MANILA, Philippines - Think of a Pinoy celebrity, any Pinoy worth celebrating, or one who is unduly celebrated. If this person has captured the attention of the people, ever since or in recent history; if he or she is someone we love or love to hate, has made us laugh, cry, angry, amused, disgusted, confused, exasperated; if we have stopped, looked and listened, whether out of paralyzing horror, sheer entrancement, or everything in between; if you can think of anyone who falls under any of above-mentioned, that person is a Jonjemon.
This new word was coined by comedian Jon Santos (photo) for his latest show, 101 Jonjemons: The Pinoy Fower List — a celebration of Filipinos and the many events and opportunities that have come our way. Following the election time hit Kuring, Gluring, Syerap at Dyuning, Jon takes a step back from serious political comedy to dabble in Pinoy pop culture. “It’s anyone and everyone,” he says. “From P-Noy to Juan dela Cruz, class to crass, famous to infamous.”
We expect many well-loved incarnations to make it onstage, among them Ate Vee, Ate Shawee and Kreessee Aneeno. While these are yet unconfirmed, one surefire appearance, he promises, is Charize Penpendeserapenco. “It’s a show about Filipinos, but who knows, she might get a phone call from Afro Weenfree,” he hints. It will most definitely be full of surprises, with the list of Jonjemons evolving as newsmakers come and go, and public interest issues crop up and get resolved, until the first showdate on Aug. 20.
Unlike his previous shows that have featured 20 impersonations at most, 101 Jonjemons: The Pinoy Fower List, as the title suggests, offers an unprecedented challenge — 101 characters in one night. Much preparation is underway to ensure the show’s success, from Jon’s co-writers Joel Mercado and Enrico Santos who continue to help him with scripts and quips, to designer Eric Pineda who re-imagines and recreates iconic outfits as the act requires.
101 Jonjemons: The Pinoy Fower List, directed by Chari Arespacochaga and line produced by Ambie Burac, will be staged at in Teatrino, Greenhills, San Juan. Showdates are tomorrow, Aug. 20, 21, 27 and Sept. 16 (exclusively for the Zonta Club of Mandaluyong City and San Juan II) and 17 (a fund-raising night for the UERMMED 84 Alumni Foundation). Tickets are available at all Ticketworld Outlets (with tel. no. 891-9999) and at the Teatrino Box-office.