He’s been in the industry for more than a score. But a lot of viewers, especially the younger generations, probably know Romeo Pastrana, a.k.a. Dagul, in his remarkable stint in the long-running kiddie comedy sketch program Goin’ Bulilit as its only mainstay throughout its successful 14-year run.

Since it’s already been more than four years since the last time we saw him on a Kapamilya show, there are some who are, perhaps, wondering how he has been since then.

And last Sunday, July 9, we finally got the chance to take a peek on his life at present after being featured in the latest episode of the ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs program “Tao Po.” Host Bernadette Sembrano personally visited him at his residence in Rodriguez, Rizal, which is the product of his hardwork and perseverance in the two decades that he worked in the local entertainment scene.

He was 38 years old when he began his acting career, having the opportunity to work with the “giants” in the industry, particularly in the field of comedy, and star in a slew of TV shows and movies. When he stepped out of the limelight in 2019, he became a public servant and was proclaimed as a kagawad in their barangay. His term in office might not be that long, but it didn’t stop him from helping his constituents nor discouraged him to run in the next elections anew.

Dagul and his non-showbiz wife were able to put up a sari-sari store business, but they were forced to forgo it, along with their vehicle, due to the financial woes that their family went through, especially during the pandemic. And now that he’s already 63, he revealed that he has been suffering from various health problems, which include difficulty in walking. But amidst life’s challenges, he draws strength from his beloved family. He and his wife have two children when he started in showbiz. In their 30 years of marriage, they are blessed with three sons and a daughter.

He may have bid showbiz farewell in 2019, but Dagul expressed his enthusiasm to go back to acting if given the opportunity. And now that there are new breeds of little persons who are able to break into the entertainment scene, just like Renz Joshua “Baby Giant” Baña of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, he’s happy and proud that people like him are given the chance to also show off their skills and prove that they can keep pace with others.

“Kapag nakita ko ang mga ganyan katulad ko, ako po’y natutuwa dahil kaya po namin na makapagpasaya rin sa mga tao. Ako talaga, inaamin ko laos na nga talaga kasi tulad niyan, ‘di ako makalakad, ‘di ako makatakbo. So, ang role ko, talagang limitado na,” Dagul stated.

His unica hija and youngest child Jkhriez Kyt Pastrana commented by saying that although her father would say that often or think that way, she knows that a lot of people looks up to him.

“Hindi naman po talaga maiiwasan na sabihin niya ‘yon dahil, opo, tumatanda po siya and hindi na po natin siya nakikita sa TV ngayon. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya na kahit hindi ka naman nakikita sa TV, marami kang naiwang videos na napapanood ng tao. Legacy ka pa rin sa paningin ng ibang tao,” she said.

Now that he spends most of his time at home, it’s his daughter Jkhriez who’s his companion in spreading good vibes and laughter to people online. It started with her uploading videos on social media, in which netizens kept on finding Dagul and asking her to feature him in her next uploads. This inspired her to create a YouTube channel for his father, through which they’re able to update his fans regarding his current ganaps.

In pursuit of extending help to a Kapamilya who has brought laughter to us over the past years and continues to do so at present, Bernadette gave him and his family a little surprise – boxes and packs of groceries that they could use to once again open their sari-sari store.

“Ang tagumpay ko sa buhay, no’ng nag-artista pa ako, napaaral ko ‘yong mga anak ko sa magagandang paaralan. Kaya ako, sabi ko, kahit na ganito ako, kaya ko ‘yan. Kung anong kaya nila, kahit malaki sila, ganito ako, kakayanin ko. Kaya laban lang,” he conveyed.