Eugene Domingo and Sassa Gurl. Image: Courtesy of Prime Video
The influence of Eugene Domingo in the entertainment scene is nothing short of monumental, gaining the moniker of “Comedy Star for all Seasons” in local media, which was especially highlighted in the comedy film series “Kimmy Dora.”
And for Domingo, she believes Tiktok star Sassa Gurl—born as Felix Petate—has the potential to take on the reins of the dual characters Kimmy and Dora.
“Kimmy Dora” is a trilogy of films, which started in 2009. It revolves around identical twins Kimmy and Dora Godonghae. Both characters were portrayed by Domingo until its final installment, “Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel” four years later.
“I really find your posts and utak so mataba (and mind so smart), and I think in your generation, if you can, if some producers will really trust you. You can be the next Kimmy Dora,” Domingo told a shocked Sassa Gurl during the press conference for their show “Takeshi’s Castle,” which also includes Smokey Manaloto.
Domingo admitted she was “starstruck” upon meeting Sassa Gurl for the first time, noting that the up-and-coming comedians are “doing very, very well.”
“Na-starstruck ako kay Sassa Gurl. Iba na ‘yung level ng up-and-coming comedians. Hindi sila sa TV sumikat, sa social media. But they’re doing very, very well. Ang dami nilang tagahanga. Wala siyang takot,” she continued, referring to Sassa. “I think Sassa Gurl is gifted.”
(I was starstruck when I saw Sassa Gurl for the first time. The level of up-and-coming comedians is really good. They didn’t gain fame on TV, but on social media. But they’re doing very, very well. They have a lot of admirers. And Sassa Gurl is fearless. I think Sassa Gurl is gifted.)
Sassa Gurl, who covered her shocked expression with her hands at the time, admitted the opportunity of working with seasoned comedians like Domingo and Manaloto was already a “compliment” for her, as she considered Uge as a mother figure while growing up.
“Blessed ako to be working with my idols and ni-look up ko. Manay kasi si Uge ng LGBT community,” she said, referring to Domingo using her nickname. “Nakuha namin ang humor niya. Kinalakihan namin ang pagiging mother [ni Eugene] sa amin. From [there], working with Eugene is already a compliment for me.”
(I’m blessed to work with idols whom I look up to. We in the LGBT community consider Uge as our mother. We got her sense of humor. We grew up seeing Eugene Domingo as a mother figure. And from there, working with Eugene is already a compliment for me.)
(From left) Sassa Gurl, Eugene Domingo, Smokey Manaloto. Image: Courtesy of Prime Video
With this in mind, Sassa said comedy has always been her forte. But if she has the chance to take on other genres, she sees herself working on projects with the psychological genre.
“Main ko naman talaga ang comedy at pagpapatawa. Kinalikahan ko na ‘yun, ever since naging ‘baklang kanal’ ako. Mahilig ako magpatawa,” she said. “Gusto kong i-try ang pwedeng pasukin na genre. Nakakapagod ding magpatawa nang magpatawa, pero hindi ko pa alam [at this time] pero siguro kung may chance, mga psychological.”
(I consider comedy as my main genre, since I’m good at making people laugh. I grew up doing that since I became a “baklang kanal.” I want to try different genres this time. It’s tiring to make people laugh all the time, but I don’t know what genre I can do at this time. But if I have the chance, perhaps psychological.)
Sassa Gurl made a name for herself as a comedian who finds humor in everyday scenarios on Tiktok, such as riding a bus, creating a group presentation in school, and even making a class president cry. She is set to be the “drag runner” of “Drag Den Philippines” season two.