During his guesting on The Boobay and Tekla Show (TBATS), comedian-host Allan K recalls how cruel the year 2020 was for him, his family, and colleagues.
When we welcomed 2020, many forecasted that the year will bring ‘doubled luck’ because of the repeated digits. But, it didn’t turn out the way we expected it to be. The ‘doubled luck’ seemed to turn out as ‘tripled misfortune’ because of the crises we faced, especially the pandemic.
Allan K said that he was one of those who expected that 2020 will be a good year but, as early as its first quarter, it already disappointed him.
“Hindi ko talaga makalimutan, day 1 ng 2020, sabi ko, ‘This is the day, kaya i-claim niyong lahat, this is a good year kasi doble, bente, bente, dobleng bente.’ So, ano ‘yun, double whammy ‘yun kumbaga. Pero Enero pa lang, pumutok na ‘yung Taal, nasundan ng kung anu-anong trahedya. Nagpandemya ng March. Nagsara tayo, Klownz and Zirkoh,” he said.
After the eruption of Taal, it was followed by the global health crisis that severely affected all sectors of the community. The government was forced to put the entire country on lockdown starting March 16 so, business establishments were also forced to close.
Allan also decided to close his comedy bars Klownz and Zirkoh which are located at Quezon Avenue and Tomas Morato Avenue, respectively.
The said decision was difficult for Allan because, for the past years, these bars have become his home.
“Naku napakahirap. Kaya siguro mga apat na buwan pa bago ako mag-decide, apat o lima bago ako mag-decide, na isara na siya. Hoping ako na umig-igi nang konti ang sitwasyon, ang panahon, at magbubukas ulit tayo kahit konti-konti mga tao. But then, hindi talaga pumuwede, e. Oo. E, ang laki ng upa natin. So, umuupa nang umuupa na wala namang tumatakbo na negosyo. Ang sakit-sakit sa dibdib ko na isinara ko siya. Kasi naging buhay ko na rin ‘yun for eighteen years, e,” he shared.
However, the trials for the comedian did not end there because his family and himself also had COVID-19. He even lost his two siblings because of the said virus.
“Namatay ‘yung brother ko nung May, nasundan ng kapatid ko nung isa pa nung July. Tapos August, na-COVID ako. Ano ba ‘tong taon na ‘to, parang isinumpa?” he said.
Despite all of these, Allan managed to remain emotionally and mentally strong.
“Pero kung siguro mahina-hina ako, tinamaan na rin siguro ako ng depression. Buti na lang nasanay na talaga ako mag-isa, simula’t sapul, strong na talaga akong tao. Never ako tinamaan ng depression,” he stated.
Accordingly, he only had a chance to pour out his emotions when he guested on Eat Bulaga’s Bawal Judgmental.
“Kung hindi pa nga ako nag-guest sa Eat Bulaga, sa ‘Bawal Judgmental,’ hindi pa ako naiyak, e. Totoo. Sa lahat ng nangyari sa akin, wala akong iniyakan dun. Doon ko lang nabuhos lahat,” he shared.
Klownz and Zirkoh have been in the business for almost 20 years. The hosts Boobay and Super Tekla and other comedians in the country have launched their career in stand-up comedy through the said bars with the help of Allan K.
