TV’s Baes aspire to be role models for the youth
THERE’S no doubt the “Baes” of EatBulaga are fast becoming major mainstays on television. Apart from their regular appearances on the GMA Network noontime variety show, their teen-oriented show Trops continues to dominate the ratings months after its premiere in October 2016. Collectively, the Baes now have over one million followers on Instagram.
Comprised of Kenneth Medrano, Miggy Tolentino, Joel Palencia, Tommy dancers on EatBulaga. Now, they are making their mark in the biz as a group of talented artists living out their dreams.
Showbiz is not just about popularity for them, though. Their main goal is to become role models for the youth.
“We owe it to those who supported us from the start to be the best that we can be,” said Last, who admits that acting on television has been his dream since he was a child. “Ever since I could speak, I’ve known I wanted to be an actor. I achieved the point wherein I’m happy. Masayaakodito.”
Medrano, the Cebuano grand winner of the Bae search in 2015, also wanted to be part of showbiz ever since he was young. Despite having classic Pinoy movie star good looks, entering the industry was not easy for dream was a gamble that he did not know would pay off.
“Akalangmarami,gimikerokami. The ‘EB Baes’ are making their mark in showbiz as a talented group of artists living out their dreams Anghindinilaalam,kapagmay free time, we make sure na we spend it with our family,” he said.
Like Medrano, Tolentino is a simple teen “napatambay-tambaylangsa labasngbahaykasamangmgakaibiganko” prior to becoming part of Eat Bulaga’s contest.
Even when he was already part of Eat Bulaga before the premiere of Trops, Tolentino admitted feeling dejected as he wasn’t doing anything other than appear on the noontime show unlike the other members.
“May time nagustokonamag- quit,” he shared. “Anghinihilinglangnamin dati,magkaroonngshownamag- extra kaminganimnamagkakasama.Naisip ko,baliknalangakosabahaynamin. Mag-staynalangakosadatikongbuhay,mag- quit nalangkami.”
agent before joining showbiz, encouraged him to keep pushing forward. Their dream, after all, is no longer just for themselves, Tommy explained—it’s also for their family, loved ones, and supporters who have been behind them since the beginning. “Yungmga tagumpaynamin,yung achievements namin,parayunsalahatngnaniniwalasaamin.”
Clearly, they’ve gone a long way since then. “Before, when people would see us it public, they would say, ‘ Uy,si Twerk It Like Miley,” said Last, referring to the dance song their group was initially known. “Now they would say, ‘ Uy,si Trops’.”
This also means, as role models, that they share what they have learned from their experience in showbiz. One of the most important lessons they’ve learned recently, Joel said, is from Trops co-star Irma Adlawan.
From the veteran actress, the Baes learned that there is no point in resting on their laurels. “SabiniTita Irma, ‘ Mgaanak,huwagninyongiisipinna lagikayongmagaling.Ganunako, kasikungmagalingka,walakanang patutunguhan.Perokunginiisipko nahindiakomagaling,maramiakong natutunan,maramipaakongmapupuntahan,” he said.
As role models, the Baes know that despite their current success, they have to keep working hard. “Dibamay mga group na until now kilalaparin kahitwalanasila. People would say na magalingyungmga members ng Sex Bomb Dancers or Streetboys. We want people to say someday na, ‘That’s My Bae yan,magalingyan’,” Medrano said.
“Sana we get to leave a mark, hindi yungisangbagsaklang,taposwalana. We’re here for the long haul. We’re here to stay,” Last ended.