Julian Daan

After his shift from his job, he visited radio stations looking for work.[4] Discovered by Marcos Navaro Sacol and Lou Arevalo,[5] he starred in shows such as "Samuel Bilibid", "Ang Manok ni San Pedro", "Talpolano the Boxer," "Milyonaryong Mini", and "Goat the Wonderful".[1][7] His programs were broadcast through DYRE, DYCB, DYLA, DYHP and Radio Mindanao Network radio stations[3][5][8] in Cebuano-speaking provinces of Visayas and Mindanao.

Daan became popularly known as Esteban Escudero, a character he played in "Ang Manok ni San Pedro," a famous radio show in the 1970s.[2][7][9][10] A rags-to-riches story of a man murdered by the family of a wealthy lady he was in love with but was resurrected and given a magical rooster by St. Peter, its popularity since it was first broadcast in 1976—at a time when the public listened to the radio for news and entertainment while the cost of acquiring a television was prohibitive—made him a household name.[4][11] Originally written and directed by Marcos Navarro Sacol, it was a half-hour show aired daily except Sundays at 7:00 in the evening and over the years underwent several title changes: from the original "Ang Tawong Nakaadto sa Langit" to "Esteban Escudero" and finally "Ang Manok ni San Pedro." Daan later on replaced Sacol in writing the script and directing.[11] When "Ang Manok ni San Pedro" was made into film in which he also starred and produced by siblings Rey and Domingo Arong with Jose Macachor as director, it became a commercial success upon its release in 1977 and was screened in theaters, festivals and local barangay events.[3][4][6]

In 1980, he partnered with Allan "Golyat" Nacorda in the radio drama series, "Teban Loves Lorna."[12] The comedic duo of Daan and Nacorda gained sustained mainstream popularity[11] and they were invited to perform stage shows during fiestas and Christmas seasons.[3][9] Their partnership lasted 39 years and produced the hits "Milyonaryong Mini" and "Goat the Wonderful," which were adapted into television series.[12]

He was the station manager of DYHP RMN Cebu and also hosted the morning program, "Kung Ako ang Pasultihon" aired on DYHP with Priscilla Raganas with whom he had worked with since 1965.[2][3][4] Among the shows he wrote were “Balentin ug Bulantoy,” “If I Know Pa Lamang, I Never Gayud,” “Inday Conching,” “Salvador del Mundo,” “Talpolano the Boxer,” “Teban, Bagduki Ko,” and “Teban Goes to America.”[4]

His political career began when he was elected councilor for Tabunok, a barangay in the then-municipality of Talisay, in 1982. In 1987, he was voted to serve as member of Talisay Municipal Council.

In 1995, he won as member of the Cebu Provincial Board for the first legislative district and reelected to the same position twice in 1998 and 2001.[1][2] He lost to Gregorio Sanchez Jr in his bid for Vice Governor as the running-mate of Gwendolyn Garcia in 2004.[1] He would serve three more consecutive terms as provincial board member for the same district from 2007 until 2016.[7] Weeks after Vice Governor Sanchez' death on April 29, 2011, the provincial board recognized him as presiding Pro-Tempore after Agnes Magpale became acting governor, vacating the former position.[13] He later became acting vice governor when Gwendolyn Garcia was suspended and Magpale became acting governor in 2012.[14] However, he declined to take an oath to serve the office reportedly out of loyalty to his political party and personal affiliation with Garcia as well as his insistence to wait the result of the temporary restraining order Garcia filed at the court to lift her suspension.[15][16][17]

In 2016, he was voted councilor of Talisay City and reelected during the 2019 mid-term elections with the highest number of votes among councilors.[7][18][19] Together with Vice Mayor Alan Bucao and 10 councilors, he was among the respondents named in an administrative and criminal complaint lodged at the Office of the Ombudsman - Visayas for the alleged failure to accredit a senior citizens' group, which Bucao described as politically motivated.[20]