Bayani back as Kapamilya

Bayani Agbayani’s career was at its peak in 2004. That was the year he signed on to Star Music and released a novelty album titled Ito Gusto Mo. Buoyed by the massive success of his single Otso Otso, the album did well, turning Bayani into a household name. There was even a point when he had multiple shows on ABS-CBN, including the daily noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan, which Bayani co-hosted for six years, from 1998 to 2004.

Most of the shows went off the air, and by 2009, Bayani had transferred to another network. But although he had a fairly steady stream of projects there, his popularity still didn’t go back to what it was during his Otso Otso days.

Bayani ended up hopping from network to network, show to show, until he landed a lead role in Funny Ka, Pare Ko, a sitcom produced by Cine Mo, which is only available to ABS-CBN TV Plus subscribers. Funny Ka, Pare Ko airs once a week — Sundays at 9 p.m. and sees Bayani play Karla Estrada’s husband.

Bayani was overjoyed to have been given an opportunity to stage a Kapamilya comeback. Although he enjoyed working with other networks, Bayani still considers ABS-CBN his real home and says there’s no other place quite like it.

“Like what the network management told me, ‘Welcome home.’ It’s as if I just took a vacation daw and came back to my real home. I am thankful to the other networks that also welcomed me. But I am glad I am home,” he says.

Bayani says one of the best things about being in Funny Ka, Pare Ko is getting to work with Karla whom he has known for a while now — they met years ago through common friends. Because of that, and because they’re both old hands at acting, they’ve developed a rapport that has proven to be effective on the set.

“We do ad-libs when we do scenes together,” Bayani explains.

?Karla has a contract with ABS-CBN and has several projects with the network, including the morning show Magandang Buhay.

Although Funny Ka, Pare Ko is a series regular, Bayani hasn’t signed a contract with the network — but just for the sitcom. But he isn’t worrying about that too much. He has been praying about his situation, and he’s leaving everything up to God.

“I believe God has plans for us. He knows where we should be,” he adds.

Bayani is one of the most genuine people I know in the industry. He is also one of the most loved.

Best of Aliw at Resorts World

Aliw Foundation together with Resorts World Manila and Tag Media and Public Relations will present The Best of Aliw at Newport Performing Arts Theater on Oct.  11. The concert will bring together Aliw Entertainers of the Year Rico J. Puno, Lea Salonga, Dulce, Jed Madela, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Gerphil Flores; Lifetime Achievement awardees Ramon Jacinto and Imelda Papin; Hall of Famers Angelos, Halili Dance Company and Spirit 77 with the special participation of Junior New System, the recent WCOPA winner.

The Best of Aliw is directed by Freddie Santos, his first for Aliw in its 39 years of existence.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or the Box Office, 908-8000 local 7700.

Aliw Awards Foundation is headed by Alice Reyes, founder and current president.