That was a touching episode launched recently by Jomari Yllana, actor-turned-Paranaque councilor, on his own You Tube channel, OTOKOTO.

    In the video, Jomari is shown with his brother Ryan, himself a politician, turning over a remastered vintage car to their older brother, Anjo.

    Kuya is visibly surprised, overjoyed at the sudden gift, saying it had been a longtime dream of his to own such a classic.

     It was a 1987 Mitsubishi box- type Lancer.

     Remodelling cars has been Jomari’s hobby during the pandemic. He personally attends to their repair and upgrade.

   The gift was kept as a secret even to his family, who had no idea what he intended to do with the Lancer. 

    Cars, from driving them to remodeling them, has been Jomari’s passion. In the past, he used to compete at Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, where he won a few medals.

     Vlogging about motoring is another passion.

     “I wish I had more time to post new episodes,” he says.  

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    Jomari, who is running for a third term as councilor in his hometown, hopes to make Parañaque a free wi-fi zone. Being the chairperson of the committee on information technology, this, he says, will be his advocacy.

     The actor has also been in talks with FDCP Chair Liza Diño-Seguerra on a plan to put up the first Paranaque International Film Festival. Jomari is also the chair of Paranaque’s tourism committee.

   The city has a number of entertainment centers, including Solaire, City of Dreams, an Ayala mall, a couple of SM malls.

    Is this dream project of his an indication that he misses acting?

    Jomari lets out a shy smile, explaining that when he was first elected councilor in 2016, he turned his back on showbiz to focus on his commitment to serve.

   Unlike other actors who continue to act in both TV and movies during breaks or their free time, the former Guwapings actor totally shunned showbiz work.

     When he assumed office on his first year as councilor, he was named minority floor leader. He was also the first independent candidate who won in the city of Paranaque.

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      As for making a movie comeback,  the 45-year old says it’s still a possibility. He may have gained a few pounds, but he warns that a good role, a good project, preferably a movie, could jumpstart the goal to be fit for screen again.

    Jomari, who rose to become a leading matinee idol in the 90s, turned down quite a handful of offers to act again since he got elected.

    His last acting assignment was on GMA Network’s Half-Sisters, a long-running 2014 drama series.

     To strengthen his foundation in government service, Jomari attended all the courses offered at the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance between 2016 and 2019.

     Jomari rose to fame as one third of the 1990s teen group "Gwapings" together with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Eric Fructuoso, and later with Jao Mapa.

    Among his memorable films as an actor of note in drama are The Healing, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig, Sigaw, Minsan Pa, Gatas... Sa Dibdib Ng Kaaway, Bulaklak ng Maynila, Sambahin Ang Ngalan Mo, Sa Pusod ng Dagat, Diliryo.