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They say humor is a good weapon and one must put it to good use. The
students who joined Laffapalooza, the event of Jack TV, surely found
a good use for theirs. Jack TV’s Laffapalooza is a stand-up comedy
competition that is open to all colleges and universities. Jack TV,
together with Smart and Astring-o-Sol, made the event possible for
all students who aspire to be the next Tim Tayag and Al Manalo of
the country with the help of Asian Spirit, Tropezz Bar and
Restaurant, La Carmela de Boracay, and UPJMA (U.P. Junior Marketing
Association). The grand prize winner gets to have a trip for 4 to
Boracay via Asian Spirit and La Carmela de Boracay as a hotel,
P30,000 cash prize, Fuji Fine Pix Camera, and a hefty gift pack from
Jack TV.
On October 13, 2007, the first leg of auditions
happened at the Palma Hall of U.P. Diliman. Both audience and judges
were awaiting for the first student that would hit the spot. Allan
Manalo, one of the judges who is a Filipino comic in the States,
believes that we haven’t tapped into the future of stand-up comedy
yet here in the Philippines and he knows that there are definitely
talented comedians in the making here. Boy, he wasn’t kidding
there! And this is not the typical stand-up comedy which you see in
the usual comedy bars here whose only comedians are gay.
The Second leg was set in Mayric’s España, a
bar along España Street. Here, not only do you get to enjoy the
food, you also get to be entertained by wannabee comedians for free
(an interesting bargain if you ask me). The last leg occurred at the
Australasia Room of CSB Hotel—Angelo King International Center.
From these three legs, only 12 hilarious
students were qualified for the Stand-up Comedy stand-off. These 12
students are: Jose Oposa (DLSU Cavite), Victor Anastacio (ADMU),
Ryan Puno (ADMU), Arkel Mendoza (U.P. Dil.), Melo del Gallego (U.P.
Dil.), Patrick Yap “Patty” (FEU), Red Ollero (DLSU), Aimee
Rabago (U.P. Dil.), Trian Lauang (ADMU), Chip Balbuena (Trinity
College), Jahan Kalam (U.P. Diliman) and Chuckie Manio (DLSU).
The first elimination of Laffapalooza already
happened at Tropezz Bar and Restaurant in Greenbelt 3. The whole
place was packed full of the finalists posse, family, schoolmates
and curious passersby. What was even hilarious was the schools’
friendly bantering of each other—especially Ateneo and La Salle.
The laughter started rolling with Jose Oposa’s spiel about jeepney
and FX barkers; he made us laugh with his uproarious motions. Ryan
Puno was funny but his jokes would have an impact if he compensated
for his mellowing down due to his concern about the rule, which was
against obscenity. Chip’s strength lies in his mighty
impersonations and impressions. He’s one goofy, crazy and loud
guy. Chip reminded us all of Chris Tucker with sugar rush . . . or
maybe crack . . . Hmm . . . Red Ollero was congratulated by the
judges for his great timing and his improvization ability. Red’s
Manny Pacquiao spiel made us bowl over with laughter and tears.
Aimee’s spiel is described as naughty and Chuckie Manio’s was
dark and “angsty.” Chuckie was a unique persona and feel among
the bunch and his deadpan wit and one-liners was what got to us all;
he is a great comedic writer according to Tim Tayag. Ditto to that!
Jahan, our only Muslim comedian, did a spiel about his religion and
rituals which made us comfortably laugh knowing he’s a Muslim
spewing out Muslim jokes. Victor Anastacio was a natural comic in
the sense that even though we’re anticipating his punch lines,
we’re already guffawing because of the way he speaks and delivers
his jokes. By the way you should hear his Transformers bits. He can
make us laugh with a generic knock-knock joke that’s how he is.
The first four who were eliminated were
“Patty” Yap, Aimee Rabago, Arkel Mendoza and Jahan Kalam.
As the second elimination on October 11 at
Tropezz Bar and Restaurant is dawning, each finalist will be dying
again to crack out his best comedic spiels. The question is: will
they indeed tickle our funny bones? Or will they just end up being
covered in tomato pulp? That will be our purpose on the upcoming
elimination and grand finals, to ask ourselves in each spiel, “to
laugh, or not to laugh.”
Everyone has a funny bone and Humor is a fiber
of everyone’s being that even though we might not think it, it is
indeed essential in our lives. That is why we are inviting you to
our hearty affair on October 11 and on October 27 (grand finals) at
Tropezz Bar and Restaurant. Cliché as it is, “Laughter is the
best medicine” and what better way to get a dose of it right?
--Advertorial
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