Village Connect
After a bold debut earlier this year, Chinoy Chismis is back—this time transforming the dining table into a theatre stage, where laughter, love, and cultural expectations collide. On September 26 and 27, Don Conejos Restorante in Greenhills Town Center will host the second installment of the series with Wah-kong Anak Na Ganyan!, a live performance that fuses theatre, improv comedy, and biting satire into an immersive dining experience.
From Office Drama to Family Banter
The first installment, Corporate Affairs, reimagined August Strindberg’s Miss Julie as a tale of ambition and scandal within a Filipino-Chinese corporate setting. Now, director Geráld-Kristóf Diola shifts the spotlight from the private world of office intrigue to the loud and colorful chaos of a matchmaking contest. This time, the battleground isn’t a boardroom but a restobar, where the stakes are no less personal: love, family honor, and social standing.
At the heart of Wah-kong Anak Na Ganyan! is a fictional dating show. A Chinese-Filipino mother plays matchmaker for her daughter, placing four “kaishao” suitors in the hot seat. Hovering at the edges are the ever-present “Chismosang Aunties,” whose meddling mirrors the very real dynamics of family expectations within the Chinoy community. The result is a comedic yet incisive look at how tradition, gossip, and reputation continue to shape modern love.
A Cast Rooted in Community
The performance brings together a powerhouse cast from the Third World Improv circle. Social media comedian Ansis Sy leads the way as the overbearing Auntie, while FAMAS nominee Isabelle Sophie Ng portrays Julie, a daughter eager to assert her independence. Jin Mikado rounds out the family as John, the waiter caught in the whirlwind of family politics.
The kaishao hopefuls—Chino Liao, James Pe Lim, Jacqpat, and Dav Dionisio—each bring their unique comedic flair to the stage. Adding spice to the mix are Rensi Pua and Nina Lim as the gossip-loving aunties, ensuring every moment teeters between hilarity and sharp cultural commentary.
Creativity Behind the Curtain
Chinoy Chismis is more than a play—it’s a thesis project turned cultural experiment. Diola, a BA Theatre Arts graduate of UP Diliman, crafted the series under the UP Dulaang Laboratoryo with mentors Mr. Jonas Gabriel M. Garcia and Asst. Prof. Robert Arlo De Guzman. His vision is to reframe classic texts into performances that probe the Filipino-Chinese identity through satire and collaboration.
Behind him is a team of emerging creatives: Nathania Kuy, Francel Go, Jiezl Virmy Chua, and Anna C. Gamboa on production; improv consultants Sabrina Manansala and Charles Josh (Same Bananas Improv); and a young promotions duo, Elijah Llevares and Patricia Suyat, driving the social media campaign.
Dinner with a Side of Theatre
What sets Wah-kong Anak Na Ganyan! apart is its immersive format. Staged within a working restaurant, the audience becomes part of the show’s energy—reacting, eating, and sometimes even joining the banter. Each ticket includes a hearty meal with choices such as Boneless Chicken Thigh Fried Chicken, Buffalo Tenders, Beef Caldereta, Pork Belly, or spring roll platters.
Tickets and Details
Tickets are priced at PHP 900 for early birds (until September 5), PHP 1200 regular, and PHP 900 for students, PWDs, and seniors with valid ID. Reservations can be made through Ticketmelon at this link.
With only two nights to catch it, Wah-kong Anak Na Ganyan! promises an evening where theatre, food, and cultural comedy blend into one unforgettable experience.
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