‘Bubble Gang’ family tests their limits with first live musical

CEBU, Philippines — It was a boisterous, riotous bunch that faced the Cebu press on the morning of Thursday, Valentine’s Day. While it’s a day typically spent with romantic partners, not one among the “Bubble Gang” cast and crew minded the out-of-town work commitment – they obviously delighted in each other’s company and the bantering and deadpan quips that ensued more than made up for the absence of their ringleader, the comic genius Michael V.

The “Bubble Gang” team is in town to bring their 2017 musical play – a special project to mark the 22nd anniversary of GMA Network’s longest-running and multi-awarded gag show – entitled “Parokya Nato: A Laugh Story,” live, 8 o’clock tonight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“Bubble Gang Parokya Nato: A Laugh Story” revolves around a simple guy named Buloy (Michael V.), a die-hard fan who dreams to be the leading man of actress, Birdie Aguila (Kim Domingo), on and off screen.

Present during yesterday’s press conference were Antonio Aquitania (playing a bodyguard/macho dancer), Boy2 Quizon (bodyguard/macho dancer), Mikoy Morales (director), Denise Barbacena (personal assistant of an actress), Annalyn Barro (bar girl), Archie Alemania (driver/actor who is in a love team with an actress played by Jackie Rice), Sef Cadayona (cousin and sidekick of Michael V’s Buloy), Betong (a supportive yet strict mother named Nanay Sarap), Valeen Montenegro (Victoria Ilagan Ilagan Pangilinan aka Miss VIP, the vice president of a highly respected network) and Chariz Solomon (actress and best friend of Kim Domingo’s Birdie Aguila).

Since the entire “Bubble Gang” cast could not be flown in due to other commitments, around 15 actors from Cebu were utilized to serve as support singers and dancers.

After tonight’s concert, the “Bubble Gang” team will spend the weekend shooting their summer special in Papa Kit’s Marina and Fishing Lagoon in Liloan, Estaca Beach Resort in Compostela, Nalusuan Island in Cordova, as well as other tourist spots in Cebu.

Excerpts below on the “Bubble Gang” cast interview:

On doing a live musical for the first time:

Boy2: Sobrang saya namin na gawin ito sa Cebu because it’s our first time to do it live. The dynamics of ‘Bubble Gang,’ kung ano yung nakikita niyo sa TV, mas masaya kapag nakikita niyo ng live.

Betong: On TV, we have comedy sketches. Pero dito, kakanta at sasayaw kami – na hindi namin ginagawa every Friday. Yung pinagdaanan naming disiplina, rehearsal with Direk Rem, hindi namin yun ginagawa normally. Vocalization, stretching, grabe… Sa TV, hindi namin nakikita yung reaction ng audience. Dito, makikita mo kaagad kung natutuwa ba sila o hindi.

Mikoy: But theater greats helped us achieve this concept. We have Rem Zamora as stage director, Vince de Jesus as playwright and musical director, Myke Salomon as musical arranger and Dan Cabrera as choreographer.

Direk Rem: Walang cut ito. Kung magkamali sila, bahala sila sa buhay nila.

Boy2: According to Direk Rem, we have the tendency to adlib and be spontaneous. Ang problema namin, masyado kaming excited. May metre kasi ang play, so we have to be precise kasi mawawala yung buong rhythm. Pero mag-a-adlib pa rin kami… sorry Direk!

On their reactions when told of the project:

Denise: Na-excite ako na magkaroon ng chance kumanta at sumayaw ulit. The pressure was also there, but I can say naging successful naman.

Valeen: Like Paolo Contis, it’s always been a dream for me to try theater, but I have stage fright. I think it’s the adrenaline, the people watching you, overcoming your fear to perform in front of an audience. There is pressure, but it’s the trust we have with each other kasi hindi naman kayang gawin ito ng mag-isa.

Sef: Very, very excited. Bukod sa lahat nag-cooperate, the camaraderie of the group is very, very strong dahil sa walang katapusang buong araw na rehearsal.

Archie: Actually natakot po ako. Para sa mga cast mates ko. Kasi ako alam ko kaya ko eh. (laughs)

On taking the musical seriously:

Chariz: Very competitive yung Bubble Gang members. All of us, ayaw namin ng hilaw. Ang mindset namin, ‘Kaya namin yan,’ kahit hindi namin kaya. Surprisingly, nakakaya naman.

Boy2: Tama si Chariz. We’re very passionate. Gusto namin na matuwa talaga kayo. Pero nagagawa namin yun na nag-e-enjoy kami.

On loving being a Bubble Gang member:

Chariz: On and off ako for 12 years, but I had been a regular guest. Six years ago, they made me a regular cast. I was pregnant with my firstborn then, so all my babies are Bubble Gang babies. Bubble Gang is also my family. We love each other’s company so much. Kung pwede hindi na kami maghiwalay. It doesn’t feel like work at all. Every Monday [taping day] is a holiday for us.

Valeen: This is my third year and I’m so happy that I have a Monday family. I’m so excited to be here in Cebu because it’s a change of scenery as we’ve always been in the studio.

Sef: Ever since I joined ‘Starstruck,’ pinangarap ko talagang makapasok sa Bubble Gang. A year and a half after ‘Starstruck,’ I feel very blessed that they accepted me with open arms. For six years now, Monday for me is Bubble Gang day. I’m very happy when Monday comes dahil sila yung makakasama ko.

Archie: Ako 23 years na ako sa Bubble Gang. In my heart and in my mind. (deadpans) Kasi kahit nasa kabilang istasyon ako, pangarap ko na maging parte ng Bubble Gang. Lahat naman po ng komedyante…Halos lahat ng artista nakausap ko, gustong makapasok ng Bubble Gang. So kahit technically two years pa lang ako with the show, in my heart and in my mind, 23 years na ako.

Denise: Growing up, nandiyan na ang Bubble Gang. It’s an established show. Even before I entered showbiz through a singing competition [‘Protégé’], parang wild dream na impossible. Kaya answered prayer na biglang nagkaroon ng audition na tinawag nilang Bagong Gang. After six years, thank God I’m still here.

Mikoy: Kasing edad ko lang ang Bubble Gang. Ang tagal bago nag-sink in sa akin na makakasama ko na sila.

Boy2: This is my17th year. I came from ‘Home Along Da Riles.’ I was 10 years there. Nagkaroon ng time that I wanted to do something else and swerte naman ako na Bubble Gang ang napuntahan ko.

Antonio: First year ko pa lang. Masaya ako na nakasama ko silang lahat dahil ang dami kong natutunan kina Denise, Mikoy, kay Val (laughs)…Seriously speaking, 23 years na ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tumagal kasi nung 1995, 1996, naaalala ko, ‘O, two months na lang ang Bubble Gang.’ 1997, last two months na daw. 2001, last five years, last eight years…Kung mag 40 years, dun na ako magre-retire sa Bubble Gang!