Is it OK for Michael V. to lip-synch?

MANILA, Philippines – When lip-synching became a hot topic in and out of showbizlandia sometime last year, different personalities shared varied views on the matter through print and social media. There were some who deemed nothing wrong with lip-synching while others criticized the “fake singing.”

For Michael V., who was a rapper first prior to becoming one of today’s most popular comedians, he does not mind if performers lip-synch.

“You know, I’m a fan of Michael Jackson and there are times when I’d like to watch his performances again and again even if I don’t hear his singing (voice),” begins Michael. “So if some singers here are going to do that, na mag-li-lip-synch, just make sure the production value is worthy. Kung kasing laki ng ginagawa ni Michael Jackson, I’ll definitely understand why they would resort to lip-synching. But if they will just stand on stage at magpapa-cute lang, e kumanta kayo gamit ang boses n’yo please.”

It can be recalled that Michael V.’s composition Maganda Ang Piliin, his answer to Andrew E.’s Humanap Ka ng Panget, instantly made him a household name in the music scene.

And though he admits to not having such golden voice, still, Michael V. enjoys singing live to let the audience feel the intensity of his performance. “And I don’t mind lip-synching, too, because you can focus better on your performance o ’yung galaw mo sa stage. Besides, I, basically, am not in the same league of Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera or Gary Valenciano na talagang mga singer. I am more focused on the performance.”

That’s why Michael V. can’t contain his happiness when he received an offer to host Lip Sync Battle Philippines on GMA 7 “because here, we prefer performers who are not singers.”

The Kapuso network acquired the rights to produce Lip Sync Battle, an original series from the US that premiered on Spike TV in April of last year. The local version will air on Saturday nights after Magpakailanman beginning Feb. 27. Together with Michael V. is Iya Villania as color commentator.

During the taping of the show’s pilot episode, Michael V. shares that it didn’t feel like work at all.

“There really is no challenge doing this (laughs) because you can’t help but laugh at what the contestants are doing. Hosting the show is one good way for me to relax.”

Truth is, the actor-comedian has been a fan of Lip Sync Battle since it started airing on cable “and I even wished to be its host if ever gawin dito at eto nagkatotoo na. The show’s content is completely the same but ours has a Filipino flavor.”

In the pilot episode, televiewers will see Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez trying to outperform each other. The studio audience will determine the winner after two rounds — The Strip Down and Full Blown Concert.

“I will also act as a judge here and we do not have a cash prize but a Lip Sync Champion Belt.”

Asked who among the celebrities he wishes to join in the show, Michael V. has no one particular in mind with the exception of Joey de Leon and Vic Sotto. “Ideally, we are eyeing ’yung mga mag-barkada or close friends as contestants.”

Aside from Lip Sync Battle Philippines, Michael V. has Bubble Gang (BG) and Pepito Manaloto where he also works as creative head of both shows. Instead of composing new songs for a segment in Bubble Gang, Michael V. concentrates on doing parodies. “Bale nilalagyan ko na lang yung mga songs ng ibang words for fun but I seldom do it now kasi mabusisi at mahal magbayad ng royalty.”

Still, he enjoys doing “dance showdown” with the BG cast. He shares that when he was younger he wanted to be like Michael Jackson for his excellent singing and dancing skills. “I am an MJ fan that’s why my screen name is Michael and the V. I got it from Gary Valenciano kasi s’ya ’yung parang Pinoy counterpart ni MJ. Among the female artists naman, my very first crush was Phoebe Cates.”

His “neophyte” days in showbiz were memorable for Michael V. It was in Lunch Date, his first TV appearance, where his most embarrassing experience happened.

“I was performing Maganda Ang Piliin and I was supposed to face the camera but due to my wrong timing, I ended up with my back on the camera.”

He, too, recalls his most cherished moment as an actor-comedian. “I think Bubble Gang. Ito ’yung pinakamatinding career move na ginawa ko — when I transferred to GMA and probably the one thing that I will never ever forget.”

Does he also have some crazy fan encounters?

“I had a stalker 15 years ago. I was stalked for a few months and I found it weird because usually matinee idols ang may stalker. She offered me an insurance (plan) then sunod na s’ya ng sunod. I talked to her when she started acting weird. Nakakatakot din.”

And if there is one thing that truly scares him the most, it is losing his family. Michael V. says he also treats the people he works with like family “kaya nung nawala si direk Uro (dela Cruz) ang bigat.”

Just by enumerating the number of shows he has these days already makes it obvious that downtime is pretty rare on his schedule, yet Michael V. still finds time for drawing.

“You can see on my Instagram posts all of my 15-minute sketches. Even when I was younger, I think grade school nag-dra-drawing na ko. Nowadays, mostly I do portraits of people I care about. I think my daughters Yanni and May Paul love what I’m doing. Yanni loves music while May Paul is into acting. ”

When it comes to his other favorites, is there one food he loves to gorge on?

“Hotdogs. If you notice, there’s always hotdogs in Pepito. Pareho kami ni Ogie that’s why he put up Oggie Doggie. Dati pa hotdog na ang aming when-in-doubt food. For example, you’re hungry and yet you don’t know what to eat so when in doubt, eat hotdog. Even John Feir loves hotdogs.”