It takes a certain combination of tenacity and audacity to make it in comedy, thugging it out to see what schtick can stick and capture people’s attention. One look at Aldo Cuervo though and you might think to yourself “what’s up with this white dude over here?”
Half-Pinoy and half-Spanish, yet inherently sabaw which makes for relatable jokes that can kick like Moluccan spices. He paid his dues from running open mic rooms to producing Comedy Manila shows, being part of lineups, and even hosting where the spotlight is off him – he’s now set to take the proverbial shot to produce and perform his ever ever solo comedy special.
In this CLAVEL feature, we had a little chat with the half-colonizer-half-colonized comedian to talk about his journey ahead of his Southeast Wasian show.
From finding the funny in animated comedy shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy to stand-up idols like Mitch Hedberg, it all helped Aldo embrace the whimsical energy of simple everyday life and somehow the potential to make fun of it all.
“It was a rebellion from doing a 9 to 5 job, just doing everything to not be trapped in that box.”
Having started in 2014, Aldo was there during the tougher times where comedy shows were not as popular as they are today, as chatter and conversations would often be louder than the voices of the comedians on stage. Admittedly a trial by fire, it’s one way to see what tickles an audience’s funny bone.
For Aldo, he weaponizes his white privilege and turns it on his head by making fun of white people (himself included) while talking about the humor of living through daily Filipino life while being mistaken as a foreigner This also breaks down into analyzing certain cultural tidbits of our culture like family and religion, because pseudo-blasphemy is always a funny device when used right especially when there are 80 million Filipino Catholics that it would relate to.
“Expect maraming religious jokes kasi sakristan ako dati. I don’t mean to be offensive but I do just believe that God is the greatest comedian.”
He’s been at the game for more than ten years, as he notes that the rapid growth of in-person comedy shows ironically boomed during the pandemic where Zoom comedy shows acted as a breather for what was happening during that time. It eventually snowballed into the world of posting clips online whether from sets or sketches that increased the demand and exposure for comedians as Filipinos are drawn to all things funny.
It’s one thing though to whip out a 15-20 minute rundown of jokes, but it’s another whole beast to keep the crowd in the palm of your hand as the only act front and center.
[on having solo specials] “It depends on the comedian if they’re ready to push themselves into situations where they sort of feel out of depth.”
With solo shows like these being able to draw, it’s a testament to the effort of the comedians that they’ve built strong communities and connections to be able to make these sorts of things happen. It’s no laughing matter of the love and creativity that this form of art provides a jolt of entertainment to whoever may watch.
Aldo Cuervo is headlining his Southeast Wasian solo special on the 26th of September at the Koolpals Bar in Manila’s Century Park Hotel. As of this writing, all online tickets are sold out and only a few walk-in passes remain to be available at the door.
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