Funny Ka, Pare Ko brings stand-up comedy to TV

A TV program’s lifespan is always unpredictable, but shows that connect with the audience have a stronger staying power.

In the case of CineMo’s Funny Ka, Pare Ko and YeY’s Team YeY, both have managed to gain a solid following on digital terrestrial TV for its relatable content. They are now on their fifth and third seasons, respectively.

Funny Ka, Pare Ko, which has been airing on the all-day movie channel CineMo since 2016, centers on the life of a married couple played by Karla Estrada and Bayani Agbayani who both try to overcome struggles with perseverance and positivity.

“Karla and I always make sure that what we do here is something valuable. We don’t want viewers to just laugh, we also want them to pick up lessons from our show,” Bayani explained.

In the new season, Bayani and Karla are now proud owners of a successful carinderia who share the blessings they receive to charity groups.

(Left)Carlo Mendoza. (Right)Joven Olvido

The program also touches on the lives of their neighbors like Jayson Gainza and Alora Sasam who possess a positive disposition with whatever challenges life throws in their way.

The weekly sitcom has introduced new characters that will give the show an extra dose of hilarity, like Dennis Padilla, Funny One champ Donna Cariaga, finalists James Caraan and Anthony Andres, Miss Q&A first Hall of Famer Juliana Perizcova Segovia, Erin Ocampo, Kira Balinger, Grae Fernandez, Carlo Mendoza and Pilipinas Got Talent grand finalist Joven Olvido.

Besides the new faces in the new season, viewers will also witness the return of Tawa ng Tanghalan, an event staged during the night in Karla and Bayani’s Delyon’s eatery. Loosely coined from the popular noontime singing competition, Tawa ng Tanghalan champions Filipino stand-up comedians by allowing them to showcase their witty punchlines and hysterical jokes in the sitcom that is mixed with stand-up comedy — a first of its kind on digital TV.

“We help komikeros (comedians) who appeared in It’s Showtime to hone their talent and get exposure so when they leave our show, they can easily find jobs because they were seen on TV,” Karla said.

For Karla, what matters most is creating a platform that can help others. “Wala talagang halaga ang isang bagay na ginagawa mo kung hindi ka nakakatulong,” she explained.

(Left)Erin Ocampo (left) and Miss Q&A first Hall of Famer Juliana Perizcova Segovia. (Right)Kira Balinger and Grae Fernandez

Viewers can look forward to newbies of the show like Donna as she performs her hugot infused brand of comedy on the Tawa ng Tanghalan stage. Donna rose to fame on It’s Showtime’s Funny One segment with her relatable hugot monologue about heartbreak and an unfaithful lover she calls “James.”

Donna’s co-finalists in Funny One, Anthony and James, will also throw punchlines and jokes, as well as veteran stand-up comedian and finalist in Laugh Factory’s Funniest Person in the World 2016, Alex Calleja, among others.

Funny Ka, Pare Ko airs Sundays at 5 p.m. on ABS-CBN TVplus’ CineMo.