Comedian 'Dagul' opens up about his struggles to provide for his family amid pandemic

Comedian “Dagul” has brought so much laughter to Filipinos in his showbiz career. He has a big heart for everyone – his family, his colleagues, and his fans.

But as they say, comedians have their own struggles even as they bring joy to their audience. Dagul, or Romy Pastrana in real life, is not an exception.

According to “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Dagul has difficulty walking on his own. He sometimes uses a wheelchair to get around or has one of his sons carry him to the barangay command center in Rodriguez Rizal where he works.

“Siguro hindi na kaya ng bigat ng katawan ko,” he said. “Out [of] balance talaga. Kumbaga sa kandila parang nauupos na.”

[“Maybe my body cannot support its own weight anymore. I get off-balanced. I’m like a burnt-out candle.”]

Dagul earns P12,000 a month in the barangay, where he coordinates with the barangay tanod to address concerns brought by the residents. The income is far from the money he made at the peak of his showbiz career.

“Tumakbo akong konsehal. Hindi naman ako pinalad,” he said. “Walang kumukuha kaya ano lang muna, raket-raket... sabi ko sikat ka naman noon, lumubog ka ngayon. Ang showbiz, weder-weder lang.”

[“I tried running for councilor, but I lost. No projects were coming, so I was just doing gigs here and there. I said to myself, even though you’re popular before, you can still sink low. In showbiz, you won’t always be at the height of your career.”]

While Dagul was able to buy a house and send his four children to school with his showbiz earnings, he is now struggling to provide for his family. Two of his children are yet to finish their education. His youngest, Jkhriez also has dwarfism like him.

“Sabi ko sa mga anak ko, ‘Tiis-tiis lang. Ganun talaga ang buhay, hindi ‘yung lagi tayong nasa itaas, minsan nasa ibaba,’” he said.

[“I told my children, ‘We will have to endure this for now. In life, we won’t always be on top.”]

Dagul is no stranger to hardships. Hailing from Bacolod, he used to work for a sugar company and later opened a business buying and selling dry goods.

When his savings got depleted amid the pandemic, he turned to business once again and set up a small sari-sari store to augment their family income.

Dagul thought about asking for help from his former colleagues in showbiz, but he felt ashamed to do so. Whenever times get difficult, however, he has no choice but to steel himself and get in touch.

One of the friends he can always count on is fellow comedian Benjie Paras. The two of them worked together in the 1998 sitcom “Kool Ka Lang,” a gig he landed after watching a noontime show as a studio audience with one of his siblings.

“Napakabait. Pag tine-text ko ‘yan na talagang walang-wala ako, nagre-reply ‘yan, 'Sige brod, magpapadala ako sa yo,’” Dagul said.

[“He’s so kind. Whenever I needed money, he was always there.’”]

After hearing of Dagul’s situation, some of his former colleagues sent him messages of support and encouragement. Among them are Mika dela Cruz, Kiray, Direk Frasco Mortiz, Gloria Diaz, and Benjie himself.

Benjie also paid Dagul a visit in person. Dagul became emotional but Benjie kept the atmosphere light.

“Nabalitaan ko nga na hindi na siya makalakad. Kung sakaling magkakaroon siya ng mga role, limitado na,” Benjie said.

“Kung mapayagan na makagawa ng show ulit, maisama kita. Ang role mo lang naman dun nasa loob ng bote, so hindi ka gagalaw,” he said to Dagul.

[“I heard that he was having difficulty walking. The roles that could be offered to him are limited. If I’ll have a chance to be in a show again, I’ll get you in. Your role will be inside a bottle, so you won’t be moving.”]

“Genie pala [I'll be a genie],” Dagul answered.

“Hindi, kasama mo mga jolen [No, you will be with marbles],” Benjie quipped.

Dagul said he is willing to return to showbiz if he would get the opportunity. He would do it to provide for his family and fulfill his duty as a father.

“Basta maparaal ko lang anak ko, ‘yun lang naman ang hinihingi ko. Kung mawala man ako sa mundo, hindi sila mahirapan sa buhay nila.”

[“I just want my children to finish their studies. So that they won’t have a difficult time when I’m no longer with them.”]

KMJS extended some financial assistance to Dagul and his family. The program also gave them additional goods for their sari-sari store.

For those who wish to help Dagul, you may send your donations to:

BANCO DE ORO (BDO)
MONTALBAN RIZAL BRANCH
ACCT NAME: ROMY ASPAN PASTRANA
ACCT NUMBER: 0073 4800 3301

—MGP, GMA News