The art of comedy takes place against a backdrop of one’s social milieu, bordered by the ever-evolving collision of timeless artistic nuances and trending cultural references. An outstanding comedian like Michael V. boasts a brand of comedy that excels not merely by making something hilarious, but by making the ‘hilarious’ a poetic expression of lived realities that often transcend generations.
MICHAEL V: ART GENIUS
Michael V, born Beethoven Del Valle Bunagan in 1969, is an award-winning artist and performer, though enumerating his official designations can be quite a challenge as the multi-awarded Bubble Gang frontman possesses mastery over a wide range of artistic disciplines.
For one, Bitoy’s scope of comedy is incredibly wide. He is a skit actor, an impersonator, a parody singer (and composer), a blockbuster protagonist, a punchline king - the list goes on. A humorist armed with a deep arsenal of excellent material, he was given three “Best Comedy Performance by an Actor” prizes by the esteemed Asian Television Awards.
He is an acclaimed singer-songwriter as well - multiple Awit Awards plums and MYX Music Awards nominations are only among his laundry list of accolades. His iconic parodies are as boldly relevant as they are straightforwardly entertaining.
It’s almost crazy to fathom that Bitoy has found consistent success in piquing the interest of fans throughout his decades-long business of eliciting laughter and generating smiles.
“Making other people smile, or laugh - generally making people happy - it’s what really makes me happy,” the 54-year-old humorist said in an interview after his contract signing event on March 11.
As if the aforementioned aren’t enough to describe his artistic brilliance, Bitoy also plays the piano, draws portraits, and is a self-confessed pop culture nerd. During the pandemic, he has even dabbled into content creation and has amassed 1.35 million subscribers as of writing.
DRAWING INSPIRATION
A comedy genius like Michael V. definitely has the authority to describe and impart how his artistic process looks like. Asked how he is able to maintain relevance in all the forms of artistic expression he produces, Bitoy’s simple answer is the ability and willingness to adapt.
“I think it’s an advantage being born in an analog world and living in a digital world. Nowadays kasi, maraming references na puwedeng pagkunan and at the same time i-adapt into the modern world,” he shared with GMA Regional TV News.
The "Pepito Manaloto" star believes that an increasingly digitized world is a tool in a toolbox that many creators and comics must take advantage of.
“ I think yun yung isa sa mga edge ng isa sa kagaya ko na matagal na sa industriya, it's going to be an advantage for other people na kaedad ko. Sana lang magamit ng tama,” he added.
His body of work spans almost three decades, and so it is worth noting how Bitoy keeps his comedic nooks and crannies well-oiled and intact. He derives inspiration both from the macro- and the microcosms of human life.
“Yung society, yung experiences, yun yung naging influence at inspiration ko. There are times na may nangyayare, hindi lang personal pero maging sa buong mundo na nakakaapekto rin sa emotions ko, and yun yung ginagamit kong basis sa pag gawa ko ng materyal - be it visual, be it (for a) script for show - maraming pagkukunan ng inspiration,” the comedy genius explained.
Over the past 29 or so years, Michael V. has etched an indelible mark in the entertainment industry that is both transcendent and iconic. By the time he is done, he will have left a legacy that is more amusing than any of his jokes, and that brings life more than he did to any of his characters.
