Due to the recent socio-political controversies riddling our conversation spaces, Michael V and his Bubble Gang creative team were prompted to “raise awareness” by coming up with the timeliest character sketch yet: Ciala Dismaya, a spoof of one of the real-life central figures in the ongoing flood control fiasco. 

But the Sarah Discaya sketch– which aired on Bubble Gang’s September 14 episode– is just one among a laundry list of creations by the comedy genius, some he likes more than the others.

In a previous interview with GMA Regional TV News, the award-winning comedian spoke of these nostalgic and well-loved Bubble Gang subjects and the relevance of sense of humor in this day and age.

‘ASSIMO’ FAVORITE, ‘TATA LINO’ TOUGHEST

Michael V is in rarified air when it comes to shape-shifting on television. 

For more than a decade, he has taken impersonation and spoof work to a different level, often eliciting loads of laughs and wide acclaim.

Asked what his all-time favorite character sketch is, Michael V said it would have to be Mr. Assimo, an exaggeratedly sarcastic corporate guy who likes to mock almost everyone who gets on his nerves for mundane dullness like stating the obvious. 

“I would say si Mr. Assimo, isa sa pinakapaborito ko yun. Challenging yun eh, kasi hindi siya ‘taong galit’ eh, kundi taong nagagalit. Kaya umaasim,” Michael V shared. 

Mr. Assimo became a weekly anticipated segment, and his antics, such as his ending catchphrase ‘Hiyang-hiya naman ako sa’yo noh!’ has seeped into Filipino humor and has become a template for banter-type mockery in daily conversations.

“Hindi madali na magsulat ng ganong klaseng materyal o karakter, there had to be steps. It was always a challenge, and pag may challenge, don talaga ako natutuwa, especially pag maganda yung payoff at natutuwa ang mga tao,” he added.

As for the most challenging to create, Michael V believes it’s Tata Lino, the supposedly wise old man who has a knack for offering his patrons some no-pun-intended nuggets of wisdom with matching rhymes and bars. According to the Bubble Gang frontman, this well-received character, originally ideated and written with the help of FlipTop battle rapper Dello, needed thorough rewriting on a per-episode basis.

“Although with the help of Dello, si Tata Lino medyo mas naging madali. Si Rodfil (Obeso) ang unang nagsulat niyan for us, pero kinailangan i-finesse ng script na ginagawa, so nung natutunan na namin kung paano ginagawa ni Dello yung mga rebuttal niya at yung rhymes, dun na talaga nag-progress yung character,” explained Michael V.

“Kaya every episode ng Tata Lino, kahit gawa na yung script niyan, nagkakaroon ng changes eh and it has to be a good change para mag-fit talaga dun sa karakter ng mga nagtatanong sa kanya,” added the comedy genius.

It’s worth noting that Bitoy doesn’t have any character he regrets having written or portrayed, suggesting that even unpopular sketches or those that failed to be entertaining nor relevant gave him lessons to learn. 

“Wala,” he answered with a smile when asked of any role he wished he had never written, “kasi parang sa lyrics ng Pepito Manaloto, ‘kahit sa talo may matututunan,’ kaya pag merong fail na character na ginawa, there’s a lesson to learn bakit nag-fail, and ano yung ways para gumawa ng mas magandang version nyan.”

WHY SENSE OF HUMOR MATTERS

Like the true-blue comedian that he is, Michael V, born Beethoven del Valle Buanagan, believes in the significance of good laughs to get through in life. 

“Para hindi ka malungkutin. Sa society natin ngayon ang dami nang problema. Wala kang choice kundi malungkot, kagigising mo pa lang pag bukas mo ng cellphone mo puro negative mababasa mo,” Michael V said of the importance of humor, adding that now more than ever do people need the capacity to laugh it off. 

“Kahit ikaw personally sa social media space mo, hindi imposible may mambash sayo kahit na nakakatuwa na yung pinost mo eh. So kung may sense of humor ka, meron kang workaround sa mga bagay na ganun, you have this built-in coping mechanism para dun sa hindi magandang pangyayari sa buhay mo,” he said. 

“It also helps a lot of people kasi pag nakakahawa ka ng sense of humor mo, gumaganda yung pananaw ng mga tao sa paligid mo,” concluded the comedian. 

Possibly the greatest proof of Bitoy’s talent and acclaim is the longest-running comedy show in the Philippines “Bubble Gang,” which has virtually seemed synonymous to the comedian’s name. 

The same can be said for his “Pepito Manaloto,” a feel-good comedy-drama that follows the eponymous protagonist’s life-altering lottery win, and the life he leads after. In fact, as a testament to the show’s success, national TV has seen this Bitoy creation go through notable arcs and phases throughout its four seasons (and counting) since premiering in 2010.