The Manila Improv Festival (MIF) returns to the Rockwell Black Box from 25 to 29 March, promising a five-day marathon of unscripted brilliance. While the festival features a massive lineup of local and international talent—kicking off with an opening show by the legendary SPIT Manila—this year’s roster features a powerhouse Australian delegation. For the Filipino-Australian community, it is a creative collision where Oz meets Pinas.
Leading the charge from Sydney are The Joy Riders, a trio fueled by what they describe as “sheer joy and whimsy”. Their name captures the energy they are bringing to Makati, with members Jim Fishwick and Emilia Higgs planning to arrive with matching outfits, and a show set on a fantastical train that Millie jokes might be a sneak peek at the Metro Manila Subway of 2032. Beyond their performance on 26 March, Jim is also facilitating a masterclass for advanced improvisers, zooming in on the elemental aspects of being present and noticing what is already there.
Representing the bridge between these two cultures is Fillow Talk, a hybrid collective featuring performers from both the Philippines and Australia. What started as a duo between Happy Feraren (also a SPIT Manila member) and Jeff Mesina, the group expanded to a group of five with Janette McBride, Ronaldo Rivera and musician Jed Dalangin, and now they have nine members to include everyone from recent migrants to a “Lolo”, reflecting the broad diaspora of the Filipino community in Australia. Their name is a clever pun on “Filo” (the common shorthand for Filipino-Australians) and pillow talk… and while they admit the late-night Manila showtimes are a “trentahin” struggle compared to the 6:00 pm starts in Sydney, they find that the warmth of a Filipino crowd makes them feel at home anywhere in the world. Catch their set on 27 March.
Rounding out the Aussie delegation is Brisbane’s Big Fork Theatre, represented by John Garrad, Ben Snaith and Janette McBride, who, apart from also being a member of Fillow Talk, might just be a face very familiar to Filipino audiences. Though many remember her from the scripted world of Tanging Yaman, Janette has spent the last decade becoming a pillar of the Brisbane scene. She returns to Manila eager to see how the local crowd reacts to Big Fork’s signature “absurd and silly” style. Janette notes that her dramatic roots in the Philippines have been her secret weapon in Australia, allowing her to build improvised characters with depth. So get ready to explore memories with these three friends on 29 March.
They are ready for you! Are you ready for a lot of laughter? Whether you are a player looking to sharpen your skills in a workshop, a fan of world-class comedy or just looking to spend your week feeling happy, MIF 2026 is the place to be. Head over to the Manila Improv Festival page to check the full schedule and grab your tickets while they last!