Filipino-American Comics Illuminate Lathrop
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Nov 2023
November 11, 2023
Lathrop, California
"Laughter is the best medicine," the classic magazine Reader’s Digest once proclaimed.
I got my prescription filled for last Saturday night’s doldrums, accepting HDI chairman Ryan Largo’s invitation to witness four promising Filipino-American comedians at an unexpected venue—The New Life Church in Lathrop.
Even in a house of worship, no one was immune to the delightfully irreverent humor infused with Asian, American, and Filipino accents and dissension. Apologies to the Pastor became as amusing as the jokes themselves.
The quartet of Amboys, short for American Boys with Pinoy heritage per Erica Puno-Thomas, each wielded a unique style, treating the audience to a buffet of introspective and retrospective reflections on their bittersweet Filipino-American experiences.
Wayne Macasaet, owner of Oasis Archery Science Institute, shared larger-than-life personal stories that inspired and elicited chuckles. I do not know if he has any children, but he advises that taking away kids' cell phones is akin to corporal punishment.
Jimmy Earll, originally from Canada and now residing in 'Tätë,' humorously navigated his Filipino-Canadian identity, poking fun at audience members, sponsors and organizers alike.
Mr. Earll unleashed his classic, sardonic wit and even observed that the Philippine Boxing Historical Society sounded like a balikbayan box freight and delivery service.
I understand the witty word play given that he is Filipino-Canadian who celebrates Boxing Day.
For the uninitiated, Boxing Day is not about the fight game, but is an annual holiday celebrated every December 26 in Canada, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, wherein employers give employees presents called “boxes”.
This overcooked explanation about a holiday Americans do not observe is why I am not a comedian.
Luckily, Mr. Earll and company were humming as they dished out references to private parts, underage relations, and mixed marriages that held a captive audience snickering all night long.
Rising comedian Calen Genobaga impressed with spot-on accents of friends from different backgrounds, emphasizing respect for everyone, even the ones with exotic speech patterns.
Frankie Marcos, a well-traveled comedian, capped off the night with a humorous description of his height-and-reach-challenged girlfriend and how spotless her family’s house is below 5 feet.
(L-R) Brian Pastor, Eric Canites, an aspiring writer, Erica Puno-Thomas.
The evening was a delightful dose of fun and laughter courtesy of the dynamic duo of Lani Alfonso from Yellow Event Production and Erica Puno-Thomas of EPT Productions.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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