Tado goes beyond showbiz
There’s more to to Arvin Jimenez, the comedian more popularly known as Tado, than meets the eye.
His Wikipedia page lists his TV and radio shows, films he’s been in, his degree in technology and failed political attempt in 2012.
The entry also mentions Dakila, a group he founded with TV and lit personality Lourd de Veyra, Parokya ni Edgar’s Buhawi Meneses and veteran actor Ronnie Lazaro. The artists’ group aims to “build a movement of modern day heroes.”
His short-lived yet widely-followed role in the UNTV show “Strangebrew” inducted him into showbiz and began his career as the self-deprecating, satirical sidekick.
Of late, the comedian has been spending less time on TV. He’s focusing more on Dakila and another advocacy that aims to prevent early campaigning of politicians, the Anti-Epal Movement. He is also looking forward to the release of his new book, “Bio-Eulogy,” and his stint as an ambassador of the 33rd Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) along with cultural activist Carlos Celdran, “Suplado Tips” author Stanley Chi and internet personality Ramon Bautista.
'Pana-panahon lang ‘yan’
At the MIBF launch last August 29, Tado shared his feelings about showbiz, his first book “Nag-iisa lang ako: Ang pangatlo sa huling libro,” and “Bio-Eulogy ni Tado Jimenez.”
“Yun nga problema sakin, eh. Masyadong strong yung character ko na kung i-partner mo ‘ko kay Jericho Rosales, baka matabunan sya. Ganung tipo,” Tado (half-)jokingly told members of media. “Yung character ko din naman kasi, hindi naman—kumbaga, namimili, eh. Hindi ako pwedeng isaksak nang basta na lang so it’s a season. ‘Pag sinabi nating season pana-panahon lang ‘yan.
“Kumbaga, mahirap syang i-fit… Madalas nga hindi na pinapabago yung pangalan ko. Sa mismong pangalan sa teleserye, Tado na rin. Nalilito narin talaga ako, wala na akong acting-acting, eh. Ganun na, eh. Come as you are,” he adds.
First book
The come-as-you-are attitude extends to Tado’s first book, “Nag-iisa lang ako,” which he describes as a collection of random thoughts.
“Dumami nalang. Akalain ko bang yung magiging ganun, eh, maka-create ng libro.”
“Nag-iisa lang ako” is the first novelty book of its kind from PSICOM Publishing. Tado admits it was Stanley Chi who inspired his newfound career as an author.
“Kasi nga, mabenta yung libro nya, eh. Nabibili. Ibig sabihin may nagbabasa. Dahil dun, nabubuhay mo yung industry… at the same time, nakakapag-share ka ng information, knowledge kung meron man. Ang mas mahalaga samin ngayon ay yung mabuhay yung reading habit ng mga tao.
Eulogies
As the title connotes, “Bio-Eulogy” is a biography-eulogy book with a collection of "eulogies" his friends made for Tado.
“Ano yun, ah, pinagkakitaan ko lang yung mga idea ng iba. Yung mga kaibigan ko, ‘oy sulat kayo kung anong pagkakilala n’yo sa’kin,’ he said and then shifted to a more serious tone. “Gusto ko kasi ang mangyaring lumabas, biography ko, nanggaling sa iba’t ibang tao, iba’t ibang version, iba’t ibang year.
The 33rd Manila International Book Fair runs from September 12 to 16 at the SMX Convention Center. The “Bio-Eulogy” launch and Tado’s book signing is on Saturday, September 15 at 1 p.m.
