John Lapus: For a few laughs more

There’s no quarreling with his success. At 29, John Lapus is enjoying maximum visibility as a comedian who makes even Kris Aquino and Inday Badiday’s day when he impersonates them. He has two regular shows on ABS-CBN: Arriba, Arriba! and The Buzz.

John’s star also shines abroad. He has been performing in major US cities every two months, filling up a 3,500-capacity venue at the City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, among others. In those shows, he has done front acts for Kuh Ledesma and Basil Valdez.

Wow, John Lapus must be rolling in wealth by now. Wrong. If you go by his statements, that is.

"Yes, I’m popular. I aimed for that before riches, before anything else. But rich? You see, bagsak presyo ako," he admits.

To prove his point, John tells you he travels by cab to this day, and has yet to buy his own house and lot. In fact, he’s sharing a two-bedroom apartment in Quezon City with an ABS-CBN executive (before you raise your eyebrows, the guy and John share the same sexual orientation).

"My relatives think I’m so rich they flock to me to borrow money. But what they don’t know is some actors and actresses are popular, but they’re not rich. They also ride a cab going to work," relates John.

Still, who is he to complain?

Showbiz has allowed him to do what he loves to do.

"All I want to do is perform. In fact, I want to be in theater, if only there’s money in it," he explains.

It all starts in the genes. John’s grandfather is Tino Lapus, founder of the kiddie TV show Eskuwelahang Munti.

His father used to write about movies and would bring home showbiz magazines when he and John’s mom were still together (they parted ways when John was 11).

While he was growing up, John’s classmates played childhood games while he stayed glued to the radio listening to Inday Badiday, whose raspy voice he would later impersonate in many a popular show.

"Ate Luds is my idol. We have the same voice," John says with an amused smile.

Small wonder then, that she and Kris happen to be favorite subjects in his shows. Kris has become a good friend, helping John impersonate her more effectively. "She once told me, ‘Those are not the kind of accessories I use!’" recalls John.

But make no mistake. He does not want to live an impersonator’s life. While he gets a big kick out of the job, plus loads of offers from performers who want him to impersonate them, John would rather be known as a standup comedian, period.

Translation: he can do comedy on his own, and impersonations are added bonuses, only when he feels up to it.

How come? "Other comedians don’t get known for being themselves," is John’s succinct explanation.

One producer who took one good look at John’s performance and was impressed no end is Jacob Fernandez.

When he approached John and offered to produce Dis Is It! D’Universal Sweet for him on Nov. 16, 9 p.m. at the cavernous Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas (formerly Folk Arts Theater), John was at first incredulous.

But the young entrepreneur was serious. In fact, he even got other artists – Ai Ai de las Alas, Dessa, Bing Loyzaga, Rufa Mae Quinto, The CompanY, Christian Vasquez and Jessa Zaragoza – as guests.

John couldn’t be more inspired.

"This is it," he says, obliquely alluding to the title of his show. "I’ll do everything in this show. I’ll sing and dance. Chances are, I’ll land in the hospital after this," John jokes.

A sure audience in his upcoming show is his mom, who John says, is making up for all the time she didn’t catch him perform in school plays (she was out working) by watching every single show of his.

"It was my mom who slaved it out as a teacher to send my elder sister and me to school," reveals John, visibly touched by her self-sacrifice. "I got my inner strength from her."

He admits misunderstanding her when he was only a child.

"I used to resent the fact that she wasn’t around during important moments of my academic life, like graduation, or the dozen and one plays I did. She was working all the time. Now, I know better," he admits.

To prove his point, John brought his mom with him twice in the US, where he had shows.

"When the US Embassy denied her a visa the first time, she told me I was her only hope of ever getting one. Look at her now! She got herself a multiple visa. She can come and go to the US as she pleases," states John.

With the holiday season fast approaching, he expects to even become busier than ever. John has an offer to do a show abroad at this time. But he’s not exactly moving heaven and earth to grab it. He’ll get more or less the same amount in talent fees for performing in all those Christmas shows he’s invited to do.

It’s a cliché, but true. John has gone a long way from his days as an extra and sidekick in the defunct and controversial Cristyperminute. Back then, all they wanted, was, in John’s words, a fresh talent who happened to be uh, affordable. And John was it, hands down.

His success formula can best be seen in his advice to the fastfood waiter who unwittingly forgot to put a spoon and fork on his meal tray: "Do your job well so you’ll get somewhere."

John Lapus’ career has not only gone somewhere, it’s gone everywhere. And all because he makes it a point to excel in what he loves doing best.