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Putting a sitcom together and making it work is no laughing matter. It involves a lot of risks and the tasks include a complicated mix of coming up with a good storyline, gathering a cast that will click, and writing punchlines that will work, among others. It is also crucial for the sitcom to hook its viewers right from the very start.

It is then quite phenomenal how Bahay Mo Ba 'To , GMA’s relatively newest sitcom (having been launched only last September), immediately earned a good following among Pinoy viewers and has been rating so well since Day One. Members of the BMBT cast, led by Tessie Tomas, Ronaldo Valdez, Keempee De Leon, Wendell Ramos, Francine Prieto, Gladys Reyes, Sherilyn Reyes, Mike 'Pekto' Nacua, and Sunshine Dizonare all happy about the show’s success and all have their own ideas about what makes the show such a hit.

“The cast’s chemistry and camaraderie show. It’s like getting to know a family and you say, ‘Masaya ‘tong pamilya na ‘to!’ so gustong-gusto mong bumibisita dun every week,” Ronaldo supposes. He plays Nene Mulingtapang, the poorer co-owner of Casa Mulingtapang. Tessie, who plays Nene’s wealthier, rival sister Baby Mulingtapang-Benoit, credits the story for BMBT’s success. “The premise is very good, it’s something that everyone can relate to, hindi ka mauubusan ng material. The characters are also all very real,” she says.

There have indeed been several reviews about how the cast’s good chemistry is really evident in the show and helps to make the sitcom even more amusing to watch. The members of the cast attest that it’s the people in the show that they love most about being part of it. “We’re having so much fun because we’re like one big family. We look forward to taping days kasi we’ll all be together again,” shares Ronaldo.

However, aside from enjoying working with their co-stars, members of the BMBT cast say that they enjoy the respective roles they play, which is why the sitcom comes out as naturally funny. Noteworthy is Keempee’s fashionista gay, Harold, who has been commended as one of the most hilarious aspects of the sitcom. While this is his first gay role for television, he didn’t think twice about accepting the role. “Tinanong ko sila, ‘ano’ng klaseng gay role ang pagganap ko dito?’ Screaming faggot ba o ‘yung feeling mo babae ka pero the way you dress up ay lalaki, na kung ano ‘yung mga gay ngayon sa States—anlalaki ng katawan pero bakla,” narrates Keempee. He decided to imitate a funny gay character in a popular US TV show. “Kangkarot siya na bading. Pinag-aralan ko ‘yun, ni-review ko rin ‘yung Bird Cage ni Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, kaya ‘yung iyak ko dun parang Nathan Lane,” he explains, then gives a high-pitched moan to demonstrate.

“Dun ako nakakuha ng idea, tapos sabi ko iibahin ko. Sinabi ko lang ayokong magwi-wig ako, ayokong maghe-heavy makeup ako, gusto ko formal, classy na bading—na naging eksakto sa story na si Harold came from the States,” says Keempee. Complementing Keempee’s Harold is Francine’s Jingle, the sexy, dim-witted girl who is head-over-heels in love with him, even if he is gay. Their odd tandem is in fact another thing that endears BMBT to the Pinoy viewers.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo enjoys playing Nene because “It’s a riot, it’s a far cry from most of the roles I’ve done before in movies and TV. Noon kasi serious characters. Ito, zany and wild,” he says. He divulges that getting into character comes naturally for him since “in real life I’m the comedian in the family. So masarap, I get to let go of myself.”

Tessie, on the other hand, loves being part of BMBT because “I’m going back to my original love which is sitcoms,” she says. “It’s a collaborative effort also because you can make suggestions, the director and writers are open to them—an additional punch line or how to say a particular line. Tulungan,” she adds. To get into the character of Baby, she shares, “I try to look for the center of the personality. And the core of Baby’s personality is really the sibling rivalry between her and Nene. Siguro rin ‘yung love niya for her family. Andyan din ‘yung pagiging glamorous at pagka-materyosa. I keep exploring my character, finding new ways how I can do her better.”

Bahay Mo Ba ‘To? just keeps getting better because everyone who’s part of it contributes to making the show a stomach-aching success. Directed by Al Quinn and also starring Dino Guevarra, Chynna Ortaleza, Tiya Pusit, Bea Binene, and Gabriel Roxas, “Bahay Mo Ba ‘To?” remains the sitcom Pinoys love to come home to and laugh with every Tuesday night.