Bubble Gang

Bubble Gang
Title card since 2023
Also known as	BBLGANG (since 2023)
Genre	Sketch comedy
Created by	Marivin 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 director	Michael V.
Starring	Michael 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 origin	Philippines
Original language	Tagalog
Production
Executive producers	Camille Hermoso Jan Navaro[4]
Production locations	Studio 4, GMA Network Center, Quezon City, Philippines[5]
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	60–90 minutes
Production company	GMA Entertainment Group
Original release
Network	GMA Network
Release	October 20, 1995 (1995-10-20) – present

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 surves 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]

The series is streaming online on YouTube.^[7]

Premise[edit]

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

Overview[edit]

Bubble Gang premiered on GMA Network on October 20, 1995.^[6] It was inspired by the gag show Tropang Trumpo.^[9] 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.^[10]

On August 2, 2013, Joyce Ching, RJ Padilla, Juancho Trivino and Denise Barbacena joined the show.^[11]

In March 2020, principal photography was halted due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[12] The show resumed its programming on August 21, 2020.^[13]

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.^[14][15][16]

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.^[17] On the same day, the show commenced filming in front of a live studio audience.^[18]

Cast[edit]

Current cast

Michael V.

Betong Sumaya

Former cast

Ogie Alcasid

Wendell Ramos

Toni Gonzaga

Jackie Rice

Sam Pinto

Max Collins

Carla Abellana

Juancho Trivino

Ara Mina

Jak Roberto

• Michael V.
• Diego Llorico (since 1996)
• Paolo Contis (since 2005)
• Chariz Solomon (since 2010)
• Betong Sumaya (since 2012)
• Analyn Barro (since 2017)
• Kokoy de Santos^[19] (since 2021)
• EA Guzman (since 2023)
• Buboy Villar (since 2023)
• Cheska Fausto (since 2023)
• Matt Lozano (since 2023)^[20]

Former cast

• Antonio Aquitania (1995–2022)
• Ogie Alcasid (1995–2013)
• Wendell Ramos (1995–2011)
• Susan Lozada (1995–97)
• Aiko Melendez (1995–98)
• Sunshine Cruz (1995–96; 1998–99)^[21]
• Eric Fructuoso (1995–2000)^[22]
• Jackie de Guzman (1995–2000)
• Maricar de Mesa (1995–2001)
• Assunta de Rossi (1995–2002)
• Alma Concepcion (1996–97)
• Shirley Fuentes (1996–98)
• Myka Flores (1997–2022)
• Amanda Page (1997–2001)
• Luis Alandy (1998–99)
• Aya Medel (1998–2000)
• Sherwin Ordoñez (1998–2000)
• Ara Mina (1998–2007)
• Toni Gonzaga (1998–2000)^[23][24]
• Isko Salvador (1998–2000, 2005, 2011–16)
• Ceasar Cosme (1998–2000, 2005, 2011–17)
• Chito Francisco (1998–2000, 2005, 2011–17)
• Sharmaine Arnaiz (1999)
• Sherilyn Reyes-Tan (1999–2002)
• Wowie de Guzman (2000–01)
• Angelika Dela Cruz (2000–01)
• Trina Zuñiga (2000–01)
• Kevin Vernal (2000–02)
• Rufa Mae Quinto (2001–16)
• Maureen Larrazabal (2001–13)
• Boy 2 Quizon (2003–22)
• Diana Zubiri (2003–09)
• Francine Prieto (2004–10)
• Jacky Woo (2007–18)
• Rodfill Obeso (2008–22)
• James Ronald Obeso (2008–19)
• Jackie Rice (2008–19)
• Ellen Adarna (2010–13)
• Gwen Zamora (2010–16)
• Sam Pinto (2010–16)
• Sef Cadayona (2012–23)
• Max Collins (2012–17)
• Carla Abellana (2013–14)
• Joyce Ching (2013–15)
• RJ Padilla (2013–17)
• Jan Manual (2013–18)
• Mikael Daez (2013–19)
• Andrea Torres (2013–19)
• Juancho Trivino (2013–19)
• Denise Barbacena (2013–22)
• Arny Ross (2013–22)
• Kim Domingo (2015–22)
• Valeen Montenegro (2015–23)
• Arra San Agustin^[25] (2016—22)
• Jak Roberto^[25] (2016–21)
• Lovely Abella (2017–22)
• Mikoy Morales (2017–22)
• Ashley Rivera (2017–22)
• Archie Alemania (2017–23)
• Faye Lorenzo (2019–23)
• Liezel Lopez (2019–22)
• Tuesday Vargas (2022–23)
• Kim de Leon (2022–23)
• Dasuri Choi (2022–23)

Timeline[edit]

Recurring characters and segments[edit]

Home media release[edit]

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.^[26]

Accolades[edit]

Controversies[edit]

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.^[65][66]

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.^[67] 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.^[68]

Spin-offs[edit]

• Bubble Gang Jr. premiered on May 8, 2005 and featured child actors.^[69]
• DoSeNa, a television film to celebrate the show's 12th anniversary.^[6]
• Bungallow, a horror television film to celebrate the show's 15th anniversary.^[70]
• Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie, a film based on the segment Ang Spoiled. It was released in theaters on September 23, 2009.^[71]
• 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.^[72]
• 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.^[73]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• Bubble Gang at IMDb