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The Tagalog Comedy Misconception
Here’s what the big networks think: the mass audiences only understand Tagalog. So if you’re going to do jokes in English, they won’t get it. It’s too intellectual. You have to translate your jokes into Tagalog so they will understand. Furthermore, you have to dumb the humor down. Make it more slapstick. Add a funny face. Scream and be loud. That’s the kind of comedy most of these mainstream channels are promoting and believe in.
I don’t agree.
First of all, I believe that outside of the city-centric Metro Manila area, Tagalog is not the most widely understood language. I believe it’s English. If you go to Cebu or the Visayas, try to talk to them in Tagalog. You’ll find that they are more comfortable with English. Same thing goes for the North. When I went to Ilocos, the locals had an easier time conversing in English with me rather than Tagalog. So, if you’re talking about total audience, English has more reach.
Second of all, I believe that the masses understand English more than the big networks would like to assume. Case in point, when I watched the Beyonce concert a few years ago, there were so many poor people outside of the fences watching the concert. So, you’re telling me that they were just hanging out there listening to the English songs of Beyonce and not understanding what she was singing about? You’re telling me that the masses that buy pirated DVDs of American movies don’t understand what they’re watching? You’re telling me that one of the largest English speaking countries (hence the call centers) in the world doesn’t even know what they’re talking about?
Okay, maybe most of the masses can’t understand sophisticated words. But they do know basic English. They know enough to understand a comedy act that uses basic words. They might speak in a thick Pinoy accent, but they understand. They’re smart. At least, smarter than what the big networks believe.
I’m not against performing jokes in Tagalog. By all means, if that’s what you’re comfortable with then do it. But don’t tell me that I need to translate my English material into Tagalog because the “massa” won’t get it. They get it. I hope the big networks get it too.