Alex Calleja and his band of humorous comrades, Israel Buenaobra, Jeps Gallon, and Mak Navarez, known collectively as The Comedy Crew, are set to make history at the Dubai Comedy Festival. This marks the first time a Filipino comedy act will perform in Tagalog at the esteemed event, and moreover, at the iconic Dubai Opera, bringing a slice of home to Filipinos in the UAE.
Scheduled to commence on April 12, the week-long Dubai Comedy Festival will feature a variety of comedic talents from around the globe. However, it’s The Comedy Crew, with their unique blend of humor, who are particularly poised to capture the hearts of the Filipino community and comedy enthusiasts alike. Their performance will spotlight Alex Calleja’s signature honesty, Israel Buenaobra’s observational wit, Jeps Gallon’s energetic delivery, and Mak Navarez’s daring boldness.
At a recent media conference, Calleja, the group’s leader, shared insights into their journey to the Dubai stage. He recounted his previous experiences performing in the Middle East, noting the strong presence of Filipinos in his audience. This observation sparked the idea for a Tagalog show, aimed at bringing joy and a sense of familiarity to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and expatriates in Dubai.
Calleja also reflected on the significance of performing at the Dubai Opera, a venue that has previously hosted renowned Filipino artist Lea Salonga, making them the first Filipino comedians to do so. The anticipation of entertaining over 1,500 attendees marks a significant leap from Calleja’s past performances in smaller venues, adding both pressure and excitement to the upcoming event.
Get your tickets here.