Financial Adviser: 5 Business Lessons Everyone Can Learn from the 'Master of Comedy' Michael V

In the world of entertainment, artists often find themselves in the constant pursuit of innovation and reinvention. Such is the case for Michael V, also known as Bitoy, or Beethoven Bunagan in real life, a multi-talented Filipino artist who carved his path to success through a diverse range of creative endeavors.

Michael V made his initial foray into show business by recording a rap song called “Maganda Ang Piliin” as a response to Andrew E's hit track “Humanap Ka Ng Panget.” This strategic move aimed to ride the wave of Andrew E's popularity and gain attention in the music scene.

While the rap song garnered some followers, Michael V realized that relying solely on this approach wouldn't sustain his presence in the industry. He sought a new avenue to showcase his talents and captivate audiences.

Recognizing his inclination towards comedy, Michael V ventured into the realm of comedy sketches. When he joined ABS-CBN's Ready Get Set Go, he volunteered to perform comedy sketches without compensation for over a year, driven by his determination to be noticed and appreciated for his comedic prowess. This bold move proved to be a pivotal turning point in his career.

Michael V's dedication and perseverance eventually paid off when ABS-CBN recognized his talent and granted him a regular spot on the network's programming. This milestone marked the beginning of his rise to stardom. His popularity caught the attention of other networks, leading to an offer from ABC Channel 5 to lead Tropang Trumpo alongside Ogie Alcasid, Carmina Villaroel, and Gelli de Belen. Although the show lasted for only two years, it served as a stepping stone for Michael V's future success.

After his stint with Channel 5, Michael V found a new home in GMA Network, where he became one of the main stars of the now iconic comedy show Bubble Gang. The show's longevity and popularity solidified the comedian’s position as a master of comedy in the Philippines.

Today, 28 years later, the comedy sketch show Bubble Gang remains a favorite among viewers, and Michael V continues to captivate audiences with his sitcom, Pepito Manaloto.

With a career spanning over three decades, Michael V has left an indelible mark on the Philippine entertainment industry. His comedic genius, versatility, and ability to connect with audiences have made him a household name.

As a mainstay of Bubble Gang, a show that has now been on the air for nearly three decades, Michael V continues to entertain and bring laughter to millions of viewers.

How did Michael V adapt to changing times and evolving trends throughout his career? What lessons can aspiring entertainers and individuals learn from Michael V's journey to success?

Here are the five business lessons everyone can learn from the ‘Master of Comedy’ Michael V, the founding pillar of the country’s longest-running comedy show Bubble Gang:

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1| Know how to create a strategic roadmap to achieve long-term goals

In business, having a clear idea of where you want to go is not enough to ensure success. It is important that you have a strategy that helps you outline the steps and milestones that will lead you towards your goals.

Michael V outlined his strategic steps to achieve his goal by carefully analyzing his opportunities and leveraging his talents. He strategically positioned himself as a novelty rapper with a unique approach, aiming to provide a different perspective from the popular “Humanap Ka Ng Panget” song by Andrew E. This allowed him to stand out and gain attention from both the audience and industry professionals.

Michael V's strategic roadmap involved transitioning from the recording industry to television and movies. He understood that appearing on the big and small screens was his ultimate dream, and he saw recording as a stepping stone to achieve that.

By impressing producers and showcasing his talent, he secured roles in OctoArts' films, leveraging their resources and network to further his career.

“Yung classmate ko noong college, nag OJT siya sa Eat Bulaga,” he says. “Naghahanap sila ng contestant. It was a rap contest. So, previously, nakakasali na ako sa ibang mga contests like singing contests pero this one, yung pagsali ko doon sa rap contest sa Eat Bulaga, this was the one na talagang got me into show business kasi, kahit natalo kami ng partner ko, si Lady Dianne, ito yung naging break ko para mapansin ng OctoArts Recording.

“They got me into that industry, and I started out with a few albums na puro rap pero ang approach ko was novelty. Hindi siya yung mga serious na kagaya ni Francis M.

“Noong time na ‘yon, sikat yung ‘Humanap Ka Ng Panget.’ I felt na people should hear the other side of the story, na parang hindi naman lahat ng tao ay naghahanap ng panget ‘di ba? A vast majority naghahanap ng maganda talaga. Iyon ang parang instinct.

“So, gumawa lang ako ng isang piece na directly magre-rebutt don sa sinasabi ni Andrew E. Ang ginawa ko is ‘Maganda ang Piliin.’ Well, it gained popularity, pero I could say hindi ako makikilala if not for Andrew E and ‘Humanap ka ng Panget.’ Doon nagsimula yung career ko.

“The reason why I got into TV and movies, kasi ito talaga yung dream ko. Pangarap ko talaga na mapunta sa big screen or small screen, and the only way to do that as far, as I knew back then, was to do the recording. Puede akong pumasok as recording artist, and then appear in several shows, and then try to impress other people or producers, and then maybe land a job somewhere.

“It so happened na ang OctoArts, they ventured into films. So, they tend to use their talents eh pagka ganon. Yung mga producers noon, kapag meron kang recording artists, you tend to put them into the movies kasi unang una, mas madali yung logistics kasi tao mo na ‘yan, hawak mo na ‘yan eh so yung schedules nyan hindi ka na mahihirapan.

“Pangalawa, we’re cheaper. Mas mura mag-produce ng movie using your own talents. So, don nagsimula. Pumasok ako sa movies. Kinuha ako ng OctoArts. Pumasok na ako doon sa mga unang movies nila with Vic Sotto.”

2| Know how to embrace authenticity and persevere

In the dynamic and competitive landscape of business, two essential traits stand out as crucial elements for long-term success: authenticity and perseverance.

In the competitive world of show business, standing out and creating your own identity is a challenge that many aspiring artists face. Michael V found himself in the shadow of another rapper, Andrew E, at the beginning of his career.

However, he didn't let this discourage him. Instead, he made a conscious decision to change his style of music, deviating from Andrew E's beats and topics. By embracing his own unique approach and staying true to his artistic vision, he was able to carve out his own niche in the industry.

When Michael V got the opportunity to be on ABS-CBN’s Ready, Get Set, Go!, he volunteered his talent and time without pay for few years in exchange for exposure and the chance to showcase his comedic abilities. He understood that through perseverance, often referred to as “grit,” he could gain recognition.

This strategic move allowed him to catch the attention of industry insiders and eventually led to more significant opportunities in other networks, such as his breakthrough role in Tropang Trumpo and eventually in Bubble Gang.

“When I entered show business as a rapper, I was not just as a rapper but essentially a copycat of Andrew E. That’s one of the really big challenges. ‘Papano ako aalis sa shadow nito? and it was a casting a big shadow on me so, parang, “Ito na lang ba ang ipo-promote ko? Will I be known as the guy who copied Andrew E? Dito na lang ba ako sisikat?’

“I had to deviate from that. I had to change my style of music. Kahit novelty kami pareho na ginagawa na mga rap,  dapat yung beat niya, hindi ko gayahain. Tapos yung mga topics niya, dapat hindi ‘yun ang gawin ko.

“There was a point in my career as a recording artist na parang na-frustrate ako. Nawalan na ‘ko ng pag-asa eh kasi I released my third album yata ‘yon and I was joking around kasi from time to time, yung OctoArts, nagkakaroon ng mga bargain bins. They sell yung mga CDs and cassettes sa labas ng building nila kasi hindi mabenta.

“So, I was joking around with my buddies sabi ko, ‘Tingnan nga natin kung andito yung album ko.’ And when I checked, andon nga. Parang, ‘Ang sakit naman nito, nasa bargain bins na ‘yong album ko. Paano pa ‘ko kikita n’yan?’ Di ba? Parang mahirap. So, I had to find another way. Sabi ko, ipu-pursue ko na talaga itong television at saka movie career ko.

“At that time, parang feeling ko, adulting na ‘ko. So, I needed to find a stable job and by stable, using my talents. I couldn’t do office work. Sabi ko hindi ‘yon ang path ko eh, So, I have to make this career work. Itong show business, kailangang gawan ko talaga ng paraan and doon ako nag focus talaga. Iyon ‘yong objective—to make a name.

“Nagkaroon ako ng rapping and hosting stint sa ABS-CBN. The show was called Ready, Get Set, Go! and may mga portions doon na ini-introduce ko by rap. So, nagi-introduce ako ng mga segments. And then, nagkaroon ng opening for short trivia contest nila sa show, and it was presented na parang sketch. So, sabi ko don sa producer, ‘Baka naman pwedeng isali niyo na ‘ko d’yan.’ Sabi ko, ‘kahit walang bayad, okay lang.’

“Pakain lang, meryenda. Iyon lang ang payment ko. Basta I was enjoying it and I was kinda hoping na magkaroon ng traction dito sa comedy career ko, and that paved the way. Napansin naman ng mga tao, and eventually, I landed a gig sa Channel 5. This was Tropang Trumpo. Iyon yung very first gag show ko, kasama ko si Ogie Alcasid, si Gelli De Belen, si Carmina Villaroel.

“Tapos napansin na rin ng ibang networks yung talent namin ni Ogie as a comedy duo, then they started negotiating with us, both ABS-CBN and GMA Channel 7, but we chose the latter and the rest is history.”

3| Know how to target your market to gain a competitive edge

In business, understanding your target audience better than your competitors can help you position your products or services uniquely and differentiate yourself from others in the market.

By tailoring your marketing messages and offerings to a specific target market, you increase the likelihood of resonating with your intended audience. This leads to higher conversion rates as your messaging aligns with their needs, prompting them to take action and become customers.

Michael V's journey to developing his comedic abilities and targeting his market audience was his growing up in the tenements of Taguig where he had the opportunity to observe and imitate a diverse range of people, including children, friends, and adults from all walks of life. This exposure provided him with a deep well of inspiration from which to draw.

With a deep understanding of his audience's preferences, Michael V developed characters and comedy sketches that resonated with them. By infusing authenticity and relatability into his performances, he was able to capture the hearts and laughter of his target market.

“I grew up in the tenements of Taguig,” he says. “The tenement building, the famous basketball court na pinupuntahan nina LeBron James, nina Paul George; doon mismo, I grew up there. So, chances are there’re plenty of people that you can observe and copy and imitate.

“Doon nanggaling yung inspiration ko sa iba’t ibang mga tao. Kahit mga bata nagagaya ko before dahil ang dami kong nakikitang mga bata. Ang dami kong experiences with the kids, mga kalaro ko. Tapos growing up, ito na ‘yong mga nagma-mature na, tapos ‘yong mga matatanda.

“So, people from all walks of life talaga parang na meet ko doon. Ang wala akong experience is meeting people na mayayaman. Kasi growing up in a tenement building, bihirang bihira, yung pinaka mayayaman niyo don, mahirap pa rin sa standards ng ibang mayaman ngayon.

“So, the objective was gawing mas three dimensional yung mga characters na ginagawa ko and hindi ko ma-e-experience ‘yon kung hindi ako aalis ng tenement. So, after nong mga lahat ng mga natutunan ko don sa tenement building, I needed to move and meet other people like the showbiz people.

“Kasi ‘yon ang impression mo kaagad eh when you say showbiz. ‘Uy mayaman ‘to, may kotse ‘to, maganda bahay nito.’ Iyon ang impression ko before sa mga taga-showbiz.

“Yung isa favorite character ko was Junie Lee kasi fear ko talagang mag interview ng mga tao, hindi ako komportable, especially with people na mga kilala, mga sikat. Parang may insecurity ako dyan eh, and si Junie Lee, sya yung insecurity blanket ko, parang he can fumble all he wants and it still is going to be funny.

“Matutuwa lang ang tao kahit anong pagkakamali nya, kahit totoong nagkamali ha. Halimbawa ako as a character, nagkamali ako ng basa okay lang kasi yun yung character nya. Kahit ako minsan hindi nakapagbihis ng maayos, okay lang kasi yun ang character nya.

“Yung isa sa mga nakakatuwang ginawa ko was yung ka-tandem ko si  Ogie. Si Yaya at si Angelina kasi ano yun eh parang tuwang-tuwa yung mga masa ang daming nakaka-relate tapos hindi lang dahil maraming yaya na kagaya nya kundi maraming tao na may mga yaya ay ganyang ganyan yung yaya ko.

“Tapos pati yung mga bata, parang yung mga totoong mga brats ha, yung mga spoiled, napapahiya sila pag nakikita nila yung sarili nila kasi sinasabi ng mga magulang nila, ‘O ikaw ganyang ganyan ka di ba. You’re like Angelina. So yun may social commentary din yun from time to time.

“Yung isang character na si Mr. Assimo, narinig ko ito sa radio program, yung parang send in your jokes, so parang ang binitawan nya is yung tumitingin ng pantalon, sabi nyang ganyan patingin nga nung pantalon ‘Ah alin po? Yun yung  kulay blue.’ Sabi nung seller, ‘Para sa inyo po?” sabi nung buyer, “Ay hindi para sa ‘yo, baka birthday mo eh, hiyang-hiya naman ako sayo no.’

“So nag-stick sakin yung line na yun na, ‘Hiyang hiya naman ako sayo.’ So sabi ko parang sarap gawing tagline nito ah. Kahit anong situation pwede mong ibaliktad in favor of Mr. Assimo, para masabi nya yung hiyang hiya naman ako sa yo. Dun nagsimula yun.

“Noong grade school ako, na-expose na ako sa performance. Sumasama ako sa mga dance troupe at saka sa mga choral, sa mga choir. Doon pa lang, yung performance, parang nabawasan na yung hiya ko and then I got into several plays noong grade school namin.

“Noong high school, ganun din, nag-play din ako. Taking up Mass Communication, kasama stage play dyan. So, andon na talaga yung talent ko as a performer na ‘walang hiya.’

“My screen name was taken from my two idols: Michael Jackson and Gary V. It was the idea of Orly Ilacad, my then-manager sa OctoArts. Doon nag simula yung pangalan ko. We were thinking about naming me as Gary Jackson pero mukhang hindi tunog rapper eh, so yung Michael V stuck. So that’s what we use until now.

Additionally, the name Bitoy came from the comedian Bentot. There was this one time in high school na napanood ko yung isang episode ng Iskul Bukol na nag-guest si Bentot, tapos the following day, ginaya ko yung voice nya dun sa klase, nagtatawanan yung mga kaklase ko, they started calling me Bitoy kaya the nickname stuck. Tapos hanggang ngayon ginagamit ko na sya.”

4| Know how to strive for excellence and provide quality work

In a competitive marketplace, quality sets you apart from competitors. When your work consistently demonstrates superior quality, it becomes a key differentiator that attracts customers and helps you stand out in the market.

It positions your business as a reliable and trustworthy choice, giving you a competitive edge over businesses that provide lower-quality work.

Michael V paid meticulous attention to detail in his work. As a creative director of Bubble Gang, he ensured that the jokes, sketches, and overall content adhered to the show's standard and flavor. By focusing on the nuances, timing, and delivery of his comedy, he maintained a high level of quality that resonated with the audience.

Michael V also embraced innovation and originality in his comedic approach. Rather than copying others or relying on formulas, he sought to create unique characters, sketches, and punchlines that were unexpected and distinct. This dedication to originality allowed him to carve out his own identity in the industry and captivate audiences with fresh and engaging content.

“If you think about Bubble Gang, it has been there for 28 years, so I’ve been here with GMA for 28 years,” he says. “When Ogie and I transferred from Tropang Trumpo to Bubble Gang, I was assigned as creative director for the show.

“They assigned me that job. Siguro nakita rin nila yung parang command ko sa comedy, which I’m very grateful for kasi parang back then, hindi ko nakikita sarili ko as creative director, pero si Wilma Galvante at saka si Bobby Barreiro that time, they were the heads of the Entertainment Group sa GMA. Sila yung parang, ‘Tingnan natin kung anong magagawa nito?’ and I didn’t want to disappoint them kasi parang for you to see me that way, parang hindi ko naman maaatim na to give you this much lang. I have to go all out, so that’s what I did.

“Yung work ng creative director is parang quality control, so you have head writers, writers, and they write the jokes, the sketches. And you make sure that it adheres to the standard ng show. Yung flavor dapat hindi nawawala. Parang, ‘Ano ba ang flavor ng Bubble Gang?’ Dapat medyo naughty, ganyan, tapos medyo 90 degrees yung atake mo ng punchline, yung talagang unexpected.

“Parang nag-stop lang ako as creative director after ng 20th anniversary namin. There was a time na I was doing something else na. Ginagawa ko na yung isang show ko, yung Pepito Manaloto. It’s a sitcom. It’s been running for 13 years na and I needed to focus on that.

“Some people would say na Bubble Gang is me and I mean, kahit dito sa production, sinasabi rin nila ‘yon pero ako, I always see Bubble Gang as yung true to the title, yung “gang.” Hindi siya isang tao lang eh, so that has to be the cast, the staff, the writers, and the directors. Lahat ‘yan hindi ko maisasantabi. Parang when you say, “Bubble Gang,” hindi ko maisip na ako lang. Talagang hindi. I cannot go through this journey na ako lang. Hindi talaga.

“When they assigned me the job, pressure was there definitely. Noong una, talagang hindi na ako maka-perform eh kasi na-i-intimidate ako don sa head writers namin, kay Caesar Cosme. He was there from Day 1. Kasama siya sa kumuha sakin eh. He was one of the reasons kung bakit ako napalipat.

“Napakalaking influence niya sa akin to actually speak up and made my voice heard as creative director. Kasi there was a time na parang okay lang, hindi ako nagko-comment, pinapasa ko lahat ng mga scripts. But then, noong dawn of the internet, parang napapansin ko na yung mga writers, kumukuha na lang ng English na joke sa internet at tina-Tagalog. I thought, parang this is not fair. Sabi ko hindi naman ito yung foundation ng show. Sabi ko, “We’re known for original sketches, original materials. At saka sayang naman yung talent ninyo, ‘yong binabayad sa inyo as writers. Iwasan natin ‘yon.

“Kaya nga dito sa Pepito Manaloto, kapag nagbi-brainstorm kami, I usually ask them to bring something to the table: yung personal experience or kwento nong isang kaibigan nila, kakilala. Hindi yung nabasa lang nila. Hopefully, yung something na konektado sa kanila para personal nangyari, na-witness niyo, narinig niyo, nangyari sa kakilala ninyo, para when you write it and turn it into a script ay original talaga yung material niyo. Sa Pepito Manaloto kasi ako pa rin ang creative director.

“Since nagkwa-quality control nga ako, I often revise the sketches, the scripts, yung mga gags from time to time para mag fit pa rin, hindi lang sa flavor ng Bubble Gang kundi doon sa image ko. Yung mga lines dapat ma-i-deliver ko ng maayos as a character of some sort.”

5| Know how to take control of your financial destiny

Taking charge of your own finances is important for achieving financial independence and the ability to create a lasting impact for yourself and future generations. It empowers you to make informed decisions, pursue opportunities, and live a fulfilling and prosperous life.

Michael V took control of his financial destiny by learning from the experiences of his father and making a conscious decision to create a stable and secure future for himself.

By staying committed to one stable job, Michael V prioritized stability and financial security. He understood the importance of not relying solely on his parents and instead encouraged his children to learn how to make their own money and create a living for themselves.

Through his own example, Michael V showed his children the importance of charting their own financial destinies. He encouraged them to think beyond material possessions and develop a strong work ethic, emphasizing the need to handle their finances responsibly and plan for the future.

“I came from humble beginnings,” he says. “Ang mother ko was a housewife all her life and yung father ko was into different types of jobs, pero he was mainly a painter and a carpenter.

“Hindi naman talaga siya artist-painter. Ito yung mga nagpipinta ng furniture, nagpipinta ng bahay. Hindi siya yung painter na artist, but he had talent in drawing, sa kanya talaga ako natuto.

And actually, ang pinaka-valuable na lesson na binigay niya sa’kin was yung showing me what doesn’t work. Nakita ko, it’s not working, lipat siya ng lipat ng work, hindi siya nagkaroon ng loyalty sa company, so parang naisip ko na, ‘what if nag-stay na siya doon sa dating job niya?’

“Okay naman yung pay nya doon. Siguro baka naging manager na siya, baka gumanda na yung position niya.’ Sadly, ‘yan yung na-instill sa akin, parang, ‘hindi ko gagawin ‘yon.’ I need to stay in one stable job. Dito lang ako.

“I always tell my children na they are not rich. Your parents are, but you are not, kaya dapat matuto kayo to make your own money and to create a living for yourselves.

“Kasi alam mo, the only thing  I can do is to be sarcastic about it, parang ang hirap kasi, growing up na mahirap kami, hindi naman kami mayamang pamilya ng wife ko nung lumaki kami. Alam mo yung usual na feeling ng mga magulang na hindi ko ipapa-experience sa mga anak ko, so I will give them everything that they need as much as I could kaya lang it comes to a point na, ‘Teka ganyan na lang ba ang gusto nyo? Wala na kayong ambisyon?’

“So we have come to that realization na dapat gawin nyo man lang ito at saka in the future, wala bang magha-handle nung finances na nabuo namin? Ano mangyayari dun?”

Henry Ong, RFP, is an entrepreneur, financial planning advocate and business advisor. Email Henry for business advice hong@financialadviser.ph or follow him on Twitter @henryong888