“Ang hirap talaga magpatawa - sobra. Pero it is a serious business.”

Long-time Bubble Gang mainstay Betong Sumaya is aware of the challenges an every-shifting cultural atmosphere poses to the comedy industry. As a humorist whose bread and butter are dynamic portrayals of laughable characters, Betong makes sure it’s no fun and games when putting in the work.

“Nako alam mo isa yan sa pinaka-challenging - kung paano mag-iinnovate, pero syempre totoo ‘yun, parang isang business yan na kailangan mo mag-pivot, wow look at that word!” humored the comedian during a brief interview with GMA Regional TV News.

Betong, born Alberto Sumaya Jr., has been part of Bubble Gang, the longest-running comedy show in the Philippines, for more than a decade already - beginning his stint in 2012.

Given the shifting socio-political atmosphere that inevitably affects how comedy is perceived, the 48-year-old entertainer from Antipolo, Rizal knows there is work to do - a task made easier by working with what Betong describes as an excellent creative team. 

“(Kailangan) mag-reinvent, mag-isip. I am so happy dahil yung writers ng “Bubble Gang,” sobrang gagaling. Kumbaga yung way na lang paano mo idedeliver yung lines pero yung mga characters, nakakatuwa dahil binibigyan kami ng challenge and opportunities to portray certain roles,” he said.

Betong undergoes serious transformation every time he plays the iconic hater of telenovelas ‘Antonietta,’ or the always-infuriated mother-in-law ‘Mamaw.’

“Tulad ng Antonietta, sobrang iconic sya sa ‘Bubble Gang,’ pero yang Antonieta na yan - galing yan sa writers and creatives ng BG. For me yung challenge dun is how to portray the role, syempre nung umpisa parang hindi ko pa nabuo nang husto na kailangan nag-i-English, yung tawa - yun yung challenge para sa akin,” explained the Rizaleño comedian, followed by a demonstration of Antonietta’s distinctly evil laughter. 

“Siyempre yung masampal ng mga matitinding mga kontrabida, kinakailangan kong paghandaan, kasi hindi lang siya emotionally and mentally, siyempre physically challenging - ikaw ba naman ang masampal - syempre isang malaking karangalan,” he added. 

Betong, a former production assistant and producer before getting his showbiz break in various Kapuso comedy offerings, sees the creative process behind humor as a constantly challenging endeavor. 

“It’s a challenge talaga for everybody, lalo na sa aming mga komedyante. Kung paano gagawin yung attack, yung proseso, kasi ang hirap talaga magpatawa sobra, pero it's a serious business!”

Sumaya, together with his Bubble Gang co-stars Chariz Salomon, Paolo Contis, EA Guzman, Matt Lozano, and Cheska Fausto, graced the official launch of GMA Entertainment Group’s “Best Time Ever” campaign last March 15, 2024 - an initiative that promotes family time and good vibes in collaboration with the Kapuso network’s best comedy and variety shows. 

The campaign's media conference was bannered by Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes, and was also attended by "Running Man PH's" Mikael Daez, Kokoy de Santos, and Buboy Villar; and "Pepito Manaloto's" Jhake Vargas, Arthur Solinap, and Angel Satsumi.