Michael V: Tackling Politics Is Inevitable in Comedy

AS MUCH AS HE DISLIKES POLITICS, Michael V admitted that it's inevitable to touch on the subject in comedy.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

During a recent interview with the Kapuso comedy master—also known as the face and brains of the country's two most enduring comedy shows "Bubble Gang" and "Pepito Manaloto"—he countered the observation that he hardly tackles political issues in his brand of humor.

"Meron. Sometimes, it goes viral—the recent one went viral," he said when asked about it. "Parang yung political dynasty namin. Tapos palaging sinasabi namin, 'O, ano lang 'to ha, 'Bubble Gang' lang 'to, joke lang 'to ha. Hindi naman totoo 'to.' Di ba palagi naming nasabi? Hindi pwedeng hindi ma-touch yung politics. As much as I hate—no, dislike—politics myself, it's inevitable."

Michael V noted that sometimes, even jokes and skits that have nothing to do with politics get connected to real-life political issues and personalities.

"Minsan nga wala tayong ginagawa, bigla nalang tayong ididikit or idu-duet tayo kay BBM (Pres. Bongbong Marcos on TikTok), like that subway system. At saka yung bago ni BBM na 'Sumbong sa Pangulo,' dapat daw ibalik yung 'Sumbong sumbong kay Bonggang Bongbong,' 'di ba?" he said, referring to the well-loved "Bubble Gang" segment that spoofed investigative programs and aired at various seasons from 2008 to 2023.

"Na-pre date namin ito several years (ago) yung ginagawa ng pangulo ngayon. But it's entertaining and at the same time, creepy," he said with a laugh.