Comedian Pooh: Can he make us cry?

DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda
Funnyman Pooh is a brilliant entertainer who can bring the house down with his side-splitting punch lines. He can transform into Manny Pooh Quaio with his penciled mustache, taut hairstyle, and boxing shorts. As the Pambansang Kamao, Pooh is ready to exchange killer comedic wallops with his audience. Pooh also impersonates Bro. Mike Velarde as he addresses his millions of followers during prayer rallies. Then he turns romantic, even lachrymal as he belts out Ogie Alcasid songs. Inarguably, Pooh is one of the most exciting comic chameleons of his generation.

A Waray-Waray like me, Pooh is Reynold Lagrimas Garcia in real life. He worked in a sing-along comedy bar called Nota at Kuwela in Caloocan City while studying Computer Science at STI. At The Library, he was discovered by director Andrew de Real. It was in sing-along bars where Pooh honed and sharpened his comedic talents.

Pooh got his sobriquet from Disney’s well-loved character Winnie-the-Pooh. The comedian’s much-awaited break came when he guested on Wowowee where he caught the attention of Willie Revillame and the laughing public. His impersonation of Manny Pacquiao in the noontime show has made it on You Tube. I remember good friend Mike Defensor showing it to me in Baguio during the Holy Week last year. It was Kris Aquino, who saw him in a number of Homeboy guestings who suggested that I manage Pooh.

He joined Tessie Tomas, Jon Santos, Candy Pangilinan and Chokoleit in the political satire Rock da Vote at Music Museum. The show was a humorous take on the country’s recent political outing and various colorful personalities who inhabit the political jungle.

From comedy bars, Pooh has invaded TV. Now he appears on ABS-CBN’s John En Shirley and Studio 23’s Wazzup, Wazzup.

“I was fond of making people laugh even as a kid. I want to see everyone around me happy. I am truly grateful for all the blessings. It’s an honor to be part of John En Shirley because not all people get to work with Tito Dolphy, Ms. Maricel and Tita Susan. They are very supportive. I get starstruck. I am pressured to do good but I enjoy every moment of it,” says Pooh.

Pooh is a brilliant stand-up comedian and singer who can make the loneliest princess laugh. But can he make us cry? See a different Pooh as he turns dramatic in the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye Pangarap na Bituin where he will play Maja Salvador’s surrogate father.
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