Michael V. officially renewed his contract with GMA Network on Aug. 18, capping off three decades as one of the Kapuso network’s most beloved stars.
For the man everyone calls Bitoy, the milestone underscores the support of his family and fans and the humor that has defined his career.
“Making people laugh has always been my job, but what really makes me happy is my family and knowing that people value the work I’ve done,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment after the signing.
Despite his status as a comedy icon, Bitoy admitted he’s not done pushing himself. He dreams of projects that would take him outside the familiar world of sketches and sitcoms.
One idea close to his heart is a Dolphy biopic, which he hopes would be both a tribute and a creative challenge.
“It can’t just be another biopic,” he explained. “It has to be something fresh, something fun, and something that really pushes me as an actor.”
He added that he’s eager to try roles he hasn’t done before, the kind that scare him a little but also excite him.
Part of that challenge, he admitted, is the delicate balance of humor and social issues. Comedy, he said, has always mirrored society, whether through satire of politics or commentary on trending topics.
“As much as I dislike politics myself, it’s inevitable. We can’t not touch politics,” he said.
Still, he emphasized responsibility in how jokes are delivered.
“We don’t just write what we know will offend people. We have our own sense of humor. If someone gets offended, that’s usually because of other influences and different interpretations. But for us, the goal has always been to make people laugh.”
Bitoy is also preparing to celebrate another milestone: the 30th anniversary of Bubble Gang.
Since it first aired in 1995, the show has become a Friday-night habit for generations of Filipinos, producing catchphrases, characters, and skits that people still talk about today.
“Thirty years is no joke,” he said with a grin. The show will mark the occasion with a BG30 celebration this October, featuring special guests and surprises for loyal viewers.
For him, the key to the show’s longevity is simple: it mirrors the times.
“What you see on social media, what’s going viral, even the stories around us—that’s what Bubble Gang puts into comedy,” he said.
As he extends his stay with GMA, Bitoy is grateful for the freedom the network has given him to grow as a performer and creator. But he’s also clear that he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
“I don’t think I’ve shown my prime yet,” he said. “There’s still so much more I want to do.”
