Palawan’s homegrown ace comedian/singer Paloma is now celebrating two decades of uninterrupted career, doing comedy acts while singing like Regine Velasquez, true to its tagline as the only “Palawan Songbird” of local comedy bars and entertainment venues, Paloma didn’t see herself retiring anytime soon.
Paloma or dove in Spanish was discovered through a locally produced theatre show “Que Si Joda, Eba’t Ebang Diva” of Palawan dance master Sydney Loyola wherein she peg to sing and act as Asia’s songbird. Since then, she became a household name and common night attraction in some existing and defunct bars of Puerto Princesa, to the like of Island Samurai, Hangar Zone Disco Bar and Scenario Bar of Asturias Hotel.
“First year high school natambay na ‘ko sa parlor ni Mother Nanette, then sabi nila para daw akong kalapati dahil ang puti ko at lagi akong naka-white shirt, at kung saan-sa’n ako nakakarating, tapos may nagsabi do’n na dapat dove na lang name mo, sabi ng isa Paloma na lang,” Paloma said.
For over two decades of entertaining, Paloma assures that she has many things to offer, having a mature mind in local show business, she sees herself continuing in this industry no matter what the circumstances are. She believes that she is now more than just a pretty face, but rather a pure heart in giving laughter to her audience.
“Mas matapang na ako kaysa noon, kasi noon hindi ko kayang humarap sa mga tao, nahihiya pa ko humarap sa mga tao, pero ngayon kaya ko na kahit sino pa yan, kaya ko ng magsalita, hindi na ko nahihiya, mas bonggang bongga na ngayon kaysa noon,” Paloma said.
Born Julius Ceasar Fajardo, the 35 years old Paloma now understand the feedback that she is just a local diva with no exposure from Manila bars. According to her, it’s her choice to stay put in the province and decline offers to work not only from Manila but even abroad, but the very reason is because she prefer not to stay away from her family.
“Nag Manila naman ako sinubukan ko, pero iba kasi talaga ‘pag nag Manila ka, maraming reyna, marami kang dapat pakisamahan at saka hindi ko kaya ‘yung mga byahe-byahe sobrang pagod. So binalikan ko talaga ang Palawan, sabi nga nila may Kambak-kambak ang Palawan and taga rito talaga ako,” she added.
But what makes Paloma’s career colourful is her love life. Her social media accounts are being noticed on how happy or sad her heart is, some scandalous while majority are memories that became an envy not only for gays like him, but even to the opposite sex. For now she wishes her heart to rest and not to involve in any relationship as she focuses on her craft.
“Pagdating sa lovelife sweet talaga ako, ‘pag nagka-boyfriend ako stick to 1, talagang naghahanap ako ng lalaki na ‘yung mamahalin ako ng buo, hindi ako ikakahiya sa mga tao, ipapakilala ako sa pamilya, so far nangyari naman sa akin ‘yun, at wala akong boyfriend na hindi ginawa ‘yung mga gusto kong ganun,” Paloma said.
Aside from singing like Regine, Paloma is proud to say that her line up of songs can now vary from any Mariah Carey hits, to Whitney Houston and Celine Dion classics, most of her repertoire sometimes depends on what the audience requests.
In terms of throwing comedic punch lines, Paloma reiterated that her style of comedy is more of her being ridiculed rather than her guests, she credits it to her team mates to which they talk and assign who will throw a banter, and who will react as support.
“Ang Palawan crowd pagmamasdan ka talaga nila, ‘pag may mali kang letrang inaawit talagang nagre-react sila, mapagmasid at talagang nakikinig nang maigi ang Palawan crowd, kaya ito ang nagiging training ground ang bar na ito,” Paloma explain.
A Sea Plane base 2 original resident, Paloma declared that she did not undergo any medical enhancement to her body and she didn’t intend to undergo any knife operation to became a full blown female in the future. For her, she is contented and happy on how she looks, what she is aiming to have soon is to have her own family, and put up her own comedy bar someday.
“Wala pa ako pinapagawa, nagpa baba lang ako, sa dibdib naman ewan tumubo lang ‘to (laughs), Wala na tama na ‘to, ayaw ko magsisi, ito pa nga lang pinagnasaan na, pa’no pa kaya ‘pag nagpaganda pa tayo lalo, okay na ‘to,” Paloma share.
Having two decades of career, Paloma is open to share and help young and upcoming talents who wish to be a stage performer like her. The first advise she wants to give is to have a solid dream, regardless of your social status, having an ambition in life will lead you to the right way.
She admits that being a stand-up comedian is not an easy job, it takes guts and confidence to put a smile even if you have issues and problems, that when the spotlight hits you, the show must go on.
“Broken family kami kasi, 4 years pa lang ako hiwalay na magulang ko so kailangan ko talagang tumulong. Minsan akala ng mga tao mayaman na mayaman ako hindi nila alam na kailangan kong kumayod nang kumayod para makatulong ako sa pamilya ko,” Fajardo said in closing.
You can catch and watch Paloma along with other stand-up comedians every night from Friday to Tuesday at Lafftrip Comedy Bar along Rizal Avenue corner Baltan Street, Puerto Princesa. Party starts at 7:00 PM.
