On Wednesday, June 8, Actor-comedian Michael V revealed how taxing it was to be both a director and an artist in the sitcom Pepito Manaloto.
In the virtual media conference of the show’s third season Tuloy Ang Kuwento, Bitoy struggled to find time to mingle with his artists/co-stars.
“Sa totoo lang, mahirap talaga. Mahirap ‘yung parang hindi ka makahanap ng time na magpahinga. Before, as talent, parang ang dami naming kwentuhan ng mga boys. Kasi magkakasama kami sa kwarto. Tapos during breaktime, siyempre kasama mo ang ibang cast. Ang sarap din ng kwentuhan niyo.
“Pero ngayon, kailangan mong intindihin ang susunod na shot niyo, ang susunod na sequence, ‘yung mga problemang ma-encounter niyo. Sa totoo lang, mahirap,” he said.
The actor-director stated he had “no choice” as he took on the role of designated director after Direk Bert de Leon passed away.
“Kasi in the first place, ayaw naming palitan si Direk Bert eh. Hindi namin matanggap na wala na si Direk Bert at hahanap tayo ng ibang direktor na magfi-fill do’n sa role niya.
“Instead of finding another director, minabuti ko na lang, since kami naman ni Direk Bert ‘yung magkasama since noong conceptualization ng show, alam ko naman ‘yung patutunguhan ng istorya, alam ko naman ang direksyon na dadaanan dapat ng characters at nang show,” explained the actor-director.
He also had help from de Leon’s students in helming Tuloy Ang Kuwento. Also, the cast contributed to making the taping much easier.
“Andiyan sila to support me. May mga times na nakakalimutan akong kunan ang ganito, kunan ang ganiyan. Buti na lang, andiyan sila to support hindi lang sila, actually pati ‘yung cast. Whenever we do something, may mga nakakalimutan ako na naaalala nila bilang character doon sa show at naisa-suggest nila, naibabato nila. Ayun, nabubuo ang kwento.”
He added, “Mahirap pero very fulfilling na role for me.”
Not the first time that Bitoy has directed the show.
Michael V, during the presscon, let the media in on a secret. Apparently, Tuloy Ang Kuwento was his first directing stint.
According to Bitoy, he and the cast were forced to become the show’s director and crew during the taping for the sitcom’s US episode.
“There was a time, na nag-abroad kami, nag-US kami, at doon kami nag-taping. Nagkaroon ng problema, kaunting problema. Hindi kaagad nakarating sa States sina Direk at some of the crew. So we had to do something about it,” he shared.
It was the idea of Kapuso producer Bang Arespacochaga, said Bitoy.
“Sinabi niya na kailangan nang mag-shoot, so anong p’wede ng gawin. Nag-brainstorm kami doon mismo sa US and we found ways para maituloy ang taping namin. I was the designated director back then.”
In the meantime, the third season of Pepito Manaloto will continue the story of Pepito Manaloto and his family. It will begin airing on June 11, at 6:15 p.m., only on GMA Network.
