Alex Calleja has found himself at the center of a controversy after veteran comedy writer Chito Francisco accused him of using a carwash joke without permission in his stand-up comedy special ‘Tamang Panahon,’ currently the No. 1 show on Netflix Philippines.
Calleja responded to the allegations by posting “receipts” on social media, proving that the joke had been written years before Francisco’s claim.
“May mga resibo po ako sa FB na ang joke po ay nasulat ko as early as 2011,” Calleja posted on Facebook. “Hindi ko po alam kung anong intensyon ng nagpaparatang sa akin pero may resibo po ako sa joke ko na ‘yan. Type lang sa FB: Alex Calleja car wash.”
Francisco, a seasoned writer for popular GMA Network shows ‘Bubble Gang’ and ‘Pepito Manaloto’, alleged through a Facebook post that a comedian had stolen one of his jokes. Though he did not name Calleja, fans quickly deduced the target of his statement.
Post ko lang dito ang carwash joke ko since 2011 na nagawa ko ng writer ako sa Usapang Lalake at Goin’ Bulilit. Sa Goin’ Bulilit kasi, may topic ang bawat gags at carwash ang topic namin. Hindi ata ito nasama sa final draft kaya ginamit ko sa standup at pinost sa social media ng… pic.twitter.com/hGdbkTMO5O
— Alex Calleja (@alexcalleja1007) February 11, 2025
“Nanood ako ng Netflix special ng isang Pinoy stand-up comedian. Ginamit yung isang joke ko,” Francisco wrote. “Well, marami pa ako niyan brod. Madami ka pa puwedeng nakawin.”
Francisco shared a 2019 Facebook post containing his version of the carwash joke: “Magpapa-carwash ako. Eh dahil malapit lang ang carwash, nilakad ko na lang. ‘Di na ko nagdala ng sasakyan.”
However, Calleja pointed out that he had posted a similar joke on September 9, 2013, six years before Francisco’s post.
Despite the accusations, Calleja expressed gratitude to his supporters and emphasized that he was motivated by the feedback from his fans.
“Hindi ko alam na ganito pala ang epekto ng comedy ko sa mga taong nanunuod. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na sa maliit na paraan eh nagbibigay tayo ng ligaya sa mga Pinoy sa buong mundo,” Calleja shared in another Facebook post. “Ito ngayon ang nagsisilbing inspirasyon ko para magsulat pa ng maraming jokes at pagbutihin pa ang pagiging komedyante ko.”
Calleja’s ‘Tamang Panahon’ is the first Filipino stand-up comedy special to reach the top spot on Netflix Philippines. His comedy style, which focuses on relatable, everyday experiences, has resonated with audiences worldwide.
Francisco, on the other hand, is a respected comedy writer with decades of experience. His credits include films like ‘Fantastic Man’ (2003) and ‘Yaya & Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie’ (2009), as well as segments from ‘Bubble Gang’, including the well-known ‘Ang Dating Doon.’
