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Saturday, August 09, 2008
The Comedy Cartel - The Best Stand-Up Comedy Act in Manila!
Have you seen the Best Stand-Up Comedy Act in Manila?
I highly recommend Comedy Cartel if you are sick and tired of the usual gay comedy or slapstick humor in the comedy bars in Manila. I like the more intelligent humor (and sometimes green jokes) of the Comedy Cartel based on taboo truths about the Filipinos. However, I don't like some of the proteges' tasteless jokes about Christianity just to get a laugh from the crowd. Also, I'm hoping they could get a female stand-up comic to be part of the cartel.
I created a video sampler of the best jokes during the Laffamania last July 28 in Spicy Fingers. It features my favorite jokes by Eric Villarama, Alex Calleja, Mike Unson and Tim Tayag. It is guaranteed to make you laugh. You can watch the full Laffamania show every other monday by 8pm in Spicy Fingers. The show runs for two hours featuring the Comedy Cartel and their proteges. The next shows would be August 11 & 25, and September 15 & 29, 2008. They also have practice Open Mic sessions to test new jokes every 9pm Wednesday at my favorite wi-fi place in Serendra -- Kape Isla.
The Comedy Cartel is a guild of professional comic artists whose aim is to expand and master the art of comedy beyond the usual definitions through the practice of the classic monologue form of standup and through sketch comedy. In other words, it was created to impress chicks...
This group is the first of its kind in the Philippines. As the Comedy Cartel, they hope to instill in each artist, professionalism, mastery, and respect for the art of comedy by providing training and building resources to further the craft. If they fail, then it's back to selling hot dogs!
The Comedy Cartel is composed of Alex Calleja, Stanley Chi, JB Dela Cruz, Marlon Olivan, Tim Tayag, and Mike Unson. Other members include: Vic Anastacio, Trian Lauang, Red Ollero, Uli Oposa, Chickie Manio, Ryan Puno, Raffy Taruc, and Eric Villarama.
The Comedy Cartel is exclusively managed by:
eCircle Entertainment (www.eCircleEntertainment.com).
Telephone: +632 533-9316.
Mobile Number: +63917-8860706.
Email: info@eCircleEntertainment.com
August 9, 2008 in 11. Arts and Culture in the Philippines | Permalink
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luv their shows! makes you really see the lighter side of things. :D red ollero's a friend of mine.
Posted by: raine chua | Aug 10, 2008 12:37:16 PM
thanks for this post Anton. we decided to watch the show last night. i'm glad that such an act exists locally. i'm a fan of this style of stand-up comedy and hope that they thrive.
the show was good... but I think the one you saw was better :) and you were spot on your feedback on Spicy Fingers... the waiters seems clueless of what they're serving.
Posted by: Penpen | Aug 12, 2008 4:45:14 PM
2 days lang sila sa spicy fingers?
any other venues if we can't catch them on the said dates?
thanks anton
Posted by: aLbin | Aug 13, 2008 7:10:40 PM
They do Joke-oke in Basilio's tomorrow Aug. 14... They are doing their rounds and you should catch their act.
Posted by: anton | Aug 14, 2008 12:54:42 AM
Hi Albin!
The Comedy Cartel will be performing in Spicy Fingers on the following dates:
Aug 25
Sept. 15
Sept. 29
Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Rochelle | Aug 14, 2008 12:06:52 PM
It's nice to know there are also fans of this style of comedy, like myself, as this is really what "stand-up comedy" is supposed to be; a performer, holding a microphone and delivering his or her point-of-view funny joke material to a scrutinizing, but very receptive audience. Such is performed by the likes of Jerry Seinfeld (my favorite, sana he performs here!), Chris Rock, Dave Chapelle, Ray Romano and other comedians who've already successfully crossed over to popular TV sitcoms and movies (check these guys' youtube sites; they'll surely crack you up). I'd love to watch a stand-up show without being insulted by a performer who lacks comedy material and resorts to using the audience as a "sounding board" just to be funny. I've been victimized by such in stand-up shows I've watched in Q.C. comedy clubs, making my viewing experience traumatic. I have friends who also told me that they prefer to watch these shows in the back seats so as not to attract attention from mostly gay "comedy hosts" (no gender bias intended), who might call them on stage, only to be ridiculed from head to foot. Actually, what we have here is more of a bastardized version (please excuse the term) of what stand-up comedy really is. Not to nitpick, as I'm sure some people also enjoy that kind of comedy, but I want a comedy show which stimulates cerebrally, offering a different side or view of life, albeit in a humorous manner. I also want this kind of comedy to further grow here and be an intellectual alternative to what's being offered in the market. I'm sure there's also people out there who might want to try performing this type of comedy act, as such could be "therapeutic," not to mention fulfilling, especially for former class clowns (like me. he he he). Hope the Cartel comes up with a workshop for such. I'd definitely watch one of these shows. Thanks Anton for the post. Gladly appreciate it. =)
Posted by: trey | Aug 14, 2008 4:21:29 PM
i loved the show!! it's such a refreshing alternative...please continue writing about these guys. i'm so curious to learn more about them!
Posted by: Kyle | Aug 14, 2008 5:42:08 PM
My friends and I watched this show. Its nice to see that there is this kind of comedy in the Philippines. I watched another comedy group in magnet high street and it was kinda dragging. they were using too many green humor. This show was really good. I liked the wholesome comedians. Although there are some comedians in this group that use some jokes I've read in joke books. I dont really know much about comedy, but in anything,plagiarism is bad. Like there was comedian who did a joke about the name Edgar Allan Pe. That joke can be seen in local joke books. Also there was this comedian where he used a joke from Archie Comics, the one that said girls save money by spending on something thats on sale. I think that its good that there are younger comedians(except for the on with tasteless one-liners) because it expands the market for this type of comedy. I especially liked Mike Unson. He had very funny spiels about dating girls which I could totally relate to. They should really get girl comedians to add color and balance to the group. Overall,these guys are a really funny group. I hope they do more shows. I hope that there will be more comedians like you guys.
Posted by: Mark Batulac | Aug 14, 2008 8:29:28 PM
These guys are great!!! Watch them. Its worth your money! :)
Posted by: Alfonso | Aug 14, 2008 9:06:47 PM
I got chance to see these guys and it was one of the funniest shows I've seen. I've seen alot of standup shows in Boston when I was getting my masters degree and I'm so happy that there's something similar here. Most of the guys were good. Some were okay and not so original. I've heard similar jokes from the comedians I've seen in the States. But overall, great performance. I thought that Marlon guy was original and I liked his mah-jong tile bit. That Ryan Puno was also good and cute =) I'll definitely keep watching these guys.
Posted by: Miggy | Aug 15, 2008 8:37:58 AM
I love these guys! Definitely the best stand-up comedy act in Manila! :)
Posted by: Patricia | Aug 15, 2008 11:29:07 PM
I agree with mark, they are great and their shows are definitely worth your money!
Posted by: julian | Aug 15, 2008 11:37:42 PM
Hi. Do you have to buy the tickets beforehand or can you just come to Spicy Fingers at around 7pm? Would love to see this
Posted by: Raoul | Aug 17, 2008 11:37:27 AM
You could get your tickets at the venue at around 7PM. I got mine around that time when I first watched their show last June. The problem is getting good seats, as their shows are usually packed. It's best to call their management office (E-Circle Entertainment) at 533-9316 during office hours for ticket inquiries or table reservations. I got to reserve tickets via reserving them ahead and got good seats for a table of 8 pax. Look for Rochelle. They're a very helpful bunch. Good luck and enjoy that show. Will watch it again soon.
Posted by: trey | Aug 17, 2008 5:18:08 PM
You could get your tickets at the venue at around 7PM. I got mine around that time when I first watched their show last June. The problem is getting good seats, as their shows are usually packed. It's best to call their management office (E-Circle Entertainment) at 533-9316 during office hours for ticket inquiries or table reservations. I got to reserve tickets via reserving them ahead and got good seats for a table of 8 pax. Look for Rochelle. They're a very helpful bunch. Good luck and enjoy that show. Will watch it again soon.
Posted by: trey | Aug 17, 2008 5:18:19 PM
I love watching these guys! They're super worth your time and money because you're sure to leave the place laughing and remembering their jokes to tell to your friends! Hahahaha! My favorite's Victor Anastacio! He's super funny! :D
Posted by: chinx lim | Aug 17, 2008 9:46:29 PM
I started watching this group (Comedy Cartel) when they were still performing at Magnet Cafe in Bonifacio High Street. They are really funny. I like Tim Tayag , Mike Unson and Alex Calleja because they are consistently funny!!! More power!!! I will be there again on August 25.
Posted by: Jon | Aug 18, 2008 5:43:53 PM
It's my 3rd time watching this group along with my classmates. Most of them are funny. I like the tagalog-speaking Alex Calleja with his very Filipino take on marriage, childhood, being poor, and his very old car. He is very funny! I also like Tim Tayag for his airplane and rice jokes, Marlon Olivan for his mahjong-magic joke and Mike Unson for his MRT and cellphone jokes. For the new guys, Ryan Puno and Victor Anastacio are both funny. I hope we will finish our school projects early so we can catch them again on August 25.
Posted by: William | Aug 18, 2008 5:58:22 PM
I first watched this show in magnet high street. My friend is the cousin of a comedian. when I first watched this show, it was okay. I mean it was nothing spectacular. There was this annoying kid who kept making fun of disabled people and making claims that there is no God(Comedy Cartel, you dont deserve talents like that). I really hated that kid. Anyway, when I watched them again last June, The performance really improved. The show was fantastic. I think they removed the annoying kid. Tim Tayag is really good and so is Mike Unson. All of them are really funny now!I would highly recommend that you guys watch this show!
Posted by: Philip | Aug 18, 2008 11:39:01 PM
Hi Everybody! If you want to make table reservations - you may call me at 5339316. Hindi naman talaga kailangan ng reservations because you can just go to Spicy Fingers on the day itself. Minsan lang, puno na talaga ang venue and you won't get good seats anymore... See you on August 25!
Posted by: Rochelle` | Aug 19, 2008 1:38:19 PM
"The show was fantastic. I think they removed the annoying kid."
-The annoying kid's name is Chuckie, he was also in the Jack TV contest but was eliminated. Yup, he hasn't been in any of the Cartel's Spicy Fingers shows. I'm not sure if they removed him, already. But for their sake, I really hope that they did. More power to The Comedy Cartel!!!
Posted by: Pinky Albaracin | Aug 19, 2008 5:49:12 PM
Cheers to all the comics esp alex, mike and ryan - you guys rock ;)
Posted by: daniz | Aug 19, 2008 6:41:36 PM
Comedy Cartel sucks! JOKE! It's the best in town YET. (since its the first ever stand up show I've watched.) hahaha Kidding aside, it's one stress free gig. MORE TO COME GUYS!! MAGIC rocks! hahaha
Posted by: phoebe | Aug 19, 2008 8:54:46 PM
GO COMEDY CARTEL!!! PALAGUIN ANG STAND UP COMEDY! I suggest you get more media exposure.
Posted by: pajamas | Aug 19, 2008 8:57:44 PM
Si Mike Unson di naman nakakatawa yun eh! Pogi lang.
Posted by: Marty | Aug 20, 2008 3:54:11 AM
