10 Philippine Showbiz Today
November 22 - December 7, 2018
Jan. 22-Feb.7, 2015
Michael V. on relevance of comedy, Bubble Gang anniversary
The multi-talented Beethoven
Michael del Valle Bunagan, also
known as Michael V. or “Bitoy,”
believes the relevance of comedy
doesn’t fade.
“Filipinos love to laugh,” he
told Bulletin Entertainment in a
recent interview. “Generally, we
are light-hearted people. You can’t
remove the humor in the Filipino
because it’s part of who we are.”
On how he stays effective all
these years, Bitoy said he always
just “plays for truth.”
“I learned that from director
Bobot Mortiz, that you always have
to put yourself in the situation of
the sketch. Like what would you
actually do if such a thing hap-
pens to you in real life.”
Solid
as
a
rock
He said their goal in the last 23
years has always been to deliver
world-class and extraordinary en-
tertainment to Filipino viewers.
He credits the success of the
show to “teamwork.”
“And we also evolve and go
with the flow as the year changes.
We are never left behind,” Bitoy
added.
“Bubble Gang” mainstay
Paolo Contis said Bitoy is one of
the forces behind the show’s suc-
cess.
“It is because of his comic
genius that can adapt wherever,
whenever,” he related. “Also, he’s
a team player while being a good
leader in that he listens to every-
one.”
Note that Bitoy serves as one
of show’s two longest staying
cast members from the original
batch.
Asked to describe the rela-
tionship among the cast mem-
bers, Paolo said they
are like family.
Director Bert de
Leon lauded the group for
having “camaraderie.”
“No one is trying to
outdo the other,” he said.
“Everybody tries to support
each other. They have their
respective moments to show-
case talent.”
Adaptation
Bitoy said that through
the years, local audiences have
shown appreciation for the evo-
lution of the humor on the show.
He admitted, though, that it is
harder now to make the viewers
laugh than before.
“They’ve become more criti-
cal, particularly because of social
media. So they notice even the
smallest things, they are more
sensitive, and there are lots of re-
strictions.”
When there is
scarcity of gags or sketch-
es, he surrounds himself with
people known to contribute fresh
ideas.
“Because, really, no one can
do the whole script by himself,”
he explained. “On top of that, I
believe the reason we are called
‘Bubble Gang’ is that we are a
group, a team so we act as one.”
Who among Kapuso artists
does he want to get as guest on
the show?
“I want to have AlDub (Alden
Richards and Maine Mendoza)
from time to time. Prior, they had
a segment here but that was the
time they were promoting (a proj-
ect). Since then I’ve been hoping
for their return,” he said.
In celebrating its 23rd anni-
versary, “Bubble Gang” will pres-
ent a narrative uniquely intertwin-
ing the show’s popular segment
forms – talk, interview, musical
parody, sketches, commercial
spoof, and gag dubbed “Bente
Tres Oras.”
This year’s telemovie special
tells the adventures of Bea Ban-
genge (Bitoy) and Toto Batoto
(Antonio Aquitania) as they em-
bark on a journey to find a WiFi
connection. On their trip, they
will meet famous “Bubble Gang”
characters Antonietta, Don Can-
toni, Mr. Assimo, Tata Kino, the
Balitang Ina hosts, Lebrown
James, and many more.
Asked what else does
he aspire for the show, Bitoy
turned thoughtful.
“There are still a lot of things.
One is a full-fledged film. And
last year, we tried a musical with
‘Parokya Bentes Dos.’ This time,
I want to do another musical but
featuring all-original songs.”
The rest of the “Bubble Gang”
cast are Paolo, Antonio, Betong
Sumaya, Sef Cadayona, Boy
2 Quizon, Mikoy Morales, Jak
Roberto,
Archie
Alemania,
Juancho Trivino, James Macasero,
Roadfill, Diego Llorico, Chariz
Solomon, Kim Domingo, Andrea
Torres, Valeen Montenegro, Jackie
Rice, Denise Barbacena, Lovely
Abela, Analyn Barro, Arra San
Agustin, Arny Ross, and Myka. ●
- S.M. Bernardino, MB
Janno Gibbs defends post about exclusion
from ABS-CBN Christmas station ID
“Showbiz can be rude. Some-
times u just have to fight back
especially when u think u have a
point.”
Bahagi ito ng komento ni
Janno Gibbs hinggil sa kanyang
hinaing sa kakulangan ng proyek-
to sa ABS-CBN at hindi pagka-
kasali sa Kapamilya Christmas
Station ID.
September 12 ng taong
kasalukuyan nang pumirma ng
kontrata si Janno sa Star Music,
ang record label ng ABS-CBN.
Kahapon, November 18,
Linggo, sa pamamagitan ng In-
stagram, nagpatutsada ang 49-
anyos na singer-comedian dahil
hindi siya kasama sa ABS-CBN
Christmas station ID.
“Showbiz can be rude”
May mga sumuporta at may-
roon ding mga pumuna sa kan-
yang post.
Sabi ng isang netizen, imma-
ture daw ang inasal ni Janno.
Dahil dito, posibleng lalo si-
yang hindi mabigyan ng proyek-
“Sometimes u just have to
fight back especially when u think
u have a point.
“I am normally a patient and
nice person id like to believe.
“Let me be clear..i dont mind
waiting for work.
“Pinag uusapan natin dito is
that i signed up w Star music and
i think that entitles me to their sta-
tion id as one of their singers.”
Payo naman ng isang netizen
kay Janno, burahin nito ang kan-
yang post dahil hindi ito maka-
bubuti para sa kanya. “it looks like
u r ranting, wants to get an atten-
tion, begging and bitter,” sabi ng
netizen.
Paglilinaw ni Janno, hindi siya
humihingi ng awa.
to.
“Im simply conveying my
Hinimok din nito ang singer- feelings. Dinaan ko pa nga sa
comedian na maging “mature joke. If it were a rant, serious ung
and professional.”
caption.
Dumepensa naman si Jan-
“Im not looking for pity. I just
no.
want to explain because people
Aniya, “You said it urself. ask me what’s my project now.”
Showbiz can be rude.
Sinagot din ni Janno ang
komento ng isang netizen na
pinayuhan siyang makipag-usap
sa executives ng ABS-CBN.
Sagot ng singer, “Nakausap
ko na po sila at nagpakumbaba
na ako noon pa.”
Sabi naman ng isa pang neti-
zen, kung nakipag-usap na siya sa
mga boss ng TV network at wala
pa rin siyang proyekto, huwag na
siyang mangulit.
Humanap na lang daw muna
siya ng ibang puwedeng gawin,
kagaya ng pag-aaral ng pagdidi-
rek ng show o concert.
Sagot dito ni Janno, “Ok
lang po ung waiting for projects.
No prob po un.
“Ang sakin lang..alam ko pag
Star records artist na, kasama sa
station id nila…kahit walang tv
show. Tnx po.”
May mga nagmungkahi rin
kay Janno na maging hurado
sa “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” sa It’s
Continued on next page