Michael V

When Bubble Gang first aired in 1995, few could have predicted that it would become the Philippines’ longest-running gag show and a pop culture icon. At the heart of its success through the years is Michael V., affectionately called Bitoy, whose brilliance in sketch comedy and satire has defined an era of local television.

For millions of Filipinos, “Bitoy” isn’t just a weekend night fixture. He's the man who gave us Mr. Assimo, Pepito Manaloto, and a host of parodies that still shape how we laugh at ourselves, despite the circumstances.

This year, the multi-awarded comedian is marking not just one milestone but two: 30 years with GMA Network and 30 years of Bubble Gang, the longest-running gag show on Philippine TV. 

To celebrate, they're pulling out all the stops to deliver to fans a full-blown anniversary concert this October. The grand celebration dubbed "BG30: Batang Bubble Ako" teases some superstar guests and the return of cast members from as far back as 1995.

At his contract signing yesterday, top GMA executives extended their best wishes to Michael V.  for his latest milestone. GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon called hiring him in 1995  "one of the best decisions that GMA has ever made." GMA President and CEO Gilberto Duavit hailed Bitoy as a ‘living legend’ and a ‘creative force’ whose shows cemented GMA’s dominance in comedy.

For Bitoy, it all began with a simple dream. "Ever since bata ako, pangarap ko nang maging part ng television. Most of the time, I was watching GMA shows when I was young." (Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming part of television.)

When he finally joined GMA in his twenties, it was a dream he shared with his wife Carolina, whom he fondly calls “the wind beneath my wings.” Their partnership and the network’s trust gave him the freedom to create characters that became household names.

The cast of 'Bubble Gang'

He observes: "Thirty years, as long as it may seem, napaka-fruitful noong journey na yan. It gave me the opportunity to learn from GMA. And nakita ko rin yung growth ng GMA. So parang magka-tuwang talaga kami ng network." (Thirty years, as long as it may seem, that journey has been very fruitful. It gave me the opportunity to learn from GMA. And I also witnessed GMA’s growth. So it’s like we grew together.)

Even after three decades, Bitoy hunts for new creative ground to conquer. On his bucket list is a Dolphy movie project, a tribute to the King of Comedy that he hopes to one day bring to life. 

"I’ve been toying with the idea for a long time now," he admitted, revealing that he had discussed the project several times with the Quizon children and with the late Dolphy’s close friend, Cesar Cosme.

He's also in talks for a movie with Vice Ganda, but revealed that they haven't found a material they liked yet. 

Two "doable" projects on the horizon are a Pepito Manaloto film and a Mr. Assimo movie. "Now, I’m torn between the two kasi pareho kong gustong gawin. Kaya lang itong Mr. Assimo, may script na. Tapos itong Pepito Manaloto, wala pa. So, siguro, in the meantime, ito na munang Mr. Assimo ang gagawin." (Now, I’m torn between the two because I want to do both. But Mr. Assimo already has a script. Meanwhile, Pepito Manaloto has none. So maybe, for now, I’ll go with Mr. Assimo.)

Bitoy is frank about the evolving challenges of comedy. Parodies, once easy to churn out, now demand costly license fees. Social media amplifies every joke but also every backlash, he notes.  

"Talagang mahirap na maging komedyante ngayon. Pinapatatahimik yung mga may utak para hindi ma-offend yung mga walang utak,"  he quipped. (It’s tough to be a comedian now. People with brains are being silenced so as not to offend those without.)

Michael V and signatories

His approach? Work around things. ‘Find a fine line and touch it, but never cross it.’

Politics inevitably sneaks into his comedy sketches, such as his presidential "sumbong" skit and jokes about political dynasties. 

"Once you do comedy, once you turn everything into comedy, supposedly okay lang yan. But we still hold ourselves responsible. Hindi kami basta-basta magsusulat ng alam naming makaka-offend. Meron kaming sariling censorship," he stressed.  (Once you do comedy, once you turn everything into comedy, supposedly it’s fine. But we still hold ourselves responsible. We don't write things that we know will offend. We practice self-censorship.)

Bitoy, who is 55 now, insists he’s just warming up. "It’s just 30 years. Hindi pa natin ipapakita yung Michael V. Prime." (It’s just 30 years. We haven’t even shown Michael V. Prime yet.)

For the final question: what makes him happiest? Michael V says, "My  family, of course. And knowing that I’ve given everything I can for this industry that I love. When people appreciate it, when I read positive comments, that’s enough. I’m already happy.”