Nothing political, purely entertainment

Before the start of the one-man comedy act of Dyords Javier, Dyords Ko Po, at Teatrino in Greenhills, audiences get this warning. "Pro-GMA supporters are not allowed to enter the area."

If the warning signifies Dyords’ political conviction, don’t get it wrong, though. There is nothing political nor anti-GMA about the entire show.

In Dyords Ko Po, Dyords simply entertains his audience. There was no need for props or any special effects throughout the show — he wore a colorful, flamboyant costume, though, once he sauntered on stage. Dyords, with his live band, delighted the intimate lounge crowd with his song numbers, hilarious musical lampoons, fast-paced succession of amusing stories, short jokes and one-liners — everything which he does best.

He didn’t make an attempt to imitate anyone famous, although he sang Nonoy Zuñiga’s I’ll Never Say Goodbye, complete with the balladeer’s trademark gait. Dyords did his irreverent comedy act and the audience rewarded him with a steady stream of laughs.

That certainly added pressure to his performance. A one-man comedy show is difficult to master because the comedian is at the mercy of his audience. But Dyords didn’t buckle a bit. He knew how to connect with his audience — and connect he did.

His comedy is not slapstick. He deviates from politics, toilet or sexual humor and thank God, he doesn’t offend or humiliate his audience, which is the wont of most comedians just to get the laughs. He nimbly plays with the mood of the audience, delivers his routine and wins over his crowd. On the night that we watched, there were even foreigners in the audience who obviously appreciated Dyords’ kind of humor.

Dyords’ skills are diverse. This is one comedian who also sings, that’s why song numbers are interspersed in his scripts. He has been in the industry for quite some time now, not just doing comedy — he appears in movies and has done TV sitcoms. He is also a member of the Angfourgettables quartet (with Isay Alvarez, Pinky Marquez and Bimbo Cerrudo) which has toured around the world. Hence, performing is like second skin to him.

With his live band, he carried out songs like She, Lady is a Tramp, Just the Way You Are, plus a medley of Put Your Head on My Shoulder, My Destiny, Times of Your Life, When Somebody Loves You, Fever and Lonely Boy.

He is far from being a Michael Bublé, Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli. He doesn’t have that illusion, anyway. But Dyords has the voice to sing Sway, which was recorded by Bublé. You should also hear Dyords’ amusing rendition of Groban’s You Raised Me Up, Bocelli’s The Prayer and Bahay Kubo sung to the tune of What a Wonderful World.

Guesting in the series is John Lesaca, who playfully did the One Note Samba violin duet with Dyords. Yes, Dyords had a "baby" violin which he played against John’s instrument. John later had a solo spot and played a beautiful instrumental piece which, we were told, was his own composition.

Teatrino is an ideal venue for a show like Dyords Ko Po, because the performer can directly interact with his audience and see their reactions for every act.

Dyords’ series of shows is for a cause. Proceeds will help finance the construction of the Carmelite church in Subic, Zambales. Dyords Ko Po will again to be staged on Feb. 20 at Teatrino in Greenhills.