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Singaporean comedian Kumar has fun learning Pinoy slang

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Singaporean comic Kumar is making his third return to the Philippines for another special one-night only show. The multi-talented artist has already done his share of preparations, including learning the meaning of Tagalog words like “jowa” and “pogi,” as seen in one of his recent posts. </p><p>In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN,</strong></a> Kumar shared his experience learning more Pinoy slang this year. </p><p>“First of all, Filipino slang is very dangerous for a comedian like me. Because the moment someone teaches me a word, I immediately want to use it on stage — even if I’m not sure what it means. Imagine the disaster! But I love it. Words like &#x27;charot&#x27; and &#x27;beshy&#x27; already sound funny even before the joke begins. Filipinos have a musical way of speaking. Even the slang feels theatrical. Learning it is not difficult. The challenge is pronouncing it correctly. Because if I say it wrong, suddenly the joke changes meaning and the whole audience will say, “Ay Kumar… that’s not what it meant!” he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyh00_pxcub/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A19569582.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="796" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Kumar also shared where he takes inspiration when it comes to gathering material for his comedy. </p><p>“From life — and unfortunately, life gives me too much material. Family gatherings, social media, politics, relationships, cultural differences… Asians are very funny people without even trying. Sometimes, I just sit in a café and watch people. Within ten minutes, I already have three jokes. Human behavior is the greatest comedy writer in the world!” he admitted. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGe9vJ4z68o/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A19569614.69999981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="737" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/4/4/exclusive-comedian-kumar-on-performing-for-his-pinoy-fans-again-this-year-i-miss-you-already-po-1500"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Comedian Kumar on performing for his Pinoy fans again this year: ‘I miss you already po’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWBrHCWEXn3/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A19569631.299999714%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1065" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Throughout his more than three-decade-long career in showbiz, Kumar has also had moments of discouragement.</p><p>“Comedy, especially honest comedy, will always upset someone. There have been times when people criticized my jokes or said certain topics were too uncomfortable. But discomfort is not always a bad thing. Sometimes discomfort means you are telling the truth. Every comedian has nights where the audience looks at you like you are speaking an alien language. In my early days, comedy about race, sexuality, or politics was not always comfortable for people. I have been criticized, misunderstood, but that’s part of being a comedian who speaks honestly,” he explained. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DT36j3Mk2Jn/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A19570232.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1101" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The FIFTY:50 performer also shared how he was able to continue pursuing his craft and build it into the legacy of comedy he has now. </p><p>“What kept me going is simple: laughter is powerful. When people laugh, barriers drop. Suddenly, conversations become possible. So instead of being discouraged, I told myself — if the joke makes people uncomfortable, maybe that’s exactly why it needs to exist. The secret is curiosity. If you stop observing people, you stop being funny. Comedy comes from watching life — the strange habits, the contradictions, the hypocrisy. My advice to young comedians is this: don’t chase fame, chase truth. If your jokes are honest, audiences will find you.</p><p>&quot;Also, don’t be afraid to evolve. I have been on stage for more than three decades, and every year I learn something new about people and about myself. The moment you think you know everything, that’s when the comedy dies. Stay humble. The audience can make you famous in one night — and they can humble you the very next show,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CyGgX89x4fo/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A19570340.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="850" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/15/exclusive-stand-up-comedian-kumar-on-being-brave-i-ve-been-cancelled-so-many-times-1805" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Stand-up comedian Kumar on being brave: &#x27;I’ve been cancelled so many times!&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>This year also marks a milestone in the 57-year-old entertainer’s life as he finally heads to Europe to perform for his fans there for the very first time. </p><p>“It feels surreal. When I started performing, I was just a young boy telling jokes in nightclubs in Singapore. I never imagined the jokes would travel further than my neighbourhood. And now we’re going to cities like Amsterdam, Manchester, and London as part of the FIFTY:50 tour. Comedy going to Europe means Asian voices are traveling with it. Our stories, our cultures, our absurd family situations — suddenly the world gets to hear them.</p><p>Preparation is the same as always: write, observe, refine, repeat. But the beautiful thing about comedy is that human beings everywhere are similar. We all have mothers who nag us, relatives who gossip, and love lives that are… complicated. And honestly, I think Europeans are ready for some Southeast Asian honesty. If not… well, they will learn very quickly,” he shared. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVnq7kMiLgM/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A19570468.39999962%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="957" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Watch Kumar in FIFTY:50 at 8 p.m. on April 18, Saturday, at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre, Newport World Resorts. Tickets are now available <a href="https://www.ticketmelon.com/lol-asia/kumarfifty50">online</a>.</p>

<p>Singaporean stand-up comedian Kumar returns to perform for his fans in a one-night-only show on April 18 in Pasay City.</p>

Singaporean stand-up comedian Kumar returns to perform for his fans in a one-night-only show on April 18 in Pasay City.

EXCLUSIVE: Singaporean comedian Kumar has fun learning Pinoy slang: ‘Sana all!’

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EXCLUSIVE: Singaporean comedian Kumar has fun learning Pinoy slang: ‘Sana all!’

Rhea Manila Santos,

Push Team

Published April 17, 2026 10:59 PM PHT

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