ASIAN JOURNAL:
Considered as the longest-running gag show in the country, Bubble Gang continues to prove that a comedy show can rise amid the trend of telenovelas, fantaseryes, and gameshows in the local television scene.
Ever since Bubble Gang first aired on October 20,1995, it stood the test of time with a solid cast, fresh gimmicks, and wacky spoofs—making it one of the few shows of the 90’s that have made it into the new millennium.
The show’s longevity has witnessed some of its casts come and go, but it is still good to know that two of the program’s assets, Ogie Alcasid and Michael V., still remain as the foundation of the show together with another original cast member, Antonio Aquitania. Also, it served as a stepping stone for budding actors and a fresh break for veteran actors who want to show their versatility as performers who can also do comedy.
Boasting of a creative pool of writers headed by Michael V. and Caesar Cosme, the show boomed to popularity when it started making parodies of popular TV commercials, TV programs, celebrities, politicians, and current events.
Aside from commercials spoofs, the segments MEV or the Music English Version (1997-2000), and MTB or Music Tagalog Bersyon (1997-2000) made the show popular because of Michael V’s funny and word-for-word translation of English lyrics into Tagalog and vice-versa.
Meanwhile, one of the remarkable recurring segments include Ang Dating Doon (1998-2001, 2007), which was a parody of the popular religious program, Ang Dating Daan. Ang Dating Doon interprets the readings on children’s literature instead of religious scriptures. The sketch was hosted by Isko Salvador as Brod Pete, Ceasar Cosme as Bro. Willy, and Chito Francisco as Bro. Jocel. The sketch also made popular the phrases: “(p)raise the roof”and “alien (amen)? alien (amen)!”
Another recent popular sketch was Ang Spoiled (2008), which featured the characters of Angelina (Ogie Alcasid) the brat who likes to torture her Yaya (Michael V.) with her incessant whining and naughty pranks. Terms used by Angelina such as “Whatever,” and the phrase: “Yaya, you’re such a loser!” made the segment famous. The characters of Angelina and her Yaya became so popular that it resulted to a spin-off movie entitled Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie in 2009.
And who would ever forget Bongbong of Isumbong Mo Kay Bonggang Bonggang Bongbong? (A parody of Ben Tulfo, known producer, director, and host of the public service/expose program Bitag); Bel Tiongco (Mel Tiangco) and Michael Ricketts (Mike Enriquez), and Papaya Guano (Pia Guano) of 4 Oras (24 oras)?
The show’s success was also attributed to the fact that every scene mirrored the Filipino society and the lifestyle of an average Filipino; partnered with the actors’ talent in delivering timely punchlines and twisting any ordinary situation into something funny.
Sharing his experiences as one of the creative directors of Bubble Gang, Michael V. said in an interview with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho last year that he makes it a point to attend every creative meetings and “come up with materials that will suit every cast (of the show).”
The multi-talented actor, who is known for his effective role playing, was glad to share that the show draws inspiration from the Filipino people.
“Yung community mismo eh. Yung sambayanang Pilipino mismo ang gumagawa ng idea para sa amin. Pini-pick-up lang namin.”
Other mainstay, Ogie Alcasid, commits himself in being a part of Bubble Gang not only because he is one of the mainstay casts, but because 15 years on being a part of the program has played an important role on being the person that he is now.
“It’s always a struggle naman eh, in anything that you do. There are always days when you feel like, “teka nauubusan na ako (ng lakas),” but you’ve committed yourself (to the show) and you stay, that’s why it’s called a commitment; so I guess that’s what makes us deliver,” Ogie said in the same interview.
Bubble Gang has been a “living legend” in its own right, with numerous recognitions to prove it. A year after it aired on local television, Bubble Gang reaped awards as the Best Gag Show in the PMPC Star Awards for Television for 13 consecutive years (1996-2007, 2009). In 2010, the show received the Best Gag Show Award in the UP Gandingan Awards; as well as in the USTv Students Choice Awards for 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2004.
Open to possibilities that they might someday pass down the throne to younger generations, Michael V. still expressed hopes during their 15th year anniversary feature in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, to see the “legacy” of Bubble Gang continue and surpass a decade and a half. October of 2011 will show everyone that they already did.
Information Courtesy of Asian Journal
http://www.asianjournal.com/aj-magazine/red-carpet/12049-bubble-gang-turns-sweet-16-this-october.html
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