The truth according to Papa Jack

Papa Jack

After years of being a love guru on his radio show “True Love Conversations,” Papa Jack (real name: John Gemperle) already knows how Pinoys react to heartbreak: Many of them, he says, deny what they already know in their hearts.

“They need someone to tell them what they refuse to believe. ’Yung tipong magtatanong (halimbawa), ‘Mahal kaya niya ako?’ kahit alam na nila ang sagot sa tanong nila,” Papa Jack explains.

To him, the reaction is understandable and he believes the need for confirmation is just part of human nature. As such, Papa Jack makes sure he listens to the whole story so he can give the best advice.

“Kasi kadalasan kapag may nagkukwento sa akin ng love problem, they are just telling me fragments of what they are remembering sa kabuuan ng relationship. Naaalala lang nila kung kailan sila nasaktan at nakakalimutan nila na at one point, sumaya sila. It’s (also) my duty to remind them na baka naman sa kabuuan, say in 10 years, once ka lang sinaktan (tapos you act like) parang katapusan na ng mundo mo…”

Although known for being candid, if sometimes too brutal with his commentary, the radio jock insists he is merely being honest. “Ayoko magpaka-plastic, naiparamdam ko sa kanya (caller) na hindi ko siya pinagtripan,” he says, adding, “’Pag galit ako sa caller, talagang galit ako, pero hanggang dun lang ’yun.”

Despite his brashness at times, people seem to take it in stride. Asked if he’s received threats for his frank way of addressing callers, he says, “Wala po. Sana ’wag mangyari kasi ’di ko alam sasabihin ko, baka mag-sorry na lang ako.”

For those who have failed in relationships, he wants to remind them, “Kahit kailan hindi ko pa nasagot ’yang bagay na ’yan ng specific kasi if you ask me how to move on, I’ll tell you na ikaw pa rin ang magdedesisyon how.”

He likens the idea to knowing how one’s immune system reacts to various diseases. “’Yung immune system mo, sa iyo lang ’yan so it depends on how it can combat ’yung sakit. It’s up to you kung paano papalakasin ang resistensiya mo.”

If there’s one thing Papa Jack often points out to callers, it’s to never jump into a new relationship just to lick old wounds.

Meanwhile, having an advice show on radio has proven that a very thin line exists between fact and fiction. In all the years he’s been doing it, Papa Jack has had his share of weird and wacky unforgettable callers.

“One night, ang kwento sa akin, may binata na lumaki na nanay lang (ang) kasama tapos may naka-relasyon, nag-live in sila at nagkaanak just to find out na ang tatay na hindi niya nakilala ay ang tatay ng girlfriend niya,” he relates.

Then there was a caller who accused him of causing his separation.

“Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Four years ago, iniwan ako ng misis ko dahil sa’yo.’ ’Yun ang bungad niya. Tapos hindi ko alam isasagot ko, so sabi ko, ‘Sa tawag mong ito hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa’yo o magagalit ako sa’yo.’ So nag-sorry na lang ako na nawalan siya ng asawa…”

These stories aside, the love jock admits most of his caller’s stories get to him.

“In the first part of my show, nakikipaglokohan ako sa caller just to loosen the mood. ’Pag nalaman ko na ’yung problema nila, tapos hiningian ko na sila ng message (addressed to their loved ones), ’dun ako naiiyak kasi kapag nailabas nila ang totoong nararamdaman nila, it means they are speaking from the heart at vulnerable sila. Nalulungkot ako…”

Papa Jack, however, tries his best to hide his emotions “para ’wag malipat ’yung attention sa akin.”

He’s no Joe

Papa Jack finds it embarrassing when people compare him to DJ Joe D’ Mango, another popular love guru who made a name for himself in the ‘90s.

“Nakakahiyang makumpara sa kanya kasi I think kung may pinanggalingan lahat ng pagpapayo, ito po ay by some point, inspired by him. I don’t think I can ever achieve ano man ang naitala niya sa industriya,” says he.

As to whom he considers his biggest competition, Papa Jack points to fellow DJ Chico Loco. “Kasi he’s very talented… (more on) idol ko siya,” he shares.

“Si Chico, he was an OJT (on-the-job trainee) of another station… I saw his growth hanggang nakita ng kumpanya ’yung talent niya,” he adds.

Truth is, Papa Jack’s career as radio jock happened by accident.

He recalls, “Dumaan lang po ako sa station (Love Radio) one time kasi gusto ko makita si Nicole Hyala… The following day, narinig ko ’yung plug sa radio na naghahanap sila ng DJ, so nag-audition ako… (then nung nakapasa ako sa audition), agad-agad kong (iniwan) ang call center job (ko). Naisip ko, ‘I’ll never get this chance again.’”

Papa Jack was also a faculty member at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) but he gave up the profession after marrying Toni Rose Maniago in April 2013.

“I stopped teaching not because (my wife) asked me to, but I realized my generation is too close sa mga estudyante ko. Ayoko namang mag-isip pa ang wife ko kaya ako na ang nagkusang i-gain ang trust niya,” he says.

Time to shine

Papa Jack, who has already published two books on love, is set to headline a new TV show titled “Call Me Papa Jack,” in which fans can see him interview celebrities on their stories of heartache.

He is still trying to get used to being in front of the camera but believes he will soon get the hang of it.

According to a release, “Call Me Papa Jack” will include the segments “Online Ligawan,” where an individual goes public with his/her feelings for another person via video feed; and “Jamming with Papa Jack,” which will allow the host to showcase his musical skills.

“Call Me Papa Jack” premiered Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. on TV5.

The truth according to Papa Jack

Source: Mb.com.ph (January 26, 2015 at 08:18AM)

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