Anjo Yllana and Janno Gibbs’ most recent film presents a new challenge.
During a press conference last January 12 for their film ‘Hello, Universe’, the two actors discussed how they combined traditional and current comedy brands to engage younger generations of audiences.
Yllana expressed, “Hopefully, ‘yong mga millennials ngayon na hindi tayo napapanood dati– ‘yan ang target namin, at the same time, ‘yong mga natutuwa sa samahan natin kahit no’ng araw.”
Three decades have passed since Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana formed one of the most successful comedy tandems of the 1990s. Nevertheless, despite having been in countless films and long-running comedies, the two performers believe they still have something unique to give.
Gibbs, who is looking forward to this new group of viewers said, “It’s the nostalgia of seeing us together again for our generation…sa kanila [millennials], bago ‘yong ginagawa namin e, ngayon lang nakikita. ‘Ay, may ganito palang comedy’ kasi sanay sila sa comedy nila.”
The sitcoms ‘Ober Da Bakod’ (1992-1997) and ‘Beh Bote Nga’ (1999-2003) as well as the variety show ‘Nuts Entertainment’ (2003-08) made both actors household names throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Their comedic approach reflects what was fashionable in the 1990s: a combination of slapstick, snappy wisecracks, and gags that are now considered “Tito jokes”.
Gibbs emphasized, “Ang comedy, hindi naman nagbabago, what’s funny is funny. What was funny before is still funny now.”
In the past, their chemistry was so powerful that they could perform scenes without a script. However, with the touch of the rising director, Xian Lim, the two comedians shot scenes today in a more structured way.
‘Hello, Universe’ is Xian Lim’s first fantasy-comedy-drama film. It includes the talents of Gene Padilla and Sunshine Guimary.
