John Lapus

Jonathan Anthony Solis Lapus (born July 7, 1973), also known as Sweet, is a Filipino actor, presenter and director. He began his career performing several stage plays and later branched into acting on screen. He became one of the leading queer comedians in the 2000s to mid 2010s, appearing in numerous blockbusters, presented several television shows, and later expanded into filmmaking in late 2010s. Lapus is the recipient of two Aliw Awards, two Box Office Entertainment Awards, two Golden Screen Awards and a Star Award for Television.^[2]

Early life and education

John Lapus is the son of showbiz columnist Jojo Lapus. The elder Lapus has been estranged from his son since the former was eleven years old.^[3]

Lapus attended the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila where he obtained a degree in hotel and restaurant management in 1993. At UST he was part of Teatro Tomasino.^[4] He planned to shift to nursing or physical therapy but abandoned such move due to financial constraints.^[5]

Career

Lapus started his professional career in television in 1993 when he was hired as a researcher for ABS-CBN. He would become a segment producer around the following year and would start making appearances in sitcoms.^[5]

He worked as a researcher of ABS-CBN's Showbiz Lingo. He appeared in numerous ABS-CBN shows and often moonlighted as a Creative Consultant for the network's film arm, Star Cinema.^{[citation needed]} His nickname "Sweet" was named after his character in the sitcom Arriba, Arriba!.^[6] In 2006, he transferred to joining S-Files after his assignments at ABS-CBN dwindled.^[7] When S-Files was cancelled by the network he was named main host of Showbiz Central together with Pia Guanio and Raymond Gutierrez. Since then, his career has experienced resurgence. Lapus won two awards namely, Best Male Stand-Up Comic in Aliw Awards 2006 and Best Game Show Host (along with Ai-Ai delas Alas) for ABC-5 (now TV5)'s Sing Galing in PMPC Star Awards 2004.^{[citation needed]}

Lapus is openly gay.^[8] He returned to his original home network ABS-CBN but in 2012, he was still in GMA for joining the cast of Makapiling Kang Muli. He had been cast first at Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig, Kahit Konting Pagtingin and now at Mirabella which he was known as the foster father Paeng Robles.^[9]

Acting credits

Film

Television

• Showbiz Lingo (1992–1999)
• Cristy Per Minute (1995–1999)
• Marinella (1999–2001)
• The Buzz (1999–2005)
• Arriba, Arriba! (2000–2001)
• Bituin (2002–2003)
• Pinoy Big Brother: Eto na si Kuya! (Housemate)
• Blind Item
• Sing Galing!
• S-Files (2006–2007)
• Captain Barbell - Marlon "Mercy"/Mercurio (2006)
• Showbiz Central (2007–2012) – Co-Host
• MariMar (2007–2008)
• Ako si Kim Samsoon (2008)
• Obra (2008)
• Luna Mystika (2008–2009) – Karya
• Adik Sa'Yo (2009) – July
• Show Me Da Manny – Nicholas/Nicole (2009)
• Talentadong Pinoy – (2009) – Guest Judge
• Shall We Dance – (2009)
• Full House – Chicky (2009)
• Startalk – (2010) - Guest co-host
• Pilyang Kerubin – (2010) – Aroo
• Bantatay – (2010) – Sweet (voice)
• Banana Split – Guest star (2010)
• Gandang Gabi, Vice! (2011)
• Regal Shocker – (2011)
• Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig – Max^[10] (2012)
• Wansapanataym: Ilog – Nanding (2012)
• Makapiling Kang Muli – George (2012)
• Kahit Konting Pagtingin – Milo (2013)
• Kris TV (2013)
• Wansapanataym: My Fairy Kasambahay (2013)
• Wansapanataym: Si Lulu At Si Lily Liit - Sunshine (2014)
• Mirabella - Rafael 'Paeng' Amarillo (2014)
• Ipaglaban Mo: Ang Aking Bagong Pagkatao - Michael/Michelle (2015)
• Mac and Chiz - Mamu Chok (2015)
• Korek Ka, John! (2015)
• Doble Kara - Itoy Delgado (2015-2017)
• Wansapanataym: Annika Pintasera - Ponching (2017)
• The Lolas' Beautiful Show - Guest (2017)
• The Blood Sisters as Odet - A Neighbor in Baguio (2018)
• Since I Found You as Kap. Watashi Cobarrubias (2018)
• Bawal na Game Show as Himself / Contestant (2020)
• Paano ang Pangako? as Manang Kitty (2020-2021)
• How to Move On in 30 Days (2022)
• Daddy's Gurl (2022)
• Rainbow Rumble as Himself / Contestant (2025)

Director

• Wansapanataym
• Kadenang Ginto (2019–2020)
• Ipaglaban Mo (2019)
• Maalaala Mo Kaya (2019)
• BalitaOneNan (2022)
• Jose & Maria's Bonggang Villa (2022)

Accolades

Notes

1. ^ Awards, festivals, honors and other miscellaneous organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
2. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

1. ^ "John Lapus Biography". John Lapus Official Website. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
2. ^ "John Lapus Biography". John Lapus Official Website. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
3. ^ Racia, Rose (17 June 2012). "John Lapus reveals his childhood memories of estranged dad" (in Filipino). GMA News. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
4. ^ Gomez, Chuck (2 March 2002). "John Lapus back to where it all began". The Philippine Star. Archived December 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
5. ^ Cruz, Marinel (4 June 2014). "Sweet comic John Lapus longs for the stability of a regular job". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived May 15, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
6. ^ Baby E (7 May 2022). "Sweet, nagmana sa ama". The Philippine Star. Archived April 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
7. ^ Glorioso, Bot (9 November 2006). "Sweet is here to stay". The Philippine Star. Archived May 15, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
8. ^ Cruz, Marinel (16 May 2022). "Direk John 'Sweet' Lapus says goodbye to being a gay comedian". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived May 15, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
9. ^ Vanzi, Sol Jose (November 4, 2002), "Boy Abunda: Sweet Vindication", Philippine Headline News Online, archived from the original on December 11, 2008, retrieved February 8, 2008
10. ^ "John Lapus Makes a Guest Appearance in 'Ikaw Ang Pag-Ibig!'". Archived May 1, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
11. ^ Salterio, Leah C. (August 30, 2010). "John Lapus thankful for all the good breaks". The Philippine Star. Archived April 29, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
12. ^ Cruz, Marinel (August 6, 2005). Sleepless, weary at the Aliw rites. Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 91.
13. ^ Mendoza, Ruel J. (December 24, 2008). "John "Sweet" Lapus recalls his achievements in 2008". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived July 29, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
14. ^ Sancon, Allan (May 13, 2011). "42nd Box-Office Entertainment Awards honors outstanding actors and actresses of 2010". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived October 6, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
15. ^ "John Lapus disappointed with Miriam Quiambao over anti-gay remarks". GMA News Online. May 2, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
16. ^ "Vice Ganda named Phenomenal Box-Office Star; Derek Ramsay is Box-Office King while Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes share Box-Office Queen title" Archived July 1, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
17. ^ Arnaldo, Steph (October 21, 2018). "FULL LIST: Winners, 2018 Cinema One Originals Festival". Rappler. Archived August 1, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
18. ^ Mendoza, Ruel J. (April 8, 2011). "John "Sweet" Lapus on his first acting award: "Now it can be told, hindi na ako starlet!"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
19. ^ Calderon, Ricky L. (April 6, 2011). "Musical film "Emir" biggest winner at 8th Golden Screen Awards". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
20. ^ Calderon, Ricky (February 1, 2013). "2013 Golden Screen TV Awards nominees bared". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived July 29, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
21. ^ ABS, GMA tie in 5 Star Awards categories. Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 26, 2004. p. 30.
22. ^ "The 20th PMPC Star Awards for Television: And the bigger winner is...". The Philippine Star. October 26, 2006. Archived August 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
23. ^ "21st Star Awards for TV nominees announced". The Philippine Star. October 28, 2007. Archived August 30, 2022 at the Wayback Machine.

External links

• John Lapus at IMDb