With no theatre, YK company explores ways to entertain Filipinos

Yellowknife-based company Gem Productions says it is working to create new entertainment opportunities for the Filipino community after the closure of the city’s movie venue, the Capitol Theatre.

Closed at the end of March, the theatre was a community hub where films were shown on demand and screenings of popular Tagalog movies from the Philippines were often sold out.

EJ Cruz came up with the idea to launch a business after the success of Filipino comedian Jobert Austria’s performance in the territorial capital last month.

A June 27 comedy show, titled Laugh to the Max, is a centrepiece of the city’s Kalaayan Festival, which celebrates Filipino independence. The show and a celebration will take place alongside each other at Yellowknife’s multiplex, with the festival from 10am-4pm then the comedy night starting at 6pm.

Yellowknife’s first celebration took place last year with more than 300 people in attendance. The second annual festival returns to the city in partnership with the Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife.

While independence day falls on June 12, this year’s festival was moved to the end of the month to accommodate more community members for a day of food, singing and cultural dancing. Cruz said it is a way to cherish Filipino culture through an event that brings the community together.

The comedy event’s live performances feature Negi, Petit and Jewel, with a special guest appearance from Reggie Tortugo, who was a grand finalist on Tawag ng Tanghalan – a TV reality competition in the Philippines.

The three performers are well-known stand-up comedians in the Philippines, said Aldrin Nuval of Gem Productions.

“We invited them directly from the Philippines to here just to make sure that the Filipino community will have an event that people will enjoy,” Nuval said.

“It is more than just a comedy event. It is also our way of celebrating Filipino culture and community in line with our Kalaayan festival.”

Gem Productions is planning a separate event in October that will raise money for seniors’ group Avens and feature American singer David Pomeranz. According to Nuval, the goal is to create more events that support local causes.

Cruz said the company is looking for a location to screen Filipino movies and shows in the absence of a theatre, which he described as “really saddening.”

“We’re also trying to entertain everyone since it’s already closed. That is one of the only entertainment we have here and it is closed,” Nuval said, adding the group is still in its early stages and facing challenges as its members learn to navigate the industry.

“Hopefully in the future we thrive so that we can still produce entertainment and still help the community,” he said.

After advertising Laugh to the Max, Cruz said the response was overwhelming.

“There are a lot of Filipinos that are really interested in these kinds of events,” he said, adding he wants to expand his horizons to other nationalities.

“Whoever misses their culture,” he said, “we will try to put them alive here in Yellowknife.”