Michael V, the comic genius

Whether he is Michael V, Bitoy or Pepito Manaloto for you, the effect is one and the same. He can make anyone break into a hearty laughter and feel light in each “funny bomb” he drops.

For Michael V, who topbills the GMA 7’s Bubble Gang and part of the show’s creative team, tickling funny bones is serious business — from conceptualization to deliberation.

“Once you get into the character say, of Pepito, everything will turn out fine but it’s different here in Bubble Gang because of its many characters,” he says when asked to differentiate the fun in Pepito Manaloto and Bubble Gang.

“That’s why, we brainstorm every week to create (a set of) ideas fit for the show. But usually, it just comes out because of our writers’ personal experiences like stories of friends heard from other friends, that no matter how these stories were being told and the germ of the story is still intact, then the writers can easily put them in visually hilarious scenes.”

The gag team doesn’t stick to one style, he adds. Thus, you see varied kinds of comedy in Bubble Gang — toilet humor included.

With his co-stars on GMA 7’s Bubble Gang (clockwise, from top left) Gwen Zamora, Sam Pinto, Ellen Adarna, Jackie Rice, Wendell Ramos, Rufa Mae Quinto and Antonio Aquitania

“We do that, too. It’s fun to poke around on toilet humor once in awhile because we are like multimedia comedians. Paiba-iba yung avenues na inaatake namin. Sometimes we do prank, toilet humor, punch line-oriented, musical or the gags are visual. We do that because we try to take advantage of the fact that there are many kinds of comedy and that’s exactly what we want to expose.”

The show has also done “funny” sketches that made Rufa Mae Quinto and Maureen Larrazabal ineffective as several sketches required an “ugly and dark” character. Instead, it was Myka Flores who got the part. But Michael V hastens to add that he and the rest of the crew always assure Myka, “this is just for laughs and we don’t really look at you that way.”

Michael V also admits to watching other comedy shows not to imitate but “to watch out for their mistakes and not do them.” He appreciates being branded a comedy genius but insists, ”There is a fine line between genius and totally crazy. I think I’m just right there on that line and it’s about to snap any minute now, (laughs).”

Tomorrow, Oct. 29, Bubble Gang is celebrating its 15th year. How does he plan to make the show relevant and still interesting to the viewers?

“The audience is our utmost concern every time we do the show. Kung ano yung interest nila yun dapat ang ipapakita namin so as long as nag-e-evolve ang audience nag-e-evolve din kami.”

And Michael V never ceases to come up with ideas even after the show. “We should not get paid per hour (basis) on the show because sometimes while taking a bath, an idea pops out; other times even when I’m already half-asleep another funny thought will get in. May papasok talagang ideas iba-ibang oras.”

But underneath Michael V is a lot of depth. His duty as a father and good provider is no laughing matter but wife Carol is supportive and hands on in taking care of their children Milo, Yanni, Migo and May Paul.

Find out how he gets through the day as entertainer and family man. His Monday routine starts at:

5:30 a.m. — I wake up to wake my two kids up so they can prepare early for school. I also remind them to check if everything they need in school is okay.

5:45 a.m. — Go back to sleep.

6:30 a.m. — Get up again to make sure they leave on time. The driver will send them to school so I will sleep again.

7:30 a.m. — I send my seven-year-old Migo to school. Kwentuhan while on the way because I also get ideas from him. Kamukha ko siya, attitude and all.

8:30 a.m. — Back in the house to prepare for Bubble Gang taping.

9 a.m. — Take a bath and leave home. I normally eat on the road, may baon akong sandwich or cereals.

12 noon — lunchtime.

After lunch is work again until midnight.

12 or 12:30 a.m. — Go back home (in Commonwealth area). Take a bath to make sure I take the makeup off my face. I brush my teeth then check if some lights are on and the doors are locked. Sleep.

The following day, Tuesday, his routine from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. is the same.

9 a.m. — I workout usually on the treadmill for an hour.

10 a.m. — Take a bath then breakfast with my wife and a little playtime with my two-year-old May Paul.

10:30 a.m. — Prepare to leave for Eat, Bulaga! (he is in the show thrice a week).

11 to 11:30 a.m. — On the way to Broadway.

12 noon to 2:30 p.m. — I’m on the show.

2:30 p.m. — Take my late lunch and go to Migo’s school to pick him up. Then if we have to meet my wife, we go straight to Podium or Shangri-La. Or we watch movies at home.

7 p.m. — Dinner time with the family and kwentuhan.

9 p.m. — Ready to bed so my kids can have enough rest for the next day. Set the aircon and the music to get them to sleep.

10 p.m. — I check again if all are asleep then get their cell phones for recharging. Then ronda ulit ako to check the whole house, ilaw at mga pinto. Then I hop on the bed and sleep.

 — BOT GLORIOSO