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Sparkle actress-singer Mikee Quintos was beaming with pride in her one-on-one interview with GMANetwork.com this Wednesday afternoon, March 2, when she talked about the huge success of Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento last year.

Based on the official data from Nielsen Philippines, the flagship comedy program of GMA-7 is the number one TV sitcom for the entire 2021.

It registered an average people rating of 13.2 percent in National Urban Phils. or NUTAM.

Mikee told GMANetwork.com that they want to dedicate this feat to their late director Bert de Leon, who passed away in November 2021.

Aside from Pepito Manaloto, the highly-respected director also helmed the award-winning gag show Bubble Gang and the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga.

The Kapuso star said, “Sobrang happy, grateful, and proud of the whole team.

“I mean, if there's anything I want to say, I think mag-a-agree 'yung team na ide-dedicate namin lahat 'yung award na 'yun kay Direk Bert de Leon, para sa kanya 'yun.

“'Yung bagong cast ng Pepito Manaloto, kahit ilang taping days lang namin siya nakasama, everything we did, andun 'yung habang nagtatrabaho kami meron kaming feeling na sana maging proud si Direk.”

She continued, “And pagdating nung award na 'yun, parang nabigyan ng comfort 'yung mga tao na feeling nga namin lahat magiging proud si Direk na nagawa namin 'yung mapapa-happy namin siya. So, 'yun kung nakikita niya 'yung lahat na 'yun, para sa kanya 'yun.”

Source: mikee (IG)

Pepito Manaloto also bagged the Best Comedy Show award in the 34th Star Awards for Television in October 2021. Manilyn Reynes received the Best Comedy Actress trophy as well.

Check out some behind-the-scenes moments of the cast of Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento in the gallery below.