A reason to be home on Tuesday nights

Putting a sitcom together and making it work is no laughing matter. It involves a lot of risks and the tasks include a complicated mix of coming up with a good storyline, gathering a cast that will click, and writing punchlines that will work, among others. It is also crucial for the sitcom to hook its viewers right from the very start.

It is then quite phenomenal how Bahay Mo Ba ‘To, GMA’s relatively newest sitcom (having been launched only last September), immediately earned a good following among Pinoy viewers and has been rating so well since Day One. Members of the BMBT cast, led by Tessie Tomas, Ronaldo Valdez, Keempee de Leon, Wendell Ramos, Francine Prieto, Gladys Reyes, Sherilyn Reyes, Pekto Nacua and Sunshine Dizon are happy about the show’s success and have their own ideas about what makes it such a hit.

"The cast’s chemistry and camaraderie show. It’s like getting to know a family and you say, masaya ‘tong pamilya na ‘to!’ So gustong-gusto mong bumibisita dun every week," Ronaldo says. He plays Nene Mulingtapang, the poorer co-owner of Casa Mulingtapang. Tessie, Nene’s wealthier, rival sister Baby Mulingtapang-Benoit, credits the story to BMBT’s success. "The premise is very good. It’s something that everyone can relate to, hindi ka mauubusan ng material. The characters are also all very real," she says.

There have been several reviews about how the cast’s chemistry is evident in the show and helps make the sitcom even more amusing to watch. The cast attests that it’s the people in the show that draws them to it. "We’re having so much fun because we’re like one big family. We look forward to taping days kasi we’ll all be together again," shares Ronaldo.

Cast members add they also enjoy the roles they play, which is why the sitcom comes out as naturally funny. Noteworthy is Kempee’s fashionista gay, Harold, commended as one of the most hilarious aspects of the sitcom. While this is his first gay role for TV, he didn’t think twice about accepting the role.

"I asked them how they want me to play the gay role. Screaming faggot ba o ‘yung feeling mo babae ka pero the way you dress up ay lalaki, na kung ano ‘yung mga gay ngayon sa States – ang lalaki ng katawan pero bakla," narrates Keempee. He decided to imitate a funny gay character in a popular US TV show.

Complementing Keempee’s Harold is Francine’s Jingle, the sexy, dim-witted girl head-over-heels in love with him, even if he is gay. Their odd tandem is another thing that endears BMBT to viewers.

Ronaldo enjoys playing Nene because "It’s a riot, it’s a far cry from most of the roles I’ve done before in movies and TV. Noon kasi serious characters. This one’s zany and wild," he says. He divulges that getting into character comes naturally for him since "in real life I’m the comedian in the family. So masarap, I get to let go of myself."

Tessie loves being part of BMBT because "I’m going back to my original love which is the sitcom," she says. "It’s a collaborative effort also because you can make suggestions. The director and writers are open to them – an additional punch line or how to say a particular line. Tulungan," she adds. To get into the character of Baby, she shares, "I try to look for the center of the personality. And the core of Baby’s personality is really the sibling rivalry between her and Nene. Siguro rin ’yung love niya for her family. Andyan din ’yung pagiging glamorous at pagkamateryosa. I keep exploring my character, finding new ways how I can do her better."

Directed by Al Quinn and also starring Dino Guevarra, Chynna Ortaleza, Tiya Pusit, Bea Binene and Gabriel Roxas, Bahay Mo Ba ’To? airs every Tuesday night.