Why Michael V’s parodies are a song of their own
Comedy evolves with the times. The things that made us laugh decades ago—skits, sketches, punchlines—might now raise eyebrows. Even Michael V himself admits that some of the material aired on “Bubble Gang” back then wouldn’t fly today, now that audiences are more socially aware—or, for lack of a better term, “more sensitive.”
But if there’s one aspect of Michael V’s comedy that continues to hold up—regardless of the changing social climate—it’s his parodies.
Whether dressed as Celine Dion in a satin nightgown crying out, “Sanggol, sanggol, sanggol!” in “Bumabalik Na Sa ‘Kin Ngayon” (parody of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”), or as a young Armi Millare agonizing over how to boil beef “kung walang kalan” in “Uh-Oh” (“Oo”), Michael V’s spoofs of popular hits never fail to make us laugh, sing along, or maybe even dance a little.
To this day, his parodies often amass millions of views, enjoyed by longtime fans and younger ones alike. But what makes them so enduring and catchy across different generations?
It all starts with song choice. “That’s number one. Music is a universal tool for communication. When the song is good, makes you hum, and is liked by many, then you already have a good foundation—the groundwork is there,” Michael V tells Lifestyle Inquirer at his recent contract renewal with GMA 7, his home network for the past 30 years.
Taking a life of its own
Indeed, Michael V always keeps a pulse on current trends, quick to pick up on artists people are listening to today. Where the real magic happens, however, is in the lyrics.
Back in the 1990s, his parodies were mostly straightforward Tagalog translations of popular English hits—hence his album series “MTB (Myusik Tagalog Bersiyon),” which features the aforementioned Dion ballad and other songs like “Dalawa’y Nag-isa” (“2 Become 1” by the Spice Girls). And though wildly entertaining, their comedic value was more or less cosmetic, relying on delivery and character transformations for laughs.
But over time, he veered away from direct translations and began rewriting the lyrics altogether. He leaned more into OPM hits. The accompanying music videos evolved into fleshed out narratives. Here, he really gets to flex his comedic genius. By blending pop culture reference and observational humor, he comes up with original lyrics that are part comedy, part social commentary—all while keeping the original song’s flow and rhythm intact.
And before long, the songs take on a life of their own.
The parodies can be a simple reflection of everyday quirks, like “Feeling,” in which Michael V turns Dionela and Jay-R’s sensuous R&B jam “Sining” into a hilarious dig at deluded titos trying to pass themselves off as Gen Z kids at a bar. Others are more poignant and culturally relevant. Take “Gusto Ko Nang Bumigay” (“Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw” by Morissette), which tells the story of a closeted gay man yearning to come out and embrace his authentic self later in life (drag queen Eva Le Queen once said it “hits too close to home”).
They’re funny, yes, until the laughter stops and you realize it’s you he’s singing about.
“A song usually talks about one thing. But with parodies, you can change your approach in a way that allows you to touch on different subjects or audiences. Mas maraming tinatamaan,” Michael V explains. “Of course, humor comes first. But I’m happy when people relate, or find a deeper meaning in them.”
And then there are parodies that are meant to be nothing more than silly and mindless fun. In “Isaw Nga” (“Ikaw Nga” by South Border), Michael V tries to sate his random cravings for grilled intestines. In “Tinda” (“Sila” by SUD), he waits all day for the taho vendor, only to find out that “walang sago sa taho.”
With all that street food, it’s no wonder his stomach gave out and ended up doing the “Bathroom Dance” (“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga).
“Minsan mababaw lang talaga, but sometimes you’ll be surprised because some people still end up reading too much into them. They can take on new, different meanings,” he says. “But if the material goes viral because of those interpretations, I’m okay with it. No problem.”
While parodies are still part of his repertoire, he doesn’t churn them out as frequently as he used to. Licensing has become stricter, he points out. “Dati hindi ganun kahigpit. Now there are a lot of rights to consider. Using songs, especially foreign and popular ones, can be really expensive,” Michael V says.
Batang Bubble
Still, he assures his fans that “as long as there are good songs out there, the parodies will live on.” And besides, it’s just one part of what he and “Bubble Gang” can offer, especially now, as the long-running sketch comedy show—like the seasoned comedian himself—marks its 30th year on GMA 7.
Dubbed “Batang Bubble Ako,” the anniversary celebration is already underway and will culminate in a concert in October, reuniting past and present cast members onstage to bring iconic characters, skits, and maybe even a parody or two back to life. While the event will be heavy on comedic throwbacks, it will also introduce new gags and concepts—a sign that the show is still willing to experiment and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“We will give a new flavor to some beloved sketches and characters over the past 30 years,” shares Michael V, who’s also “Bubble Gang’s” creative director. “We called [it] ‘Batang Bubble Ako’ because many Filipinos grew up with the show.”
Beyond “Bubble Gang,” he also directs and stars in another long-running show, the sitcom “Pepito Manaloto”—which, while not as irreverent as the former, has given him an outlet to tell stories inspired by real-life experiences for the past 15 years and counting. There are plans for a film centered on “Mr. Assimo,” one of his most popular characters. And his long-held dream of portraying Dolphy in a biopic remains unrealized.
In many ways, the comic legend feels like he’s still only getting started. Because if there’s one thing he has mastered through the years, it’s how to keep going. “You have to persevere,” he stresses. “Every project you do will come with new challenges. But that’s what going gets your brain working and feeds your imagination. ‘Yan din ang magpapakapal ng mukha mo.”
Not every punchline gets a laugh, but when it does, nothing feels better for a comedian. “When I read positive comments or see people appreciating my work, I’m good. Masaya na ‘ko,” he says.
