ABS-CBN talent and comedian Jobert Austria, or more popularly known as ‘Kuya Jobert’, has discovered a new life in Canada. However, his love for the Philippines remains firm.
After being in a long-distance relationship for 10 years, he decided to reunite with childhood crush, now wife Tiad Guzman, in Calgary, Canada.
Austria, as a permanent resident, was able to adjust well to his new country.
Despite the pandemic, his work as a comedian continued as he was able to do stand-up comedy, which he never experienced in the Philippines.
He was also touched by the warm welcome he received from the Filipino-Canadians who easily laugh at his jokes and appreciate his work.
Aside from stand-up comedy, Austria still continued to entertain his solid fans in the Philippines through his YouTube channel which airs online shows like Kuya Jobert Live, Saging Beside You, and Sagot Ka Ni Kuya Jobert.
The entertainer had already migrated to Calgary, Canada even before the shutdown of ABS-CBN happened due to franchise denial. He was part of the gag show “Banana Sundae” as a mainstay.
The news hit him so hard but his love and concern for his co-workers in the network remained stronger.
He sent out his support to everyone who had been greatly affected by the closure.
“Magpakatatag kayo at magdasal kayo sa Diyos. At ipagdasal natin na sama sama tayo na sana gumawa tayo ng paraan para kung hindi tayo magsasalita, masasanay at masasanay sila na ganyan. Kailangan kumibo tayo, kumilos tayo,” Austria said during an interview with Quay Evano for Balitang America.
Kuya Jobert rose to fame via a viral online video.
In 2014, it was a desolate time for Austria when his girlfriend, presently his spouse, who was living in Canada left him feeling depressed. This made him a drug dependent until he ended up at the 6th floor of a hotel contemplating on committing suicide.
In the following year, the comedian was on his way home from a show taping when he got into a car accident on Araneta Avenue near Del Monte Avenue in Quezon City. Reportedly, it took some time before he could be rushed to St. Luke’s Medical Center due to the severity of the accident.
Austria also revealed that he is adopted after his biological mother gave him up because they were too poor.
He also eventually reconciled with wife Tiad and son Myron.
He credits fellow comedian Eric Nicolas and actor John Lloyd Cruz, his co-stars in the sitcom “Home Sweetie Home”, who helped him get back on his feet.
The Kapamilya comedian was a regular on the gag show Banana Sundae and was one of Coco Martin’s sidekicks in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
He was a DJ on DZMM and did different shows like “Havey or Waley”, “Toda Max, and “The Illegal Wife”.
Austria got his biggest break as Karla Estrada’s leading man in the comedy film Familia Blondina.
According to Austria, his encounters brought him closer to God and taught him the significance of looking back on where he came from.