Michael V. welcomes Pepito Manaloto's competition
Published On: January 12, 2014, 07:55 PM
Updated On: February 19, 2020, 11:55 AM
Consistent top-rater tuwing Linggo ng gabi ang family-oriented comedy show na Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay Na Kuwento mula nang umere ito last September 16, 2012.
Unlike in the previous season, napapanood natin dito ang totoong nangyayari sa mag-asawang Pepito at Elsa, mga anak nilang sina Chito at Clarissa, mga kasambahay na sina Patrick, Robert, Maria at Baby, at mga kapitbahay na sina Tommy, Deedee at Mimi.
Aside from playing the role of Pepito, si Michael V. rin ang tumatayong creative director at head writer ng naturang show. Very hands-on si Bitoy mula sa paggawa ng script hanggang sa execution nito, kaya he always makes sure that he comes up with materials that will not only be a hit among the viewers, but something they can relate to.
Ano naman ang masasabi niya ngayong may katapat na sitcom ang Pepito Manaloto sa kabilang network? At dalawa pa!
A natural comedian, dinaan ni Bitoy sa biro ang kanyang sagot. "Oo nga, si John Lloyd (Cruz)! Bakit 'yung kamukha ko pa? Nahihirapan tuloy ang mga tao. Palagay ko sinasadya nila 'yun eh. Mako-confuse 'yung mga tao. 'Ano ba 'to? Si Michael V. ba 'to? Bakit parang Pepito Manaloto na yata 'tong pinapanood ko? Ay 'yung kay John Lloyd pala!'"
Kidding aside, he says he welcomes the challenge of having to go against a show of two actors with strong fan bases. "Siyempre maku-curious ang mga tao, and at the same time, gustong makita ng mga tao kung ano 'to. So I'm glad na pinanood din ng iba, at sana nga, napanood din ng mga nanonood ng Pepito Manaloto para magkaroon talaga sila ng comparison. Sa akin, it's a welcome change."
Bitoy also believes that having a competition is healthy for him as it keeps him on his toes. Kasisimula pa lamang ng taon kaya sigurado siya na maraming themes pa silang puwedeng i-explore, tulad ng pagiging ama ni Patrick at ng love life ni Chito.
At the end of the day, Bitoy says it is still about providing the audience with choices on how they want to be entertained. "Gusto ko laging mag-isip a few steps ahead of them creatively para naman mas mapaganda ko pa 'yung craft ko, tapos mas mabigyan natin ng mas magandang choice 'yung audience."
Catch Michael V. on the country's longest running gag show Bubble Gang every Friday, after Kapuso Primetime Cinema, and on Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay Na Kuwento, Sundays after Kap's Amazing Stories.
-- Text by Michelle Caligan, Photo by Meryl Ligunas, GMANetwork.com