Cover Beginning scene of SPIT Manila during the Borrowed Rent show
Beginning scene of SPIT Manila during the Borrowed Rent show
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For years, SPIT Manila has been taking the city’s theatre scene by storm, captivating audiences with its unique blend of spontaneity and comedic genius
When you hear the word ‘improv’, a few things come to mind: spontaneity, chemistry, and comedic timing. Armed with these attributes, this group of talented actors have captured audiences around the city and transformed the metro’s entertainment scene with brilliance.
The Silly People’s Improv Theater (SPIT) Manila is an improv group of diverse members bringing their unique flair to the stage. Although it has existed since 2002, the group has recently made waves on social media (thanks to TikTok and reels) with some of its live shows’ hilarious highlights. In their shows, the actors take suggestions from the crowd and create the show around these words, along with their own creativity. This makes every performance a masterpiece in itself, as no show they’ve ever done is the same. For example, the host might ask for a letter from the alphabet, then they will ask for a word starting with that letter, and use this word for a punchline.
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Although SPIT Manila has been successful as a sought-after performance group, it also gave birth to Third World Improv in 2015. Third World Improv serves as its school and training arm for up-and-coming masters of the craft.
Recently, SPIT Manila presented SPIT Presents: Borrowed Rent at the RCBC Plaza Auditorium. Tickets were accounted for within seconds and sold out completely in under an hour, reflecting the group’s growing popularity and high demand for their distinctive entertainment brand.
The Borrowed series is a concept where the team would improvise an entirely new show on sets of existing productions. This one-night-only show last May 16 borrowed the set of 9Works Theatrical’s production of Rent to create a new and unpredictable experience for the audience. Past shows in this series have included collaborations with Red Turnip Productions, Sandbox Collective, PETA, and Repertory Philippines, each bringing a unique twist for the audience, depending on what they get to play around with. For Borrowed Rent, the group brought their favourite improv comedy skits and scenes into this new space, improvising new stories inspired by the set of the acclaimed musical by the late great Jonathan Larson. The critically acclaimed audio producer and multi-awarded film scorer Pepe Manikan elevated this specific show even more with spontaneous music.
Manikan, a FAMAS nominee for best music with his work on Kiko Boksingero, was also tasked with leading one of the segments. The audience would suggest a mundane hobby, such as toothbrushing. While the actors performed, Manikan would randomly play background music to transform the scene into something out of a horror movie or a drama series.
The show included other segments, such as the “Three-Headed Madame Oracle”. In this part of the event, three performers dressed in one sparkly gown take questions from the audience and answer them one word at a time. This segment often prompted hilarious answers to somewhat serious questions, such as “How to get borrowed money back from an ex?” the trio humorously suggested to the audience members to just “get back together”. They also attempted a half-hour-long improvised telenovelas, relying solely on their group chemistry and quick wit. The telenovela ended with audiences crying and laughing as the cast debated who owned the building they were all supposedly renting. Adding even more variety, the segment included rap battles about noisy neighbours and the scorching Manila heat were also performed. After the show, the audience responded overwhelmingly positively, with social media abuzz with fans sharing how much they enjoyed the show.
However, SPIT Manila’s journey has also had its own ups and downs. Tatler had the opportunity to delve deeper into SPIT Manila through research and interviews with several key members of the group, such as Aryn Cristobal, Bibay Cordero de Larrazabal, Dingdong Rosales, Monica Cordero-Cruz, and Pappu de Leon.
Cristobal, one of the main hosts who has been with SPIT since 2006, shared that back then when they performed at Magnet Katipunan, a venue that could only seat 20 people max, there were times when the performers outnumbered the audience. Cristobal recalls that they sometimes sat with the audience when it wasn’t their turn, laughing along because they truly enjoyed their performances. They thought this was something they couldn’t make money from for a long time and just did it for fun. Even if they now have back-to-back sold-out shows, it was only until last year that they started having difficulty accommodating the large number of people who wanted to watch them. However, Cristobal assures that they are already working on improvements to handle everything more smoothly. She also says that “SPIT [Manila] isn’t going anywhere”, and current and future patrons will have more chances to watch them.
Above Aryn Cristobal during SPIT Manila's Borrowed Rent show
Aryn Cristobal during SPIT Manila's Borrowed Rent show
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The group’s resilience and adaptability have been vital to its longevity and success. Rosales explains, “We’ve been around since 2002. So much has happened since then; there have been changes in membership, political climate and the economy, a global pandemic, etc. As with any group composed of very passionate individuals, things are bound to evolve.” This adaptability has allowed SPIT Manila to thrive despite the challenges it has faced.
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Creativity is at the heart of SPIT Manila’s success. Rosales describes their creative process as highly collaborative. “It varies, depending on the show we’re prepping for. But it is always collaborative. Usually, we pitch our ideas to the group and discuss, tweak, and build on them until we decide on the final output together.” De Leon adds insight into their pre-show rituals, ensuring they are all on the same page before they go on stage. “We do a quick ritual a few minutes before every show. We call it a warmup. Although it does not necessarily involve anything mystical, it does magic for the group because it allows us to connect with each other.”
Above Pepe Manikan, Chester Cruz, and Pappu de Leon during a skit at in the Borrowed Rent show of SPIT Manila
Above Thea Marabut (front) and Aryn Cristobal performing during the Borrowed Rent show of SPIT Manila
Pepe Manikan, Chester Cruz, and Pappu de Leon during a skit at in the Borrowed Rent show of SPIT Manila
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SPIT Manila is not just about entertainment; the members also inspire and support their community. Cordero-Cruz highlights the group’s community involvement, “SPIT and Third World Improv are among the pioneering groups, along with Ticket2Me, to launch Open House, a fundraiser for affected theatre workers in the country during the lockdown. Through online performances, Open House was able to raise 1M for the cause collectively.” Their dedication to supporting the broader theatre community underscores their commitment to making a positive impact. Recently, SPIT Manila dedicated a show to one of its members, Aih Mendoza, who, at the time, was battling cancer but just recently passed. The proceeds from the show helped cover her medical bills. SPIT Manila also donated to SAKA (Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo) during their participation in Family Feud. This contribution supported campaigns for peasant rights, land justice, and food security. All of this underscores the power of theatre to bring people together and create positive change.
Looking to the future, Cristobal dreams big for SPIT Manila. “I want us to be like BTS. Honestly, I just wanted improv to be more appreciated and pushed into the local mainstream conscience. Now that it’s happening, I want to enjoy every minute of it because we truly never expected this.”
Above SPIT Manila members (Photo by Shaira Luna, courtesy of SPIT Manila)
SPIT Manila members (Photo by Shaira Luna, courtesy of SPIT Manila)
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As SPIT Manila continues to entertain, its commitment to spontaneity, creativity, and comedic brilliance ensures that each show remains a unique and unforgettable experience. Beyond the stage, its dedication to supporting its community and inspiring positive change highlights its profound impact. With a blend of talent and camaraderie, it aims to make every performance memorable, spreading laughter and joy wherever it goes.
For more updates and future shows, fans can follow SPIT Manila on their Facebook page at facebook.com/spitmanila
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About:
Dara is the Branded Content Manager at Tatler Philippines, holding a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship from De La Salle University, Manila.
A self-proclaimed jack of all hobbies, she enjoys music, sports, arts and crafts, and travelling. Outside of work, you can probably find her spending time with her dogs, making jewellery, or relaxing at the beach with family and friends.
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