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Jon Santos on being a proud member of the LGBT community

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Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>At 58 years old, veteran theater actor Jon Santos admits he is nothing but grateful for all the blessings he has in his life despite the challenges he has faced as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The <em>Side Show: The Musica</em>l star, who has just finished the run of the one-man play <em>Bawat Bonggang Bagay</em> earlier  this month, talked to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a> in an exclusive interview about what he is thankful for and what his hopes are during this Pride month. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLakqv8yACY/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A547410.0999999996%2C%22ls%22%3A4650.799999998882%2C%22le%22%3A5145%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1021" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Jon has been known to be one of the country’s top impersonators, doing exemplary performances on stage in both male and female personas. In 2017, he went on stage in costume as the Pinay superhero Darna during his show <em>Extra Judicial Kidding</em>. </p><div><br/></div><p>“It’s a state of sobrang gratitude sa dinatnan ko sa henerasyong ito. Hindi ko na-imagine na magkakaroon ako ng career tinkering with female characters. Hindi ko ma-imagine na maikakasal ako sa isang taong nagmamahal sa akin, na mag-ke-create kami ng family,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN during the <em>Side Show: The Musical </em>presscon held last June 25 in Quezon City. </p><div><br/></div><p>“So sa sobrang gratitude ko, napakahirap para sa akin magkuwenta ng mga wala bang ganito, wala bang ganyan? Eh wala pa nito?,” he continued. “Pero alam ko na maraming lumaban at maraming nag-risk ng maraming bagay para ipaglaban yung pagkilala sa members ng LGBTQIA+ community as a legitimate receiver of a status of family 100% of the way.”</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLaoYA0z0vd/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A547420.8999999985%2C%22ls%22%3A4650.799999998882%2C%22le%22%3A5145%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1035" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2017/2/11/fresh-scoops/exclusive-jon-santos-shares-the-secret-to-his-last-54559" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Jon Santos shares the secret to his lasting marriage</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>More than just wishing for equality for the community, Jon stresses that he hopes public lawmakers can pass laws that will benefit those who need it the most, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community. </p><div><br/></div><p>“So sa kasalukuyan, civil unions I guess abroad exist but wala pa yung marriage equality here. And I will celebrate it when it comes. Although  number one, I am also very, very aware that things get better. Number two, I’m very, very grateful sa mga dinatnan ko sa buhay kong ito. Number three, alam ko rin na madami pang batas na pinaghihirapan ng ating mga lawmakers para maitawid ang mga mahihirap, ang mga naghahanap ng mas improved education at ang mga may sakit,” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJWZYIdBXvx/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A547440.2999999989%2C%22ls%22%3A4650.799999998882%2C%22le%22%3A5145%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1235" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2017/7/20/fresh-scoops/jon-santos-introduces-his-new-character-darna-sobe-72244" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Jon Santos introduces his new character Darna Soberano in his latest show</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p><em>Side Show</em> is a Tony-nominated musical that tells the extraordinary true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton as they journey from a sideshow attraction to the bright lights of vaudeville. It’s a moving celebration of sisterhood, survival, and one’s longing for love and acceptance.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKgNZJspNik/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A889557.8999999985%2C%22ls%22%3A4650.799999998882%2C%22le%22%3A5145%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1167" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKRnfWWs9qL/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A891043.2999999989%2C%22ls%22%3A4650.799999998882%2C%22le%22%3A5145%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1185" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Watch Jon in <em>Side Show: The musical </em>which will run from July 26 to August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. The cast also includes CJ Navato, Vien King, Reb Atadero, Tim Pavino, Tanya Manalang, Marynor Madamesila, Krystal Kane, Molly Langley, Joshua Cabiladas, Marvin Ong, and many more. It is directed by Toff De Venecia and produced by The Sandbox Collective. </p>

<p>'Side Show: The Musical' star Jon Santos shares a hopeful wish for the future of his fellow LGBTQIA+ members and the rest of the nation in this exclusive interview.</p>

'Side Show: The Musical' star Jon Santos shares a hopeful wish for the future of his fellow LGBTQIA+ members and the rest of the nation in this exclusive interview.

EXCLUSIVE: Jon Santos on being a proud member of the LGBT community: ‘Hindi ko ma-imagine na maikakasal ako’

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EXCLUSIVE: Jon Santos on being a proud member of the LGBT community: ‘Hindi ko ma-imagine na maikakasal ako’

Rhea Manila Santos,

Push Team

Published Jun 30, 2025 05:50 PM PHT

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Jon Santos

LGBTQIA

Sandbox Collective

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