‘Bubble Gang’ creators on doing controversial sketches amid ‘cancel culture’: We took it as a challenge

In its more than 25-year run, some of Bubble Gang’s most controversial sketches proved to be the most unforgettable.

But with entertainment going digital and everyone voicing their direct opinions on social media, how does the country’s longest-running gag show plan to stay on top?

Did the so-called “cancel culture” affect Bubble Gang’s decision making in any way?

In an episode of “The Howie Severino Podcast,” Michael V. said they “took it as a challenge.”

“Kasi … there was a time na parang nagre-rebelde kami, na parang kinukuwestiyon namin ang network kung bakit,” said the comedy genius.

“Bakit kailangang ganito? Bakit pinagbabawal ’to? Bakit hindi na puwedeng gawin ‘to? Dati, puwede. Pero we figured it out na parang wala namang mangyayari doon sa mga reklamo namin na ’yun,” he said.

“So ang naging directive na lang namin, personally … is just to push the boundaries.”

One of the best examples of Bubble Gang’s clever writing was “Ang Dating Doon,” which was a parody of Bro. Eli Soriano’s televangelist program “Ang Dating Daan.”

Bubble Gang became a huge hit in the ’90s as the audience got hooked on their hilarious nursery rhyme “pabasas” and indelible catchphrases like “Alien” and “Raise the Roof.”

When asked if someone got “pikon” over “Ang Dating Doon,” writer-director Caesar Cosme—who also played Bro. Willy alongside Brod Pete—said “Wala naman siguro.”

“Number one, kung ’yung kay Brother Eli, mas sumikat nga siya nu’ng nauso kami, e, di ba?” Cosme said, referring to a 2003 episode of Bubble Gang where Bro. Eli was actually interviewed by Michael V. as his character Junie Lee.

Michael V. also considered Bro. Eli’s guesting a “seal of approval.”

“At doon kinumpirma niya, nagpasalamat nga siya roon sa show dahil nakakatulong daw talaga roon sa samahan nila,” he said.

“So I guess, wala,” he agreed. “Walang na-offend. In fact, nakatulong pa. Nagkatulungan kami, actually.”

Cosme added that they had an “internal discussion” wherein they agreed not to talk about politics or religion on the sketch.

“Ayaw ni Brod Pete na may masasaktan,” he explained. “Ako ’yung mas bayolente sa kanila, e. Si Brod Pete ’yung peace man.”

The more recent segment, “Balitang Ina,” which is a fictional news program for mothers, also pushed the boundaries by making the audience laugh without technically breaking any rules.

Michael V.—who actually pitched the title “Balitang Ina” to the team—said a colleague taught him something very important when it came to sensitive content.

“Parang ’pag may sumita at sinabing, naku, hindi mo puwedeng gawin ’yan kasi ’di ba, sinabi, ganito? Mayroon kang lusot na, hindi. Ganito naman ’yung ginawa ko,” Bitoy said.

“’Yang technique na ’yan, natutunan ko kay Joey de Leon—basta mayroon kang sinabi or ginawa, dapat maipakita mo na ang ibig mong sabihin ay itong isang bagay, and hindi ’yung iniisip nila.” – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News