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One of Bubble Gang's secrets for being on top of the ratings game is its creative director, Michael V.
Bubble Gang has been giving us laughter and keeping us company for more than 11 years now. One of the show’s secrets for being on top of the ratings game is its creative director– Michael V. Now that the hit show is set to celebrate its 12th year on screen, let us highlight the man behind the bubble (gang). Text by Loretta G. Ramirez Michael V. started his career oddly enough as a recording artist. Launching his career with the rap song Maganda ang Piliin (Ayoko ng Panget), a song that aimed to equal the success of Andrew E.’s Humanap Ka ng Pangit. He was later given a break in movies and then penetrated the TV scene via the show Ready, Get Set, Go. But his career in comedy was highlighted when he began starring in GMA’s late night sketch show Bubble Gang. Who is Bitoy? Beethoven del Valle Bunagan also known as Michael V. a.k.a. Bitoy was born on December 17, 1969, the same day as Ludwig Van Beethoven’s birthday. He got his screen name by combining the names of his two favorite performers, Michael Jackson and Gary V. Starting his career as a rap artist and later venturing to acting, Michael V. finally found his niche in show business by being a writer and a comedian. His degree in Mass Communications proved to be helpful in understanding the business more adeptly and enhanced his innate talent in acting and writing. Bitoy’s musical inclinations, combined with his writing skills and comedic talent, produced an album, The Bubble G Anthology. The album is a compilation of his song parodies which were introduced in the show. These parodies became a hit with the viewers that the show’s ratings climbed up, as viewers looked forward to his MTV(Music Tagalog Versions) and MEV (Music English Versions). Characters and Impersonations In his stay in Bubble Gang he gave life to various characters. Be it a real life person or a fictional character, Michael V. managed to find something funny about the character and give it his own signature by impersonating it on screen. A few of the characters that he popularized in Bubble Gang are Michael Ricketts (Mike Enriquez), Krissy (Kris Aquino), Captain Gargle (Captain Barbell), Etong, Betong and Bebang (who even got their own show – Bitoy’s World) and Sex Balls among the long list of names he has reinvented. Truly a jack of all trades, Michael V. has managed to find the right formula for laughter and apply it to one of the longest running gag show in the Philippines, Bubble Gang. But mind you, it does entail a lot of hard work. “It’s really hard. Especially with us (Bubble Gang) na ang dami-daming ginagawa kasi dito eh. 'Yung sitcom kasi, it would entail one story line having several plots pero lahat ng ginagawa namin, each skit is a story in itself. So minsan marami rin plots iyon. You have to come up with 10 or more (plots) per episode, which is a lot,” shares the now creative director. But despite the hard work and pressure, Michael V. enjoys what he does and his fans is assured of more fun years to share with the master of laughter. "I’m actually enjoying the two sides of production. One is the creative side and isa na 'yung performance,” adds the man behind the success of Bubble Gang. Find out more about Bitoy and what makes his gags click by logging on to the iGMA Live Chat on October 19, 5 to 7 PM. You may also watch the simultaneous telecast of the chat if you have a real player in your computer. So what are you waiting for? Register now and have a chance to bond with the master comedian himself, Michael V! For a sample of his gags, click on the following links: Mga Tenga ni Panghelita Don Don by Shame Rock The Power of Senior Citizen’ s card Feel the fun with MICHAEL V. through Fanatxt! Text MICHAELV [Your Message] and send to 4627 for all telcos. Greet the Bubble Gang a happy 12th year anniversary by login on to the iGMA Forums.