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.

So many people find these viral videos with Filipinos doing the “carabao english” or FOB Filipino accent so funny. I did too. When I was 18. Then I grew out of it. For me, it’s an easy way to get laughs. Yes, they’re funny but so is my maid when she tries to talk in broken English, like when she says “Upstair! Downstair! Ober der (over there) in da (the) outside.”

It’s easy because I can do it. Your friends can do it. Your dirty old man (D.O.M) uncle can do it without even trying. It doesn’t take much skill or thought to do it. And yet, it gets laughs. Some comedians call this hacky. I find it corny. Am I a hater of this type of lowbrow comedy? I’d like to say that I’m not. But maybe I am a little bit.

So why do I not like it? For one reason, it’s unfair.

It’s unfair to the comedians who work hard to fine tune their craft and find their original voice. It’s unfair to the artists who take the harder path of crafting jokes that don’t rely on being “loud” to be funny or changing the p to an f, the v to a b, and vice-versa. It’s unfair because the crowd doesn’t know any better. It discourages comedians to take a step further and not settle for the easy jokes. It makes comedians think twice of taking risks of doing something different than the cliche funny Filipino accent.

Here’s a quick test. If you take away the accent, will the bit still be funny? If it’s not, then that means the whole material is just relying on the funny accent to get the cheap laughs. But if it’s still funny even without the accent, then it is truly a well written routine that just happens to have the accent.

My point is not to put down those who do the carabao English jokes. They’re still funny to a lot of people. If they love doing those bits, keep doing them. Don’t listen to me. Keep doing what you’re good at and I wish you more success. I really mean that. But I would just like to point out or at least make the audience aware of what they are laughing about and maybe think a little bit.

And if you’re a comedian like me who shares my opinion, don’t be discouraged. Keep writing and not settling for the easy stuff. Maybe you can do a few easy jokes in the beginning to get the audience on your side then you can take them to the material that you really want to talk about. I believe there is an audience for us too. It’s just a matter of time.

Here’s another Pinoy standup comedian that is rising through the comedy scene pretty fast – GB Labrador, another member of the hilarious stand up comedy group called the Comedy Cartel.

I found this video on the Vimeo account of Tim Tayag, also from the Comedy Cartel group.

I’ve watched GB plenty of times and I know he’s done gigs locally, in the States, and lately he’s been a regular in the Singapore comedy scene of Comedy Masala. This guy is definitely going places and it will just be a matter of time before he becomes a household name in the comedy industry. This video is one of my favorite bits of his. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Laugh Off Asia in Singapore

Singapore, get ready for one of the funniest comedy shows in Asia. The Comedy Cartel will be in Singapore this November 18th & 19th to perform with the funny comedians of Comedy Masala at The Arts House on 1 Old Parliament Lane. These guys are the best of the Philippines and now they are showing their talents to the rest of Asia.

Show your support by watching the show. Get your tickets early at BYTES. Tickets sell for S$26 and S$14.

The Comedy Cartel comedians representing will be Tim Tayag, GB Labrador, and Raffy Taruc. Representing the Singaporean Comedy Masala contingent are Fakkah Fuzz, Rishi, and Jinx. Show your support and watch the show! Guaranteed to be hilarious.

comedy masala

Our very own GB Labrador will be back in Singapore to perform in the Comedy Masala on October 25th. Show the brother some love and support. Come watch and wear a mustache.

GB Labrador @Masala 52 from AC Mangilin on Vimeo.

Here is the set of GB Labrador, one of the hilarious members of the Comedy Cartel, ripping it up at Comedy Masala in Home Club, Riverwalk, Singapore.

Come watch Comikazee - the Comedy Cartel Campus Tour 2011 in UP this Friday! For tickets, call 0922.8596144. Hope to cu there!

Come watch Comikazee – the Comedy Cartel Campus Tour 2011 in UP this Friday! For tickets, call 0922.8596144. Hope to see you there!

The Comedy Cartel, the Philippines’ only point-of-view stand-up comedy group will have its first ever Stand-Up Comedy Campus Tour kicking-off on Friday, September 16, 2011 – 7pm at Fiamma Bar in Makati City. Participating schools include De La Salle University, University of the Philippines Diliman, and Ateneo de Manila University.

The second show will be on October 7, 2011 in the U.P. Campus. The Ateneo leg will be announced. For details please contact Ecircle.

Pinoy Comedians Regie Cabico, Jamaal Sedayao, Pete Isip, Air Tabigue, Kevin Camia and Kevin join forces to perform in NYC to help increase literacy for children in the Philippines. See this is what I’m talking about. Laughing at those damn kids who can’t read. Fun and for a good cause.

This is an inspirational video for wannabe comedians or old comedians who are in a depressing stump. Hope it helps.