Stand-up comedian, producer, writer and host Alex Calleja is set to make his Netflix debut via “Tamang Panahon,” which premieres on the streaming platform this February 7.
The comedy special aims to introduce Pinoy humor to a wider audience and elevate it into an art form.
“Tingin ko ito na ang tamang panahon na lumabas sa Netflix para mas lumawak pa ang reach ng Pinoy stand-up comedy at mas marami pang maka-appreciate ng ganitong art form,” stated Alex.
If the title sounds familiar, it’s because “Tamang Panahon” is a nod to a particularly memorable moment in Alex’s life as a writer. At a press conference held at his own restaurant, Meat and Deli at Rockwell The Grove, Alex shed light on where the title came from.
“I was a writer of ‘Showtime,’ isang nagpahirap sa akin was ‘yung pagpasok ng ‘AlDub’ in 2015,” he began. “July po nagkatinginan si Maine at si Alden. Pagkatinginan nila — susmaryosep — kagagawa lang namin ng ‘Funny One.’ ‘Yung ‘Funny One’ po, ‘yun ‘yung way sana para makilala ang mga standup comedians. Ilang linggo lang nagkatinginan sina Maine [Mendoza] at Alden [Richards], hindi na kami naka-recover nun.
“Hindi sila nagsasalita. Pinagsama-sama namin sina KathNiel, LizQuen at JaDine, 10% po ang Araneta, 30% po ang ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Nakaraos lang kami nung January nung pinasok namin ang ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ at ‘Trabahula.’ At pinaka-naka-recover kami ng January, ang score po ay 15.2 ang ‘Eat Bulaga,’ 15.5 kami. We’re statistically tied.
“So ‘Tamang Panahon’ po ang title, ngayon po para mapakinabangan ko naman ang ‘Tamang Panahon’ na ‘yan, ‘yan po ang ginamit ko,” he explained.
He added that he truly felt it was the right time to introduce his fellow stand-up comics from their group, the Comedy Crew. The crew is composed of 18 sharp and witty men and women with diverse backgrounds, offering irreverent humor and their unique perspectives on culture. Alex, the seasoned multi-hyphenate, is the godfather of sorts to the group, bringing them along to his gigs abroad and featuring them in his shows. At the Meat and Deli press event, he was joined by Baguio native Israel Buenaobra, Tagalog-speaking Japanese Yuki Horikoshi, self-deprecating funnyman Grease Junio, and live-selling “Tapalord” Marlon Cadag.
“Ang isang goal ko is to open again doors for my fellow comedians in Comedy Crew. Kasama ko sila sa February 16 sa Singapore. Kasi ang goal ko naman talaga is magdala ng stand-up comedians sa iba’t ibang bansa. Nagsimula po ako last year,” Alex shared.
His Netflix comedy special runs for one hour and was shot during his birthday shows last October. The audience were unaware that the shows were being filmed for a Netflix special, so every reaction — from smiles to hearty laughter — is authentic.
Director Frank Lloyd Mamaril explained, “I just really have to capture the moment na binitawan nila ang joke at tumawa ang audience. The difficult task is basically to capture the laughter ng tao na hindi magmukhang nagpatong ako ng canned laughter. So if you watch Tamang Panahon, walang canned laughter, all live. ‘Yun ang challenge for me.”
Direk Frank is all praises for how professional the Comedy Crew is and how they are raising the standard for Pinoy comedy.
“Working with them, it’s a breeze. They’re an organized group. Even with this press con, tulung-tulungan sila. Mas madali sa akin as a director to work with a group that’s organised and they have a clear vision where they want Philippine comedy to be.”
He also has only the best words for Alex: “Pag tinatanong ako ano difference ni Alex sa ibang comedian, si Alex pag nag-joke, hindi nakakabastos. Natatawa ka kasi nakatatawa siya. Period.”
Alex has become a top-grossing live act, routinely selling out bar shows and theater events in Metro Manila and all over the Philippines with the Comedy Crew. He has also become one of the most sought-after performers at corporate events and weddings, mainly because of his “very relatable” comedy. His rise has also prompted him to tour other countries, performing English and Tagalog sets for Filipino communities and foreigners alike.
This year, he embarks on a world tour, starting with “Kuwentong Pag-Ibig: The Hilarious Side of Love” at the Stephen Riady Auditorium at NTUC in Singapore on February 16. In the following months, Alex will also perform in North America, with shows in the USA from April 4 to 13 and in Canada from May 23 to June 8. Also lined up within the year are shows in the UAE, Australia, and New Zealand.
Alex Calleja’s “Tamang Panahon” will start streaming on Netflix on February 7.