Allan K opens up on closure of comedy bars Klownz, Zirkoh

Allan K is one of the entrepreneurs who had to make the difficult decision of closing down their business amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Kapuso host and comedian declared bankruptcy for his comedy bars Klownz and Zirkoh, which had been making Filipinos laugh for nearly two decades.

In an interview with "Reporter's Notebook," Allan K opened up on the struggles he faced leading up to the bars' closure.

"It happened at a time when two of my siblings died. One had cancer, the other had several illnesses. I took them to the hospital and had them cremated. After that, the bars closed. All of the expenses arrived simultaneously," he said in Filipino.

The "Eat Bulaga" Dabarkads said it was more difficult to close a bar than open one. Employees needed their separation pay and furniture had to be stored somewhere if they cannot be sold right away.

He tried to toughen it up for several months, thinking that the pandemic would be short-lived, but it kept raging on. Eventually he had to accept that it was better to let the bars go.

"Imagine that, for 18 years they were part of your life and then they were gone just like that," Allan K said.

"I don't know why, but I didn't cry. It's like you're so helpless. You cannot see what you're up against. The virus is the enemy. So you just have to face the reality that you have no chance against it no matter how hard you try," he added.

Allan K, however, holds out hope that comedy bars can stand once again when the pandemic is over. It's easier said than done, given the financial burden he just went though, but he believes it is possible albeit on a smaller scale than before.

"We'll find a way. Perhaps we'll find partners who can shell out some cash," he said.

—MGP, GMA News