Is it hard to do comedy? Mitch Valdes, Eugene Domingo, others weigh in

(From left) Mitch Valdes and Eugene Domingo. Images: FILE PHOTO, Courtesy of Prime Video Philippines

More than making people laugh, comedy is an art that involves wit, quick thinking, and knowledge of your target audience. But comedians, including Mitch Valdes and Eugene Domingo, have different points of view when asked if it’s hard to do comedy.

The question of whether it’s hard to make people laugh started when Michael V admitted it’s “difficult to elevate the standards of Philippine comedy” due to restrictions in October 2023. Joey de Leon echoed this sentiment when he stressed “jealous people think they’re a lot funnier.”

Aside from Valdes and Domingo, Smokey Manaloto, Pepe Herrera, and Marissa Sanchez expressed their varied thoughts on the art of making people laugh.

Mitch Valdes

Mitch Valdes

In an interview with entertainment journalist MJ Felipe on April 3, Valdes said it’s hard to do comedy due to the “political correctness and viciousness” of certain “woke” individuals who claim they’re offended.

This would prompt Valdes to channel her inner “nasty woman” and tell people not to watch instead if they find a certain punchline offensive. “Even in other countries, Dave Chappelle refuses to do shows when it’s targeted towards a certain public figure.”

“We used to enjoy those shows. We used to do political spoofs because it’s an open city,” she continued. “We used to imitate, spoof, and throw punchlines but it was never below the belt. In other words, we knew where the line was. But the rest is so much fun.”

Eugene Domingo

Eugene Domingo in a scene from “Takeshi’s Castle.”

Domingo, however, believes it’s “never hard” to make people laugh. Especially if a comedian knows their “target market” and remains authentic to their brand.

“If you are authentic, it’s never hard to make people laugh. Kahit sa pinakamalungkot sa sitwasyon, basta nahanap mo ang perfect timing, mapapatawa mo ang mga tao,” she said at a “Takeshi’s Castle” press conference.

“Kahit anong edad o panahon because natural sa atin, especially for Filipinos. We love to laugh. We love having fun,” she further added.

(If you are authentic, it’s never hard to make people laugh. Even in the saddest situations — as long as you know the perfect timing — you can make people laugh. No matter how old you are or what situation you’re in, it’s natural for Filipinos as they love to laugh. We love having fun.)

Smokey Manaloto

Smokey Manaloto. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

Manaloto, who was in the same mediacon with Domingo, agreed with his “Takeshi’s Castle” co-host. The actor recalled the lessons he picked up from the late Dolphy, saying comedy is “timeless.”

“Hindi mahirap magpatawa ngayon. Ang punchline na ginagamit ni Tatay noon, lagyan mo ng konting twist, applicable pa rin ngayon and it still has the same effect. Tatawa pa rin ang mga tao,” he said referring to Dolphy.

(It’s not hard to make people laugh today. The punchlines Tatay used to do before, just add a certain twist, and it’s still applicable today. It still has the same effect. People will still laugh.)

Manaloto pointed out that laughter is part of Filipino culture. “Lahat tayong mga Pinoy, hilig nating maging masaya at tumawa. Siguro sa ibang bansa, mahihirapan sila. Pero ang Pinoy, hindi mahirap patawanin kasi masayahin tayo,” he continued.

(All Pinoys love to be happy and laugh. Maybe it’s hard in other countries. But it’s not hard to make Pinoys laugh because we’re cheerful.)

Pepe Herrera

Pepe Herrera | Image: YouTube/Toni Talks

Based on his experiences, Herrera said on the sidelines of Star Magic’s “Spotlight” mediacon that it’s not hard to make people laugh. However, he reminded that comedians should be in a “comfortable state” before throwing in a joke.

“Hindi naman. We just have to make sure that we’re in a very comfortable state kasi kapag kinakabahan ka, mahihirapan ka talaga magpatawa. Ang importante sa comedy is bukod sa timing, dapat relaxed ka,” he said.

(Not really. We just have to be sure that we’re in a very comfortable state because when you’re nervous, you’ll have a hard time making people laugh. What’s important in comedy is aside from timing, you need to be relaxed.)

The actor-comedian also shared his “favorite mantra” to trust his gut. But there are moments he needs to ask his friends, family, wife, or handler if he’s doubting a certain remark.

“Meron akong favorite na mantra: in gut we trust. Trusting my gut feel lang. Does this feel offensive? Parang hindi naman. Pero kapag 50-50 ako, I ask my friends, family, wife, and handler then tuloy lang,” he said.

(I have a favorite mantra: in gut we trust. Just trust my gut feeling. Does this feel offensive? Not really. But when I’m 50-50 about a certain thing, I ask my friends, family, wife, and handler then go on.)

Marissa Sanchez

Marissa Sanchez. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

Sanchez credited her faith as one of the reasons she’s “more at peace” with her comedy, saying she doesn’t have to make vulgar jokes anymore. “Since I became a Christian, it’s not nice to spread the word of God and then make dirty jokes. I’m a Christian first before I’m a comedian and singer.”

“It’s no longer vulgar. It’s not that green anymore. When you do comedy, you shouldn’t do comedy. You should be natural and I think it’s a gift. In comedy, there’s no middle impression. It’s either you’re too good or you’re too lousy,” she said at an intimate gathering.

The singer-comedienne also understood the “sensitive” sentiments regarding certain jokes, as she pointed out that “time is fleeting.”

“Ito na ‘yung age na sensitive ang mga tao kasi tumatanda na tayong lahat. Nahahawa na rin ang mga bata,” she said. “Sensitive ang audience ngayon kasi noong panahon natin, we’re insensitive and happy-go-lucky. Carefree tayo noon. Wala tayong technology noon.”

(This is an age where people are more sensitive because they’re getting older. The youth is affected as well. Audiences are more sensitive because people were insensitive and happy-go-lucky back then. We were carefree. We didn’t have the technology back then.)