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Jon Santos on performing in ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ in Singapore: ‘Nakaka-proud’

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Rhea Manila Santos

<div class="MsoNormal"><img src="" alt="052114-Jonsantos_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" align="left" border="0"/>After performing to packed crowds in Resorts World Manilaearlier this year in the first run of the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Jon Santos admitted his role asveteran drag queen Bernadette is a different experience from his usual stand-upcomedy. “Napakagandang excursionoutside my impersonation, political satire, impersonation impersonation na ipahinga muna si Miriam ‘The Defensive’ DefensorSantiago and si Sherap Espada at siyempre si Bernadette na ating binigyang bihay dito sa PriscillaQueen of the Desert ay fictional, kathang isip. So ang sarap sarap na overthree months nagkaroon kami ng chance umimbento ng fictional character. Soparang siyang ‘meat-and-potatoes’ acting na nahaluan ng dance, comedy, singing. Wonderful adventure siya. Perobabalik din tayo sa politics kasi election na eh, malapit na,” he admitted.</div>After returning to the country after the Singapore run ofthe play, Jon said he is excited about the second run of the show untilDecember 5. “Hindi dumadali, ewan ko kungbakit. Kasi nandun lagi yung challenge lagi na ma-break mo yung dati mong wayof delivering. At saka iba ng iba yung cast. Yung ka-eksena mo bago ng bagongaktor na yung bato sa ‘yo iba so yung magiging bato mo iba rin. Ang napansin konaman, na-bi-build yung aking confidence so sana magka-play din ako ulit. Nunguna takot ako eh. Hyper na hyper kami ngayon sa kaligayahan lalo pa&#x27;t limitedrun so yung kilig mo may halong senti, may halong lungkot. Kinikinita kinita kona kung gaano kahirap magpaalam at the very last show,” he admitted.Even though he has performed abroad several times, Jon said bringingPriscilla abroad was a different experience. He says the production received“dancing ovations” in Resorts World Sentosa. “Sobrang kakataba ng puso at nakaka-inspire kasi hindi lahat ngaudiences dun madaming Pinoy. May mga gabi na all expats, may mga gabi na 50%expat, 50% Singaporean theatre going community. And yet nag-ko-connect pa dinkami with them. So nabigay buhay namin at nagawa namin yung trabaho namin namailahad yung storya ng magkaibigan to this banyagang crowd. Sa akin napaka-firstnun kasi nakakapag-show man ako sa abroad, 90% nung shows na ginagawa naminabroad ay yung mga kababayan natin, the OFW community, the homesick immigrantPinoys. First time ko magtanghal to mostly foreigners. Ang sarap sarap ngfeeling. Nakaka-proud,” he admitted.<div class="MsoNormal"><img src="" alt="052114-Jonsantos_main.jpg" width="400" height="290" align="left" border="0"/>Although they are still in talks for another overseas run,Jon couldn&#x27;t contain his excitement at bringing the musical to other countries.“May mga usap usapin, may mga negotiationna nagaganap involving taking the show again to other Asian countries angmaganda naman diyan, dahil lumaki na yung cast, meron na parang cast A and castB so portable and tourable na siya. Hindi siya nag-depend sa technology,nag-depend siya sa acting, dancing at pusong Pinoy, for a production to importus to their country, parang doable. Keri ika nga (laughs),” he says.</div>After decades of doing impersonations of famouspersonalities, Jon said there is one Pinoy celebrity closest to his heart. “Iimagine siguro 30 men and 60 men kasi theFilipina is the one na mas madali gawing monologue kasi ang Pinay ang masnagsasalita more than the Pinoy. So yung mga female characters mas madami Iexperienced. Si Ate Vi the ‘Star for all Seasoning’ ang closest to my heart kasi mapa-showbiz, mapa-pag-ibig, mapa-politika,mapawoomanhood, mapa-stardom, meron at meron siyang kuwento,” he shareD.Watch Jon Santos along with Michael Williams, RedConcepcion, OJ Mariano, Pinky Marquez and, Ima Castro in the second run ofPriscilla, Queen of the Desert starting November 28 until December 5 at ResortsWorld Manila. For ticket inquiries, you may call RWM Box Office at 908-8000local 7700 or visit. www.rwmanila.com/priscilla/