'LIVE A.I.D.S.' goes digital with #instafun edition

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines’ Samahan ng Mag-aaral sa Komunikasyon (UP SAMASKOM) is bringing back its famous musical comedy variety show Live A.I.D.S (Ang Istoryang Dinebelop ng Samaskom) to bring cheers and laughter this holiday season.

Entitled “Live AIDS 29: #instafun #nofilter #angtawanan,” the show is the 29th installment of the school production that launched the careers of comedy stars Giselle Sanchez, Ate Glow, Michelle O’ Bombshell, and Tuesday Vargas.

Originally just a batch project of a group of SAMASKOM applicants in the early ‘80s, Live AIDS has evolved to become a standing room only event watched and anticipated not only by UP students but also by professionals and even celebrities like Ricky Lee, Quark Henares, Bianca Gonzalez, and Vice Ganda.

It is known for an intellectual brand of comedy, veering more towards satire rather than slapstick, as it pokes fun and expresses commentary on the relevant issues in our society through sketches, monologues, and song and dance performances.

This year, Live AIDS embraces the digital era with a social media-inspired theme. Director Herbs Samonte said the show’s material will not only feature references on the trending topics in social media, but will also use social media to further engage the audience.

“Live AIDS rested for one year so we really want to make its comeback special. We want more interaction with the audience. That’s why in certain segments of the show, the people can participate using facebook and twitter,” the two-time Live AIDS director explained.

Samonte, a manager in ABS-CBN Global who is one of the best monologue artists and writers the show has produced, encouraged Live AIDS fans and newbies alike to watch this year’s edition as it will showcase both seasoned and upcoming talents of the show.

“Watch out for the return of your favorite sketch and monologue performers. More importantly, get a glimpse of the promising talents who will continue to spread the Live AIDS disease in the years to come,” he said.

The whole Live AIDS company, as well as the production and creative heads and crew are proud members of the UP SAMASKOM, one of the most recognized organizations in the whole Diliman Campus.

This means all the show’s scripts, music, stage design, costumes, choreography, and performances are by “SAMASKOMers.” With this tradition, the show has become a training ground for the members, who usually pursue careers in the media, advertising, and marketing industries upon graduation.

Apart from the four Live AIDS stars mentioned above, other notable SAMASKOM alumni include TV executive Lauren Dyogi, broadcast journalists Lei Alviz, Tina Panganiban-Perez and Kim Atienza, filmmaker Cholo Laurel, and advertising CEO Raul Castro. Musicians Wency Cornejo, Kris Gorra-Dancel of Cambio, Miro Valera of Stonefree, and Jeje Santos and Lec Cruz of Giniling Festival are also products of the organization.

Live AIDS 29 Production Manager Marc Casillan, who is the concurrent President of UP SAMASKOM, said that while the organization also does educational and outreach activities, Live AIDS remains as the group’s pride and joy and its flagship project.

“Live AIDS is our creative outlet. It is a platform where we can express ourselves freely. It is where we can be silly and critical at the same time. It is where our resident and alumni members get to bond. But more important of all, it is where we get to make an impact on others. Through the show, we are able to entertain people and even make a difference,” he said.

Casillan mentioned that part of the proceeds of Live AIDS 29 will be donated to survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda. Previously, UP SAMASKOM donated all ticket sales of Live AIDS 25 to the UP College of Mass Communication, which then used the fund to construct a new classroom.

Catch Live AIDS 29: #instafun #nofilter #angtawanan on December 19 (8pm), 20 (3pm and 8pm), and 21 (3pm and 8pm) at the Abelardo Hall of the UP College of Music. For ticket reservations, just text or call 09153394660 for the December 19 and 20 shows and 09183266860 for the December 21 show. For updates, follow @UPSAMASKOM on Twitter and Instagram.