MANILA -- Perhaps, now is not the best time for stand-up comedians to make people laugh. Definitely not onstage, where they were so used to keeping the audience in front of them in stitches night after night, rain or shine.

The pandemic situation gripping the entire country – and the whole world – made the stage comedians accept that reality in a heartbreaking way. The venues where they were seen nightly, lost their regular audience and were all closed because of the lockdown brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the stand-up comedians were practically left jobless. They were forced to stay at home and wait out the end of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period that was even extended. Still, even after the lockdown, they are still uncertain whether or not people will readily flock to the bars, clubs and other entertainment venues to watch a comedy show again.

The dearth of live comedy shows started earlier for the stand-up comedians.

“I think first week of March pa lang, naramdaman na namin na takot ang mga tao pumunta sa comedy bars,” lamented MC Muah, known as Melvin Calaquian in real life.

“Mas maaga nagsara ang mga venues kung saan kami nagpe-perform, bago pa ang lockdown. Kasi sobrang affected kami dahil nga ‘yung lugar kung saan kami nagwo-work ay meron laging mass gathering. All comedy bars were closed. No work at all. All special events were cancelled kaya walang raket. Kahit shows namin abroad, apektado kasi nga pandemic,” MC Muah said.

Anton Diva likewise felt the immediate effect of the lockdown. “Napakabigat ng naging epekto ng COVID-19 sa aming kabuhayan bilang performers,” he said. “Hindi kasi guaranteed ang kita namin in a month. Ang kalakaran kasi sa aming work ay kaliwaan ang pagtanggap ng talent fee. Kaya literal na ‘no work, no pay.’ And since nagkaroon ng ECQ, talagang zero ang kita. Ang masaklap pa, marami sa amin ang hindi handa sa ganito.”

EXTROVERTS

Apart from financial issues, the pandemic was a totally alien concept for the ever-busy, stand-up comedians, as explained by Viva artist Chad Kinis, originally known as Richardson De La Cruz. “We are used to seeing and hearing people laughing along with us,” said the “highly extrovert” Chad Kinis. “We don’t confine ourselves to our homes, because we want to make people happy in our live shows.”

The pandemic affected Chad Kinis, a runner-up in the Miss Q&A contest of "It's Showtime," emotionally. “Without those nightly gigs, where we make our audience happy, my heart feels empty,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment is comedian Lassy, whose real name is Reginald Marquez. “Sobrang affected ang lahat, dahil ang mga trabaho namin sa comedy bar ay nangangailangan ng isang mass gathering upang kami ay panoorin,” Lassy said. “At dahil sa hindi inaasahan, kakailanganin muna pansamantala na isara ang pinapasukan namin gabi-gabi. At ang trabaho namin ay no work-no pay, kaya mahirap po talaga sa amin at mga kapwa performers na ang tanging kinabuhuhay ay mag-perform onstage.”

MC, Anton Diva, Chad Kinis and Lassy performed regularly at Punchline along Quezon Avenue and Laffline along Timog Avenue. Both venues in Quezon City are two of the biggest comedy bars and sing-along joints in the country.

Though some of them do occasional TV guestings and appear on films, nothing compares to doing live comedy onstage every night. The compensation was assured and the comedians didn’t have to worry about getting paid.

“This [lockdown] is a big impact for me and to my fellow performers in all aspects, as in all aspects,” MC unabashedly admitted. “Like health, family, personality, your character, financially and most of all, spiritually. Tanging SIYA lang ang kakapitan mo talaga.”

LOST GIGS

Anton Diva affirmed their regular gigs in the comedy bars were really affected by the lockdown. “Sure income na sana ‘yun weekly, kasi ‘yun ang siguradong may work kami. Pero pati mga out-of-town performances namin na-apektuhan. May mga na postpone at nare-schedule.”

However, the producers were in touch with Anton Diva for his commitments. “Yes, nakikipag-ugnayan naman sila. May tentative date na uli ng performance para sa mga na-postpone na commitments. Buti na lang, kasi hindi ako tumatanggap ng mga commitment na walang down payment. Dahil may down payment na, in a way, nasisiguro na may resked ng performance.”

Chad Kinis had a total of 15 shows that didn’t push through. Thankfully, his producers readily reverted to him and assured him the engagements are all set to commence after the crisis.

Lassy’s calendar was suddenly devoid of any schedules for performances. “Marami ang nawala na mga inaasahang mga shows, events at regular gigs, na naka-schedule na sana,” Lassy disclosed. “Hanggang mga ilang buwan na ang kikitain. Sana ay pantustos na sa mga buwanang mga bayarin at pang araw-araw na gastusin. ‘Yung ibang shows, cancelled na talaga. Pero may ilan din naman na, na reschedule na. Salamat dahil may aasahan pa.”

“Humihingi naman sila ng paumanhin na magkaintindihan kami kung bakit hindi na matutuloy ang mga events,” Lassy said. “At naiintindihan ko naman at walang kaso sa akin ‘yun. Tulad nga ng sinabi ko na ‘yung iba naman na-reschedule kailangan talaga matuloy dahil na rin sa kontrata.”

MC is certain the venues will open again and be back in business once the COVID-19 pandemic is over. “Yung mga comedy bars na pinapasukan ko, Punchline and Laffline, alam ko magbubukas after this crisis,” MC said. “Pero ‘yung mga events dito sa Pilipinas, mga rakets namin like fiesta and birthdays, parang hindi naman mare-resked kasi nga may certain dates ‘yun. ‘Yung mga raket na may ticket selling, ‘yun ‘yung na-resked, like ‘yung abroad namin, nakipag-coordinate ‘yung producers naman agad-agad.”

NOT PREPARED

As of now, MC is trying to make do with whatever meager savings he has stashed. “Financially talaga, affected kaming lahat sobra,” MC said. “Buti na lang, kahit papaano may naitabi ako. Pero life must go on. Doble kayod na lang after this crisis at mas magsa-save ng money. Kasi first-time ko na-experience itong pandemic na ito. Parang nasa gera (war) ka pala.”

Anton Diva swears this is the first time they didn’t have any show every night. “Mahirap, kasi ngayon lang namin ‘to naranasan. Maswerte 'yung mga may ipon sa banko. But a lot of us, really, are not prepared for this. Baka 'pag na-extend ng isa pang buwan, hindi na namin kayanin. Nakakalungkot.”

Chad Kinis, fortunately, has saved enough to get him through this crisis. “But if this [lockdown] will last one or two more months, my financial status will decline exponentially,” he said.

Lassy still has no idea how his other colleagues will get through this pandemic season financially. “Mahirap kung sa mahirap, lalo na at hindi ka talaga handa,” he said. “Kawawa po talaga 'yung mga taong walang naitabi o ipon pag oras ng kalamidad o pangangailangan.”

Unfortunately, for MC, he has no other streams of revenue to earn from. “Kahit small na business, wala, dahil wala akong time para tumutok doon,” he disclosed. “Buti na lang ang ABS-CBN ibinigay ‘yung mga TF (talent fee) namin at nakipag-coordinate agad. Kaya medyo nagkaroon ng kita pa rin kahit papano. Pero after this pandemic talaga, baka mag-iisip na ako ng pwedeng ibang pagkakakitaan.”

Ditto for Anton Diva, who has been performing for more than two decades now. He was barely 20 when the lure of the live performance stage beckoned to him. “Performing every night has been my routine for the longest time,” he said. “Kaya ‘pag nagpatuloy pa ang ECQ, baka kailanganin ko nang lumapit sa mga kamag-anak at kaibigan para sa suportang pinansyal.”

OTHER REVENUE STREAMS

The YouTube channel of Chad Kinis is normally a safe financial anchor in times of need. “However, the payments are also delayed now due to the global crisis and the revenue dropped, too,” he sighed.

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Lassy insisted even he had to find other means to generate income. Sadly, however, nothing is presently feasible. “Kasi kahit taping at shooting ipinahinto rin. Kahit anong work ko pa, basta related na makipag-meet sa kapwa artists bawal. Kaya ayun talagang mahirap.”

Admittedly, MC thinks his other colleagues were more affected financially. “Pero kaya namin bumangon,” he insisted. “Tuloy ang laban. In fairness, sa line of work namin, kahit mabigat na ang sitwsyon, talagang humhanap kami ng paraan para sumaya basta sama-sama kami. At saka, strong naman ang bonding namin mga comedians.”

For most of the stand-up comedians, the lockdown came unexpectedly, that’s why some of them were hit harder than others. “Dahil sabi ko nga biglaan para sa amin ang nangyari,” Anton Diva reasoned. “Kung alam lang namin na magkakaganito ng March, ‘di sana tinipid namin ang kinita simula nung December pa lang.”

Anton Diva acknowledged they all have to tighten their belts at these trying times. “Kung mamimili kami sa supermarket ‘yung mga kailangan lang talaga. Sinisiguro ko din na walang masasayang sa mga pagkain inihahanda sa hapag-kainan, dahil maswerte pa rin kaming nakakakain ng sapat. At siyempre, importante ang pagtitipid.”

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A post shared by Anton Diva (@antondiva) on Oct 13, 2019 at 3:47am PDT

Lassy granted:“Matututo muna mamaluktot dahil kailangan talaga. At kung mamimili, ‘yung mga importante lang talaga. Una na ang mga pagkain at gamot. At kahit mga pagkain na naka-stock dati, kung ano meron sa bahay ay ‘yun muna kahit papaano. Makakatulong din pansalba ng ilang araw.”

Chad Kinis also stocked up his food supplies, in case the scenario worsens. “Even in my situation now, I am still trying to send help to those who are in need,” he honestly said.

MC acknowledged the important lessons he learned from experiencing this pandemic. “Ang dami talaga. Magtipid, matuto mag-save, ‘yung hygiene mas lalo siguro mag-focus doon. Pero ako, dumating na nga sa pagka OA (over-acting) and then you realized, life is simple. Family and real friends are important. In life and in times like this, only Him is the real answer.”

SUPPORT GROUP

Even before the lockdown, the stand-up comedians performing regularly at Punchline and Laffline have this solid group who help each other in times of crisis.

“Siguro, mas nakita namin ‘yung essence and the value of it, kasi it’s very important pala na may core ka kinakapitan tayo,” MC attested. “I think sa nangyari, mas pagtitibayin namin ang samahan namin.”

Not surprisingly, supporting their fellow performers, even not necessarily in terms of finances, is among the plans of these comedians. “I plan to have an online performance soon sa Facebook,” Anton Diva said. “Tapos, kung may mag-share ng blessings ay i-share ko din sa mga kasama ko sa work na nangangailangan ng financial help. Palagi ko rin silang kinakamusta sa mga text messages at pinagdarasal ang bawa’t isa.”

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A post shared by Chad Kinis (@chadkinis) on Jan 8, 2020 at 6:09am PST

Chad Kinis believes it is important for them to support each other emotionally. “We always reach out to each other and we give some few good words to stay brave and make it through,” he said.

“Updated naman ako sa mga chats namin para alam ko rin kung ano mga nangyayari na sa kanila,” Lassy said. “Lagi ako nagbabasa ngayon ng mga messages. At kung may mangangailangan man at basta kakayanin, pwede makapag-abot ng tulong na makakaya ko.”

Acknowledging that this pandemic is unprecedented for the country also brought hard lessons learned especially at this time. “Hindi pala talaga tayo dapat palagasta,” Anton Diva stressed. “We should spend our money wisely. One has to have savings sa bank, kasi walang work na mapagkakakitaan during this time. Puro paglabas ng pera ang nangyayari. Paano kung walang ipon? Kawawa naman ang buong pamilyang umaasa. A lot of us pa naman ay bread winner sa pamilya.”

Lassy carries the important task of being the breadwinner for his family. “Responsibilidad ko talaga ang aking pamilya at mga mahal ko sa buhay,” he said. “At sa mga pangyayaring ito, talagang importante ang mag-ipon kahit pa unti-unti dahil may pang suporta ka pag may mga ganitong pangyayari.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Anton Diva believes the stand-up comedians can emerge stronger from this pandemic. “Madiskarte naman kaming mga stand-up comedians,” he said. “Some of us have online live shows sa aming mga social media accounts. Kaya lang, siyempre, hindi naman lahat nakakagawa ng paraan.”

Chad Kinis also acknowledged their strong support system. “We have an intact support system. It has always been like that. We will continue to support each other during and after this crisis.”

Lassy proudly knows the stand-up comedians can weather this storm in their personal life and careers. “Maparaan naman ang karamihan sa amin,” he claimed. “Dahil sa larangan ng trabaho namin ay napakarami naming mga kaibigan na nakakaangat sa buhay. Dito man o labas ng bansa. Hindi man kami manghingi ay sila na mismo ang nagkukusa na tulungan ang iba sa 'min. Ang malungkot lang ay pagkakaalam ko sa aming mga stand-up comedians/performers parang walang assistance talaga pagdating sa pinansyal sa mga panahon na gaya nito.”

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A post shared by Chad Kinis (@chadkinis) on Dec 20, 2019 at 12:08am PST

Anton Diva rued how after all these years, the stand-up comedians never had a group that will support them during times like these. “Nakakalungkot, kasi wala kaming asosasyon na pwedeng mag-assist sa amin financially. Dapat siguro magkaroon kami ng asosasyon na maaaring tumulong sa mga panahong gaya nito.”

“Siguro kakailanganin magkaroon ng isang sangay para sa mga stand-up comedians/performers na tutulong sa mga higit na nangangailangan ng tulong sa mga ganitong pangyayari,” Lassy said.

After the pandemic, the stand-up comedians are keeping the faith they can rebound and bring the comedy bars back to life. And once the laughter starts again, trust that it will be doubly contagious.