More laughter with Bulilit

MANILA, Philippines - If there is truth to the saying that seven days without laughter makes one weak, then try devoting your Sunday evenings to watching comedy shows like ABS-CBN’s Goin’ Bulilit. It is one generic laughter pill recommended for everyone to turn those stress and worries away.

Perhaps, even those who are hard to please would find themselves giggling at “laugh bombs” dropped by a bunch of kids while doing comedic skits on cam. Clarence Delgado, Bugoy Cariño, Cha-Cha Cañete, Mutya Orquia, Joshen Bernardo, Aaron Junatas, Harvey Bautista, Angel Sy, Joseph Andrei Garcia, Alexa Ilacad, Belinda Mariano, Barbie Sabino, Bea Basa, Izzy Canilo, Carl Camo, Miguel de Guzman and Angelo Garcia are among the show’s frontliners exchanging lively banter in various segments with Dagul as their elder co-star.

One can’t help but laugh and start assessing the funny thoughts in the show. Just like in last Sunday’s episode, Clarence delivered in the Tanong Ko Lang segment, “Tanong ko lang, kung ang kinakain ng vegetarian ay gulay, ano naman ang sa humanitarian?” Well, that one really clicks. And as if that’s not enough, he fired once more and asked, “Tanong ko lang, bakit ang mga sabon 99.9 percent lang ng germs ang napapatay, bakit yung .1 percent di mapatay?”

Other rib-tickling segments include Ang Corny, Akalain Mo Nga Naman, Sigaw Family and Ooh Eww.

But I start wondering what’s it like working with them upon seeing the kiddie stars running around, shrieking in excitement and jumping up and down before the start of the presscon for the show’s eighth anniversary celebration. “Ganyan lang po talaga kagulo ‘pag ‘di taping. But once you tell them to behave, they will listen and stop playing,” says 13-year-old Alexa, who acts like a big sister to the younger stars.

Director Frasco Mortiz shares that sometimes dealing with kiddie stars can be tough. He was initially involved in the show as segment director.  “Of course, there are times na magulo sila and their being playful can’t be avoided but since I inherited the show — maybe three or four years ago — from my dad who treats the staff and stars of the shows he handles like his family, we became like one big family here in Goin’ Bulilit. So, kasama sa trabaho ang pag-saway sa kanila pero bawi naman because all of them are good.  Actually, we couldn’t last this long if they’re not good.”

Besides, their brand of humor is never harsh or rude. Its goal is to directly tickle the televiewers’ funny bones without being offensive. In a press release, head writer Sherwin Buenavida notes, “It’s comparable to Saturday Night Live where the cast is constantly changing. We also try to infuse current events and issues to our segments and gags.”

For Bugoy, Goin’ Bulilit is a good training ground. “We get to learn more in acting here because we are taught how to deliver our lines well. Magaling po mag-turo si direk sa amin lahat.”

In fact, veteran entertainment columnist Mario Bautista praised Bugoy for his acting in the indie film Alagwa.

Bugoy, on the other hand, admits the show has also realized his dreams of owning a car and building a house for his family. Same with the other members of the cast  — they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor at a young age. Most of them have already acquired their dream car, house and some gadgets.

Tonight, Goin’ Bulilit kicks off its month-long anniversary presentation with new segments that will add fun and laughter to the show like Cute and A where the kids will interview prominent personalities and celebrities. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino is the first to take the hot seat.

Also this month, there will be five kids who will bid the show goodbye as they embark on another acting journey.

“Yes, there will be graduates but right now, there are no concrete plans yet as to where they will go next pero tulad ng dati kung saan sila pwedeng show isama. Hopefully, there’s room for them and we wish them well in their future careers,” direk Frasco says.

Many of today’s young Kapamilya dramatic stars are products of Goin’ Bulilit. Julia Montes, Kathryn Bernardo, Ella Cruz, Sharlene San Pedro, Mika dela Cruz, Jane Oineza, Nash Aguas, CJ Navato, Kiray Celis, Igi Boy Flores, Miles Ocampo and Angeli Gonzales were just some of the kiddie show graduates. Direk Frasco delights at how they bloomed into fine actors by saying, “Nag-grow sila at nasanay na sila sa showbiz pero kung paano sila noon ganun pa din sila ngayon kababait.”

Miles, Kiray, Igi Boy, CJ, Alfred and Angeli headline the youth-oriented show LUV U which celebrates its first anniversary this month.