A reunion with singer-dancer-comedian Jograd

By Herbert Vego

JOGRAD de la Torre has been away from the limelight for so long that there is now a need to remind us of the movies, TV shows and songs that have made him famous.  Listen to this:

“Kay sarap kumain ng rice, pero can’t afford the price.  Karne’t gulay at fish, gasolina, dilis, mga presyo’y kakainis, hay! Bakit ba tayo’y naghihirap, habang ang iba-y nagpapasarap?”

Those are the first lines of “Kawatan,” Jograd’s popular spoof song on corrupt government officials who enrich themselves at the expense of the poor.

The song is probably better known to today’s youth than the singer himself.  His fans deserve an explanation on why he has made himself scarce.

Refresh, please. His songs, movies, comedy skits and recorded concerts may still be heard and viewed on youtube.com.

Today’s young generation must have forgotten that Jograd used to co-host Nora Aunor’s “Superstar” TV show from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.  He still sings novelty songs and performs in comedy skits, but very rarely.

While in Manila last April 28, I grabbed the opportunity to see him in the only bistro where he still sings once a week, the Mabini Grill.  While waiting for him in a corner, I “replayed” to my lady companion how I had shaped Jograd’s career.

In 1979, I was a talent promoter while Cristy Fermin — yes, the now Nanay Cristy who is still a familiar talk show host on TV – was my talent scout. We held an office at JLB Bldg. on P. Gomez cor. Ronquillo Sts., Quiapo, Manila.

One day, she reported to the office with an emerging teen-age celebrity in tow, Jograd de la Torre, who had just bagged the title “John Travolta of the Philippines” for the then popular noontime TV show “Student Canteen”.  On that day, Jograd signed a management contract with us.

To make the long story short, Jograd has since then carved a name for himself performing live, recording novelty songs and doing around 20 movies.  His highest peak was when he played the role of a “jack of all trades” in the movie “Okleng Tokleng,” where he played the leading man of Aurora Sevilla, who had been Mutya ng Pilipinas-World in 1984.

When Jograd finally showed up at Mabini Grill to dine with us, he hugged me appropriately – as a long-lost friend belonging to a distant past. He must have felt like he was starting all over again.

“I have no more regular shows on TV,” he said.  “I do guest appearances but very rarely.  It’s only here at the Mabini Grill where I sing every Wednesday night.”

More than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, he confessed, had rendered him jobless like most other entertainers; and exhausted his lifetime savings. He had also resorted to frying and selling fried chicken to make both ends meet.

Today at 61, even if he wants to, he said he could no longer dance; he could sing but minus the yells and high notes he used to belt. He suffers from cirrhosis of the liver.

But rather than talk about his illness, which he called “curable” with the help of his two working children, he recalled his happy days with the assassinated radio commentator Percy Lapid. He said he had been Percy’s co-cost in “Lapid Fire” on radio station DZRJ in the mid-2010s.

“Percy knew that I was politically inclined. And so he introduced me to then Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in 2013,” he recalled, “Lim made me run for councilor of the 1^st District in his ticket in 2016.  Unfortunately, I lost.”

After dinner, I bought a USB copy of Jograd’s latest songs, expressed hope of seeing him again healthier on stage and bid him goodbye.

“I-book mo ako, Kuya,” he said, unmindful that I am no longer a talent promoter.

I remembered the first time I booked him for his first big show at the defunct Wells Fargo Supper Club on Roxas Boulevard in November 1980.

OMG, how the years have passed by!

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GOOD NEWS TO MORE POWER CUSTOMERS!

TOMORROW (May 18, 2023) SM-Delgado will offer an exclusive 1-day-sale event for MORE Power customers, employees, and contractors.

The entitled shoppers will have the opportunity to enjoy up to 50% discount on selected items and an additional 10% DISCOUNT on all purchases made on May 18, 2023 by presenting a MORE Power bill.

MORE Power employees must show their MORE Power ID to avail themselves of the exclusive discounts.

To the contractors affiliated with MORE Power, please bring a certification stating your affiliation as a 3rd party contractor.

To reiterate, the MORE Power special discounts may be availed for selected items at SM-Delgado on May 18 only.

-oOo-

PESO SUMMER JOB FAIR VACANCIES

THE Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Iloilo City has job openings to be offered in its Summer Job Fair on May 29, 2023, at Robinson’s Place Iloilo, Mabini St., City Proper, Iloilo City.

This event is open to all looking for job opportunities abroad. Over 10,575 job vacancies are at stake.

See you on May 29, 2023, at Robinsons Place Iloilo, Mabini St., City Proper, Iloilo City. Just bring more than two copies of your comprehensive resume or biodata. This event is open and free for all.

Kindly follow the PESO-Iloilo City Facebook page for details.