The laughter never stops as the multi-awarded and longest-running gag show in the Philippines, “Bubble Gang,” marks its 27th anniversary with a two-part anniversary special entitled “#BGVenti7” airing this Nov. 18 and 25.
All set to spread good vibes and unlimited gags is the powerhouse cast led by award-winning Kapuso comedian and Bubble Gang pioneer Michael V. a.k.a. Bitoy together with Kababol mainstays Paolo Contis, Sef Cadayona, Betong Sumaya, Chariz Solomon, Valeen Montenegro, Archie Alemania, Tuesday Vargas, Analyn Barro, Faye Lorenzo, Dasuri Choi, Kim de Leon, and Kokoy de Santos.
Completing the anniversary episodes are guests Buboy Villar and Faith da Silva, and some of the most-followed social media personalities in the country as special guests.
Michael V.admits that throughout the years, there is still pressure for the whole team to deliver fresh ideas and hilarious sketches, “Hindi naman talaga nawawala ang pressure every creative meeting. At the end of the day, it’s still a job that everyone has to do. I think the only surefire formula is to go with the trend para relevant ka palagi.”
Bitoy also shares his insights on how the program is able to catch up with every generation’s humor, “Nakakatawang isipin na Bubble Gang has come full circle na. Most of the things that people laugh at nowadays are almost always a rehash of what we’ve done years ago which only means: 1) People nowadays prefer the old humor and 2) Tumatanda na talaga ako; which I don’t consider a bad thing!”
Out of all the iconic segments in Bubble Gang, Michael V. reveals his favorite, “I take pride in my parodies. Since we started Bubble Gang, para sakin ‘yun talaga ang may tatak Michael V.”
For the anniversary episodes, the multitalented comedian will treat for the first time in 3 years the avid fans and supporters of the show with a parody of the trending song ‘Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw.’
Another exciting spoof that will definitely tickle the funny bones of Kapuso viewers is “Pranning Man” based on the hit and top-rating reality game show ‘Running Man Philippines.’ Fans must also tune in to the special editions of their favorite sketches such as “Marites United,” “Patibong,” and “Istambay.”
Furthermore, Bitoy narrates how they try not to repeat punchlines after more than a thousand episodes, “It really can’t be helped e. Nagpapalit din kasi ng writers the same way na nagpapalit ng cast over the years. And not everyone of us remember everything kaya nagtutulungan na lang kami to do something about it.”
Meanwhile, Paolo Contispoints out how the program has become significant in his life, “Maraming tao na ayaw ang Monday kasi start ng working week. Pero ako, I always look forward sa Monday kasi Bubble Gang taping ‘yun. Lalo na sa days na hindi ako okay, kasi alam kong magiging masaya ako that day.”
In addition to that, the phenomenal duo of Mommy Vicky (Valeen Montenegro) and Mommy Karen (Chariz Solomon) from “Balitang Ina” recount their routine to set the mood alive and happy during their shoot.
“Maraming times na umaga pa lang, kakarating pa lang ng set, marami nang aberyang nangyari like traffic, hindi nakatulog, hindi nagising sa alarm, may personal problems etc. Pero ‘pag nakita namin ang isa’t isa hindi talaga kayang hindi mapa-smile kasi ang kukulit namin talaga. Nami-miss namin ang isa’t isa kasi once a week lang kami magkita,” Valeen said.
“Siguro sa tagal ko nang ginagawa ‘yung show, may automatic switch na. Kahit anong mood ko, pagdating ko dun, automatic alam na ng katawan ko. Also, yung tapings ko kasi ng Bubble Gang and Pepito Manaloto, mga “day off with pay” ko ‘yan. Kaya excited ako lagi pumasok. Major pahinga na siya sakin kasi as a mom,” Chariz added.
Sef Cadayona, on the other hand, remembers a moment when the cast and crew could not hold their laughter anymore while doing their skits, “Ay oo may ganyang pagkakataon na tawang-tawa kami sa punchline tapos hindi namin masabi kasi nakakatawa na. Pati ‘yung buong studio nagtatawanan. Nagawa naman namin… after 10 takes hahaha!”
Aside from “Bes Friends,” viewers must also watch out for Sef in “Small Lodi” where he spoofs the vlog of a popular social media personality.
Meanwhile, Betong Sumaya also recalls a lot of times when he can no longer throw his punchlines because of laughing so hard, “Sa Antonietta segment, ‘yung alam ko nang sasampalin ako ng ka-eksena ko kaya ‘di ko mabitawan ‘yung linya ko. At ‘pag binitawan ko na ‘yung linya need kong manatili sa role ko. Especially sa eksena namin noon ni Ms. Glydel Mercado na lagpas 30 ang sampal niya sakin, hala ‘yung aray ko ro’n totoo na talaga!”
Just like the rest of the cast, Kokoy de Santoshopes that their show will last longer and continue to bring joy to the audience, “Nilu-look forward ko na sana mas marami pa kaming mapasaya at mapatawang mga kababol. At s’yempre makapag-share pa ng mas maraming sketch mula sa mga henyong writers and directors ng programang ito.”
Bubble Gang acknowledges the role of social media as a source of entertainment nowadays. Hence, they invited famouscontent creators to add wit and fun to this year’s anniversary celebration.
According to Christian Antolin, “Bubble Gang is one of my best childhood memories! Bubble Gang lang ang nagpapasaya sa akin kahit ‘di maganda ang childhood ko. Kaya sila ang inspirasyon ko sa halos lahat ng mga contents ko, especially ang paggawa ng parody. Sobrang fan ako ni Michael V!!! And of course, sobrang happy because nangyari na ang pinapangarap ko, ang maging bisita at makita ang mga idolo ko sa BG!”
Manoy Ruzzel, on the other hand,reminisces his first acting experience on television, “Kinabahan ako noong unang guesting ko sa Bubble Gang pero dahil mababait ang mga production team at mga artista, nawala rin ng konti ang nerbyos ko. Ang pinaka-favorite kong memory sa set ay ‘yung first guesting ko sa ‘Istambay.’ Sobrang sayang experience!”
Moreover, Asian Cutie jokingly reiterates the new flavor that he was able to impart on Bubble Gang, “Siguro cuteness lang talaga. Wala akong talent pero mukha naman tinitingnan, de joke. Sa totoo lang hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakaabot dito. Parang ibang level kasi kapag nakasama ka sa Bubble Gang. Kaya kung may nadagdag man na flavor, siguro sa sarili ko! Another achievement unlocked!”
Lastly, Michael V. highlights their biggest goal for Bubble Gang that has already become part of every Filipino home, “Iisa lang palagi ang sagot namin diyan ni Direk Caesar Cosme: It’s to elevate, kahit papano ‘yung taste at humor ng mga Pinoy. May mga jokes at skits kami minsan na masyadong ambisyoso or hindi pa hinog for primetime pero ‘yun ‘yung hoping kami na maging seeds which will eventually grow into something na mag-i-improve ng industry natin. Baka hindi pa ngayon pero we’re not losing our hopes for a better future.”
Don’t miss the two-part anniversary special of Bubble Gang – under the helm of Director Frasco Mortiz –this November 18 and 25 at 9:40 p.m. on GMA-7. Viewers can also stream the program on Bubble Gang and YouLOL Facebook accounts, YouLOL (Youtube), and TikTok.
Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.