MANILA, Philippines- Keempee de Leon admits it’s hard to equal the popularity of
Iskul Bukol
which TV5 is bringing back on air sans the popular triumvirate of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon beginning May 24 after
Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak
and every Tuesday night thereafter.
Instead, a new set of characters — including that of Keempee’s — is set to deliver hilarious acts and move around in the fictional campus of Wanbol University.
Miss Tapia won’t be around in school anymore but there is now the Prefect of Discipline Bongbong Bing played by Joel Saracho. The Escalera Brothers’ naughtiness and playfulness seemingly have been passed on to the Balidosa twins Easy (Sam YG) and Chill (Alwyn Uytingco). Is Tonet Macho still present in class? Nope, it would now be the closet gay Wacky Roque (Keempee) who will give absolute laughter on campus. How about Prof. Vic Ungasis? He is replaced by good-looking yet still nerdy Rude Valentino (Fred Lo). There, too, are “new” students and school staff like Shawie Cunanan (Erika Padilla), Barbie Que (Regine Angeles), Itor (Jerald Napoles), Aning Francia (Tess Antonio) and Pet Jacobo (Lao Rodriguez).
“As for the characters, they’re totally different and far from the original,” Keempee says. “We’re bringing back Iskul Bukol without taking the place of Tito, Vic and Joey because no one could ever do that. This is just to re-imagine the show that displayed the wackiest (side) of student life. Of course, since we’re in the modern times, the concept is a mix of Iskul Bukol then, Glee minus the singing, How I Met Your Mother and Friends.”
Auditions were held for the roles but in Keempee’s case, he was solely chosen for closet gay Wacky. “Honestly, I want to rest muna on gay roles. What I wanted is a soap or play contravida but since the offer came, I grabbed it without second thoughts. Why? Iskul Bukol yan e at nakaka-miss talaga yung sitcom.”
As the son of Joey, who played the other half of the Escalera brothers, Keempee cannot deny that the pressure leans mai
nly on him. He, too, was part of Iskul Bukol Book 2 as Widyo Sietepares.
“The pressure is there maybe because I’m the son of Joey de Leon and everybody knows that I once became part of the show but I cannot say that it is only me who will handle this,” Keempee humbly says. “I know how to adjust so that everyone gets a fair share of the spotlight and can equally shine on-cam.”
According to him, his dad can’t help but reminisce Iskul Bukol days upon learning that TV5 will do a remake. Joey advised Keempee to take care of the show which had popularly been on-air for years. Keempee can only promise about exerting all efforts to make it as equally endearing as the original. The cast attended a two-day workshop under show director Soxie Topacio. Dante “Nico” Garcia also directs.
Once on the set, Keempee tries to make everyone at ease doing on-cam comedy. He often requests the cast to sit down and rehearse their lines. This way, he adds, everyone will know when “to enter and drop” the punch line.
“Napaisip din ang Dad ko ng mga eksena nila noon at nagbigay siya sa akin ng mga possible scenes with a touch of naughtiness. He is also excited in a way,” Keempee shares.
But since Iskul Bukol is a sitcom and exactly fitting for the young viewers, isn’t he anxious that children will already be in deep slumber by the time it goes on air?
“Originally every Tuesday din ang Iskul Bukol, my only worry now is the timeslot, I hope they can move it earlier.”
We, too, hope that TV5 management will reconsider.