For some months now, comedian Michael V. has been designated director of the 12-year-old television sitcom series he also stars in, "Pepito Manaloto."
He assumed the position following the demise of veteran director Bert de Leon last year.
In a recent interview for "Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy Ang Kwento," Michael admitted how he and the whole cast are yet to accept Bert's death.
As to filling in Bert's shoes and starring in the show, he said, "Mahirap talaga. Parang hindi ka makahanap ng time para magpahinga."
"Before as talent - daming kwentuhan ng mga boys kasi magkakasama kami sa kwarto tapos during break time, siyempre kasama mo yung ibang casts. Ang sarap din ng kwentuhan niyo. Pero ngayon kailangan intindihin mo yung susunod na shot niyo, susunod na sequence," he added.
And from time to time, they would encounter some problems.
"Sa totoo lang mahirap pero para wala kaming... me, personally parang wala kaming choice kasi in the first place ayaw naming palitan si Direk Bert," he said.
"Di namin matanggap na wala na si Direk Bert at hahanap tayo ng ibang director na i-fi-fill dun sa role niya. So instead of finding another director, minabuti ko na lang. Since kami naman ni Direk Bert yung magkasama since yung conceptualization nung show."
According to him, having shared history with the director was an advantage.
"Alam ko naman yung patutunguhan ng istorya. Alam ko naman yung direksyon na dadaanan dapat nung characters at tsaka nung show. Parang ako na lang yung naging 'designated director' kasi hindi lang naman ako nag-di-direk. Andiyan din yung mga minentor niya before."
He mentioned how directors Mark David and Armin Collado were helpful in the transition.
"Andiyan sila to support me," he pointed out, relating: "may mga time na nakakalimutan ko na kunan yung ganito, kunan yung ganyan. Buti na lang nandun sila tsaka willing sila to support."
"Hindi lang sila, actually, pati yung cast. Whenever we do something may nakakalimutan ako na naalala nila bilang character dun sa show at na-sa-suggest nila, at yun nabubuo yung kwento."
Despite the hardship, Michael declared doing roles in front and behind the camera, "fulfilling."
"Di naman ako magtatagal as director nito," he noted. "Maipapasa rin natin sa mga minentor ni Direk Bert yung job as legitimate ng 'Pepito Manaloto.'"
So were they able to preserve the legacy that Direk Bert started?
Michael cleared he has to adapt and there were some changes because of the new format.
"I had to reset just a little bit. Ginawan ko ng template yung mga shots namin para mas maging madali not just for the staff and crew but for the audience as well," he revealed.
"Kasi si Direk Bert, marami na siyang mga arteng alam. Ako, since bago lang akong nag-ha-handle ng 'Pepito' I tried to make it as basic as possible."
With the help of other directors, they were able to achieve something not that different from the original version, Michael maintained.
"Easier to swallow, easier to digest," he said about their version.
"Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy Ang Kwento" is set to premiere on GMA on June 11.
The original cast, including Jake Vargas, Manilyn Reynes, and Angel Satsumi, are set to return along with other supporting stars.