Seasoned funnyman Jon Santos has just added Dionisia Pacquiao to his growing list of subjects for his live comedy gigs.
Mommy Dionisia, mother of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, makes a good stage subject, says Jon, because of her colorful personality and background.
"Pero pang-[Las] Vegas naman ang sayaw ko, a... To think na dati pambili nga ng bigas, wala ako," he mimics Mommy Dionisia in one of his spiels, a witty reference to her rags-to-riches story from being a struggling housewife to a wealthy celebrity matron.
Jon's decision to incorporate Mommy Dionisia—dubbed "Dyuning" for added riot—in his performances adds freshness to his stage shows.
Jon himself expressed astonishment at the elite crowd Dyuning has been attracting during his performances.
"Nagulat ako, for lack of a better term, 'yong mga nagsasabing alta de ciudad sila, 'yan ang paborito nila," Jon said during a recent conversation.
Jon revealed that he and Mommy Dionisia had already met backstage at the popular noontime game show Wowowee. The chance encounter gave Jon an intimate look at the celebrated mother, whose candid comment was, "Ang ganda ng tela!" referring to his shawl.
EXPECT MORE IN 2010. Comedy is serious business and Jon, being the consummate professional, painstakingly studies his subjects to make his portrayal believable every time the curtain rises.
"I give it my own flavour. So, example, si Aling Dionisia, I study her movements, language, pero may marka ko pa rin bilang Jon Santos," he said.
It also helps that Manny Pacquiao is joining politics in the upcoming national elections. That gives Jon additional reason to play Dyuning in his election-related comedy shows.
Jon's one-man show billed "Kuring, Gluring, Syerrap at Dyuning: Eleksyon is Nearing, for Voter or for Worse" has been warmly accepted by the viewing public. The team behind the production has decided to further extend its run, booking January 13, 20, 29 and 30 for restaging at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan.
As election fever intensifies, no one is more excited than Jon himself, whose name has become synonymous with satirizing key political figures, like Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo and ex-leaders Fidel Ramos and Joseph "Erap" Estrada, among others.
"I'm sure magkakaroon ng mas marami pang interesting characters, lalo pa't malapit na ang election. Yung kay Aling Dyuning, who would have thought that this year, she will shine?"