Bobot on being Bulilit

Work with children and by osmosis, you become like a child again. Ask Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, the creator of the ABS-CBN kiddie gag show Goin’ Bulilit, who conceptualized it as a foil to the rival channel GMA’s Bubble Gang 10 years ago, and he will agree that, yes, the show has become some kind of a “fountain of youth” for him. Goin’ Bulilit (must have been inspired by the title of Bobot’s show Goin’ Bananas years ago with Christopher de Leon, Al Tantay and the late Johnny Delgado) is on an early-Sunday-night timeslot while Bubble Gang, which is into its 20th year, airs Friday nights.

Let’s hear it from Direk Bobot:

How has your experience been all these 10 years directing kiddie actors in Goin’ Bulilit?

“Fun. It’s light and easy directing kids because they don’t have airs yet. Di pa nila alam ‘yung bida-bida. Kaso nga lang, ang kalaban naming madalas, ay ‘yung sumpong. Luckily, the kids that we chose are natural actors so it’s easy for them to follow direction. Less headaches for us. It’s now my two sons, Frasco and Badjie, directing the show. I just guide them.”

Would you know (by estimate) how many children have joined the show and how many of them have eventually continued their careers as grown-ups?

“Naku, it’s hard to count. We have had several batches in 10 years. Some would stay for only a few months or for a few episodes, for either of two reasons: I dropped them because they didn’t improve or they were recruited for drama shows. Some of them, children of actors, only tried it. I am very proud of those who have graduated to being grown-up actors like Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Montes, Ella Cruz, Jane Oineza, Nash Aguas, Sharlene San Pedro, Alexa Ilacad and many others. Para kaming manggahan, pag hinog na, kinukuha na nila. Kaya sabi nila, sa Goin’ Bulilit, nanggagaling ang mga future stars, di lang ng ABS-CBN, pati sa buong showbiz industry.”

Compare your feelings as a real-life father and your being a “foster” father to the Goin’ Bulilit kids?

“Almost the same. I am the type of father who would teach you what you ought to know and let you be once you grow up. Ganun din ako sa mga Bulilit. ‘Pag naturuan ko na sila, it’s up to them to choose what career they want to pursue. When they graduate from the show, I feel the same way I do when my real children leave home to start their own families. Nakakalungkot, pero nakaka-proud din.”

Mortiz: The kids’ energy is contagious STAR

What are some of your memorable experiences on the show?

“Memorable experiences? A lot but I have forgotten them. Joke only! The truth is that I’ll never forget our first out-of-the-country shoot…in Hong Kong. We shot the Iyugyog Mo music video at Disneyland when it was still closed at wala pang ibang tao. Sumasayaw ang mga Bulilit, kasama sila Mickey, si Goofy at iba pang mascot ng Disney. Actually, all our out-of-town shoots were memorable, like our Asian Cruise. Our stopover in Malaysia was limited and the guide told us not to stay far. But we were pasaway so we took a taxi and toured the city. We had to rush back to the ship in three taxis, para kaming nasa Amazing Race, nag-uunahan pabalik sa barko.”

How do you discipline the kids so that showbiz won’t go to their heads?

“Since they are young, it’s a must that I inculcate in them good behavior. I also remind them to be professional. I don’t like it when they accept other projects timed on a Saturday which is our taping day. I don’t want them to report to the set without knowing their lines. Di rin puede sa akin ang naglalaro sa set. I treat them like grown-up actors. But of course, since they are kids, I handle them with care.”

What are the do’s and don’t’s on the show (such as making the kids doing “medyo adult” acts or using bad words)?

“Bawal ang bastos. They play adult roles but I see to it that they are not made to crack green jokes. We have a satire portion but it’s a no-no for us to air our stand or our own opinion. Bottomline, ang do’s ng show ay nakakatawa dapat ang ginagawa namin. We never make the kids utter bad words. Sumusunod naman kami sa rules ng MTRCB.”

Isn’t there any rivalry among them? Or do you make them treat one another like siblings?

“Kids are kids so they also have tampuhan or petty quarrels. But they never compete sa acting o sa padamihan ng gags o dialogues. I don’t require them to treat each other like siblings. I always remind them to love their work and to respect their co-workers. Naging automatic na ‘yung tinuring nila ang isa’t-isa bilang kapatid…este, Kapamilya pala.”

What do you think is the show’s enduring appeal?

“In television today, you have to offer something new for people to watch you. That’s why when they asked me to conceptualize a gag show, nag-isip kaagad ako…ano ba ang pinag-iba nito sa mga gag show na napanood na natin? I decided to hire kiddie actors playing roles, adult roles, as mother, father, doctor, teacher. Even the humor is not exclusively for kids, that’s why our tagline is ‘For Adults…Also’. Adult jokes become funnier when delivered by kids. That, I think, is where lies the show’s appeal.”

How does Goin’ Bulilit make you feel like a kid all over again?

“The kids’ energy is contagious. You know, ang pagiging bata ay wala sa katawan, it’s all in the mind.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)