Laughfest with comedy buddies: Cookie & Belli Flori

The world of show business has several faces and one of which is comedy. Not everyone in the industry is born with comical talent, but here are two gifted individuals who have proven to have a knack for generating laugh after laugh.

Michael “Pekto” Nacua and John Feir, who are more popularly known  as the cross-dressing comedic duo Cookie and Belli Flori of GMA 7’s Saturday gag show “Nuts Entertainment,” were discovered because of their undeniable and natural ability to throw punch lines and just make people laugh.

But unlike matinee idols and the hottest young stars of this time, only a few people pry into their lives as they already come out as an open book through their hilarious jokes and sometimes self-mortifying antics.

The Freeman Entertainment had a chat with Pekto and John Feir during their earlier visit in Cebu, wherein the two shared a glimpse of the exciting world of comedy plus some interesting tidbits about themselves.

 Before this duo entered showbiz, they were already working in the entertainment industry. “Pekto” was doing Production Design in another network while John was an Executive Director in GMA.

And both of them have been given their comedy acting breaks accidentally. “Sa Channel 5 pa ako nun’ ng kinuha ako bilang isa sa mga extra sa isang show, yung tipong pampadami lang ng tao and then the rest was history,” shared Pekto.

John, on the other hand, reminisced his accidental entry into showbiz after doing a spoof in Nuts Entertainment almost five years ago. John was actually one of the show’s staff and just for kicks, he joined one segment where he recalled to have gotten his signature “wig” that made him an instant comic hit after some staff noticed a similarity in his character with veteran contravida/comedy actress Bella Flores.

“Nakita ni Joey na kamukha ko si Bella Flores kapag suot ko ang wig kaya ayun, isinali na ako sa “Balakubak” segment ng Nuts bilang Beli at kahit kailan hindi ko na winala ang wig lalo na sa mga shows namin,” he recounted.

Having established a weird affinity with his signature wig, John shared that he never performs without using it plus that visible mole on the face and saggy chest to complete his Bella Flores ensemble.

Pekto actually has Cebuano roots as he was born in Ilihan, Toledo City although he left town when he was only eight when their family decided to venture to Manila. He shared that his dad used to work for Atlas Mining Company, the most popular mining company in Toledo at that time.

Since they usually are teamed up, Pekto and John have already established an incredible rapport and shared that there was never an instance that they got pissed with each other’s hard-hitting jokes and personal remarks.

“Off-cam kasi ganito na kami kakulit at natural na sa amin ang mga lokohan kaya sa set parang laro nalang at hindi din namin sineseryoso yun,” John mused.

Pekto also added by saying that, “masiyahin lang talaga kaming tao pero minsan kung parang nagiging physical at personalan na masyado, iniisip na lang naming pareho na katuwaan lang lahat para walang pikonan pagkatapos.”

Both also shared their happiness with their family’s solicitous support. Pekto said that his family is amused with his antics on television but there came a time that he actually had to explain things to his son, especially his gay impersonation.

“Minsan kasi sa school, nakita ako nung kaklase niya na nakasuot pambabae sa isang motorcade kaya ayun pinaliwanag ko sa bata na trabaho lang ang lahat at  mabuti naman naintindihan niya ako,” said Pekto.

The comedians also shared that their wives usually volunteer to buy their women apparel and accessories to prettify their gay characters.

“Alam nila na trabaho lang lahat ng ‘to at sa sobrang tuwa, lagi nagdadala ang misis ko ng mga gamit na pambabae at mga borloloy para marami daw akong maisuot sa mga shows,” shared Pekto.

Although it seems that making people laugh is their forte, they both agreed that doing comedy is never an easy task because it also comes with great responsibility, especially as they have consider the likes, dislikes, and ages of their audience.

“Mahirap magbitiw ng comedy lalo na kung wala sa timing kaya dapat witty ka, you have to be effective and hindi basta humor lang ang puhunan dito kasi you have to know your audience para hindi ka maka-offend,” stressed John.

“Mas maganda din talaga kapag impromptu yung jokes kasi mas effective kaysa nakakahon kasi halatang scripted kaya di nakakatawa,” added Pekto.

They also both agreed that even comedians like themselves are not exempt from having personal problems but said that the difference is that they always strive to stay efficient and positive.

“We take problems lightly,” John said, adding in jest, “Mahirap kapag pinoproblema ang problema eh.”

 Although they admit that they cannot possibly make everyone happy, they just strongly rely on the thought that they are able to ease other people’s burden through their work.“It’s the people’s appreciation that keeps comedians like us going in this industry,” shared John.

Since their gay impersonations have become their career’s signature characters, Pekto shared that they never cease on finding ways to give their characters a fresh take and approach.

“Effective daw kami sa bading na role kaya masaya kami na ngayon nalalaro na namin ang characters. Talagang masarap pag-eksperimentuhan kasi marami kaming nagagawa sa character namin as Belli and Cookie.”

Aside from “Nuts Entertainment” Belli and Cookie also have other shows. Pekto can be seen in QTV’s “Day-Off” with Carmina Villaroel and “Ay, Robot!” with Ogie Alcasid. He is also part of GMA’s recent telefantasya “Kamandag” which stars Richard Gutierrez in the lead role. John, on the other hand, is seen on GMA 7’s “Mahiwagang Baul” and QTV’s “Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang.”