Super Special
Mayor Isko Moreno, Hollywood actor Jacob Batalon up for cameo roles in ‘Bubble Gang’ anniversary episode
For its 24th anniversary presentation, gag show “Bubble Gang” will have two-part superhero telemovie spoof titled “The ScAvengers” with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Hollywood actor Jacob Batalon in guest roles.
Mainstay Michael V. said Isko will come out as Yorme while Jacob will be Need, a parody of his Ned character in “Spider-Man.”
Michael revealed the latter’s character was shot when Jacob was in Manila recently.
“Sabi namin it’s a good opportunity na maisama siya. For me, he’s the first Filipino in Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sabi nila si Batista (Dave Bautista) pero hindi eh. Ito (si
Jacob), full Filipino ’to, talagang hindi
hati,” the comedy actor said. “The ScAvengers,” which is a wordplay on Marvel Studio’s eponymous characters, the Avengers, revolves around an outcast group of homeless people who scavenge for a living and find extraordinary scraps which fell from outer space. Little do they know the garbage possesses superpowers that will transform them from outcasts to their barangay’s greatest superheroes collectively called The ScAvengers.
On the show, Michael V. is Allan
Peter Kuya Thanos, the main villain determined to wipe out half of the universe’s population with a snap of his fingers.
The ScAvengers, whose mission is to stop Allan and save the world, are Antonio Aquitania as Thorpe/Tor; Paolo
Contis as Plantsa Man/Mr. Tonio; Kim Domingo as Black Panty/Tasia; Boy 2 Quizon as Capt. American Tiki Tiki/Esteban; Sef Cadayona as Hukay-Ukay/Boy Pana; Betong Sumaya as Hulkluban/T’yo Bruce; Analyn Barro as Regyula.; Archie Alemania as Mang Stan; Mikoy Morales as Squatterman/Pedrito; and Chariz Solomon as Gumorah.
Also, Valeen Montenegro, Lovely Abella, Arra San Agustin, Jak Roberto, and Denise Barbacena play Kuya Thanos’ cohorts, while Arny Ross, Liezel Lopez, Roadfill, Mykah, and Diego are townspeople.
Michael admitted that during the 10-day shoot, doing fight scenes were most “taxing.” “Actually du’n (fight scene)
nagtagal kaya inabot ng 10 days eh.
Kasi siyempre hindi naman kami lahat sanay sa mga fight scenes,” he explained.
The actor assured fans would love their work as well as the special effects and fight choreography.
“Medyo baliw at ambisyosong project ito. Sa totoo lang, laro lang ’yung gusto namin and yet gusto namin ipakita na kahit kami naglalaro,
’yung quality hindi mawawala. So this time around, it’s a visual treat na talagang sa teaser pa lang gugulatin namin kayo,” he was quoted to have said in a release.
“We have new audience every day and episode. It’s like our duty and also our pleasure to create something for these new audiences, sa mga bagong sumusuporta at sumusubaybay.
At the same time, we are maintaining ’yung mga suki na namin,” he
added.
In terms of the story, Michael noted it’s “medyo mababaw talaga.”
“It’s the typical Pinoy version
na napapanuod sa mga pelikula dati
nila Dolphy, Panchito (Alba), Chiquito.”
The show is under the helm of creative heads Chito Francisco and Caesar Cosme and directors Rico Gutierrez and Bert de Leon.
“Bubble Gang’s” two-part anniversary special “The ScAvengers” will air on GMA Telebabad slot on Nov. 15 and 22.
As artist
Michael was asked to give his thoughts on the future of comedy in the country.
“Bata pa lang ako ay fan na talaga ako ng entertainment, TV, tsaka ng movies, not just for comedy itself.
Ito lang ’yung kinalalagyan ko ngayon, ito ’yung specialty ko, ito ’yung kaya kong i-contribute. So, as much as I can, gagawin ko lahat para ma-iforward pa, ma-itaas pa ’yung standard ng comedy, ’yung matulungan ’yung industriya,” he declared. In terms of young talents who want to join the scene, what qualifications do they need to make it? “Kailangan ready ka na makipagkulitan talaga,” he said. “Tsaka ’yung pagiging wacky na natural, kailangan lumabas ’yun.”
“Actually hindi lahat ng nagsisimula sa ‘Bubble Gang,’ ganu’n na agad (comedian). ’Yung iba nag-gogrow sa ‘Bubble.’ ’Yung iba naman hindi nagtatagal dahil nga hindi namin
nakikita ’yung qualities na hinahanap namin. Pero palaging welcome naman ang lahat na mag-try out dito,” he related. “If it works out, good. ’Pag hindi, then maybe there are other projects for them.”
Asked about his recent directorial film debut “Family History” via GMA Pictures, Michael is overwhelmed by the positive feedback it got. “Nabitin lang sa promo pero at least I got the reaction that I wanted. ’Yung mga inaasahan kong matutunan ko, natutunan ko,” he said. “It is a learning experience, a very good experience. Walang masamang
tinapay.”
He hopes to release another film next year.