GOSSIP GIRL: Comedy concert in Dubai reset due to Middle East conflict
Alex Calleja
ITALY - It is of sad news that I would like to announce that the Pinoy Comedy Mixtape Standup Comedy and Concert of the Comedian Legends starring K Brosas, Alex Calleja, Tuesday Vargas, Ethel Booba, Imah Dumagay and myself which was supposed to be held at the Dubai World Trade Center last June 29, has been reset to November due to the Israel-Iran conflict and the Qatar bombings.
The producers, Midas Events and EVA Middle East, had already released an official announcement following the bombings in Qatar, one of the GCC countries, just like Dubai. It read, “Dear Kababayans, In our commitment to giving you the best experience possible, we decided to reschedule Pinoy Comedy Mixtape. We want to assure you that this is not a cancellation, but rather a pause. Rest assured that all ticket purchases will be refunded directly.
Our producers have reported that 90 percent of the tickets have already been sold, but in the interest of the artists’ and audience’s well-being, they will refund all ticket purchases.
Tuesday Vargas
On the artists’ side, we were all relieved that the show was being moved to November. Tuesday Vargas has already expressed her concern even before Qatar was bombed last June 23. “I cannot find it in my heart to make our Pinoys in the Middle East laugh and make things light while a war is going on in their area. I feel that this is insensitive. War is not a simple matter. All the money in the world cannot replace all of us should anything untoward happen.”
Alex shared the same sentiment as his return flight from his gig in Amsterdam was rerouted to stop at Hong Kong instead of Dubai because the Dubai Airspace was closed due to the Qatar bombings.
“Qatar is just seven hours away by car from Dubai. What are the chances of this war escalating while we are there? I have a family, and I cannot risk my life for a show, Alex told me anxiously over the phone while I was about to fly to Dubai from Italy.
Giselle Sanchez
I decided to go home to the Philippines and wait for the decision of our producers in the comfort of my family, knowing I would be safe in Manila. Thankfully, the producers decided to postpone our event until November.
The good news is that the show is not cancelled, but just moved to a later date in November. As I quote the announcement of the producers,
The laughter, incredible talent, and spirit of the show will return soon, bigger and better, when the time is right. Let us all pray for peace, my dear readers.