The internet erupted over the weekend as Michael V. unveiled his latest comedic persona, Ciala Dismaya, on “Bubble Gang,” a parody widely anticipated due to the uncanny resemblance between the veteran comedian and a currently controversial public figure.
The segment, which aired September 14 on GMA, quickly went viral following a week-long buildup fueled by teaser clips and mounting buzz on social media. The resemblance, first noticed by netizens during a televised Senate hearing, didn’t escape Michael V. aka Bitoy himself.
“Actually una kong napansin kaagad ‘yan sa Senate hearing,” Michael V. said. “Ako mismo napansin ko na. Parang kamukha ko siya. Parang konting effort na lang, magagaya ko na siya.”
The comedian shared that while he had no initial plans to spoof the personality, the overwhelming clamor from the public changed that. “Hindi ko muna inisip na gayahin right away. Pero dahil sa dami ng messages na nagpa-flood sa feed ko, binato ko na agad sa creative team ng ‘Bubble Gang.’ And they had the same idea rin pala.”
Indeed, the idea struck gold. Even before the sketch aired, the show’s teaser clip featuring Bitoy in costume but only shot from behind sparked online excitement. “Nagulat ako dahil nakatalikod pa lang, ‘di pa nga nila nakikita ‘yung mukha, na-excite na agad ‘yung mga tao,” he said. “Abangan ninyo this Sunday, mas lalo kayong matutuwa sa inihanda namin.”
The segment tackled current events through “Bubble Gang’s” signature comedic lens. “Kung ano ‘yung issue sa Senado, ‘yun din ang issue na tinackle namin,” Bitoy explained. “Pero as usual with the ‘Bubble Gang’ formula, kailangan ilihis mo ng konti at humorous siya. Ang attempt namin ay hindi para manira ng tao kundi para magpatawa ng mga tao.”
As Bitoy promised before the episode aired: “This Sunday, babaha ng katatawanan.” True enough, Michael V. once again proved why he remains a master of satire.
