Back in the early 2000s, I remember downloading Rex Navarrete on LimeWire. That was my first taste of Filipino-American comedy — raw, relatable, and straight from the diaspora. His jokes about Filipino families, accents, and immigrant life hit differently. For many of us growing up in Canada, he was the first comedian who sounded like home.
So when I found out that Rex was performing live at Bistro Manila in Scarborough, I knew I had to go. The place was packed, the vibe was intimate, and the energy was perfect for standup. From the moment he stepped on stage, you could tell he was in his element — sharp timing, natural crowd work, and that signature Pinoy delivery that still hits after two decades.
Rex talked about everything from immigrant life to the rise of new Filipino comics like Jo Koy and Nico Santos. What stood out most was his reflection on how much the audience has evolved — how Filipinos in North America have grown to embrace standup comedy as part of our own culture.
Watching him up close, I realized that this wasn’t just another show. It was a reminder of where Filipino comedy began — in living rooms, in burned CDs, in those grainy LimeWire downloads — and how far it’s come.
Rex Navarrete is more than a comedian. He’s a bridge between generations of Filipinos abroad. Seeing him live was a full-circle moment — from bootleg files to belly laughs at Bistro Manila. Still the real OG.
#RexNavarrete #FilipinoComedy #TorontoEvents #FilipinoInCanada #BeastroManila #FTVStories
