta" as a girl in love with Ryan Agoncillo. The sexy morena turned 26 on October 26.

Pica Lozano is a Star Circle 16 member who's also a hair stylist like his dad. But, he stresses, they're not gay. He's very artistic and is into painting, sculpting, singing, dancing, and acting. He turned 19 on October 21.

Source: Malaya