Diego’s ‘Bubble Gang’ journey: From assistant to mainstay and producer

Aside from Michael V and Antonio Aquitania, one of the two original members of “Bubble Gang” who are still part of the show, also a long-time member of the program is Diego Llorico.

Actually, Diego started in “Bubble Gang” as Production Assistant (PA). He may not be as popular as the other cast members but his participation in some gags and segments sure elicited some laughs.

 “May mga gags kasi na hindi pwede ang ibang artista kasi sobrang ganda nu’ng gags sa akin lang bagay,” Diego said with a laugh when Star Circuit talked to him at the anniversary press conference   of the longest-running gag show on Philippine TV.

But he never imagined that one day he will become a regular member of the show and will see his name and photo at the show’s opening billboard.

“Noong una, naasiwa ako. Unang-una, hindi naman ako artista. Hindi ako sanay sa camera. Pero that time kasi, ang iniisip ko ay matapos nang mabilis ang taping. Kasi kung umarte pa ako eh wala naman ibang gagawa nung gag o segment so maaapektuhan ang buong production. Ang concern ko ay matapos ang production,” Diego recalled.

He is very happy that he became a part of “Bubble Gang.” From being a production assistant, he has been promoted as associate producer of the show.

“Nakakatuwa na kasabay akong tumagal ng programa. Kumbaga, nag-level up na rin po ako. I feel proud kasi isa po ito sa pinakamatagal na palabas sa TV. Kumbaga pag sinabing ‘Bubble Gang,’ iba na ang tingin sa iyo ng mga tao. Nakaka-proud talaga na naging part ka ng longest-running and multi-awarded gag show sa buong Pilipinas. Nasa history na po kami,” said Diego.

For Diego, the most unforgettable part of being in “Bubble Gang” were the segments that he became a part of.

“Ang maganda po sa ‘Bubble Gang,’ hindi lang ako sa gags lumalabas, may sarili rin akong segment like Atlit. Marami akong naging segment na ako lang ang bida. Nakakatuwa na mayroon akong ganoong segment. Nakatutuwa rin na binigyan ako ng chance ni Kuya Bitoy (Michael V) to do that,” added Diego.

Despite him being a part of one of GMA Network’s flagship programs, Diego has remained level-headed. “Hindi naman po ako celebrity. Ganoon pa rin po ang trato sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko. Wala naman po akong ipinagbago at saka hindi ko rin naman po iniisip na sikat ako,” he said.

Diego knows a career in showbiz is not forever so he is making hay while the sun shines. Aside from his work in “Bubble Gang,” he and his partners invested in a restaurant called Pinkbird Korean Restaurant and Dessert Café located at #12, Scout Borromeo in Quezon City.

“Mas sigurado ang buhay pag may business. Lima kaming partners in this restaurant at sana maging successful ito.”

Incidentally, Bubble Gang’s 23rd anniversary special titled “Bente Tres Oras” will air tonight on GMA-7. All the BG mainstays will pay multiple roles in the show.

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Miss Gina Pareño can be considered an icon in the film industry. Just like Mr. Eddie Garcia, who plays her partner in “Hintayan ng Langit,” a film by Dan Villegas.

At the recent presscon of the movie, it was a delight to see the two veteran actors seated at the presidential table.

Direk Dan said he felt honored to have worked with the two icons. He admitted he was starstruck. He had previously worked with Ms. Gina in a soap opera prior to this movie and he feels they already have a working relationship.

As for Tito Eddie, he said he felt somewhat intimidated. “With Tito Eddie’s stature in the business, who wouldn’t be?” said the director who as in awe to have worked with two the professional actors.

Ms. Gina said that even if her favorite movies are “Working Girls” and “Kubrador,” she has a different kind of affection with “Hintayan ng Langit.”

“Kakaiba ang kwento. Ang ganda ng istorya at kakaiba ang director,” she said. “Matalino siya. Matiyaga pero minsan tinatarayan din niya ako. Pero taray na parang lambing ng nanay at anak. After a while, okay na kami.”

Ms. Gina always comes to the set prepared. She has read her script. She said there was a time in her career she acted like a primadonna but she realized it was wrong. She has changed for the better.

“Hintayin ng Langit” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.