Michael V’s favorite ‘Bubble Gang’ alter ego

The Gusi Peace Prize Foundation is honoring Ms. Nora Aunor, along with Gusi Peace Prize laureates for 2015. Nora is the lone recipient of the award from the Philippines. She is being honored for International Excellence in Performing Arts for Film, Stage, Television and for Music.

The 2015 Annual Gusi Peace Prize International will be awarded at the Philippine International Convention Center on Wednesday, November 25. It will be attended by thousands of national and international dignitaries and delegates, who meet up together like an assembly of the United Nations, to inspire others to be achievers and peacemakers, promoting world peace, friendship and goodwill, true to the vision of Gusi Peace Prize International Foundation under the leadership of Chairman Barry Gusi.

The Gusi Peace Prize is Asia’s foremost award-giving body and among the leading in the world today. In recognizing the most brilliant examples of those working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity, the Gusi Peace Prize brings out the best of human achievements, ideals and values.

There are 18 Gusi Peace Prize laureates this year. Some of them are former heads of states, doctors, educators, and scientists. Indeed, Nora is in good company.

We’d like to congratulate Ms. Nora Aunor for giving honor to our country with her selection as a Gusi Peace Prize laureate.

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In a visit to the set of “Bubble Gang” on Monday at GMA-7’s Studio 6, Star Circuit had the chance to chat with the cast of the long-running gag show which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

According to Michael V, one of the original cast members of “Bubble Gang” (the others have left for other networks like Ogie Alcasid and Wendell Ramos), he didn’t imagine the show would last this long. It was him and Ogie who pioneered the show after GMA got them to be part of it.

When “Bubble Gang” reached its tenth year, it was then that Michael V realized the potential of the show to last even beyond 10 years. Aside from being a cast member, Michael is also the show’s creative director. When asked on the secret to the show’s longevity, he said, “We are attuned with the times. We adjust to what is current. With the advent of social media, we saw the need to be abreast with what is happening around us. Plus we have a very good team of writers.”

He added that they also encourage their cast members to suggest what they believe will make a gag or segment work even better. “When it’s dinner time, that’s the time we discuss ideas for the show. We encourage everyone to say their piece. No one has a monopoly of good ideas. The more ideas, the better for the show,” added Michael V.

To celebrate the show’s 20th year, a special episode is what is in store for “Bubble Gang” fans.  A documentary made by GMA News and Public Affairs, tracing the history of “Bubble Gang,” will feature interviews with cast members (both old and new) as well as production staff and TV executives who became part of the show – will be aired on November 27. Also to be launched on the same day is a coffee table book on the longest-running gag show on Philippine TV.

Since he wears many hats on the show, Michael V admits that there are times he feels burn out and gets too tired. That’s why he asks for a vacation to recharge his batteries. He goes on a trip abroad with his family to free himself from worries and cook up new ideas while on vacation.

Among the many characters he has done in “Bubble Gang,” he sees himself in Junee Lee. “He is my alter ego. I am a very shy person. I am really like that,” he said.

But Michael V admits there was a time they feared the show might be axed. There were rumors that the program was on the chopping block because the show’s quality and humor were on a downswing. “There came a point we talked to FLG (Mr. Felipe L. Gozon) just to allay our fears. It turned out, ‘Bubble Gang’ is his favorite show,” he recalled.

In Bubble Gang’s 20 years on television, they have gone through many upheavals and challenges. They have learned many lessons. They have experienced bashing in all levels but through it all they have managed to stay afloat and keep their heads up. There is no stopping them from serving fun and laughter for the next 20 years or more.

Michael V has one wish though – that is to direct a movie which he himself wrote and where he also plays the lead role. But he is so busy to find time for it although he had already talked with APT Entertainment (sister company of TAPE, Inc., that produces “Eat Bulaga”) who agreed to produce his dream project.

He also hopes to find time to do an album, which he hasn’t done in four or five years.