What makes a Goin’ Bulilit star?

MANILA, Philippines - Perhaps, no one can count with his fingers, and even with his toes combined, the number of child actor wannabes. However, not all of them can succeed in getting a fair share of the spotlight simply because they want to. Talent is not enough to be the next big thing. Good looks alone will not work either. But it is a must to have the passion for acting.

This was clearly articulated by ABS-CBN Goin’ Bulilit director Frasco Mortiz during the recent presscon announcing the show’s new batch of kiddie members.

“We hold auditions every year and the judge is my dad, Bobot Mortiz (the show creator). But unlike before when you can really sense the eagerness of every child (during auditions), now there are some who come to the auditions only because of their parents; na sila lang ang may gustong mag-artista yung anak nila so naaawa kami. That’s why, from around 1,000 kids, only 100 or less were chosen because we made sure we’ve got the right ones — those who have the heart for acting.”

No wonder, all the cast members of the Sunday Kapamilya kiddie gag show can very well deliver whatever role is given to them. Each one can follow instructions without a problem.

Direk Frasco said they make the task easy for the kids by explaining what they are going to do prior to the start of taping.

The show’s dance group Boylilits composed of (from left) Nathan Prats, CX Navarro, JB Agustin, Josh de Guzman and Marco Pingol —Photos by ALLAN SANCON

“All the kids are easy to work with. We do tapings on Saturdays to make sure that they still have time to attend to their schooling and also for playtime, mga bata yan di mo maiiwasan na maglaro o magtakbuhan sila sa set kaya na-e-enjoy nila yung trabaho,” said the director who has been working in the show for many years. “I was single when I started working here and now I already have two kids.”

Goin’ Bulilit has been airing for 11 years now and the cast and crew cannot thank televiewers enough for their continuous support to the show. In fact, the former kiddie stars who graduated from the show continue to shine these days like Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Kiray Celis, Miles Ocampo, Sharlene San Pedro, Jane Oineza, Igi Boy Flores, CJ Navato, Kristel Fulgar, Alexa Ilacad, Nash Aguas and Bugoy Cariño.

“After graduation, hangad talaga namin na bawat isa ay may mapuntahan and we are thankful that a lot of them are still active (in showbiz). Hindi namin talaga pinlano na may ma-create na big stars pero siguro dahil sa tulong ng show nakilala sila.”

Direk Frasco added, “But for me, Goin’ Bulilit also opened doors to other opportunities like (former Bulilit member) Carl Barrameda who has found his calling in working behind the scenes. He is now an assistant director here; he really wanted to become a director. Even Trina Legaspi; nag-OJT pa siya sa Star Cinema so kahit paano related pa rin sa industry yung napuntahan nila.”

At present, Goin’ Bulilit has 20 cast members; eight of them are new additions to the show. Joining the wacky gang of Dagul, Izzy Canillo, Clarence Delgado, Mutya Orquia, Bea Basa, Ashley Sarmiento, CX Navarro, JB Agustin, Kazumi Porquez, Mitch Naco, Allyson McBride and Josh de Guzman are Raikko Mateo, Nathan Prats, Vito Quizon, Marco Pingol, Chunsa Jung, Sophia Reola, Cessa Moncera and Lilygem Yulores.

The show also has a dance crew named Boylilits, composed of Marco, CX, JB, Josh and Nathan, that was introduced to the viewers last Sunday.

Asked about the process of creating a mature character for the kids to portray and coming up with jokes that remain child appropriate, direk Frasco said that they have become more careful in terms of dialogues and the characters that the children will portray or impersonate.

 “Actually, it is very difficult. If you are able to watch some old episodes and then compare them now, you will notice the difference, sobrang layo ng timpla or feel. In our 11 years (of airing), lots of changes took place. Technology is one and there are many critics online who have varied reactions so we have to be more careful. Before kasi anything goes kami as long as we make the viewers laugh, OK yun but these days, we have to consider the opinions of the viewers. So we try to look closely at every angle. We have a team of psychologists to check on the script for us to know which parts are appropriate to kids and which ones need revisions.” 

Still, negative comments seem endless. “Meron at merong puna sa tema so we go by our gut feel instead. If we feel the theme is funny and safe, we do it. We just wait for the viewers’ reactions.”

Just like in tomorrow’s episode, Goin’ Bulilit presents some hilarious moments that can possibly occur during the Olympic Games through various gags in track and field, weightlifting, taekwondo and awarding ceremonies. More laughs await televiewers in the segments Use It, Matandang Buhay and CCTV Patrol. Get to know more about Raikko in Knowing Bulilit.

(Goin’ Bulilit airs Sundays after TV Patrol Weekend.)