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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider More than laughs: KoolPals' viral special boosts Filipino comedy scene

More than laughs: KoolPals' viral special boosts Filipino comedy scene

Published Feb 8, 2026 11:38 pm
The KoolPals (Images from YouTube)
The KoolPals (Images from YouTube)

The KoolPals hit a major milestone as their comedy special crossed one million views on YouTube less than a month after its release. 

The one-hour stand-up special was made available for free, a move that GB Labrador admits came with some hesitation. 

“It was a risk releasing a fully-produced comedy special for free on YouTube, but it was worth it,” said Labrador, host of The KoolPals and a key figure behind Comedy Manila.

The special features five ten-minute sets from Labrador alongside fellow Comedy Manila headliners Nonong Ballinan, James Caraan, Muman Reyes, and Ryan Rems Sarita.

Released as a New Year’s Eve gift to fans, the show draws heavily on everyday Filipino experiences, tackling topics such as commuting, traffic, family life, and parenthood, all intended for mature audiences.

Ballinan described the project as a thank-you to their long-standing supporters. “Masaya kami sa resulta ng comedy special. Masasabi namin na hindi nasayang ang pagod at effort ng lahat,” he shared, adding that the special was meant as “regalo sa community” that has backed them since the early days.

James Caraan also celebrated the milestone with humor. “Salamat sa lahat ng nanood para umabot ng 1M views! Alam kong 100k na KoolPals ang nanood ng tig-sampung beses,” he joked, while expressing hope that the success might “encourage more streaming platforms to spotlight Pinoy stand-up comedy.”

As The KoolPals approach their 1,000th podcast episode, the group emphasized their commitment to offering fresh experiences for fans, both online and onstage. 

With more live stand-ups scheduled under Comedy Manila, the group continues to build momentum for Filipino comedy. (Ian Ureta)

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