MANILA, Philippines – Most people associate Pokwang with comedy, but not a lot of people know that two of the comedian’s best actress wins were from her dramatic roles in independent films credited under her real name, Marietta Subong.
Pokwang is her moniker when she makes people laugh on TV and films, such as in pop flicks “Wang Fam,” “D’Anothers,” “Agent X44,” and on TV shows “TodaMax” and “TiktoClock.”
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But Pokwang has shed that wacky image several times for passion projects that she believes will cement her legacy as an actress.
Her gamble to use her real name, Marietta Subong, pays off for her as viewers, especially in the indie circuit, have come to realize the distinction between the comedian and dramatic actor in Pokwang.
Her recent Cinemalaya win as best actress for her portrayal of a middle-aged farmer Sylvia in Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan's socio-commentary “2 Valid IDs” is a validation of her acting mettle outside of comedy.
“‘Pag comedy, Pokwang. Pagka drama-drama talaga, Marietta. Natuwa naman ako kasi tanggap naman ng mga tao ‘yung Marietta,” the actress told select media in an interview in Quezon City last September 21.
The use of her real name serves as a cue for viewers that she means serious business, Pokwang said. She cites the story of Sylvia in the Cinemalaya 2026 entry. The middle-aged farmer undergoes an arduous task of getting 2 valid IDs to be able to get the government financial assistance needed for her hospitalized husband who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“Kasi sabi nga nila, ‘pag Pokwang ang ginamit nito, seryoso na and lahat ng pinagdaanan ni Sylvia dito, seryoso. Kaya Marietta ang ginamit ko dito. Seryosong pagod, seryosong hirap, ‘yung pinagdaanan ni Sylvia. Kapag Marietta na, award-winning ‘yan. [laughs] Totoo naman 'yun. Nakailang award na rin ako using my real name, Marietta. In all fairness naman, hindi nasayang,” Pokwang breaks into shy laughter while explaining her conscious decision to switch to her real name.
Apart from her win at this year’s Cinemalaya, Pokwang won the top acting plum using her real name in “Oda Sa Wala,” an entry at the 2018 QCinema Film Festival.
As an actress that finds comfort in both drama and comedy, Pokwang is often asked which is harder: drama or comedy. For her, both demand equal nuance and dedication.
Comedy is hard because it requires timing to elicit the desired amused reaction, while an effective drama would not make a viewer feel the actor is just acting out. The latter needs to be felt, not mimed out of technicality.
“Para sa akin, parehong mahirap. Comedy, mahirap din kasi baka mamaya hindi mo mapatawa ‘yung tao. Maririnig mo kuliglig. Ang hirap nun ha. Pagka sa drama naman, kailangan kasi ‘yung eksena raramdamin mo talaga. Hindi mo tine-technical lang kasi ang tao kapag nanonood, ‘Ay, inaakting niya.’ So, kailangan mo talagang ramdamin ‘yung character, ‘yung bawat eksena, bawat linya,” Pokwang explained.
Now that she has scored another best actress win as a dramatic actor, will there be a time that she would go by one of her names?
Pokwang leaves it to production call whether they want her to use her real name or screen name, but she is quick to highlight that she wants to use her real name for serious films.
With another acting nod, her stock and talent fee come to play. Pokwang, however, wants to leave a mark, especially if she is handed with a good material.
“Kasi ako mas gusto ko ‘yung legacy na maiiwan ko sa tao more than sa TF (talent fee). Siyempre sabi nga nila. Plastic mo naman. As a single mom, need kumita, ‘di ba? Pero kasi ako 'pag magandang-maganda ‘yung pelikula, umaadjust po ako. Kumbaga, lalo na if nakiusap sa’yo 'yung tao at nakita mong maganda naman ‘yung kwento, tara!” she said.
On TV, she may be more Pokwang for most people, but Marietta Subong is here to stay with more dramatic projects coming her way.
"2 Valid IDs" will get nationwide screening beginning October 14.
RELATED: Pokwang’s hit Cinemalaya movie ‘2 Valid IDs’ to screen nationwide