Tommy Sablan is a media personality who grew up in Chula Vista, California, in San Diego County.  

It is the second largest city in the county and the city’s name means ‘beautiful view,' but Sablan’s view was not always beautiful as a kid. 

His father died five years after Sablan’s birth in 1970, leaving his mother to raise all five children: two sisters, two brothers, and Tommy, the youngest

Finances were tight in the Sablan household with at least six mouths to feed.

It was during this time his two brothers were drug users. By the age of 10, Tommy would sit in a car holding a spoon. His brother would wrap tubing to enlarge his veins, light a fire under the spoon Tommy was holding to heat heroin, and his brother would inject himself for a heroin high. Tommy would then get out of the car and go play, at first, believing this was normal behavior in any family. 

Years later the brothers died. They were both clean at the time, but drug usage took a toll on their bodies. 

Dealing with death lingers.  

There are memories and emotional tolls for all who were affected, and Tommy carries this internally day in and day out.  

School, music, and sports would be Sablan’s stepping stones that would pave the way for the rest of his life. 

While at Castle Park High School during a “career day,” he planned to ditch when a teacher called him out. Instead, he was directed to talk with a radio personality at a booth. It was this guidance that changed Tommy’s life. 

The introduction to radio and playing music with his hometown bands led Sablan to study journalism at San Diego City College, jobs at local radio stations, and a more than 30-year career as a producer for the “Jeff & Jer Showgram.” 

This documentary is about the impacts of seeing harrowing heroin addictions, personal drug addiction, life, and death, and through it all creating success. 

The Chula Vista native has given back to communities through various charities he in-part created that include, “The Little Tommy Book Club,” “Chelsea’s Run,” the now national “Breaking and Entering Christmas,” and speaking with kids in juvenile halls, to name a few. 

Life comes full circle for Sablan. The biggest mainstay, other than career, is family and it is something he cherishes, and it has kept him grounded.  

The dad of two adult children, Eddie and Vanessa, has another generation up and coming — his daughter’s daughter. At the mere mention of his first grandchild, Tommy is taken to another level of his “career,” and it is that of “grandpa.”

“Little Tommy” trailer