If K Brosas would compare her career to an object, it would probably be a car on “neutral” or “park” mode. She has had sundry acting and hosting gigs, became part of a band, and performed in bars. But it was only in the past two years that she was finally able to shift gears.
“There was a point when I barely had shows for three years, and I felt like I was going nowhere. But patience, I found out, really is a virtue—I held on. I refused to believe that that was it for me. I knew I had more to give and achieve,” she told the Inquirer.
Now, K’s a regular in the noontime variety program “It’s Showtime” as a judge in its segment, “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” Her book, “K-Sabihan,” just had its second printing. She has a solo album, “Bali-Balitang K,” and is set to hold a major concert titled “18K for 2018,” tomorrow at Kia Theatre (call
911-5555).
“I’ve been in this industry for 18 years, but things are moving faster now. It has been a long journey, and I’m happy because, finally, my skills are being recognized,” related K, who also went through financial challenges and lost most of her possessions to Tropical Storm “Ondoy” in 2009.
“My personal tragedies also strengthened me,” said K, whose real name is Maria Carmela. “After some time, you can look back at the hardship you’ve been through and laugh at it. Give your troubles time, and they will eventually be fodder for comedy.”
As she looks back at her past 18 years in the business, K said she couldn’t help but feel grateful for her “gift of
humor.”
“I don’t think you can teach wit and timing,” she enthused. “I don’t think there are workshops for that. So, when I see videos of me making people, laugh, my heart feels full.”
K’s coming concert will have the singer-TV host mixing comedy and music. She hopes to show her mettle in singing because, amusingly, some people still don’t know that she was a singer first before becoming a standup comic.
“I have been singing since I was 17. And I’m 42 now. I was part of a show band; sang in jazz bars and hotel lounges, not only here in the Philippines, but also in Thailand, Indonesia and Korea,” said K, who was a member of the band Gladys and Boxers, then led K and the Boxers. “I think that widened my knowledge of music.”
K’s guests include Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kyla, Jaya, Angeline Quinto, Chokoleit and Pooh, as well as her daughter, Crystal Brosas. “Who would have thought I would be doing a show with these amazing artists?” K said. “My goal is for the people to leave the venue feeling like they have experienced something fun and new.”