Nakakatawa ba?

There were doubts about whether a comedy revue would work in as big a venue as the CCP’s 1,800-seat Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater). After all, stand-up comedians rely on the rapport they establish with their audience, and that is best achieved in cozy, intimate clubs, where the laughter comes easier over beer.

Eight stand-up comics nevertheless braved the cavernous hall–which has hosted the likes of Lorin Maazel and Jurt Masur with the New York Philharmonic, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Cecile Licad, the Royal Shakespeare Company–and faced a full house last Sunday evening in Tongue in a Mood Mo Rin!, a face-off between Fil-Am and "local" comedians, the first of its kind, one of a kind, one night only show. They were to dissect, as only comedians can, the Fil-Am experience–living in America, wanting to live in America, being Pinoy in America, trying to be stateside in good old Pinas.

The "locals" were represented by three very differently talented comedians. A very pregnant Candy Pangilinan opened the show with a hilarious salvo about her red dress blending with the red curtains, and the audience identified with her takes on pregnancy and raising children. Allan K’s Jenine the beauty contestant–he was the only one who came in full costume: black bathing suit, strategically-placed yellow flowers, stockings and high heels–had the audience in tears and doubling over with laughter. Jon Santos did a wonderful FVR, which was a revelation beyond his usual GMA impersonation. Probably considered local now is balikbayan Tim Tayag, who late last year left his computer-something job in the States to start a career in stand-up comedy here. His act is equal parts Pinoy and Kano, still cerebral in parts, not out and out wacky as true Pinoy humor tends to be.

The "imported" contingent were members of Tongue in a Mood, a group of Fil-Am comedians in the Bay Area founded by Rex Navarrete, the hottest name in Pinoy comedy today. The ensemble did little skits and "commercials", as well as solo stand-up acts. The range of Lola Seang products made for some hilarious "ads", like the lechon-flavored ice cream. Some of them obviously have not been back home in quite a while and are fully absorbed into stateside culture, their routines drawing tepid reaction from the audience, except for Rex Navarrete, of course, who was still funny despite recycled material.

I guess comedy does not cross the Pacific Ocean as well as Spam and Hershey’s chocolates, bath towels and toilet paper.