Dannyka Manangan

EXCLUSIVE: CJ Navato on working with theater veteran Jon Santos: ‘Ang sarap niyang katrabaho'

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Fresh from his role as Crisostomo Ibarra in the highly successful musical <em>Liwanag Sa Dilim </em>earlier this year, CJ Navato takes on another acting challenge in the Sandbox Collective’s latest musical<em> Side Show</em> where he plays the role of Terry Connor. Despite this not being his first production for the local theater company, CJ said he had to work hard to get the role during the auditions. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLVEiD1yhAt/embed/?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%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A62752.29999999888%2C%22ls%22%3A61648%2C%22le%22%3A62345.29999999888%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="843" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" 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><p>“Before this, I wasn’t familiar at all dun sa <em>Side Show</em>. Sobrang na-surprise ako na ito yung gagawin ko. I think na-eye ko na before yung <em>Greatest Showman</em> and then when I heard about this, dun ko siya lagi na-co-compare. It’s like the <em>Greatest Showman</em> but gritty. Ako si Terry Connor dito. Grabe yung mga nangyayari sa mga eksena. It’s very dark. Pero ang saya. Na-excite ako. Lalo nung narinig ko na yung music. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, gagawin namin ito and I’m really part of it.’ Masyaa. Nakaka-humble,” he told <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong> in an exclusive interview. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJeVQaOhjNu/embed/?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%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A223314.69999999925%2C%22ls%22%3A61648%2C%22le%22%3A62345.29999999888%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="877" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>After playing an iconic Pinoy character in his previous show, CJ admitted he was challenged to play an older role this time around.</p><p>“Pag tinatanong ako what resonates sa akin with this character, I think Harry is very confident, and the other character that I played, Crisostomo Ibarra, he is very confident. But I think the real challenge here is shifting that kasi it’s Western kind of thinking and I’m Filipino. When I go up there (on stage), I’m not a Filipino. It’s a different experience. It’s a different person. Mas matanda kasi ito sa akin. I play a 40-year-old somehow and I am 28. I think the challenge is trying to emanate that truth, make them understand and make them believe that I am a 40-year-old manager helping people achieve their dreams. I think that’s the biggest challenge for me,” he explained. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLnFvzUy3md/embed/?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%3A204468%2C%22ls%22%3A61648%2C%22le%22%3A62345.29999999888%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" 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><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/3/10/cj-navato-on-falling-in-love-with-doing-theater-sobrang-nakakapuno-ng-puso-2003"><strong>READ: CJ Navato on falling in love with doing theater: &#x27;Sobrang nakakapuno ng puso&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Another silver lining for CJ about being part of this production is getting the chance to work closely with theater veteran Jon Santos, who plays the role of the Boss in the musical.</p><p>&quot;Oh my God, ang sarap niyang katrabaho! Napapanuod ko lang siya, ang sarap niya panuorin na nakakalimutan ko na ako na pala yung gagawa ng eksena. I remember watching<em> Bawat Bonggang Bagay</em> nung last technical dress rehearsal nila and sabi ko as he was approaching the people, ‘Wow, sobrang veteran ng taong ito but he’s so humble and just so full of knowledge, so full of experience, but he’s still so ready to learn.&#x27; It’s inspiring being with him na parang, kulang pa pala yung ginagawa ko. Look at this person na sobrang enthusiastic and his energy is infectious eh. Nakakahawa talagang maging ganun. Ang galing niya, sobra,” he shared. </p><p>Aside from the professionalism and good energy that Jon brought to their set, CJ shared the best lesson he received from the talented theater veteran. “Relax. Hindi ka nagmamadali. Hindi mo kailangan magmadali. You take your time. It is your time. I see it eh. He never said that to me but I see it,” he added.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMT_stsTN29/embed/?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%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A136280.29999999888%2C%22ls%22%3A61648%2C%22le%22%3A62345.29999999888%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" 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><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/22/exclusive-cj-navato-on-being-forever-grateful-to-goin-bulilit-it-s-just-part-of-me-1026"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: CJ Navato on being forever grateful to ‘Goin’ Bulilit’: ‘It’s just part of me’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Watch CJ Navato in <em>Side Show </em>the musical which starts its run on July 26 until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. The cast also includes Jon Santos, Vien King, Reb Atadero, Tim Pavino, Tanya Manalang, Marynor Madamesila, Krystal Kane, Molly Langley, Joshua Cabiladas, Marvin Ong, and many more. Directed by Toff De Venecia and produced by The Sandbox Collective. </p>

<p>'Side Show' the musical actor CJ Navato shares the best lessons he received from veteran actor and co-star Jon Santos.</p>

'Side Show' the musical actor CJ Navato shares the best lessons he received from veteran actor and co-star Jon Santos.