7 - The man with numerous appearance

An actor, a singer, talk show host, a comedian, a writer, an excellent cook, and an impersonator. Is there anything that Jon Santos can't do? This is also what I’ve been asking for.

It’s been a  week when Jon Santos visited Asia Pacific College and being invited to talk about his life, definitely not what he impersonated with.

As he came up on stage, students can’t help but to laugh hard because of his funny jokes. What’s new? He is the only one Jon Santos. He makes everyone happy and put smiles on their faces. But, who is really Jon Santos behind those impersonations? Who is Jon Santos in his personal life?

John Santos grew up in a family of military men. However, his life is not a typical story that happens in real life whose family disagrees on his gender. He said that he is so blessed and lucky enough to have a loveable father who completely accepts him from who he was. Jon Santos is well-known as a great comedian of all time. He has appeared in various television sitcoms and has been impersonating famous and infamous personalities for more than 20 years now. He has accomplished more than 50 distinct impersonations, such as  “Basana Roces” (Rosana Roces), “Armida Sigyon-Makareyna” (Armida Siguion-Reyna), “Sherap Espada “ and his wife “Sen. Lhoy” (Pres. Erap And Senator Loi Estrada), “Shawie” (Sharon Cuneta), “Bro. Mike Volare” (Bro. Mike Velarde), “Tita Kory” (Cory Aquino), “Sen. Meeryam” (Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago), “Pres. Gloring” (PGMA), “Krissy Anino” (Kris Aquino), “Okrah Weenfree” (Oprah Winfrey). “Aling Dioning” (Dionisia Pacquiao), “Pia Horseback” (Pia Wurtzbach), “Grace Po” (Grace Poe), etc., and "Ate Vi" (Vilma Santos) and "Juan Flavor" (Sen. Juan Flavier)  is probably two of his most famous impersonations.

Impersonation was never his first career path and profession way. In fact, after graduating with a degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines in 1987 he was set to teach high school Economics.

As he continues telling his story, he said that back when he was younger, he used to copy his teachers gestures and how the way they talk. Later on he then realized that impersonation is his great passion.

Moreover, the main purpose of his speech is that what he learned in his life. And these are the 10 things that he shared to us:

1. Listen.
2. All learning will enrich you.
3. Learning what you love will make you even richer, make you the richest person.
4. Knowledge is everything.
5. Win the war before you fight it.
6. Adjust, adopt, evolve
7. This is all rootless strategy.
8. Always be grateful.
9. You are never alone in your journey. You are always going to be pilgrims.
10. Love yourself and then let go of yourself. Lose yourself because it’s the only way to live.

As he ended his speech, this statement is what remains in my mind “Every second is an open door. Every breathe is an opportunity. Nothing is so easy you can take it easy. No one is expendable enough that you treat him unimportant. No failure is fatal. No success is earned. All successes are gifts and always love. So love.”

However, It’s a great pleasure to have him. Telling what he is in his personal life and what he has learned is a great thing he shared to us.   

Sources:
https://allaboutargao.wikispaces.com/Jon+Santos
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/344664/publicaffairs/powerhouse/jon-santos-growing-up-gay-in-a-family-of-military-men