Date: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Location: TBA
Instructor: A. Samson Manalo
Cost: $50 (includes one ticket to the Filipino Comedy Festival 2025)

So you heard the magic words from friends and relatives – “You’re so funny.. YOU SHOULD BE A COMEDIAN!” Now you think you’re the next Dave Chappelle, Ali Wong, or Jo Koy? Then this class is NOT for you.... But, if you’re a true masochist and don’t mind feeling inches tall as drunk patrons heckle your every word, then welcome to the true world of standup comedy. This class will teach you the basics of standup comedy and will prepare you for a 3 to 5-minute set that ( if selected) you will have the opportunity to perform during this year’s Filipino Comedy Festival at Bindlestiff Studio

This 3-HOUR workshop will cover the basics of classic standup comedy, including:

- Comfort on Stage & Microphone Technique
- How to Find Material
- How to Write a Joke: Setting up + Punchlines
- Comic Timing
- Stage Persona, Characterization, and Point-of-View
- Various Standup Styles (video and audio examples of today’s hottest comics)
- The “Tight Three to Five”
- Crowd Control: Reading an audience and handling hecklers
- The Comedy Ladder
- Other Gigs: Comedy Writer’s Life

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY:
Producers of the upcoming Filipino Comedy Festival will select 4 student comics to perform a 3-minute set at the four festival shows (one comic per show) on Sept. 26 and 27 at either the 7 pm show or 9 pm show.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Allan Samson Manalo began his standup comedy career in San Francisco, most likely around the time your parents were in high school. He has performed at hundreds of comedy clubs and college campuses throughout 46 states, 3 continents, and next to 2 salad bars. He holds a college degree in Theatre Arts, a B.S. in BS, and created the first stand-up comedy school in Manila. He will be performing an encore of his first solo show “In Bituin” on Oct. 4th.

FILIPINO COMEDY FESTIVAL 2025

Friday, September 26 at 9 PM
The “BASTOS KA BA?” Show
Featuring:
PX Floro, Aivy Cordova, Rhoda Gravador, Erick Esteban, Wally Hipolito, Elvin Maglinte, April Pascua, Artie Valenzuela, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by Manny Cabrera

The 3rd Annual
FILIPINO COMEDY FESTIVAL 2025
West Coast Leg
September 26th & 27th
SHOWS 7 PM & 9 PM
BINDLESTIFF STUDIO, 185 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

October is nationally recognized as Filipino American History Month, a time to celebrate the profound history, resilience, and cultural contributions of the Filipino community in the United States. This year, the celebration starts early (early? yes, early!) with the highly anticipated return of the Filipino Comedy Festival, launching its West Coast leg at San Francisco’s Bindlestiff Studio on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27.
Audiences can expect four unforgettable & unique shows packed with gut-busting, gout-having humor and talagang bastos mayhem, showcasing the very best up-and-coming Filipin@ American comedians from across the U.S. and Canada.
Created by Banana Ketchup Comedy and produced on the West Coast by the Bwahaha Barkada, the Filipino Comedy Festival is the first-of-its-kind coast-to-coast celebration of Filipino stand-up. Known worldwide for karaoke and dance, Filipinos are now taking center stage in comedy—with performers featured on Netflix, Comedy Central, Just for Laughs (JFL), YouTube, and other social media platforms with millions of followers.
Don’t miss this historic weekend of laughter and pin@y representation. On September 26 and 27, witness the next wave of Filipin@ comedy talent lighting up the stage at Bindlestiff Studio.

Friday, September 26 at 7 PM
The “GOT GOUT?” Show
Featuring:
Shawn Felipe, Emil “Amok” Guillermo, Debra “DB” Belale, Jex Ramirez, Oliver Saria, Rhoda Gravador, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by Allan Samson Manalo

Saturday, September 27 at 7 PM
The “SARI SARI” Show
Featuring:
Allan Samson Manalo, Kyle Marian, Via Abolencia, Tatiana Dayers, Goldie & Mateo Gareza, Sandy Velasco, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by Rhoda Gravador

Saturday, September 27 at 9 PM
The “BWAHAHA BARKADA” Show
Featuring:
Kitty Pineapple, Manny Cabrera, Jonas Castillo, Oli Dub, Mikey Perry, Julius Ramirez, RJ Villa, John Yabes, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by DB

Produced by the Bwahaha Barkada
Debra “DB” Belale, Manny Cabrera, Jr., Rhoda Gravador, and A. Samson Manalo

Created by Banana Ketchup
Patricia Dinglasan (New York Comedy Club, Buzzfeed) and Kyle Marian (Inside Edition, NPR, NowThis!)

About Bwahaha Barkada - Born out of a desperate need for attention, the Bwahaha Barkada (aka the BBs) is a group of four Filipino-American comedians, Debra “DB” Belale, Manny Cabrera, Rhoda Gravador, and Allan Samson Manalo who produce comedy shows for San Francisco’s thriving comedy scene including the Comedy Before The Debauchery Slate open mics, The Standup Throwdown Comedy Competition, the Lapu Lapu Laugh Rebellion, and last year’s Filipino Comedy Festival.

About Banana Ketchup Comedy – Patricia Dinglasan and Kyle Marian, two dynamic Filipina comedians based in New York City, are shaking up the comedy scene with their vibrant pop-up shows. Collaborating with Filipino and Asian-American small businesses and community groups, they spotlight emerging, diverse talent while creating unforgettable nights filled with laughter, mouth-watering cuisine, and a strong sense of community. Their brainchild, Banana Ketchup Comedy, and the annual Filipino Comedy Festival have been spotlighted in The Inquirer US and GMA TV. From packed shows at Kabisera Cafe to the lively celebrations at NYC’s Ube Festival, Lumpia Festival, and more, they’re bringing comedy with a cultural twist to the East and West Coast.

FILIPINO COMEDY FESTIVAL 2025

Saturday, September 27 at 9 PM
The “BWAHAHA BARKADA” Show
Featuring:
Kitty Pineapple, Manny Cabrera, Jonas Castillo, Oli Dub, Mikey Perry, Julius Ramirez, RJ Villa, John Yabes, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by DB

The 3rd Annual
FILIPINO COMEDY FESTIVAL 2025
West Coast Leg
September 26th & 27th
SHOWS 7 PM & 9 PM
BINDLESTIFF STUDIO, 185 6th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

October is nationally recognized as Filipino American History Month, a time to celebrate the profound history, resilience, and cultural contributions of the Filipino community in the United States. This year, the celebration starts early (early? yes, early!) with the highly anticipated return of the Filipino Comedy Festival, launching its West Coast leg at San Francisco’s Bindlestiff Studio on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27.
Audiences can expect four unforgettable & unique shows packed with gut-busting, gout-having humor and talagang bastos mayhem, showcasing the very best up-and-coming Filipin@ American comedians from across the U.S. and Canada.
Created by Banana Ketchup Comedy and produced on the West Coast by the Bwahaha Barkada, the Filipino Comedy Festival is the first-of-its-kind coast-to-coast celebration of Filipino stand-up. Known worldwide for karaoke and dance, Filipinos are now taking center stage in comedy—with performers featured on Netflix, Comedy Central, Just for Laughs (JFL), YouTube, and other social media platforms with millions of followers.
Don’t miss this historic weekend of laughter and pin@y representation. On September 26 and 27, witness the next wave of Filipin@ comedy talent lighting up the stage at Bindlestiff Studio.
Tickets are:
Festival passes are available to experience the four unique shows:

Friday, September 26 at 7 PM
The “GOT GOUT?” Show
Featuring:
Shawn Felipe, Emil “Amok” Guillermo, Debra “DB” Belale, Jex Ramirez, Oliver Saria, Rhoda Gravador, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by Allan Samson Manalo

Friday, September 26 at 9 PM
The “BASTOS KA BA?” Show
Featuring:
PX Floro, Aivy Cordova, Rhoda Gravador, Erick Esteban, Wally Hipolito, Elvin Maglinte, April Pascua, Artie Valenzuela, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by Manny Cabrera

Saturday, September 27 at 7 PM
The “SARI SARI” Show
Featuring:
Allan Samson Manalo, Kyle Marian, Via Abolencia, Tatiana Dayers, Goldie & Mateo Gareza, Sandy Velasco, Plus Special Surprise Guest. Hosted by Rhoda Gravador

Produced by the Bwahaha Barkada
Debra “DB” Belale, Manny Cabrera, Jr., Rhoda Gravador, and A. Samson Manalo

Created by Banana Ketchup
Patricia Dinglasan (New York Comedy Club, Buzzfeed) and Kyle Marian (Inside Edition, NPR, NowThis!)

About Bwahaha Barkada - Born out of a desperate need for attention, the Bwahaha Barkada (aka the BBs) is a group of four Filipino-American comedians, Debra “DB” Belale, Manny Cabrera, Rhoda Gravador, and Allan Samson Manalo who produce comedy shows for San Francisco’s thriving comedy scene including the Comedy Before The Debauchery Slate open mics, The Standup Throwdown Comedy Competition, the Lapu Lapu Laugh Rebellion, and last year’s Filipino Comedy Festival.

About Banana Ketchup Comedy – Patricia Dinglasan and Kyle Marian, two dynamic Filipina comedians based in New York City, are shaking up the comedy scene with their vibrant pop-up shows. Collaborating with Filipino and Asian-American small businesses and community groups, they spotlight emerging, diverse talent while creating unforgettable nights filled with laughter, mouth-watering cuisine, and a strong sense of community. Their brainchild, Banana Ketchup Comedy, and the annual Filipino Comedy Festival have been spotlighted in The Inquirer US and GMA TV. From packed shows at Kabisera Cafe to the lively celebrations at NYC’s Ube Festival, Lumpia Festival, and more, they’re bringing comedy with a cultural twist to the East and West Coast.