Comedians in the Philippine Scene

From their impressive wittiness, hilarious yet funny jokes, out of this world humor and effortless comical performances either on television or on stage, comedians are undeniably dominating a broad episode of the Philippine entertainment scene nowadays.

No matter how bad our day was or worn-out and exhausted we are, definitely, these people will surely rub out the negative aura/vibes for that day. Perhaps not all, but maybe some of it.

Listed below are some of the most sought after comedians that made the people endears them through their jokes. So, be prepared if you would try to search and watch for their performances, movies and shows because that will surely cause your stomach in pain.

Micahel V.

Baptized with the name of Beethoven Bunagan on December 17 1969 at Pandacan Manila, Michael V did not foresee his self as one of the leading and best comedian of the Philippine television perhaps because of his shy-type personality and pessismistic outlook towards life.

Michael V is also known as “ Bitoy” or “Toybits”. Unlike other co-actors in the industry, he is also a writer and holds a degree in Mass Communication at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.  
                                                                                                                     

Career

His television shows includes Pepito Manaloto, Eat Bulaga (host) , Diz Iz It (judge) , Bitoy's Showwwtime - Various (host),  Hole in the Wall (host), Codename: Asero (Bodjie X), MariMar (Philippine TV Series) (vocal role), Bitoy's Funniest Videos - Etoy, Betong and Bebang (host), Bubble Gang , Bitoy's Adventures In Bilibkaba! (host), Bilibitornat! (GMA) - (host),Bitoy's World (GMA) - Etoy, Betong and Bebang, Tropang Trumpo (ABC) – Various, Young Love, Sweet Love (RPN) –Various and Teysi Ng Tahanan: Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang (ABS-CBN) – Various.

Vice Ganda

Vice Ganda was born on March 31, 1976 at Jose Abad Santos St. in Manugit, Tondo Manila in a quite big family. His father was murdered when he was young provoking his mother to leave them to work as a caregiver abroad. He achieved his college education at Far Eastern University (FEU) studying Political Science.

At 19, Vice was already engaged in writing and performing his stand-up comic routines in comedy bars in Ermita, Manila. 

He uses the comedy of a typical “Pinoy” lifestyle and situational irony pertaining to Filipino culture, behavior and human sexuality.

He is also the firsy gay endorser for a major product in the Philippines which is the Globe Telecom.

Career

Vice found his way as an eminent comedian, host, actor and recording artist in the Philippine scene. In 2009, he became a regular host/judge on ABS-CBN’s talent show Showtime. He is currently hosting his own Sunday talk show Gandang Gabi Vice!

Vice starred in minor roles until in 2009, he appeared along with Vilma Santos and John Llyod Cruz in the film In My Life. A year later, he starred in a comedy film, a remake of Petrang Kabayo that became a big hit. The following year, Vice starred in Praybeyt Benjamin with Drek Ramsay as his love interest. The film became the first local film to reach P 300 million in ticket sales.

Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr.

Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. was born on July 25, 1928 at P. Herrera St. (Calle Padre Herrera) in Tondo Manila. His father, Melencio Espinosa-Quizon was a ship mechanic and his mother, Salud Vera Quizon was a home-based tailor.

He is known by his screen name” Dolphy” who appeared in a number of works on stage, radio, television and movies.

His exposure to movies started while he worked inside the theater selling peanuts, watermelon seeds and jicama snacks where he could also watch unlimited movies for free.

Career

Dolphy was practically jobless after leaving Sampaguita. Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. got him into television on Channel 3, but his first TV show “Buhay Artista” was with ABS-CBN, a concept by Geny Lopez and Ading Fernando.

He also started doing movies for independent studios such as LEA Productions, Balatbat Productions, Filipinas Productions, Zultana Productions and Fernando Poe Jr.’s D Lanor Productions while on television. He starred on two of his movies, Captain Barbell and Daigdig ng Fantasia with Nova Villa in 1964.

Martina Aileen de las Alas

Delas Alas is the daughter of Engr Rosendo delas Alas and was adopted by her aunt Justa delas Alas. In 1985, she earned a Mass Communication degree from Far Eastern University. She was married to Miguel Vera and had two children. Before pursuing her acting career, she worked as a saleslady in a department store and also as a stand-up comic in comedy bars along Metro Manila.

Career

Delas Alas has done several movies including the blockbuster hit “Ang Tanging Ina” where she first gained a nationwide recognitio. It was soon followed by more comedy films like Volta, which was followed by a TV series. She was one of the lead hosts of a noon time television show MTB: Ang Saya-Saya. She also played an important role in the TV remake of Bituing Walang Ningning as Dorina’s mother.

Vic and Joey

Marivic Castelo “Vic” Sotto

Sotto was born on April 28, 1954. His grandfather, Vicente Sotto has Spanish ancestry. He was educated at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. 

Career

He is an actor, television show host, comedian and a film producer working for GMA Network and stars on a noon-time variety show Eat Bulaga.

He started his career as a folk singer and guitarist. Under the IBC TV Network, he then joined his brothers Tito and Val in a gag show “Ok Lang” back in the early 1970s where he also fortunately met another comedian Joey de Leon. De leon invited them and the trio (Tito, Vic & Joey) was created. They were cast in Iskul Bukol, Eat Bulaga, TVJ: Television’s Jesters and Rock and Roll 2000.

He has done sitcoms and TV shows under the three biggest networks in the last three decades. Including ABS-CBN, GMA Network and TV5 but he has mostly done shows for the GMA.

Jose Maria Ramos de Leon

De leon was born on October 14, 1946 to a Filipino Spanish descent of Jose Seoane de Leon and Emma Manahan Ramos. His paternal grandfather was the first mayor of Malolos Bulacan. His parents divorced at a young age. And at the age of three, his father moved to Madrid Spain.

Career
Before entering the showbiz industry, De leon earned his architecture degree from the National University in Manila. He was also a disc jockey (DJ) for 12 radio stations when he was starting out.

He then became a member of the comedy trio, Tito, Vic & Joey that has made several comedy movies and TV shows. He has also penned songs including Ipagatawad Mo, Awitin Mo, Isasayaw KO, Boyfriend kong Baduy and Iskul Bukol. 

Eugene Domingo

Domingo was born on July 23, 1971. She started her career by enrolling in the University of the Philippines Theater Arts Program and apprecenting as an actress, production and stage management staff under the university’s theater company Dulaang UP. The Best Supproting actress award in the Gawad Tanglaw was given to her by playing a role in the film “Foster Child”.

Jose and Wally

Ariel Pagtalonia Manalo or Jose Manalo was born on February 12, 1966 in Manila. He began his TV appearance in Valiente as one of the supporting characters. Then, he used his screen name Jose Manalo and first appeared in Eat Bulaga in 2002 where he became a regular co-host. Wally Bayola, his long time friend also entered the show business and they became a comic duo. 

After his TV show Boyoyong on TV5 that was formerly aired in 1992, Manalo reportedly returned to TV5 for his former sitcom, “ My Darling Aswang” with his buddy Vic Sotto and Ritchie reyes in 2010.

Marietta Subong

Subong was born on August 27 1972. Her portrayal in the sitcom “Aalog-Alog” earned her as the Best Comedy Actress from the Philippine Movie Press Club and the Best Female Comedian award from the People’s Choice Awards. 

She started in a reality show in ABS-CBN and appeared in drama and sitcoms of the network. She was not only a comedian, but also an actress, TV host, singer, impersonator and salon co-owner.

The variety show “Wowowee” and “Pilipinas Win na Win” and Happy Yipee Yehey honed her talent in hosting. She is also known for impersonating actresses such as Annabelle Rama, Dionisia Pacquiao and Marlene Aguilar.