New Bubble Gang cast member might need to exit the show soon

Aug 02, 2013

Former Starstruck avenger Jan Manual is one of the final ten new cast members of the Philippines’ longest running comedy gag show “Bubble Gang” who were introduced to the public last Friday in the new segment called “Bagong Gang.” But barely a week into the show, Manual may need to give it up as soon as he starts taping for the upcoming pre-primetime series “Prinsesa ng Masa” which is slated to replace “Binoy Henyo” in September and top billed by Kris Bernal and Arljur Abrenica.
 
This is what the young actor-comedian revealed to GMANetwork.com at the set of “Magpakailanman’s ‘The Charice Pempengco Story’” episode due to air next week.  Manual stars as Charice’s manager in the said episode.
 
The young actor was clearly saddened by the news although nothing, he said, is definite at the moment.
 
“Baka kailangan kong magpa-eliminate sa ‘Bubble Gang’ kasi ‘pag nag-start na yung taping para sa series kasi kailangan kong i-devote yung buong oras ko para roon,” he said.
 
Bubble Gang tapes its episodes every Monday, while most daily soaps tape thrice a week, either on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
 
Manual hopes he would still be allowed to do “Bubble Gang” even when he begins to tape for “Prinsesa” because he enjoys the company of his fellow “Bagong Gang” members.
 
“Gustung gusto ko talagang makasama sa cast ng ‘Bubble Gang’ kasi lagi ko yang pinapanood eh,” he shared.
 
Tough Competitor
 
Although the comedy show’s ‘Bagong Gang’ segment was designed to emulate the format of a talent search, it was clear from the start that it is not a real competition – that is, there are no winners, prizes or eliminations.
 
Despite this, Manual is threatened by the presence of RJ Padilla, nephew of action star Robin Padilla and half brother of teen star Daniel Padilla.
 
“Iba kasi ang dating ni RJ eh. Kasi pagpasok pa lang niya ang galing niya talaga. Kahit sa workshop, siya rin yung nakita kong magiging matinding ‘kalaban’ ko kasi mahusay siya talaga e,” admitted Manual.
 
In last Friday’s episode, the two – who belonged to competing groups – portrayed the same role: a gay character. While Manual was convincing in his portrayal as gay, Padilla elicited more reaction from the audience and the judges probably because off-cam, he bears the machismo of his father Rommel and uncle Robin but when the cameras rolled, he was more of like Bebe Gandanghari, his – take note -- “aunt.”
 
Tough Judges
 
Last week, the two groups of new Bubble Gang cast members were given a comic skit to act out and the mainstay judges -- Head Writer Cesar Cosme and Creative Head Michael V., and guest judge GMA Entertainment VP Marivin Arayata – deliberated over which group did better.
 
Manual said that among the three judges, Cesar Cosme was the most unforgiving. The distinguished writer/director was very candid in giving remarks and even noted that the two groups were in a very close fight because both showed very poor performance.
 
In the coming episodes of the comedy show, the members of the two groups will be reshuffled so it would be easy to “judge” every member’s comedic talent.  Manual is not daunted by the move, instead he is challenged and he vows to do better each time.
 
Are we going to see more of Jan Manual in “Bubble Gang”? Let’s see.
 
- Neil Celeste Rara, GMA Social Media