Karl Echaluse, a member of SPIT Manila, the longest running improv group in The Philippines, talks to Joseph Planta about participating in THE HEAT, the Improv Centre’s showcase featuring teams from New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Estonia starting tomorrow, 28 January to Saturday, 01 February 2025.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

The Improv Centre presents their second annual improv comedy festival THE HEAT. The improv comedy showcase, which starts tomorrow, will feature troupes from around the world. The talented teams include: Second Breakfast from New Zealand, Ruutu10 from Estonia, The Impro Show from Zimbabwe, and last year’s festival favourite SPIT Manila, from The Philippines. I spoke to two members of SPIT Manila last year, Aih Mendoza and Karl Echaluse. Aih talked about having Stage 4 cancer, and performing through it all. She died in May of 2024, mere weeks after returning home from Vancouver. Karl joins me now to talk about last year’s experience with THE HEAT, as well as visiting Vancouver for the first time. We’ll talk about improv, as well as performing. There are events at The Improv Centre on Granville Island starting tomorrow, Tuesday, 28 January through to Saturday, 01 February 2025. Visit www.theimprovcentre.ca for tickets and information. You can find information on SPIT Manila at www.thirdworldimprov.com. Their Instagram handle is @spitmanila. We taped this interview earlier this month, with Karl joining me from Manila. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Karl Echaluse; Mr. Echaluse, good morning.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (18.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS