You’ve probably come across Aryn Cristobal on TikTok with her improv group SPIT Manila—known for their quick-witted and spontaneous performances that sell out theaters and venues with their relatable humor. MEGA sat down with the artist, who has learned to use her many creative outlets to become the storyteller she is today.
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Finding Her Voice
Believe it or not, she was once a shy young adult in university. She didn’t feel the need to join school organizations, preferring to stay close to her high school friends even though they studied elsewhere. It wasn’t until her graduating year that she found the organization that would capture her heart.
“I was invited to watch SPIT on a Thursday in Mag:net Katipunan, just across school,” she recounted. “To my surprise, I saw Missy Maramara performing with the group, and I knew her because I had sat in her class.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Joining SPIT as a teenager, Cristobal credits the group’s values and principles for shaping her into the artist—and adult—she is today. “I learned to say yes more to opportunities, to communicate better, and to be more adaptive. It also taught me not to quit at something even if you’re very bad at it in the beginning,” the artist reflected.
“The boldness of this generation’s youth inspires me. From setting boundaries and being unapologetically themselves, a big piece of amazing storytellers come from this generation.”
– Aryn Cristobal on her inspirations
The Art of Storytelling
“I started sharing relatable stories on social media to connect with my adueince. It’s more of my personal narratives based on experience as a childless millennial who grew up around social expectations,” Cristobal shared, inspired by the many people who relate to her stories. “It makes me feel less alone, and less ‘weird.’”
Mostly known for its humor, SPIT is unafraid to inject social issues into its performances. “We never really try to be funny—we’re being truthful,” Cristobal clarified. The truth, she says, is often so relatable that it becomes laughable. “If you think about it, there’s nothing funny about our pressing issues; it’s just that hearing about it in an entertainment setting makes it more digestible and dynamic.”
But Cristobal’s storytelling isn’t limited to improv. Her artistry extends to music and podcasts—creative platforms where she can share her authenticity and vulnerability with the world. “Being a podcaster allows me to share my views and ideas so people know more about me. Maybe people can relate to my ideas,” she explained.
“People want to know how other people approach topics, what people think, and what people can create from it.”
– Aryn Cristobal on storytelling
Music has always been her dream, entranced by the idea of creating as much as listening. “I grew up listening to my mom and her sisters sing along with my grandmother. We even had a piano and guitar in the house,” Cristobal added. But being shy growing up, it took years—and a pandemic—for her to find the courage to share the musician in her.
One Stage at a Time
Today, Cristobal wears many hats: a member of SPIT Manila and Story Pirates in New York, a faculty member of Third World Improv—the Philippines’ first and only improv school—and a podcast host, actress, and musician. For her, it’s all part of a creative life she’s only beginning to unfold. “I’m excited for improv to grow even more, and for everyone to support it because it’s such a wonderful craft that builds amazing communities,” she shared, heartfelt.
SPIT’s newfound popularity, she admits, is still something the group is adjusting to. “I’m taking things a day at a time. I have some visions and manifestations I want to accomplish with the group, but I’m truly grateful for what we have now. I don’t mind riding this wave at the moment,” Cristobal added.
“There is a market for everyone and anything. It’s your fear of cringe that’s stopping you from your potential.”
– Aryn Cristobal, on encouraging aspiring artists to explore beyond one medium
Storytelling knows no single form—and Aryn Cristobal is well aware. From her first days falling in love with improv to sharing her stories to the world, she continues to connect herself and her audience in more ways than one, championing truth, humor, and heart. And with each stage she steps on, she reminds us that the best stories aren’t just told, but lived.
Stay inspired—discover more from Aryn Cristobal’s creative journey online.
Featured Image and Photos: SCHILD STUDIOS
