He started hosting dances and parties in high school when he was part of the Marianas High School Radio Club.
But every now and then, Luis John Deleon Guerrero Castro, popularly called by his peers as L.J., has always been, if not most often, the emcee of Saipan’s important cultural and traditional events.
“We had a regular lunchtime radio set where I was the person shouting out the dedications. At the same time, I was also a deejay at Power 99, and that also helped me out in regards to being more comfortable in front of a microphone. And pretty much that’s how it all began, and it so far, hasn’t stopped,” L.J. said.
It’s difficult though to coach oneself in getting the attention of others in a very natural way unless you have the charisma that most celebrities and TV personalities posses.
For this young emcee and host for various events throughout CNMI such as the Liberation Day carnival, Flame Tree Festival, the Trench Tech events, the Tinian fiesta, and many other gatherings and activities, there’s nothing complicated about his job.
“I even hosted at certain venues such as Club V, and for such groups as the Inatuas Cultural Dancers,” he quipped.
L.J. who belongs to the San Vicente Elementary Class of 1994 and Marianas High School Class of 2001 said Bob Barker was his first inspiration in hosting, and his mother was an avid fan of the Price is Right up to the present.
“I was always a child who wanted attention. That’s where the loudness in me comes from.” L.J. confesses, as he laughs out loud. “As a kid in the summer time, I was always around watching Bob Barker host the show. Another was watching boxing and wrestling with my father, which of course people see when I announce at Trench Tech’s show.”
He was also influenced by listening to lot of radio and growing up when Hans Mickelson was still on KZMI and Davey G and JOJO were still on Power 99.
It was just natural for him to talk, no mumbling of words, no disruption and with a grasp of clarity of information. He is not a preacher but he could capture the attention of his audience.
“When I got into hosting, all of those elements, including some original stuff which would be too numerous to mention, all came together into what people hear from me when I’m emceeing. Well, when you’re an emcee you’re more of a source of information as oppose to an actual entertainer,” he said.
L.J. somehow, in his own way, mastered his craft, yet continues and is willing to learn everyday when challenges and opportunities come along the way.
“I’ve entertained family birthday parties to foreign heads of state. It’s gotten me to travel, meet a lot of interesting people and made me make a lot of new friends along the way. I’ve hosted headliners, and helped acts to become well known in the community,” he said.
“It’s also helped me in trying to make a difference in the island I call home. Despite some sacrifices, I still love it, and I’m hoping I can do it for as long as my voice holds up. So until the day comes where I run out of stuff to say, or I feel it’s time to put down the mic, I’ll continue doing what I love doing,” he added.
What makes him different from the others is that he keeps people informed while making sure his audience enjoy and will never feel awkward. “I do this by cracking a few jokes here and there along with trying to connect to them as oppose to just standing in front of them and talking. And since I like striking up conversations, entertaining a crowd isn’t too much of a gargantuan task.”
When asked how he managed to improve his skill, L.J. quickly replied, the key to maintaining his skills is always keeping himself out in the field.
As he continued hosting different events, L.J. learned how to feel more comfortable in a large atmosphere.
“With island events, there’s always an added sense of awareness that depending on what you’re hosting. You’re going to expect a sizable crowd, which of course is a mixture of different age groups and cultures. I mean I try to entertain not just Chamorros and Carolinians, but as well as Korean and Filipino community members who may be in the audience. I try to talk to both the kids and the man‘amko to get a feel for them so that way they can get a sense of understanding with what comes out of my mouth,” he said.
L.J. is more inspired when the crowd gives out its energy. That’s where he get inspired because his type of person who usually feed off by emotion. “When the crowd gives out a lot of positive energy, I feed off of that and it keeps me going.”
Even with his ample exposure and experience, like any other entertainer, emcee and host, whether veterans or not, L.J., too has his tight spot. While he admitted he is pretty much outspoken, but believe it or not, he is actually shy.
“I do get nervous right before events, regardless of how big or how small it may be. But as the program progresses, the more you get into it, the easier you feel. And when you get that sense of ease, you can’t do any job that’s not satisfactory,” he said.
It is not emceeing and hosting that L.J. finds his work more challenging. His most challenging job though was when he worked as a school teacher aide for Public School System.
Presently, L.J., a native on Saipan, works in retail at the Northern Marianas College Bookstore as inventory control staff. His work, he said, also helped develop his talent of marketing and selling.
About his aspirations, dreams and plans, L.J. said he has a lot of things yet to accomplish but his biggest aspiration is to help the island. He tried it out a little bit when he was in the Youth Congress.
“I guess the impact of what I’ve done so far has affected a lot of different areas,” he said. “For me, I’m part of the impact; those who I’ve helped out definitely should be recognized for that as well.”
He has this message to the youth: “If some people say you may be weird, consider yourself as being unique, but never let them discourage you. Everyone born into this life was made to be special in their own way, with me, it was with using my vocabulary. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do what in your heart you know you can do.”
“Take the hits, take the criticism, but keep moving forward! Do your do, don’t give up, and in the long run everyone will notice your talents. You never know, maybe one of the guys reading this article might be the next President of the United States. If it can happen for Obama, it could happen to anybody. Be your best, do your best, for that’s what our islands need and deserve, the best,” he added.
L.J will be emceeing the NMI Humanities Council’s first cha cha dance fundraiser, “Blame it on the Cha Cha Cha,” to be held today at 5:30pm at the Saipan World Resort Jungle Stage. For more information, call 235-4787.
“Everyone born into this life was made to be special in their own way, with me, it was with using my vocabulary. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do what in your heart you know you can do.” —LJ Castro
