News about his married life is all over broadsheets and the Web these past days. When Sun.Star had a chance to interview Jon, we squeezed out further interesting and inspiring scoops about the new episode of his life.
How's married life?
"Napakasarap makakilala ng isang tao na sumusuporta sa trabaho mo. Let's say 'yung mga puyatan. Lima sa pitong gabi ng isang Linggo ay nasa trabaho ka at saka tanggap niya kung sino ka. Tanggap niya kung ano ang trabaho mo, although nung umpisa hindi niya alam kung anong work ko nag-internet siya."
"Nakakatuwa na malaman sa nagkasundo kayo kahit hindi niya alam na artista ka. Tapos nung nalaman niya na medyo ganito ka, unique 'yung buhay mo natanggap ka niya."
"Minsan acceptance would really feel good. Minsan umuuwi nalang ako ng bahay na naka-FVR (Fidel V Ramos), na naka-Ate Vi (Vilma Santos), na naka-Madam Emeldific (Emelda Marcos). So kailangan. Yan ang trabaho mo."
Jon has been known for impersonating famous personalities. He laid low from the mainstream entertainment scene about two years ago and when he got back this year he brought along a shocking yet inspiring news that he already tied the knot.
"Nagulat ako na kapag ito na 'yung tao na gusto mo na maging bahagi ng buhay mo, wala kang duda. Hindi ka sasapian ng duda," he said when asked why he decided to marry boyfriend West Stewart.
"It was probably the most important day in my life. Akala ko noon I was married to my work. Tinalo ang kahit na anong opening night of any concert or opening night ng kahit na anong pelikula. Kabog na tinalo ng saya parang mas naging complete ang aking buhay," he added.
Jon met West at a party hosted by fellow comic Tessie Tomas. After about seven months of fruitful relationship, they decided to get married last August 24, 2005 in Toronto, Canada. They exchanged vows through a civil union in North York Courthouse in Ontario where same sex marriage is valid.
Ontario is one of 10 provinces in Canada that allows same sex marriage even without citizenship required.
West is an Italian-American but according to Jon, he is thankful his partner is not a person who is hard to gel with. He quipped describing West, "As I always say, 'half American, half Italian, but 100 percent Vilmanian."
Are you both willing to settle in the Philippines?
"Napakagandang bayan ng Philippines para sa kanya, isang gusto niyang imbestigahan na sinasabi niyang napakaganda ung Dumaguete daw. It is one of the places we consider to settle in when we retire," Jon said.
Jon and West meanwhile are currently staying at a condo unit in Ortigas Center. "We share sa mga gastusin. It's very democratic. Tulungan. Fortunately, because of the age 43 (Jon) and 53 (West) very set na 'yung ugali ninyo, yung sistema ninyo sa pagma-manage ng pera at oras."
"Sa kasalukuyan ang tawag sa amin "D.I.N.K" (double income no kids) meron siyang paycheck meron akong paycheck May garapon kami na mayroong emergency money kalahati siya at ako. P5,000 ang laman nung isang garapon," the sensible comedian added.
According to Jon their assets remain not to be conjugal. The condominium where they are staying now is West's while Jon's house is still solely under his name. But then he disclosed that they are planning to buy a house in California.
Jon describes himself as a domesticated partner. He loves to cook for West and enjoys reading books with his partner during his free time.
As he mentioned kids, do they have plans to adopt children?
"May mga araw na masarap mangarap na masarap na mag-adopt may mga araw na nakakatakot. The last time I thought about it, masyadong nakakatakot. So mga pets muna siguro."
When asked what pets they want to take care of, the comedian cracked "manok."
Does your marriage gain your family's approval?
"They are all very happy. I decided to live independently when I was 21 years old. But they also met him and they said 'he's (West) a very good person with a very good heart.'"
Is he distracted by some people who are against same sex marriage?
"No. I've been a little too focused on setting up a family unit and going back to work that there's little time to be distracted by uncertain things that you are not sure of. You look ahead. Aware ako. May mga araw naman kasi na parang napakaordinaryo ng buhay may mga araw na hindi masyadong ordinaryo. Ni-remind lang ako ng mga closest friends ko na 'I'm entitled to my own choices' the same way other people are entitled to their own points of view."
With his comeback, Jon is set to appear on ABS-CBN's upcoming teleserye "Humingi Ako Sa Langit" where he plays a psychiatrist. He will also have a show at the Music Museum titled "Da Spooftacular Showdown" where he will work with other comics like Candy Pangilinan and John Lapus.
