Michael V.

Michael V.
Michael V. during a taping in Eat... Bulaga!
Background information
Birth name	Beethoven del Valle Bunagan
Born	December 17, 1969 (1969-12-17) (age 41)
Origin	Brgy. Lamboon, Irosin, Sorsogon, Philippines
Genres	Pop, OPM, Rap/Hip-Hop, Novelty, Parody
Occupations	Singer, Actor, Comedian, TV host
Years active	1990–present
Labels	EMI OctoArts Polyeast GMA Records
Website	http://www.igma.tv/profile/michael-v

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

Known as the "Weird Al" Yankovic of the Philippines for his "translations" and parodies of popular Filipino and foreign songs and 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 Yankovic's "You Don't Love Me Anymore".

Early life

Beethoven was born on December 17, 1969 in Irosin, Sorsogon, Philippines. His father named him after German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, not because they shared almost the same birth date (199 years later), but 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 the defunct Tropang Trumpo.

During his early days, he was an extremely shy young man. He was often pessimistic about his life, thinking that he was too dumb to have a future. One day, little did he know that while drunk and singing a certain song, his voice was actually being recorded by his wife.^[1]

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 flick, "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.^[2]

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. His closest friends are Ogie Alcasid, Vic Sotto, Bayani Agbayani and the late Francis Magalona.

Music career

Discography

In 2006, Michael released his newest 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 Michale V.'s different albums:

• MTB (Myusik Tagalog Bersyon) – Michael V.'s parody of popular English music videos translated to Tagalog in a literal and often humorous manner. Some notable MTB's are:
  • Bumalik Ka Na Sa Akin Ngayon (It's All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion)
  • Pustahan Aysus Naku (Betcha by Golly Wow! by Prince)
  • May Isa Na Namang Kumagat sa Alikabok (Another One Bites the Dust by Queen)
  • Kama ni Rosanna (Bed of Roses by Jon Bon Jovi)
  • Dalawa'y Naging Isa (2 Become 1 by Spice Girls)
  • Umm Bag (MMMBop by Hanson)
  • Barbing Babae (Barbie Girl by Aqua)
  • Babae Gusto Lang Magpakasaya (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper)

• Parodies
  • Laging Leron Ka (Laging Naro'n Ka by Jaya)
  • Hala Pack Up (Alapaap by Eraserheads)
  • Takubets (Taralets by Imago)
  • Don-Don (Hold On by Shamrock)
  • Mag-Exorcist tayo (Mag Exersice Tayo by Yoyoy Villame )
  • 'Wag na 'Wag (Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin by Kitchie Nadal)
  • Chaka N'ya (Sa Kanya, from Attic Cat, by Sharon Cuneta, original version by Ogie Alcasid
  • Mamaw! (Narda by Kamikazee)
  • Di Na Maggigisa (Di Na Mag-iisa, from Darna, by Regine Velasquez)
  • Wag N'yo Kaming Pansinin (Pag-ibig Ko'y Pansinin, from Stairway to Heaven, by Faith Cuneta)
  • Buy Me (Baile, from Daisy Siete, by SexBomb Girls)
  • Isaw Nga (Ikaw Nga, from Mulawin, by South Border)
  • May B.O. Na Ako (Nandito Lang Ako, from Captain Barbell, by Shamrock)
  • Ulam (Ulan by Cueshe)
  • Mas Tanga Ako Sa'yo (Pangako Sa'yo by Rey Valera)
  • Kung Kailangan Mo Bato (Kung Kailangan Mo Ako by Rey Valera)
  • Sabog-sabog Tayo (Sabay Sabay tayo by Marian Rivera)
  • Bathroom Dance (Bad Romance by Lady Gaga)

• Original songs:
  • Joy In My Heart
  • Hindi Ako Bakla
  • DJ Bumbay
  • / Mas Mahal Na Kita Ngayon (later covered by hiphop duo YM)
  • Nandito lang ako
  • Sinaktan Mo ang Puso Ko
  • Tim Song Ku (Original sung by Regine Velasquez used for Bubble Gang's 14th Anniversary)
  • Ba Ba Boom (The former game in Eat Bulaga!)

As composer

Aside from his new album, he is a composer of theme songs not only for his show Bubble Gang but also in GMA shows. Notable song he composed is Alinlangan, sung by Jolina Magdangal for 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

• Bantatay (GMA Network) - Dog Voice (2010–2011)
• Jillian: Namamasko Po (GMA Network) - Santa Claus (2010–2011)
• Pepito Manaloto (GMA Network) - Pepito (lead role)
• Diz Iz It (GMA Network) - judge
• Bitoy's SHOwwwTIME (GMA Network) - host
• Hole in the Wall as Yaya (GMA Network) - Host
• Codename: Asero (GMA Network) - Bodjie X
• MariMar (Philippine TV Series) (GMA Network) - Pulgoso (vocal role)
• Eat Bulaga's Holy Week Specials (GMA Network)
• Eat Bulaga (GMA Network) - Himself (co-host)
• Bitoy's Funniest Videos (GMA Network) - Etoy, Betong and Bebang (host)
• Celebrity Turns With Junee and Lani (GMA Network) - Junee
• Bubble Gang (GMA Network) - Various
• Ooops!... (GMA Network) - Director
• Bitoy's Adventures In Bilibkaba! (GMA Network) - Himself (host)
• Bilibitornat! (GMA Network) - Himself (host)
• Bitoy's World (GMA Network) - Etoy, Betong and Bebang
• Ready, Text, Go! (GMA Network) - Himself (host)
• Haybol Rambol (GMA Network) - Charlie
• ASAP (ABS-CBN) - Co Host/himself
• Ready, Get Set, Go! (ABS-CBN) - Himself

Filmography

• Banana Split
• Oha! Ako Pa?!
• Isko Adventures in Animasia
• Si Ayala at si Zobel
• Mama's Boys
• Ang Tatay kong Nanay
• Halik ng Bampira
• Rubberman: Up,Up and Away! - Bitoy/Rubberman
• Ano ba Yan
• Ano ba Yan 2
• Ten Little Indians - Vincent
• Anting-anting
• Bitoy Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin - Bitoy
• Sinaktan Mo Ang Puso Ko
• D' Sisters: Nuns of the Above - Michael
• Manolo en Michelle
• Kwentong kayumanggi - Narrator
• Bestman: 4 Better, Not 4 Worse - Joey
• Lastikman - Junee Lee
• Fantastic Man - Professor Manalo
• Enteng Kabisote: Okay ka fairy, the legend - Itim
• Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay ka fairy ko... The legend goes on and on and on - Kabayo (voice cast)
• Paraiso: Tatlong Kuwento ng Pag-asa - Didoy
• Urduja - Kukut (voice cast)
• Dayo - Narsi (voice cast)
• Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie - Yaya
• Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat^[3] (upcoming movie, Bitoy's 1st Viva Movie)

References

1. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1259243/bio
2. ^ gmanews.tv/story, Michael V graces Reader's Digest cover for September issue
3. ^ Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat in Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	V, Michael
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Date of birth	December 17, 1969
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