MANILA 1942: PUGO AND TOGO AS "PUGUING" AND TUGUING"

The Tribune/ November 21, 1942

Pugo and Togo performing at Life Theater during the Japanese Occupation.

Bald-headed comedy duo, Pugo (Mariano Contreras) and Togo (Andres Solomon) were a hit during the Second World War, where they poke fun of the Japanese. Their brand of humour consisted of short skits, slapstick, and funny dialogues where they performed live in Manila's theaters, most particularly Clover, Life and Avenue theaters. They changed their names to "Puguing" and "Tuguing" because Togo sounds similar to Tojo who was then the Prime Minister of Japan.

In one skit, Togo would ask the time and Pugo would hold up his wrist wearing four or five watches, satirizing the Japanese soldier's fondness for watches. In another skit, Pugo would ask Togo who he was waiting for and he would reply "Si Uncle", meaning Uncle Sam (the United States). In another skit, Pogo would give a monologue caricaturing a Japanese official proclaiming that he "love[d] the Philippines" but pronouncing the word "love" as "rob", making fun of the Japanese people's mispronounciation of the letter "l" and "r."

More often than not, the Japanese Kempetai would haul the two comedians to Fort Santiago for interrogation. After two or three days with bruises and cuts incurred from the Kempetai, the funny thing is that the Japanese always let them go.(Source: wikipilipnas)

The popular comic duo appeared later as Japanese soldiers in the 1947 movie, "Tomadachi: Zona."

"Tomadachi: Zona" (1947)- Stars Patricia Mijares, Domingo Principe, Pugo & Togo and Katy dela Cruz/ Directed by Osvar del Rosario