I saw the poster from the previous post on Phil-Am comedian Tim Tayag’s website and posted it on Plurk, asking if anybody was interested.  Nicole was the only one who responded and so we made a date out of it.  We were, after all, Tim Tayag fans. 

The show, which wasn’t broadcasted or circulated on any major type of media, was to be held on a Monday night, the start of the weeknight.  Could you blame me for thinking that it was not going to be a sold-out type of event?  After all, who would have the time for this, really? 

So you can probably imagine my surprise when the attendant behind the desk sadly informed us that there were no more tickets, but yes, she’ll take my number just in case somebody from the list backs out.  Dejected, we were in no mood to do any type of strolling; we weren’t hungry so dinner was out of the question.  We ended up walking five paces from the bar’s entrance and plopping down on one of the tables outside and ordered ourselves a couple of margaritas. 

We chatted and caught up with things, still positive that the attendant was going to call.  Then the comedians gathered on one of the pillars near our table and we couldn’t help but ogle.  Come on, come on and call us already!  When Louie (Nicole’s boyfriend) arrived at the scene I was almost ready to call it a night and head home.  The group of well-dressed and refined men entered the bar one by one and we saw the lights dim inside.  Damn it. 

I called for the check (hey, only 90 bucks for both margaritas; we caught the last few minutes of happy hour!) when suddenly my phone rang.  An unknown number appeared on screen.  My heart leapt from my chest as I answered it.  I tried to sound calm as I uttered ‘oh a table opened up?  Yes I’m still interested; we’ll be there in a few minutes’. 

We got an awesome table, we ate awesome cheesecake and got to see an awesome show.  No, really.  They were that good.  I didn’t realize that there would be that many performers for that night.  By the end of it all my mind was spinning from too much laughter and information overload (I saw three movies earlier in the day). 

I think what made the show great, in my opinion, was the fact that they delivered their material with earnestness and with class.  Sure they poked fun at themselves once in a while but they never resorted to anything crude and crass.  It was all dignified and witty and sarcastic and great.  I’m sad that places like Punchline and Laffline generate lines outside their doors but only people who’re personally acquainted with the performers fill up fantastic shows like these. 

Tsk.  The Comedy Cartel is the first stand-up group in the Philippines, mostly comprised of young men who have regular day jobs and who’re only doing these gigs for fun.  At least I think so; I haven’t gotten around to researching them yet. 

Now, days after the show, glimpses of their jokes would pop inside my head during the most inopportune of times.  I have to endure peoples’ weird stares but I can’t (or won’t) get the smile off my face.

I guess it’s a small price to pay for being a fan girl.

Oh, and I even got to shake one of the performer’s hands, how cool was that?