Jon Santos: Growing up gay in a family of military men

Comedian and impersonator Jon Santos is gay, and it is no secret. It’s a pretty obvious fact, as far as he is concerned. “Wala namang na-curious. Wala nang um-overthink pa niyan,” he said.

But it may be surprising to know that the ever-so-flamboyant Santos grew up in a family of military men.

“Sundalo ang tatay ko. ‘Yung nanay ko, anak ng heneral. Ang lolo ko ang kauna-unahang may titulong valedictorian na nabigyan ng espada [sa Philippine Military Academy] noong 1937,” he said. “So napakalaking challenge sa akin na huwag guluhin ang mundo nila.”

Having a military background, however, proved to be a non-factor when it came to acceptance. Unconditional love trumped old, familiar ways and differences in values.

“Walang effort! Mahal nila ako eh,” Santos said when asked how he “came out” to his family. “Pamilya ako ng mapagmahal na ama.”

In this “Powerhouse” web-exclusive video, Santos shares more about growing up gay: from borrowing dresses from his mother, to entering a different kind of “PMA”  – the Philippine Manggagaya Academy.



-CM, GMA News