Bubble Gang is a Philippine television sketch comedy show broadcast by GMA Network. Originally directed by Uro Q. Dela Cruz, it was originally starred by Ogie Alcasid, Antonio Aquitania, Sunshine Cruz, Jackie de Guzman, Assunta De Rossi, Eric Fructuoso, Susan Lozada, Aiko Melendez, Wendell Ramos and Michael V. It premiered on October 20, 1995 on the network's Friday night line up replacing Vilma. Frasco Mortiz currently serves as the director, with Michael V., Paolo Contis, Chariz Solomon, Betong Sumaya, Analyn Barro, Kokoy de Santos, EA Guzman, Buboy Villar, Cheska Fausto and Matt Lozano serving as the current cast. It is the longest running comedy show in the Philippines.[6]

Bubble Gang
An image with the texts "bbl" on the left side and "gang" on the right side, with the number 29 on the background. The logo of GMA Network is displayed on the upper right side of the image.
Title card since 2024
Also known asBblgang[a]
GenreSketch comedy
Created byMarivin Arayata
Directed by
  • Rosauro "Uro" Q. Dela Cruz (1995–2016)[1]
  • Bert de Leon (2016–21)[2]
  • Frasco Mortiz (since 2021)[3]
  • Mark David (since 2023)
Creative directorMichael V.
StarringMichael V.
Theme music composer
  • Michael V. (1995–2022, since July 9, 2023)
  • Frasco Mortiz (since 2022)
Opening theme
  • "Bubble Gang (Pwede!)" by Michael V. (2005–2022)
  • "Bubble Gang" theme by Frasco Mortiz (since 2022)
  • "Bubble Gang (BBL Mash-up Remix)" theme by Michael V. & Frasco Mortiz (since 2023)
Country of originPhilippines
Original languageTagalog
Production
Executive producers
  • Camille Hermoso
  • Jan Navaro[4]
Production locationsStudio 4, GMA Network Center, Quezon City, Philippines[5]
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time25–55 minutes
Production companyGMA Entertainment Group
Original release
NetworkGMA Network
ReleaseOctober 20, 1995 (1995-10-20) –
present

The series is streaming online on YouTube.[7]

Premise

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The show features pop culture parody, skits and sketches. It parodies television shows, adverts and famous people.[8]

Overview

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Bubble Gang premiered on GMA Network on October 20, 1995.[9] It was inspired by the gag show Tropang Trumpo.[10] The original cast consisted of Ogie Alcasid, Antonio Aquitania, Sunshine Cruz, Jackie de Guzman, Assunta De Rossi, Eric Fructuoso, Susan Lozada, Aiko Melendez, Wendell Ramos and Michael V. Production personnel of the show, Diego Llorico and Marissa "Mykah" Flores later joined the show as cast members.

On October 14, 2011, Isko Salvador, Ceasar Cosme and Chito Francisco from the show's "Ang Dating Doon" segment returned to the show.[11]

On August 2, 2013, Joyce Ching, RJ Padilla, Juancho Triviño and Denise Barbacena joined the show.[12]

In March 2020, principal photography was halted due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] The show resumed its programming on August 21, 2020.[14]

On May 27, 2022, Tuesday Vargas, Kim de Leon, Dasuri Choi, and Faith da Silva joined the show, while Aquitania, Mikoy Morales, Barbacena, Liezel Lopez, Arra San Agustin, Lovely Abella, Ashley Rivera, Llorico, and Flores left the show.[15][16][17]

On July 9, 2023, Buboy Villar and Cheska Fausto joined the show, while Valeen Montenegro, Sef Cadayona, Archie Alemania and Faye Lorenzo left the show.[18] On the same day, the show commenced filming in front of a live studio audience.[19]

Cast

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Current cast
Michael V.
Betong Sumaya
Former cast
Ogie Alcasid
Wendell Ramos
Toni Gonzaga
Jackie Rice
Sam Pinto
Max Collins
Carla Abellana
Juancho Triviño
Ara Mina
Jak Roberto
Former cast

Timeline

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Recurring characters and segments

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Home media release

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The series was released on DVD by GMA Music in 2009. The DVD contained "the best of the best" episodes of Bubble Gang throughout the years.[27]

Accolades

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Accolades received by Bubble Gang
Year Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
1996 10th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [28]
1997 11th PMPC Star Awards for Television Won
1998 12th PMPC Star Awards for Television Won
1999 13th PMPC Star Awards for Television Won
2000 14th PMPC Star Awards for Television Won
Best Comedy Actor Michael V. Won
2001 15th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [28]
2002 16th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Won
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won
2003 17th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Nominated
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won
2004 2004 Asian Television Awards Best Comedy Programme Won
18th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Won [28]
Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Nominated
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [28]
1st USTv Students' Choice Awards Won
2005 2005 Asian Television Awards Best Comedy Performance by an Actor Michael V. Won [29]
2005 Golden Screen Awards Outstanding Performance in a Comedy Gag Show Ogie Alcasid Won
19th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [28]
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won
2006 20th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid Won [30]
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Nominated
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [28]
2007 Asian Television Awards Best Comedy Performance by an Actor Michael V.
Runner-up
[31]
21st PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Won [32]
Nominated
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won
2008 2008 Asian Television Awards Best Comedy Programme
Highly Commended
[33]
Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress Ogie Alcasid
Highly Commended
2008 Nickelodeon Philippines Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Television Show Bubble Gang Nominated
22nd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Won [34]
Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Nominated
5th USTv Students' Choice Awards Nominated [28]
2009 23rd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Nominated [34]
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won
5th USTv Students' Choice Awards Won [28]
2010 24th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Won [35]
Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Nominated
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Nominated
2010 UP Gandingan Awards Won [28]
6th USTv Students' Choice Awards Won
2011 8th ENPRESS Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [36]
9th Gawad Tanglaw Best Gag Show Won [37]
25th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid
Michael V.
Won [38][39]
Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Nominated
Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won
2012 8th USTv Students' Choice Awards Won [40]
26th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy/Gag Show Nominated [41]
Best Comedy Actor Ogie Alcasid Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won [41][42]
2013 2013 Asian Television Awards Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress Michael V.
Highly Commended
[43]
27th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [34]
Best Comedy Actor Michael V. Won
Ogie Alcasid Nominated [44]
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won [34]
11th Gawad Tanglaw Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [45][46]
2013 Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Gag Program Won [47]
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Program Ogie Alcasid Won
Michael V. Nominated [48]
9th USTv Students' Choice Awards Best Gag Show Bubble Gang Won [49]
4th Northwest Samar State University Students’ Choice Awards for Radio and TV Best Comedy Program Won [50]
2014 28th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Sef Cadayona Won [51]
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won
Hall of Fame Bubble Gang Won
Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Gag or Comedy Show Sef Cadayona
Albert "Bentong" Sumaya
Won [52]
Nominated
Outstanding Gag Program Bubble Gang Won
5th NSSU Students’ Choice Award for Radio and Television Best Comedy Program Won [53]
10th USTv Students’ Choice Award Students’ Choice of Comedy Program Won [54]
1st PUP Mabini Media Awards Best Television Comedy Program Won [55]
1st Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards Central Luzon's Choice for a Gag Show Won [56]
2015 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Sef Cadayona Nominated [57]
Best Comedy Actress Rufa Mae Quinto Won
2016 30th PMPC Star Awards for Television Nominated [58]
2016 Asian Television Awards Best Comedy Programme Bubble Gang Nominated [59]
2017 2017 Golden Laurel LPU Batangas Media Awards Best Comedy Show Nominated [60]
31st PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Sef Cadayona Nominated [61]
Michael V. Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Chariz Solomon Nominated
2018 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Sef Cadayona Nominated [62]
Michael V. Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Chariz Solomon Nominated
Best New Male TV Personality Kelvin Miranda Nominated
2019 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actress Chariz Solomon Nominated [63]
2021 34th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best New Female TV Personality Faye Lorenzo Nominated [64]
2023 35th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor Betong Sumaya Nominated [65]
Boy 2 Quizon Nominated
Paolo Contis Won
Sef Cadayona Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Chariz Solomon Nominated
Valeen Montenegro Nominated

Controversies

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In September 2002, the show was sued by L.A. Lopez after the show made a character named as Ala Ey Lopez in 2001. According to Lopez, the spoof affected him emotionally. He asked 5 million pesos for damages and a public apology from the show. The case was later dismissed.[66][67]

In 2013, Michael V., Rufa Mae Quinto, and GMA Network's executives, were summoned by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairman, Eugenio Villareal for a mandatory conference after a sexually sensitive comedy sketch called "The Adventures of Susie Lualhati" which aired on November 29, 2013. Villareal was alarmed after what he had found of a derogatory and discriminatory portrayal of a woman in the show.[68] Michael V., Quinto, and executives of the network met with MTRCB on December 9, 2013 to discuss the issue. It led to an agreement that the show will implement proposed measures that will ensure audiences about gender-sensitivity contents by December 16, 2013.[69]

Spin-offs

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  • Bubble Gang Jr. premiered on May 8, 2005 and featured child actors.[70]
  • DoSeNa, a television film to celebrate the show's 12th anniversary.[9]
  • Bungallow, a horror television film to celebrate the show's 15th anniversary.[71]
  • Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie, a film based on the segment Ang Spoiled. It was released in theaters on September 23, 2009.[72]
  • Boy Pick-Up: The Movie, a film based on the character Boy Pick-Up from the Pick-Up Lines segment. It was released on theaters on June 6, 2012.[73]
  • Hole in the Wall, a Philippine version of the American game show series of the same title aired in 2009. Hosted by Yaya and Angelina - two characters created by Bubble Gang were portrayed by Michael V. and Ogie Alcasid respectively.[74]

Notes

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  1. ^ Since 2023.

References

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  1. ^ Faustino, Pia (July 3, 2013). "Bubble Gang director shares passion for film photography". GMA Network. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  2. ^ Cruz, Dana. "Bert de Leon, veteran TV director, passes away". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (May 4, 2021). "Former Goin Bulilit director Frasco Mortiz now helms GMA-7's Bubble Gang". PEP. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  4. ^ Serato, Arniel C. (December 9, 2013). "Bubble Gang team attends 'productive dialogue' with MTRCB". GMA Network. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  5. ^ Daez, Mikael (April 22, 2013). "Chewing Bubble Gang". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Top 10 Longest-Running TV Shows in the Philippines". LionhearTV. October 29, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  7. ^ "Bubble Gang | Full Episodes - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Calderon, Ricky L. (October 27, 2010). "Meet the new faces in wacky Bubble Gang". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Godinez, Bong (October 24, 2007). "Longest running television shows". PEP. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  10. ^ Lo, Ricky (July 24, 2013). "Kumusta, Kapatid Ogie!". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
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  14. ^ "Ngayong Agosto, bago ang makikita n'yo!". YouTube. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
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  65. ^ Gonzales, Rommel (January 17, 2023). "35th Star Awards for TV list of nominees is out; alin kaya ang tatanghaling Best TV Station?". PEP. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  66. ^ Abuan-Bautista, Emy (November 7, 2001). "LA, idi-demanda ang Bubble Gang". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  67. ^ "Kasong isinampa ni LA sa Bubble Gang, ibinasura ng korte". The Philippine Star (in Filipino). September 30, 2002. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  68. ^ "Michael V., Rufa Mae, GMA execs summoned by MTRCB over naughty Bubble Gang skit". Interaksyon. December 9, 2013. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  69. ^ "Michael V., Rufa Mae, MTRCB all satisfied after powwow over naughty Bubble Gang sketch". InterAksyon. December 9, 2013. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  70. ^ "Ang Mga Kids Stars Ng Bubble Gang Jr.". The Philippine Star (in Filipino). June 19, 2005. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
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  72. ^ "Yaya and Angelina (The Spoiled Brat Movie) will hit the big screen on September 23". PEP. September 4, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  73. ^ San Diego, Bayani Jr. (June 12, 2012). "The very personal sound of 'Pick-Up'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  74. ^ "Yaya and spoiled brat Angelina will host Hole in the Wall starting April 20". PEP. April 13, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
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