From crunching numbers to leaving everyone in stitches

MANILA, Philippines - There are varied opinions and theories when it comes to the subject of talent: On one hand are a group of people who believe that it is gained through constant practice and repetition, while those in the other would simply say that if you got it, you got it and if you don’t, you don’t. There are those, however, who would argue that it’s an interesting mixture of both, and comedian extraordinaire Jon Santos just might be the guy who could prove this to be true.

Known for his spot-on impressions of celebrities and politicians and trademark wit, Jon reveals that he never really had any kind of formal training in performing not until he became an economics major in the University of the Philippines Diliman. “There were little summer workshops in between semesters in UP where I got to enjoy basic — I mean really, really basic, no slant towards comedy or musical or drama — theater skills,” he says.

But those around Jon have known his talents as early as his elementary days, where he would often imitate his teachers’ little quirks in front of his classmates. “I had my turn in being the class clown,” he admits. “I always found it fascinating to point out quirks of other people to an audience, so in my experience it was the teacher: Mrs. ganito walks this way, Mr. ganito talks this way. I’m not sure though how politically correct some of those impressions were. Looking back, I may have been a little mean in my early years.”

Little did he know that this ability to imitate his teachers is just the start of his journey in becoming one of the greatest actors that this country has ever seen. As time passed by, it dawned on Jon that his schoolboy antics were not so common after all. “I realize that not everybody will do it. There are always just a few people who take on that role of the quote-unquote boy who said that the emperor had no clothes. Konti lang yung malalakas ang loob. And I suspect it took more than lakas ng loob, it took an observant eye.” 

Eventually, college came by and Jon started exposing himself to theater while he was still studying economics, taking whatever chance he could get to join a workshop or be a part of a production. Surprisingly enough, these plays and skits he was in had nothing to do with being funny at all. “It was the pre-EDSA 1 generation I belonged to. During my time, which was the mid-’80s, there were these plays that had the word bayan in them. Magsamba ng Bayan, Iskolar ng Bayan, they all had bayan!” he recalls fondly.

“Some of the performances were in rallies,” he continues. “But along with teaching me how to shout and clench my fist, they taught me movement. They gave me the basic theater terminologies. They gave me the discipline to listen to a director. They gave me the opportunity to act in an ensemble, something that I draw upon now in my occasional return to ensemble acting. Kasi lately I have been a soloist. I’m a little spoiled.”

While he is in fact a seasoned performer, Jon still believes that there’s always more for him to learn and room for him to grow. “Whether imagined or real, I always feared that I have this load on my shoulder that gets in the way of being completely confident, and this load is I did not study for what I do, and what I studied, I did not apply,” he shares, and that kind of honestly and humility is something one can only get after having been through the challenges artists constantly struggle with. “There are days when it doesn’t bother me so much, but certain days I get reminded that certain people who take over the stage right now are equipped with degrees in the performing arts… they deliver, night after night in a long-running production. Their voice, their body, their stamina — all results of the number of hours that they committed taking this up, or committing and recommitting every summer to a workshop.”

Jon sees the importance of attending workshops and drawing insight from the experiences of fellow performers, as well as being generous when it comes to sharing what you yourself know, as he himself is a product of his mentors’ own generosity.

On May 21, 6 p.m. at the Meralco Mini Theater, the public will get the opportunity to learn from and interact with the man himself at Trumpets Playshop’s very first Actors Studio, a one-night-only forum on everything and anything that has to do with performing.

Patterned after the Emmy Award-winner show Inside the Actors Studio, audience members will get the rare chance to get up close and personal with two of the Philippines’ respected performers, because joining Jon in the very intimate engagement is none other than Lea Salonga.

Whether you are an actor, singer, dancer or simply the resident class clown, this certainly an event you should not miss.

Tickets to Trumpets Playshop’s Actors Studio are sold at P750. Limited seats only. For details, call 636-2842, 631-7252 or 0917-8964034 or visit www.trumpetsplayshop.com.