Night Life
When SPIT Hit Da Fans: How Manila's 20+ Year Old Improv Group Finally Achieved Hot Ticket Status
How far can constantly saying "Yes, and..." take you? This far, apparently.
by Jerome Gomez
Published on Jul 20, 2025
(SPOT.ph) We have 30 minutes with SPIT Manila. We’ve been trying to pin the improv group down for a photo shoot and interview for months and finally, in early July, one of the founding members, Dingdong Rosales, offers a glimmer of hope: They’re performing at the new building of the UP School of Statistics and might be able to give us half an hour to shoot pictures. We say yes, of course, happy to just make the most of those minutes, and get to take a peek at the SPIT Manila process.
A few days later, Rosales confirms our half hour is secure—they’ll be prepping, doing makeup, having dinner, all before 7 p.m., with a quick run-through before the auditorium doors open. The next half hour, they’re ours. Well, sort of. Come Saturday night, when those promised minutes arrive, they fly by fast. Each of the 13 performers take their turns in front of photographer Paul Sugano’s camera, and each one gives his or her all—even Missy Maramara who admits to feeling under the weather. By 7:30, as agreed upon, all picture-taking goes on full stop. Time to regroup and warm up for the 8 p.m. show.
A few days later, Rosales confirms our half hour is secure—they’ll be prepping, doing makeup, having dinner, all before 7 p.m., with a quick run-through before the auditorium doors open. The next half hour, they’re ours. Well, sort of. Come Saturday night, when those promised minutes arrive, they fly by fast. Each of the 13 performers take their turns in front of photographer Paul Sugano’s camera, and each one gives his or her all—even Missy Maramara who admits to feeling under the weather. By 7:30, as agreed upon, all picture-taking goes on full stop. Time to regroup and warm up for the 8 p.m. show.
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The 13-strong SPIT Manila photographed by Paul Sugano at the new UP School of Statistics in Diliman. Cover design by Warren Espejo.
For a performance based largely on having no script, the guys take prep very seriously. That half hour before they hit the stage is a sacred moment. Inside the building’s Lecture Hall which serves as the evening’s holding room, they form a circle and sing and clap and cheer, essentially—at least from my POV—waking and shaking each other up for the battle ahead, preparing each other for another round of at least an hour and a half of putting their quick-wittedness to the test in front of a paying crowd, of saying “Yes, and…”, but not literally, of course—just putting improv’s famed rule-of-thumb to practice on each and every prompt a co-performer or audience member throws their way.
A History of Saying 'Yes, And...'
These guys have been saying “Yes, and…” for quite some time now, some of them since the early days of SPIT Manila, which was founded in 2002 by actor-comedian Gabe Mercado. The story goes that legendary TV and film comic Redford White advised Mercado to take classes, after reminding the latter of the unstable nature of a comic’s career. And so the younger comic enrolled in a workshop under American director and improv teacher Paul Sills, son of Viola Spolin who wrote the first book on improv techniques. Returning to Manila, he built the school Third World Improv and created SPIT.
In its early years, SPIT, or Silly People’s Improv Theater, would perform only in small venues like the defunct Mag:net Café in Katipunan, ran by the artist Rock Drilon and popular among the art, student, and literary crowd during the 2000s. It’s where Maramara would spot Aryn Cristobal, then a student at the college she teaches in, and whom Maramara would invite to join the improv group. The SPIT performance would remind Cristobal of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the American improv show on TV hosted by Drew Carey, carried in these shores by Star World (remember cable TV?). Cristobal was in her last year in school, had no orgs, no friends in campus. “The sheer number of students overwhelmed me, and I often felt out of place,” she tells SPOT. Which is most likely why she said yes, and…
In its early years, SPIT, or Silly People’s Improv Theater, would perform only in small venues like the defunct Mag:net Café in Katipunan, ran by the artist Rock Drilon and popular among the art, student, and literary crowd during the 2000s. It’s where Maramara would spot Aryn Cristobal, then a student at the college she teaches in, and whom Maramara would invite to join the improv group. The SPIT performance would remind Cristobal of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the American improv show on TV hosted by Drew Carey, carried in these shores by Star World (remember cable TV?). Cristobal was in her last year in school, had no orgs, no friends in campus. “The sheer number of students overwhelmed me, and I often felt out of place,” she tells SPOT. Which is most likely why she said yes, and…
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Aryn Cristobal, often the designated host: "I think I was able to express myself authentically at an early age, thanks to the principles of improv." Photograph by Paul Sugano.
“Na-adik ako,” Cristobal tells Red Ollero in the latter’s The Medyo Serious Talk Show, talking about how being with the group impacted her. “Kahit na alam ko masama ako. I was so bad for the first three years. Awful. Yung tipong pag-uwi ko galing show, [I tell myself] ‘Masama lang kinontribyut ko, why am I doing this?’ So even after realizing that, and I still want to do it, even failing all the time, [I knew] there’s something here.”
That “something” might just have been finding the “sense of belonging beyond my usual circle” she was longing for. But SPIT gave the young performer-in-the-making that and more. “I found myself surrounded by people from different life stages, ages, and backgrounds. That kind of diversity opened me up to new perspectives and helped me feel more grounded in who I was becoming.”
That “something” might just have been finding the “sense of belonging beyond my usual circle” she was longing for. But SPIT gave the young performer-in-the-making that and more. “I found myself surrounded by people from different life stages, ages, and backgrounds. That kind of diversity opened me up to new perspectives and helped me feel more grounded in who I was becoming.”
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Which is, of course, at the core of improv—this welcoming of what the world offers, and fully embracing the surprises of what’s to come. Watching the group do what they do best onstage, it’s hard not to think it’s what sustains each and every SPIT Manila performance: an unboxing of surprise after surprise after surprise, and the audience waiting for each to be sprung upon them, and feeling this sort of amazement as the revelation presents itself.
And the surprise doesn’t always come in the form of a punchline, too, or a witty response; it can just be a memory, or a word an audience member was already expecting, or looking for, or trying to decipher at the tip of his or her or their tongue—in local parlance, “nasa dulo na ng dila niya.”
And the surprise doesn’t always come in the form of a punchline, too, or a witty response; it can just be a memory, or a word an audience member was already expecting, or looking for, or trying to decipher at the tip of his or her or their tongue—in local parlance, “nasa dulo na ng dila niya.”
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Scenes from STATawanan: A Night Out with SPIT at the UP School of Statistics auditorium where tickets went for P2,500 a pop. Photos by Paul Sugano
“Incomplete!” an audience member shouts during the first part of the Saturday show in Diliman, as host Cristobal, going thru the English alphabet after asking the room to name a word that reminds them of college, makes it to letter “I”. The word gets a laugh—but not for long because SPIT member Ariel Diccion is on the floor and has moved on to another audience member with another word that starts with a letter “I” (“Intrams!”), and then comes “J,” then “K” (“Kalayaan!”), then “L” (“Lantern parade!” “Laplapan!”), and so on. Letter after letter, segment after segment, the challenge is to keep the brains of the entire room engaged—but not in a classroom recitation kind of way; in a fun way, because almost always hilarity ensues.
The Great 'Eh Ikaw?' Challenge
And it’s not only the SPIT guys working but the audience, too—thinking and answering, giving and sharing personal memories and ideas, cheering them on, unknowingly rooting for these people onstage so they get to take their game where it needs to go, bring the proverbial house down.
Which almost always happens during their “Eh Ikaw?” and “Three-Headed Oracle” segments, some of which have gone viral, with the former inspiring something as big as a TikTok challenge that even had SB19's Stell taking part in it. “Eh Ikaw?” is like an insane offspring of Charades, adapted by the SPIT Manila folks from an improv group abroad who calls it “Try It On for Size.” Trying the game on for size during SPIT performances, Rosales found the phrase a mouthful, when “Eh Ikaw?” is just that much shorter and snappier, and, well, Pinoy.
Which almost always happens during their “Eh Ikaw?” and “Three-Headed Oracle” segments, some of which have gone viral, with the former inspiring something as big as a TikTok challenge that even had SB19's Stell taking part in it. “Eh Ikaw?” is like an insane offspring of Charades, adapted by the SPIT Manila folks from an improv group abroad who calls it “Try It On for Size.” Trying the game on for size during SPIT performances, Rosales found the phrase a mouthful, when “Eh Ikaw?” is just that much shorter and snappier, and, well, Pinoy.
Meanwhile, the Three-Headed Oracle was once just a game where audiences were encouraged to ask an “expert” on the stage, but it eventually evolved into a “manghuhula from Quiapo” equipped with three heads—essentially Rosales, Diccion and Chester Cruz wearing one humongous velvet dress—and responding to the audience’s questions one word at a time. Sometimes the questions can get political—“Ano gagawin natin pag nilusob tayo ng China?” goes one—but the guys face these kinds of questions head on ("We are at a certain side politically. And sorry branding namin 'yun," Cristobal says in Ollero's YouTube show). The Three-Headed Oracle’s response to a Chinese invasion: “Dapat.” Mag-aral.” “Tayo.” “Ng Mandarin.” The room bursts into laughter.
Of course, it’s funnier seen or heard than read here, or as improv rules go: “You had to be there.” Or you can just go watch their videos on TikTok.
Watching the group perform to a live audience, one would think this is only a job for a young person. Or time-tested veterans— the median age of the group these days, by the way, is 44. We imagine the work is kind of the equivalent of an actor doing eight shows a week on Broadway. Except in this one, the material is built as the evening progresses, and strangers help shape each show—so no two shows are alike. (Even a joke from the audience can get rejected, if a SPIT member has heard it before, even if it may sound funny. No repeats allowed. Just like what happens in the Diliman show, when the gang asks the crowd for absurd reasons why someone might be late to an appointment. “Pinaghiwa-hiwalay niya pa yung 3-in-1!” says an audience member, referring to that instant coffee-sugar-creamer combo that comes in sachets. To which Ariel says something like, “Nagamit na namin ‘yan,“—but only matter of factly, of course, before moving on to the next.)
But what does it really take to be a good improv performer? Funnily enough, if you ask SPIT Manila, it’s not really about being funny.
But what does it really take to be a good improv performer? Funnily enough, if you ask SPIT Manila, it’s not really about being funny.
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It's Not About Being Funny
“I have never considered myself as naturally funny, or a comedian — and I’ve never aimed to be one because I’m actually very shy,” says Angelica Gacis who was officially introduced as a member of the group during its 20th anniversary show in 2022, along with Karl Echaluse, Pappu de Leon, Kara Flores, and Aih Mendoza. “However, people laugh at things they could relate to and we could say relatable things when we listen intently to what was said in the first place. Being a good improv performer for me is knowing when to make space and to take space, sometimes the team will need you to step forward, but when it’s someone else’s turn you allow them their space and have their backs.“
Rosales echoes this: “First of all, I never considered myself funny. Ever!” he says. “Anyone can do improv, as long as you know how to listen. But to be a great improviser, I believe, one should never be selfish and self-centered. The moment you think about yourself and how you look, etc. Wala na. Uwi ka na lang. Hahaha! The most important improv principle for me is, 'Make your partner look good.' Everything you do on that stage should always be in service of your scene partner—and the audience is also your scene partner.“
Rosales echoes this: “First of all, I never considered myself funny. Ever!” he says. “Anyone can do improv, as long as you know how to listen. But to be a great improviser, I believe, one should never be selfish and self-centered. The moment you think about yourself and how you look, etc. Wala na. Uwi ka na lang. Hahaha! The most important improv principle for me is, 'Make your partner look good.' Everything you do on that stage should always be in service of your scene partner—and the audience is also your scene partner.“
Each and everyone in SPIT has got each other’s backs, insists Rosales. In fact, they show each other this even before they hit the stage. “Part of our pre-show ritual is to check-in with each other, so we know where everyone is coming from emotionally, psychologically, etc.”
“Before every show, each of us taps the back of each member to say ‘Got your back!’” says Gacis. “I’m glad we have each other’s backs and I’m not alone in this crazy journey.”
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Prep work is a sacred step in the SPIT Manila process. Says Bibay (in glasses, striped tee and shorts): "I'm amazed I get to do this every day with people I trust and care for."
“Being funny can help, but it's never the main quality,” says Karl. “Be you, and be true. Come as you are and accept how others are at that specific moment. Collaborate and build something beautiful!”
“To be a good improviser is to be a good human being,” says Monica Cordero-Cruz.
Kara: “For me, it’s about being truthful - being open to letting go, receiving offers and ideas, and creating together through active listening. That’s what I like most about our team: there’s a shared trust and presence that allows us to truly co-create.”
Ariel: “We do our best to listen. To really meet our co-performer and their character where they are coming from. Honestly, until now, I am still in the process of being good at this. Hehe.”
Pappu: “I would like to quote Dr. Cecilia Florencio from 1992. ‘Love of God, love of country, belief in the integral role of the family, ethical behavior, management-mindedness, pursuit of excellence and social responsibility.’”
Chester: “Just say ‘Yes, and..’
“To be a good improviser is to be a good human being,” says Monica Cordero-Cruz.
Kara: “For me, it’s about being truthful - being open to letting go, receiving offers and ideas, and creating together through active listening. That’s what I like most about our team: there’s a shared trust and presence that allows us to truly co-create.”
Ariel: “We do our best to listen. To really meet our co-performer and their character where they are coming from. Honestly, until now, I am still in the process of being good at this. Hehe.”
Pappu: “I would like to quote Dr. Cecilia Florencio from 1992. ‘Love of God, love of country, belief in the integral role of the family, ethical behavior, management-mindedness, pursuit of excellence and social responsibility.’”
Chester: “Just say ‘Yes, and..’
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When SPIT Hit The Fans, Finally
Not only have SPIT Manila been saying “Yes, and…” for years now, they’ve also been doing it more and more these days, with more shows and for bigger audiences too. And TikTok has a lot to do with it. Social media. The internet.
Come to think of it, they’ve been doing weekly shows since 2002, says Rosales: apart from Mag:net Katipunan and BGC, there was Comfort Room in Jupiter, and Quantum Cafe in Bagtikan Street, Makati. They were, however, playing to a largely after-office crowd. “I think in the beginning SPIT accepted na, Ah yung mga yuppies lang makaka-afford ng tickets,” says Cristobal. “Sila mga nakikita namin eh, mga naka-office outfit.”
Before the pandemic, the group had a regular Thursday show at Commune Cafe in Polaris Street, Poblacion, which could really only accommodate an audience of 60 people at most. “Minsan sampu lang mga tao, makikiupo na lang kami, kunyari audience din kami,” Cristobal recalls in The Medyo Serious Talk Show.
Come to think of it, they’ve been doing weekly shows since 2002, says Rosales: apart from Mag:net Katipunan and BGC, there was Comfort Room in Jupiter, and Quantum Cafe in Bagtikan Street, Makati. They were, however, playing to a largely after-office crowd. “I think in the beginning SPIT accepted na, Ah yung mga yuppies lang makaka-afford ng tickets,” says Cristobal. “Sila mga nakikita namin eh, mga naka-office outfit.”
Before the pandemic, the group had a regular Thursday show at Commune Cafe in Polaris Street, Poblacion, which could really only accommodate an audience of 60 people at most. “Minsan sampu lang mga tao, makikiupo na lang kami, kunyari audience din kami,” Cristobal recalls in The Medyo Serious Talk Show.
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Rosales: "SPIT has always been more than just a theater group, it was family. As a probinsyano living alone in Manila—I’m from Cagayan de Oro—SPIT became my chosen family. We used to jam on Sundays. We have lunch together, then we play games all afternoon. For the most part, those Sundays were my only chance to eat home cooked meals. Kasi puro fastfood lang ako everyday!" Photograph by Paul Sugano.
But the pandemic changed all that, and yes social media had a big hand in it. “When we got viral on IG and Tiktok, we reached an audience base that normally wouldn’t hear or know about us,” says Rosales.
For Cristobal, there was a specific moment when she felt something was different. They were invited to join a show with rock bands after the pandemic, and it was at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. It was SPIT’s first big gig that was free to the public. When the emcee introduced the group, asking the audience, “Ready na ba kayo magbigay ng suggestions para sa susunod naming guests?” the crowd roared. “Woaaahhhh, are you kidding me?!” says Cristobal, recalling the moment.
For Cristobal, there was a specific moment when she felt something was different. They were invited to join a show with rock bands after the pandemic, and it was at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. It was SPIT’s first big gig that was free to the public. When the emcee introduced the group, asking the audience, “Ready na ba kayo magbigay ng suggestions para sa susunod naming guests?” the crowd roared. “Woaaahhhh, are you kidding me?!” says Cristobal, recalling the moment.
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Clockwise from left, standing: Monica, Kara, Bibay, Dingdong, Karl, Happy, Missy, Thea, Ariel and Angelica. Photograph by Paul Sugano.
The audience had a lot of young people, and many tagged the group on their videos on social media. All thanks to the internet. “Social media made improv accessible. Add to that the people’s need for connection post-pandemic. After the months and years in isolation due to COVID, people just wanted to go out and experience something. Live theater also saw a boom in sales. [And] Improv seems to be the easiest to relate to as far as live theater is concerned. I guess people needed a reason to laugh and we gave them that.”
Today, SPIT Manila still gets to perform once a week, just like old times. “Although there are times when we do almost daily,” says Rosales, the only OG member left of the 12-strong pioneering SPIT-ters. “[But] now we get to choose and do shows only when we feel like it. Haha!” They now also get an average of 10 show inquiries per day from corporate clients and various producers. “The biggest difference now is our big solo ticketed shows like the one in UP Stat, UP Film Center, Metropolitan Theater, Aliw Theater and SM Skydome where we perform to crowds of 300 to over a thousand,” Rosales adds. “That’s unusual for improv worldwide!”
Today, SPIT Manila still gets to perform once a week, just like old times. “Although there are times when we do almost daily,” says Rosales, the only OG member left of the 12-strong pioneering SPIT-ters. “[But] now we get to choose and do shows only when we feel like it. Haha!” They now also get an average of 10 show inquiries per day from corporate clients and various producers. “The biggest difference now is our big solo ticketed shows like the one in UP Stat, UP Film Center, Metropolitan Theater, Aliw Theater and SM Skydome where we perform to crowds of 300 to over a thousand,” Rosales adds. “That’s unusual for improv worldwide!”
Photographs by Paul Sugano
Jerome Gomez is Spot's EIC. He counts knowing how to roast a chicken, make Korean army stew, and mix a good Negroni among his great accomplishments in life.
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