Allan K.

Alan Joveness Quilantang (born December 13, 1958),^{[citation needed]} known professionally as Allan K., is a Filipino comedian, actor, and television personality. He is one of the co-hosts of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga.^[1]

Quilantang also previously owned comedy bars Zirkoh and Klownz until their closure during the pandemic in 2020.^[2]

Career

Early years

Quilantang began his professional singing career after he graduated high school and joined a band, performing in bars around Bacolod. In 1984, he flew to Manila to work in sing-along bars as a singer^[3] and as a stand-up comedian.^[4]

Quilantang was discovered in 1995 through a reporter during a press conference of Eat Bulaga! where the show's impending transfer to GMA Network was announced.^[4] The reporter who frequented the place where he worked at that time, asked if there were any new talents to be introduced, then followed up by asking if they had heard of an "Allan K." who performed at The Library—a comedy bar in Malate, Manila.^[5] The noontime variety show's producer, Antonio Tuviera, was unaware that his children also frequented the same place, thus, they ended up contacting and visiting the bar on the night after the press conference.^[6]

1995–2014

Quilantang's first appearance in Eat Bulaga! was in the segment "Bulagaan" in 1995.^[7] He became a regular host of Eat Bulaga! starting with his own segment entitled "Allan Knows Best", attending to the viewers problems and giving out advice.^[4]

In 2002, he opened his first comedy bar Klownz in Quezon Avenue.^[8] Subsequently, in 2004, he opened Zirkoh—also a comedy bar—in Tomas Morato.^[9] They were home to several stand-up comedians such as impersonators Ate Gay and Boobay; comedy duo Jose and Wally; and various other celebrities who had performed there nightly throughout the years.^[10]

Alongside Eat Bulaga!, Quilantang also hosted All Star K! together with singer and host Jaya from 2004 to 2009. Shortly after the show concluded, he co-hosted once more with Jaya in BandaOke! until 2010. Later in the same year, Quilantang co-hosted the comedy talent show Comedy Bar with actress and fellow comedian Eugene Domingo.^[11][12]

In 2014, Quilantang was inducted by German Moreno into the Eastwood City Walk of Fame.^[13]

2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Quilantang closed down his comedy bars Klownz and Zirkoh. After trying to keep his businesses afloat, he soon filed for bankruptcy in July because of accumulating expenses and increasing losses.^[14][9] On the December 12, 2020, segment of "Bawal Judgmental" on Eat Bulaga!, Quilantang and his co-host Wally Bayola publicly shared that they were afflicted with COVID-19. In his statement, he said that he was brought to the hospital because of persistent symptoms, leading to his confinement in an intensive care unit (ICU) for 3 days. Eat Bulaga! pillar Vic Sotto revealed for the first time that the doctors told him that Quilantang "doesn't look good", describing how critical his situation was.^[15] Quilantang did not undergo intubation and eventually recovered.^[16]

2021–present

In 2021 as he recovered from the aftermath of the pandemic, Quilantang opened a Japanese restaurant^[17] and a new comedy bar closely resembling its predecessor's name.^[18] In November 2022, he launched another comedy bar also similarly resembling the name of his former business.^[19]

Personal life

The name Allan K. was derived from a play on his surname Quilantang by his gay colleagues who called him Allan "Qui" (ˈki) which later evolved to be pronounced as Allan "K" (ˈkeɪ); he eventually took a liking to how it sounded and used it as his stage name.^[20][21]

Quilantang is gay.^[22] In an interview in 2016, he revealed to the press about having an ongoing relationship with an undisclosed Filipino-British man who he said was a reality show winner.^[23]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Quilantang's brother died in May^[24] and his sister in July,^[25][26] but with the quarantine and protocols in place, no funerals were held for both siblings; in July he permanently shut down his businesses;^[27] and ultimately^{[clarification needed]} in August when he acquired a severe case of COVID-19, facing death.^[28] Quilantang described the year as "seemingly cursed".^[29]

In an Instagram post, Quilantang announced the death of his brother in October 2021.^[30]

In a special episode of "Bawal Judgmental" on Eat Bulaga! on December 25, 2021, Quilantang admitted that he had a relationship with a woman in his early days in Bacolod to conceal his sexuality.^[31] For the first time, he revealed learning about the possibility of him having a child through a psychic he met where he performed.^[32] With the persuasion of the other hosts, Quilantang publicly appealed to the woman to confirm whether he did have a child with her and have them tested through DNA matching; he also stated that he is open to taking responsibility for the child whom he estimated to be at least 30 years old at the time.^[33]

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and recognitions

See also

• Ruby Rodriguez
• Toni Rose Gayda
• Pia Guanio

References

1. ^ "Bonding time with the 'Eat Bulaga' family". Manila Bulletin. April 2, 2009. Archived April 16, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
2. ^ Lo, Ricky (July 15, 2020). "Curtain call for Zirkoh, Klownz". Philstar.com. Archived April 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
3. ^ Gacura, T. J. (October 9, 2021). "Allan K, the original sing-along master!". LionhearTV. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
4. ^ Santos, Jamil (May 21, 2021). "Allan K., ikinuwento kung paano siya nakasali sa 'Eat Bulaga'". Balitambayan. Archived April 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
5. ^ "The Library spreads the laughter from Malate to Ortigas". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
6. ^ Santiago, Ervin (January 16, 2022). "Allan K: Pag tumulong ka, ibigay mo nang buong-puso, huwag kang mag-expect ng kung anek-anek". INQUIRER.net. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
7. ^ Anoc, Aimee. "Allan K, binalikan ang unang pagkakataon na 'nakatungtong' sa 'Eat Bulaga' stage". www.gmanetwork.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
8. ^ Red, Isah V. (January 28, 2002). "Manila Standard Newspaper". Manila Standard. p. 19. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
9. ^ Carrasco, 3rd, Ronnie (July 28, 2020). "Klownz and Zirkoh breathe their last tomorrow". The Manila Times. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
10. ^ Nardo, Jun. "Klownz at Zirkoh ni Allan K, tuluyan nang nagsara". Philstar.com. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
11. ^ "Allan K hopes BandaOke will be able to duplicate or even surpass success of All Star K". PEP.ph. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
12. ^ "Allan K at Casino Filipino". Philstar.com. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
13. ^ Sucaldito, Jobert (December 3, 2014). "Allan K, Sylvia binigyan ng star sa 'Walk of Fame' ni Kuya Germs". INQUIRER.net. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
14. ^ "Allan K's comedy bars Zirkoh, Klownz to close amid COVID-19 crisis: report". ABS-CBN News. June 30, 2020. Archived December 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
15. ^ "Comedians Wally Bayola, Allan K open up about experience with COVID-19". Rappler. December 12, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
16. ^ "Comedians Allan K, Wally Bayola share their COVID-19 stories". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
17. ^ Ramos, Jansen. "New beginnings: Allan K starts new businesses after bankruptcy". www.gmanetwork.com. Archived December 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
18. ^ Lim, Ron. "LOOK: Allan K's new business set to open". www.gmanetwork.com. Archived December 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
19. ^ Javier, Kristian Eric. "Allan K opens Clowns Republik this weekend". www.gmanetwork.com. Archived December 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
20. ^ "Tunay na Buhay: Ano ang ibig sabihin ng "K" sa pangalan ni Allan K?", May 21, 2021, retrieved April 3, 2023
21. ^ Santos, Jamil (May 21, 2021). "WATCH: Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng 'K' sa pangalan ni Allan K.?". Balitambayan. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
22. ^ Anoc, Aimee. "Celebrities who are proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community". www.gmanetwork.com. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
23. ^ Llanes, Rommel R. (December 4, 2016). "Allan K reveals relationship with Fil-British reality show winner". PEP.ph. Archived April 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
24. ^ "The good Lord will take care of you in heaven. Rest well BUNSO. Your manong allan will always miss you. I love you so much. Ngayon pa lang namimiss na kita eh......😰😰😰bye for now. Regards to nanay and tatay in heaven...." (in en, Filipino). May 13, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
25. ^ Hallare, Katrina (July 28, 2020). "Allan K mourns death of sister". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
26. ^ "I miss you sooooo much.....". July 27, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
27. ^ "Permanent closure: Allan K shuts down comedy bars Zirkoh, Klownz amid COVID-19 crisis - The Filipino Times". July 6, 2020. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
28. ^ Rula, Gorgy. "Allan K, bumabangon sa pagkamatay ng tatlong kapatid!". Philstar.com. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
29. ^ Serato, Arniel C. (March 8, 2021). "Allan K on Year 2020: "Ano ba 'tong taon na 'to, parang isinumpa."". PEP.ph. Archived April 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
30. ^ "I just lost another brother today. May you rest well in the arms of the Lord in heaven. I love you Manong Welvic 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏". October 4, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
31. ^ "ALLAN K, MAY ANAK? Dabarkads, Nagulat Sa Mga Untold Stories sa Bawal Judgmental | December 25, 2021", December 25, 2021, archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved March 31, 2023
32. ^ Santiago, Ervin (December 28, 2021). "Allan K nagka-girlfriend noon sa Bacolod: What if kung totoo ngang may anak ako, 'di ba?". INQUIRER.net. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
33. ^ "Allan K, gustong makilala ang kaniyang 'anak'". Balitambayan. Archived March 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
34. ^ "Happy, triumphant faces at the 14th PMPC Star Awards for TV". The Philippine Star. October 9, 2000. Archived September 24, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
35. ^ "ABS-CBN biggest winner at 25th Star Awards for TV; GMA-7 bags 16 trophies; TV5 gets 6 nods". Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP). November 23, 2011. Archived March 26, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 31, 2023.

External links

• Allan K. at IMDb
• Allan K. on Instagram
• Allan K. on Twitter