Michael V.

Michael V

Michael V. in the set of Eat... Bulaga!
Background information
Birth name Beethoven del Valle Bunagan
Born December 17, 1969
Malate, Manila, Philippines[1]
Origin Pandacan, Manila, Philippines
Genres Pop, OPM, rap, novelty, parody
Occupation(s) Singer, actor, comedian, TV host
Years active 1990–present
Labels EMI
OctoArts
Polyeast
GMA Records
Website Michael V's Profile in GMANetwork.com

Michael V. (born Beethoven del Valle Bunagan; December 17, 1969), also known as "Bitoy", is a Filipino comedian, actor, impersonator, director, composer, singer, rapper, voice artist and parodist, who appears in the GMA Network show Bubble Gang, and in his own TV show Pepito Manaloto.

Known for his "translations" and parodies of popular Filipino and foreign songs, Michael V has also made original songs, such as "Sinaktan Mo Ang Puso Ko" (You've Hurt My Heart), and "Hindi Ako Bakla" (I'm Not Gay). The song "Sinaktan Mo Ang Puso Ko" is closely similar to Weird Al Yankovic's "You Don't Love Me Anymore".

Early life

Beethoven was born at 8:12 AM on December 17, 1969 at Clinica dela Rosa in Malate, Manila, Philippines to Cesar Felix Bunagan (born November 22, 1941 in Pandacan, Manila)[2] and Melba Balonzo del Valle of Irosin, Sorsogon.[1] His father named him after German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, because his father saw a copy of Beethoven's LP in his boss's office and didn't know that "Beethoven" is a surname.

His nickname is not actually derived from his real name, as earlier speculated. It was taken from a TV character played by comedian Bentot. When Bentot guested in Iskul Bukol, then high school pupil Beethoven saw it. The next day, he was mimicking Bentot's voice in school. His classmates then called him Bitoy. The nickname stuck to this day.

In his younger days, he was a very hopeful boy. Spending his days in rooftops of a tenement housing where he lived for almost 20 years, he foresees himself making a difference any way he can.

He joined a lot of contests on TV. In one contest in Eat Bulaga, judge Ogie Alcasid turned him down. Later, Beethoven became a co-host of Eat Bulaga and Ogie Alcasid became one of his close friends and co-star in the long-running Bubble Gang and Tropang Trumpo.

During the popularity of Andrew E., the song "Humanap Ka Ng Panget" became a monster hit. The then unsigned Beethoven composed a reply song entitled "Maganda Ang Piliin (Ayoko Ng Panget)". At that time, OctoArts was then inviting Beethoven's female friend and rapping partner, Dianne, to submit a demo tape. In that demo tape, Beethoven's "Maganda Ang Piliin" was accidentally included. He and Dianne got individual recording contracts. Beethoven's song and its accompanying album became a hit.

Michael V.'s first movie appearance was in Regal Films' comedy film, "Banana Split" topbilled by Joey Marquez. But his star shone more brightly when OctoArts Films started to include him in several comedy flicks that cast him alongside Vic Sotto ("Ano ba Yan", "Ano ba Yan 2", "D' Sisters", "Lastikman"), Ogie Alcasid ("Ano ba Yan", "Ano ba Yan 2", "Manolo en Michelle", etc.), Francis M, and many more.

This writer and actor has an academic degree in Mass Communications from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He finished his secondary education in Manila Science High School.

Television and film career

He has won the Asian Television Awards for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

He recently joined MariMar as the voice of Fulgoso. After his voice-acting in MariMar, he joined the cast of Codename: Asero which is Bitoy's first soap opera.

On August 23, 2008, Michael V, was officially informed that he will grace the front cover of Reader's Digest (RD) 5th Annual Humor Special, September issue.[3]

He also recently had a comedy movie with long time friend Ogie Alcasid called "Ang Spoiled Brat: The Movie" produced by GMA Films & APT Productions, inspired from a segment of GMA 7's award-winning gag-show, "Bubble Gang". Bitoy also hosted a game show on GMA, Hole in the Wall with Ogie Alcasid in 2009.

Bitoy formerly hosted a comedy-talent show called Bitoy's SHOwwwTIME aired from 2009 to 2010 and also hosted Kap's Amazing Stories Kids Edition while original host Sen. Bong Revilla had left the show shortly for re-election as senator, but Revilla won again as Senator a week later.

Bitoy had his first sitcom entitled "Pepito Manaloto" currently airing on GMA 7 and is also currently co-hosting the long running variety game show, Eat Bulaga.

In 2010, Bitoy became Nestle Philippines' Laki sa Gatas advocate for Bear Brand Milk. He joined the product's other endorsers, Batangas Governor and actress Vilma Santos, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Miss International 2006 Precious Lara Quigaman, writer and professor José Wendell Capili, actor Marvin Agustin, singer Regine Velasquez, and actress Eugene Domingo.

Also in 2010, Bitoy returns to drama via Jillian Namamasko Po! which he plays a Santa Claus which he created a doll and gives to a good little child.

In 2011, Bitoy once again to drama via Bantatay which he returns to voice as a dog. it was his 4th GMA 7 Telebabad after Marimar and Codename: Asero and Jillian Namamasko Po!.

Personal life

Bitoy is married to his non-showbiz wife Carol and has 4 children, namely Milo, Yanni, Migo, and Maypaul. His closest friends are Ogie Alcasid, Vic Sotto, Bayani Agbayani and the late Francis Magalona.

In August 2013, Michael was hospitalized[4] for dengue fever, according to a tweet from Ogie Alcasid. Both Alcasid and Michael solicited prayers and platelet donations[5] over the following days, promising to update fans once the situation gets better. Michael then later tweeted that he is recovering from his previous condition, thanking his fans for support.[6]

Music career

Discography

In 2006, Michael released his studio album, The Bubble G Anthology, which is a compilation of his song parodies from the TV show Bubble Gang under GMA Records. His new album can be described as "an audio-visual venture", with songs such as Mamaw, which is a parody of Kamikazee's song Narda, and DJ Bumbay, a comical take at the Indian merchants that are doing business in the Philippines. Some the songs in his album, like Wag N'yo Kaming Pansinin, poked fun at his gay colleague, Diego, and a black woman from Bubble Gang, Myka, which is also a regular at Bubble Gang.

It was also said that he needed to re-master some of his song parody performances, since because it was first played on TV, it came out as mono, and to make it distinguishable from pirated versions. Hindi Ako Bakla became a hit over the radio stations in 2007. Hindi Ako Bakla has a message almost similar to Tuesday Vargas's song Babae Po Ako.

Notable songs from Michael V.'s different albums:

As composer

Aside from his new album, he is a composer of theme songs not only for his show Bubble Gang but also in other GMA shows. One notable song he composed is "Alinlangan", sung by Jolina Magdangal for the GMA telefantasya Super Twins. He is also notable for creating some parody songs, including "Sabog Sabog Tayo", which was released on February 20, 2009.

He also composed "Tim Song Ku" sang by Regine Velasquez for the 14th Anniversary of longest-running comedy show, Bubble Gang.

Television Shows

Television
Year Title Role Network Notes
2014 Hakbang Sa Pangarap: Eat Bulaga Lentel Drama Special 2014 ???? GMA Network
2013–2014 Killer Karaoke Pinoy Naman Main Host TV5
2013 The Ryzza Mae Show Mr. Assimo GMA Network Guest Star
2012–present Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kwento Pepito Manaloto GMA Network Lead Role
2012 Pare & Pare Himself/Host GMA Network Main Host with Ogie Alcasid
2010-2011 Bantatay Dog Voice GMA Network Supporting Role
2010-2011 Jillian: Namamasko Po Santa Claus GMA Network Supporting Role
2010-2012 Pepito Manaloto Pepito Manoloto GMA Network Lead Role
2010 Diz Iz It Himself/Judge GMA Network Special Guest
2009-2010 Bitoy's SHOwwwTIME Himself/Host GMA Network Lead Host
2009 Hole in the Wall Yaya GMA Network Main Host with Ogie Alcasid
2008 Nickelodeon Philippines Kids' Choice Awards Host Nickelodeon Main Host
2008 Codename: Asero Bodjie X GMA Network Supporting Role
2007-2008 MariMar Fulgoso GMA Network Voice
2007 Eat Bulaga's Holy Week Specials Himself GMA Network Main Cast
2004–present Eat Bulaga! Himself/Performer/Host GMA Network Main Host
2004-2009 Bitoy's Funniest Videos Etoy/Betong/Bebang/Bitoy GMA Network Lead Host
2004 Celebrity Turns with Junee and Lani Junee GMA Network Lead Role
1995–present Bubble Gang Himself GMA Network Main Cast
N/A Ooops! Himself/Director GMA Network Director
1994-1995 Tropang Trumpo Himself ABC (now TV5) Main Cast

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Beethoven Bunagan's Birth Certificate
  2. ↑ Cesar Bunagan's Birth Certificate
  3. ↑ gmanews.tv/story, Michael V graces Reader's Digest cover for September issue
  4. ↑ "Michael V.’s dengue worsens". Tempo. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Michael V. has dengue, needs platelet donations - Yahoo! OMG! Philippines". Yahoo!. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Michael V recovers from dengue". ABS-CBN News (ABS-CBN). Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  7. ↑ Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat in Internet Movie Database