Buboy Villar: Family Man

Buboy Villar, like many other artists before him, struggled and failed countless times before becoming the successful actor, comedian, and TV personality he is today.

From being a young singer and child star, Buboy has done everything he could to stay in the entertainment industry for almost 18 years. Today, he is no longer just the little sidekick "Ding.” He is his own superhero with his own epic story to tell.

Suffering drives success

At a young age, Buboy had already learned the hardest part of living and surviving each day without anything to eat. Living a hand-to-mouth existence (he and his family lived in a cramped, poorly ventilated house), Buboy taught himself to appreciate whatever was there. Despite the discouraging circumstances, Buboy tried his best to help bring in income for his family’s day-to-day needs.

In his interview with GMANetwork.com, Buboy admitted that he used to be a scavenger, just so he could buy food for his parents and siblings.

“Dati, ang kasabihan ko lang sa sarili ko is ’yung, ‘Saan ko gagamitin ang pera ko? Pambili lang po ng bigas.’ ’Yun lang po, simple lang po kasi ’yung pangangailangan ko sa buhay. Like noong bata ako, kailangan ko lang ng pambili ng bigas, at naibigay ko naman po sa magulang ko ’yun. Dati po akong basurero e, ito po ’yung parang background ng family namin. Tapos kapag madaling araw ang raket namin ay pagbabasura. Sumasama ako sa tatay ko, tagayupi lang ako ng lata.” Buboy recalled.

It is no secret that Buboy used to be a singer, and this talent also helped him make ends meet. During his “kontesero” days in Cebu, Buboy, along with his mother who was also a “kontesera,” participated in numerous amateur singing contests. That time, he didn’t mind losing, because win or lose, he would receive a consolation prize, anyway. For him, the consolation prize was enough to buy food for his family.

“So pagdating sa singing, kumbaga ’yun po ’yung parang naging playground ko kasi ’yung nanay ko is ametuerish, ’yun po ’yung tawag sa mga sumasali ng singing contest sa Cebu, kasi marami po ’yan sa Cebu e, sa mga barangay, maraming singing contest talaga ang nangyayari. Kahit saang sulok ng Cebu, naroon kami ng nanay ko, playground na namin ’yun talaga.” he claimed. “Bakit namin laging ginagawa 'yun? Kasi kailangan namin ng pangkain, pang-araw-araw. Kailangan naming i-sustain 'yung pang-araw-araw namin, mai-survive namin ‘yung pang-araw-araw.” he explained.

Chipping in for the daily necessities of the family brought pride and joy to the little Buboy. And whatever was left of the money that he would get from his ‘raket’ he would use to buy a little something for his mother.

“Iba ’yung pakiramdam na maibigay mo ’yung de lata pati ’yung bigas, at meron kang parang 300 pesos man lang dahil third place, parang consolation prize. Kung sa atin parang may talent fee lang, honorarium kumbaga. Maepal lang ako nung bata ako, kahit pang matanda lang ’yung singing contest, sumasali ako. So ako lang ’yung parang intro, bibigyan lang ako ng bigas, tapos 100 pesos. So ’yung binibigay ko na ’yun, iba ’yung pakiramdam sa akin no’n. So hanggang sa parang naging hobby ko siya na pasayahin ’yung nanay ko,’ he said.

After competing in several amateur singing contests in their hometown, Buboy and his mother, Noeme, decided to travel to Manila to try their luck in the now-defunct reality singing competition of ABS-CBN called Little Big Star. Little did he know that it would be the start of his showbiz journey.

Buboy recalled, “Hanggang sa nalaman ng nanay ko na gusto ko talaga ’tong ginagawa ko, I mean nag-e-enjoy po talaga ako sa pagkanta that time, hanggang sa nakipagsapalaran kami dito sa Maynila, which was ’yung sumali nga kami ng singing contest, ito nga ’yung Little Big Star and then boom, nag-grand champion ako.”

“Dati po akong basurero e, ito po ’yung parang background ng family namin. Tapos kapag madaling araw ang raket namin ay pagbabasura. Sumasama ako sa tatay ko, tagayupi lang ako ng lata.”

Child star from the South

For an ordinary spectator, emerging as the Grand Champion of the Little Division of Little Big Star would seem like a golden ticket to showbiz fame and fortune. But alas, it was not the case for Buboy.

He and his mother had to keep on looking for other opportunities to break into showbiz. Eventually, Buboy was discovered by the late film and television director Maryo J. Delos Reyes, who took him to his current home network — GMA Network.

“Nanalo ako noon ng grand champion ng little division sa Little Big Star pero hindi ako nabigyan ng break. Tapos meron isang show na pinagsipagan ng nanay ko para maipasok doon, nag-guest talent ako doon, at ang direktor noon ay si Maryo J. Delos Reyes. Hanggang sa ma-discover ako ni Direk Maryo, kinuha niya ako, sa madaling salita siya po ang naging tulay ko para makapasok sa GMA,” he narrated.

When he moved to GMA Network, Buboy starred in the 2008 hit fantasy series Dyesebel with Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, and from there, he began building his own name. With his charming personality and his undeniable onscreen chemistry with Marian, Buboy was an instant hit among TV viewers.

Buboy recalled, “Noong nagsama talaga kami ni Ate Marian [Rivera] doon nag-click ’yung pangalan kong Buboy Villar. Doon nakilala talaga ’yung Buboy, I mean kung hindi dahil sa Dyesebel. Actually hindi pa nga para sa akin ’yun, babae kasi ’yung role na ’yun pero talagang ang bait ni Lord at ng tadhana, talagang kapag para sa’yo, para sa’yo. Doon nag-click ’yung tandem namin ni Ate Marian sa Dyesebel, the rest was history na.”

Their tandem was so effective that following the success of Dyesebel, Buboy was a shoo-in for the role of Ding, the iconic sidekick of Darna (played by Marian Rivera, no less) in the 2009 TV adaptation of the Mars Ravelo comic series classic.

With his talent and charisma, Buboy landed other roles in TV series and movies in the following years, including Panday Kids and Kid Kulafu.

“Ang pangarap ko ay maayos lang na buhay. Hindi ko naman pinangarap na maging sobrang yaman.”

In 2022, something unexpected happened to Buboy. He was among the Kapuso stars chosen to be the cast members of Running Man Philippines, the local remake of the widely popular Korean reality TV comedy show Running Man.

Truth be told, Buboy had no idea that the show was so popular. It was only until they returned to the Philippines after their taping in Korea that he learned that the show was a big deal.

“Ngayon, ang itinuturing na big break ko naman is ‘yung Running Man talaga. Ano siya, parang blessing in disguise na hindi ko alam na big break ko siya, nung umuwi na lang ako dito from Korea, doon ko na lang nalaman na parang ito pala talaga ‘tong Running Man na ‘to. Ganun pala talaga siya kalaki. Iba siyang pakiramdam.”

Talking about Running Man Philippines, Buboy excitedly shared that he had a wonderful experience working with the team, especially with his fellow artists and cast members.

He said, “Noong una kasi na sinabing parang reality na wala raw totally script tapos maging magpakatotoo ka lang ni-ready ko na ’yung sarili ko doon sa reality. Kasi unang-una sa lahat, ilan lang kaming grupo e. Sa tingin ko nga parang wala kaming 30 na Filipino doon, the rest Korean staff na and crew. So, wala kang makakausap, wala kayong pagsasandalan kung ‘di kayo lang na hindi pa aabot ng trenta. So, naroon ’yung mga boss, and staff.”

Buboy found a family in his colleagues on this show. “So, doon po talaga nabuo ’yung pamilya, na parang, shucks, hindi ko akalain na ito ’yung mabubuong pamilya dito. Ito ’yung mabubuong koneksyon ko sa mga ito, hindi lang sa mga artista kundi sa mga staff na to the point na alam kong matagal ko na silang nakakatrabaho, pero mas nakilala ko sila doon. Sabi nga nila 'di ba, mas makikilala mo ang isang tao kapag nag-travel kayo? E ito, nag-travel kami plus nagtrabaho pa kami.”

“Solid friendship talaga to the point na kailangan naming mag-stick together, na kapag meron isang down, kailangan naming iangat ‘yun.”

Eat Bulaga’s positive influence

In May 2023, the entertainment industry was shocked by the shake-up in the longest-running noontime show in the Philippines, Eat Bulaga. As the iconic trio of showbiz veterans Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon departed the show, a new set of hosts was called to take over, and Buboy was one of them.

While being a seasoned TV personality might seem easy and natural and exciting, hosting the retooled Eat Bulaga was not easy because they were confronted with a slew of hurtful remarks, because they agreed to take on the job.

“Kung pakikiramdaman, kung babasahin po ninyo, kahit ba sabihin mong, ‘Hayaan mo lang,’ kung araw-araw mo siyang mababasa, masakit, talaga naman, kahit hindi ko siya isipin. Alam mo ’yung kirot ng puso mo na, alam mo namang hindi ikaw ’yon pero mapapaisip ka na parang ‘Gano’n ba ako? ’Yun ba ’yung tingin nila sa akin?’” Buboy said.

Rather than being distracted by the relentless bashing, Buboy learned to adapt to it after realizing that his main objective for this job was to bring happiness to millions of viewers every day.

“Natutunan ko po sa pang-araw-araw na… kanino ka bumabangon sa araw-araw? Lagi kong tinitignan ’yon, para sa [mga] anak ko. ’Yung show namin ay tulong at saya sa mga tao kaya napakaganda.”

It also helped that his fellow Eat Bulaga hosts, particularly Paolo Contis and Isko Moreno, taught him to love his work despite the disapproval of many.

“Sabi nga po nila Yorme at Kuya Pao, kung masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, ipakita mo ’yon. Makikita at makikita ng audience ’yon, whether you like it or not. So kung makikita lang nila, lahat ng mga nagtataas ng kilay, kung ano ang pananaw ng lahat ng host at ng staff and crew, kung ano’ng gusto naming lahat, siguro magkakaisa tayo,” Buboy said. “Basta’t gawin mo lang nang gawin. Maging masaya ka kung alam mong wala kang inaapakang tao. Tapos lagi kang magdasal, ’yun ’yung mga lagi kong naririnig sa kanila. ‘I-survive mo ’yung araw na ito at bukas ulit. Nobody knows kung ano’ng mangyayari tomorrow,’” he continued. “Ngayon kung tatanungin niyo po ako kung ano kami ngayon, puro kami ngayon pasasalamat na. Kung tatanungin niyo ako tungkol sa mga nagtataas kilay po sa amin, sinasabihan ko po sila ng ‘I love you.’”

“Kung masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, ipakita mo ‘yon.”

Dream Project

Asked about his dream project, Buboy said that it arrived unexpectedly for him—and that was Eat Bulaga. His job on “G Sa Gedli” segment of the noontime show in which he would go out on the streets to interview people and give prizes with Isko Moreno, has been the most rewarding part of his Eat Bulaga hosting stint.

“Nangyari na po, nangyari na, ito na po ’yun. Ang lumibot, magbigay ng saya, plus na po ’yung tulong e, kasi po hindi ko naman po akalain na magiging tulay ako e, kasi gusto ko lang naman pong magsaya, at gusto ko pong maikot ang mundo. Para, alam mo ’yun, mas marami pa akong kuwento na malaman, mas marami pa akong matutunan in real life na puwede kong mai-share sa mga anak ko at sa mga magiging apo ko, ’di ba? Isa lang naman po ang buhay natin e, so punuin natin ’yun ng masasayang alaala.”

As his life gets better and more blessings come his way, Buboy also hopes to make more people happy, even in his own little ways.

“Kailangan ko silang mapasaya kasi sasaya rin ako. Marami kasi akong matututunan, e. Gusto ko lang matulog in peace. Gusto kong matulog na nagawa ko ’yung trabaho ko today, may natutunan ako at nakapagbigay din ako ng aral, kahit sa dami ng kalokohan na ginagawa ko meron naman pong matitino din naman, mga payo, pananaw sa buhay, so dinadaan ko lang po ito sa masayang bagay.”

“Isa lang naman po ang buhay natin e, so punuin natin yun ng masasayang ala-ala.”

Buboy as a father

Aside from being a TV personality, Buboy has another profession that he takes very seriously: his role as a father. While it's from being perfect, Buboy proudly shared that his relationship with his children, Vlanz Karollyn and George Michael, is progressing well. “Masaya, as in masaya. I mean, chill… guidance, of course, kasi siyempre hindi naman na sila pa-baby. Siyempre nagkaka-edad sila, so more on kinakausap ko na sila, kung ano ’yung personality talaga nila kasi siyempre ’yun naman talaga ako kasi gusto ko lang naman ay maging happy ’yung mga anak ko sa future,” he claimed.

“Gusto ko lang naman ay maging happy ‘yung mga anak ko sa future.”

Co-parenting with Angillyn

When the topic of the conversation shifts to his family, Buboy cannot avoid talking about his current co-parenting situation with his ex-wife, Angillyn Gorens, who has been residing in the US since they ended their relationship in 2018.

“Kumustuhan kami palagi kung ano ’yung plano para sa mga bata. Siyempre dahil magkalayo kami, nasa USA siya, ako nandito sa Pilipinas lalo na ’yung timezone namin magkaiba.”

Even if they have seperated, their respect for each other is still there.

So respeto namin sa isa’t isa talaga, lalo na as a parent, hindi mawawala doon ’yung pagka-miss mo, e, ’di ba kapag hindi mo kasama ’yung anak mo? So ’yung respeto ko na mag-send kapag kasama ko ’yung anak ko or kahit ’yung parents niya nag-sesend din sa kanya, tumatawag siya. So lagi kaming [nag-a-update] ng gano’n. Kapag nakikita ko ’yung mga anak ko, hindi puwede na hindi ako magse-send ng picture or video sa kanya, as a respect sa kanya.”

No regrets, just lessons

Buboy also had the courage to admit that he has no regrets over his failed relationship with Angillyn.

“Ay wala, promise, ’yung mga pinagdaanan namin in real life, bad or good, wala akong pinagsisisihan. Lahat ng ’yon gagawin kong aral kasi kapag nadaanan ko ulit ’yan, mayroon na ulit akong options. I can choose yes or no, or I can choose red or blue. I can choose left or right. Doon ako sa right kasi tama ’yon e,” Buboy said with a smile.

Asked if he’s hoping for a second chance with Angillyn, he answered, “Alam niyo po, kapag sinampal po tayo ng tadhana po, masakit po e. So ang gawin mo na lang bilang parehas na kaming parents–sinusuportahan namin mga anak namin–maging grateful kami [sa] pang-araw-araw, i-appreciate namin ’yun mga maliliit o malalaking bagay sa araw-araw kasi ’yun ’yung kailangan namin, at be a better person, hindi para sa amin pero para sa mga anak namin.”

“Be a better person, hindi para sa amin pero para sa mga anak namin.”

Brotherhood with Ruru Madrid

Buboy considers himself to be everyone’s best friend, but if there is one person he would trust with his life, it would be Kapuso Drama Prince Ruru Madrid.

He said of the TV idol, “Lahat naman po ay kaibigan ko kahit kanino n’yo po itanong lalo na sa mga staff and crew, ano po ako e, pang all-around po ako. Pero ang talagang nilalapitan ko kapag meron talagang problema ay si Ruru Madrid, siya talaga.

Siya lang ’yung nilapitan ko kasi unang-una sa lahat, bihira lang po akong makipag-usap sa pamilya dahil hindi namin madalas makasama so ang nakakaintindi lang feeling ko talaga, hanggang ngayon e, si Ruru. Kahit matagal kaming hindi nagkikita pero once na tumawag siya, ‘Uy kailangan ako nito.’ Kapag tumawag ako sa kanya, alam niya na kailangan ko siya,” Buboy shared.

The actor-host then recalled how he and Ruru first met. “Matagal ko na siyang nakikita, feeling ko sa Mars ba ’yun? Nakita ko siya nag-guest ako sa Mars tapos sobrang payat niya noon as in tuko pa talaga siya. Tapos nakita ko siya habang mine-make-up-an ako sabi ko, ‘Ayos ’tong tao na ’to a, mukhang magiging kaibigan ko ’to.’ Pero hindi ko akalain na magiging sobrang close ko siya na parang kapatid ko siya, ganun.”

Buboy considers his friendship with Ruru genuine and deep. “Kung paano namin i-carry ’yung isa’t isa na kahit hindi niya alam ’yung pinagdadaanan ko, pilit niyang iintindihin, hahayaan niya akong magsalita. Ang magandang laging sinasabi namin, ‘Tol, hindi ko man alam ’yan, pero lagi mong tandaan, lagi akong nandito para sa’yo.’”

Aside from Ruru, Buboy recognized a few other people for whom he is grateful. They are the people who assisted him throughout his career.

“Unang-una si Ate Marian [Rivera] hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ’yun. ’Yung mga taong Kuya ko, Pekto [Mike Nacua], Gene Padilla, Ruru [Madrid], Bianca [Umali], sila ’yung mga taong umiintindi sa akin palagi,” Buboy shared. “Ito pa, Paolo Contis. Kasi si Paolo ay hindi ko akalain na magiging kaibigan ko kasi idol ko siya e. Hindi ko talaga akalain na magiging kaibigan ko siya at maiintindihan niya ako, nagkakaintindihan kami. So, ituturing ko siya na isa sa mga special friend ko talaga. Of course ngayon lately si Yorme [Isko Moreno], kasi iba ’yung suntok niya sa akin, ’yung realization ng buhay. Thank you, Yorme,” he added.

Grateful and Happy

Breakthrough moments are often the result of overcoming challenges and the encouragement of the many individuals that surround you. In his interview with GMANetwork.com, Buboy expressed how grateful he is to GMA and to everyone who has contributed to his success in his career.

Buboy confidently said, “Kung hindi dahil sa GMA, kung hindi magtitiwala sa akin ang production, walang Buboy po talaga. Ang pasasalamat ko ay nasa inyo talaga. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa ABS-CBN kasi siyempre kung hindi ako nanalo doon [sa Little Big Star] baka hindi ako nakatawid ng GMA. Sabi nga ni Yorme, ‘Wag kang magsusunog ng bridge kasi masama ’yon.’ Pasasalamat ko lagi sa GMA at sa lahat ng mga nakatrabaho ko, kilala na nila kung sino sila at kilala na rin ng mga bosses kung sino po sila. Sa mga boss, maraming salamat po talaga sa tiwalang binibigay niyo po sa akin, sa pagsakay sa passion ko through acting, through myself, kung paano ko i-improve pa ’yung sarili ko, nagtiwala kayo sa akin kung paano pa i-e-express yung sarili ko in showbiz. Thank you po sa tiwala ’yun lang po palagi,”

“Kung hindi dahil sa GMA, kung hindi magtitiwala sa akin ang production, walang Buboy po talaga. Ang pasasalamat ko ay nasa inyo talaga.”

Without a doubt, Buboy will continue to make his impact in this industry as someone who works hard toward achieving his goals.

Looking back on the struggles and hardships that he has overcome, Buboy has this inspiring and powerful message for himself:

“Mas maging malakas. Hindi ’yung strong sa physical, mas maging malakas inside. Kasi alam ko na hangga’t nabubuhay ka, walang problema na ibibigay si Lord sa’yo na hindi mo kaya. So always be ready. Trust God. ’Wag tayong maging perfect kasi minsan kapag down tayo, minsan nakakalimot tayo. So pilitin talaga natin siyang isipin palagi kasi alam niyo po kapag tayo ay nag-manifest, mangyayari at mangyayari kaya be careful what you manifest.”

“Walang problema na ibibigay si Lord sa’yo na hindi mo kaya.”

BUBOY VILLAR

Family Man