Comedian Boobay (Norman Balbuena in real life) couldn't be happier these days as he goes international in his upcoming movie entitled "Take Me To Banaue" under Carpe Diem Pictures.
"I'm so happy at nabigyan ako ng ganitong pagkakataon. I will do my best. Parang bagong chapter ito ng buhay ko dahil ang mga makakasama ko naman dito ay foreign artists," said Boobay, during the story conference for the movie held at the Pandan Asian Cafe in Morato, Quezon City recently.
In the movie, Boobay will play the role of Rocky, a talented, witty, and flamboyant stylist who goes after Hank’s appearance and fashion. "May significance ang role ko dito pero hindi ko puwedeng sabhin kung bakit. Abangan na lamang po nila."
Written by Jason Rogers and Danny Aguilar, “Take Me To Banaue” follows Hank, a gawky American engineer, in his pursuit to meet the perfect girlfriend who he hopes will become his wife. After discovering the real truth about the stunning woman he fell for, Hank has to spend the days and hours grappling with a deal from a businesswoman and listening to his friend’s advice – all as he tries to make it to Banaue for the woman he loves.
The rom-com also stars Brandon Melo, Maureen Wroblewitz, MJ Lastimosa, Thea Tolentino, and Dylan Rogers. Principal photography for the film started in Baguio City and Banaue, Ifugao last March 4.
"Ito ang maganda kay Direk Danny. Lagi niyang sinasabi na there are no small roles for good actors. Lahat daw may importansya sa bawa't eksena," he said.
Boobay has come a long way since he became a contestant in the reality show "KillTV Comedy Hunt" in 2004. He did not win, but made it to the top 15 finalists. Later, director Cesar Cosme saw the potential in Boobay and cast him for a TV project. One thing led to another.
These days, Boobay is enjoying his stint as one of the hosts of the Kapuso late-night show "The Boobay and Tekla Show" now on its third year. At one point, the show even surpassed "Gandang Gabi Vice" in the rating game. "Nag-add kami ng bagong mukha ng komedya. Hindi namin ine-expect na aabot ito ng three years!"
Asked if his co-host Tekla would stay in the show, Boobay said: "Feeling ko magtatagal pa siya kasi lagi siyang focused sa trabaho namin ngayon. Sa taping namin iba yung mga naging bagsakan namin kaya abangan nila yun. Abangan ninyo ang mga summer episode namin."
Boobay also defended rumors that Tekla has gone lazy. "Hindi ko naman nakita na tamad siya. Sa studio, pag sinabing roll na, ready na s'ya! Hindi ko pa sya nakitang na-late."
"In fairness, sineseryo namin ang talk show lalo na yung mga writers namin. Nagugulat na lamang kami may mga bago kaming segment na gagawin. So nacha-challenge rin kami to do better."
Still nursing from a broken heart, Boobay said he also dreams of having a sit-com so that many people can watch him in an earlier time slot.
Boobay's talk show has showered him with wonderful blessings. He invested in a condominium unit, which he already paid in full. And there's no stopping Boobay from making other investments.
"Dahil sa show dumami ang raket namin, ang mga inquiries sa amin. Pati na rin mga shows abroad. Nabuo ko na yung condo na nabili ko sa San Juan. Nabili ko yun noong 2019 bago magpandemya. Fully paid na.
"Sana makakuha ako ng unit sa Baguio. Almost every month umaakyat talaga ako ng Baguio dahil isa sa pinakamagandang lugar ito to de-stress. Iba talaga yung hatid ng Baguio. Yung lamig doon nakakawala ng stress. Kaya maghahanap ako ng property sa Baguio," he added.
Boobay has fond memories of Baguio City, the setting of his latest film.
"Doon ako na hone as a comedian. College days pa lang working na ako sa comedy bars doon. Marami talaga akong beautiful memories doon, hindi masaklap. Madalas after school pumupunta kami kung saan-saang coffee shop doon para mag-review. Thirty pesos lang meron ka ng brewed coffee. Refill pa yun!"
Boobay makes it a point to meet his old friends and go to places in the City of Pines where they used to drop by when they were still in college. "Binabalik balikan namin yung mga lugar na gustong-gusto naming puntahan. Ang liit lang naman ng Baguio kaya naiikot mo siya."
The comedian also said that he is not threatened by the presence of new Kapuso stars.
"Ang mantra ko talaga sa buhay galingan mo lang at huwag kang magpapasaway. Maging seryoso ka lang sa craft mo at huwag kang magpapa-late. Ilang years ako nag-Unang Hirit at never po akong na-late dyan. Sa Celebrity Bluff never rin ako na-late or naging pasaway sa nagbibigay sayo ng opportunity."
When asked if he knows of any celebrities who are headaches to the Kapuso staff, Boobay joked and said: "Eto sila (laughing)."
Boobay said he was starstruck when he met Bea Alonzo recently. "Siyempre gusto kong maka-work si Ms. Bea Alonzo. Napaka humble n'ya. Na meet ko siya sa All-Out Sundays. Siya pa mismo yung lumalapit talaga."
Looking back, Boobay remembered the days when he was still a big Kapuso fan. Now, he's part of his dream network.
"Sobrang kuntento ko bilang Kapuso. High school pa lang ako pinaglalaban mo talaga kung saan ka. Di ba meron tayong mga ganun? Ako nuon sabi ko Kapuso ako! Hanggang sa college may kalaban ako. Yung isang classmate ko sa kabila naman pero ako GMA talaga. Working na s'ya talaga duon sa network na pinaglaban niya. Kung ano yung pinaglaban mo, yun ang darating sa'yo. Hindi ako nagsisisi na pinaglaban ko ang Kapuso Network."