She's back!
Well-loved comedian-actress Pokwang is now a certified Kapuso after signing a contract last Friday, June 18. During a Zoom conference with the entertainment press, Pokwang revealed that negotiations for her transfer to GMA-7 started in 2019.
"Marami naman silang plano sa akin pero hindi na ako bumabata. Marami pa akong gustong gawin hangga't kaya pa ng katawan ko. In all fairness, kung saan ako galing, meron naman po silang nilatag sa akin kaya lang hindi pa muna nila maibibigay (dahil nga sa nangyari). Nag-pray na lang ako kung saan ko puwedeng dalin 'yung gusto ko pang gawin bilang artista. So lumapit ako sa kaibigan ko sa GMA," she said. (I am not getting any younger. But I still have many plans. In all fairness, where I came from, they still have wonderful plans for me. But they were honest enough to tell me they cannot give it for now (because of what happened). So just prayed. Then I sought the help of a friend from GMA).
Pokwang said when she first set foot on GMA, she knocked three times on the gate of the network as a sign of respect. When she entered the studio for the first time, she said: "Ang lawak naman pala! At ang lamig." (The studio is spacious. It's also cold inside).
During the pandemic, the comedian said that she and her family got busy with an online business selling food. On her 17th year in show business, Pokwang realized that fame and fortune do not last forever.
"Hindi ka habang buhay kikita. Hindi ka habang buhay kikinang. So dapat magisip ka kung saan ka puwede kumita. Dumating pa itong pandemic na ito. So dinevelop ko talaga ang food business ko since marunong naman akong magluto," she added. (Fame and fortune don't last forever. So you have to think of ways to earn some extra income. Then the pandemic came. So I really developed my food business since I really love to cook).
Pokwang, 50, is known for her versatility on screen as seen on various TV programs and movies she starred in throughout the years. Her decision to become a Kapuso was driven by her passion to showcase her many talents and to grow more in the industry.
On top of her list of Kapuso artists she dreams to work with one day are Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Ai Ai delas Alas, Maine Mendoza and Dennis Trillo.
As she begins this new chapter in her showbiz career, the Filipino audience can expect no less from Pokwang: “Mas lively, mas masaya, para akong isang apoy na pansamantalang pinigil pero ngayon pasabog na, masaya, magaan lang, mas maibibigay ko ang comedic side ko. Dito sa GMA, nakikita kong back ako sa kung saan ako nalilinya talaga, which is comedy. Masaya lang talaga!”
Present in the virtual ceremony were Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, Senior Vice President for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Drama Redgie A. Magno, First Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling De Jesus-Bogedon, First Vice President and Head of GMA Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier Cruz, Vice President for Comedy, Infotainment, Game & Reality Productions Janine P. Nacar, Senior Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl-Ching Sy, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Assistant Vice President for Comedy, Infotainment, Game & Reality Production Bang U. Arespachochaga, GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer, Senior Program Manager Enri Calaycay, and GMA Artist Center Senior Talent Manager Daryl Zamora.
Mr. Yalong is proud that more and more highly-talented comedians are joining the Kapuso family, “GMA is the home of the best female comedians. In addition to Pokwang, we have Ai Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo. Now we have Pokwang in our line-up, I suppose we expect a lot of comedy shows that might come up, who knows, we can have the three in one possible sitcom, nobody can beat now GMA as far as comedy is concerned, we have the good writers, the creative people behind it, and you have the people in front of the camera. What else can you ask for?”
Meanwhile, Rasonable expressed her excitement for what’s ahead of Pokwang’s career, “She’s going to be part of Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento and we’re so excited about that. We were in the storycon with Bitoy and Manilyn, doon pa lang, talagang ang dami niyang pasabog. Napapatawa niya talaga si Bitoy, alam namin it’s going to be a great show. There’s another side of Pokwang and that is she's a very good dramatic actress, we all know that. That’s something we also want to explore with her, with Magpakailanman, and later on, sa soap opera. Expect a lot from her, of course.”
Santiago-Lara shared her delight in welcoming Pokwang to GMA’s roster of stars, “I just want to say a big warm welcome to Pokwang, we are so happy na kasama ka sa Artist Center family, sa Kapuso family. Matagal na kaming nag-uusap and I’m just so happy na natuloy na finally, marami po tayong mga magagandang projects na naka-line up para sa kaniya and we’re so happy kasi maganda rin ang welcome sa kaniya ng mga taga-Artist Center, ng mga co-stars, mga producers, we’re very thankful to everyone and also to Pokwang for choosing to be with us.”
Currently, Pokwang is gearing up for her role in Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento and will be guesting in various GMA programs including The Boobay and Tekla Show, All-Out Sundays, Sarap ‘Di Ba, among others.