MANILA, Philippines - Actor Bayani Agbayani is convinced that there is more to his work as a comedian than making people laugh.
?I want my life story to inspire people not to run away from problems,? Agbayani told Inquirer Entertainment over lunch last week.
Odd jobs
Agbayani, 39, worked as a vegetable vendor while finishing Mass Communication at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila. He graduated in 1992.
?After school, I worked as a waiter,? said Agbayani. ?I cried about that every night, thinking it was not the kind of job I studied hard for. But I found out I wasn't alone. Some of my co-workers were engineers and nurses.?
Agbayani was next hired as a production assistant at GMA 7, then as set and props coordinator for the now-defunct Kapuso variety show ?SST.? Three months later, he became an assistant writer. He was promoted as head writer and kept that job for four years.
The actor recalled, ?Life improved a bit... my producers hired me as a talent for their show. Pa-extra extra. But for a time, I lived in the attic of one of the studios on Broadway (in Quezon City)... until I could afford to commute to work every day from where I lived in Malabon.?
With his earnings, Agbayani saved enough money to make the down payment on a taxi cab. ?Then I amortized it at P1,300 a month. I drove the taxi myself. That was one of the lowest points in my life. Pero laban pa rin ako,? the actor said.
Opportunity
Then the opportunity came for Agbayani to work for rival station ABS-CBN. His talent as a comedian was recognized, and he became a host on the noontime show ?Masayang Tanghali Bayan.? He was also cast in sitcoms like ?Okey Fine Whatever? and ?That's My Doc.?
He has appeared in over a dozen movies, the most recent of which was Joey Reyes' ?Katas ng Saudi,? released in 2007.
Agbayani has also enjoyed some success in recording, most notably with his novelty song ?Otso Otso,? composed by Lito Camo.
?I'm satisfied with what I have now,? he said. ?Sobra sobra na ang blessings. My only wish is to make one memorable comedy film, similar to Adam Sandler's '50 First Dates.' I want it to be something that my kids and grand kids will be proud of.?
The actor said he is constantly looking for ways to share his blessings. ?With my earnings, I helped put some of my nephews and nieces to school. I also bought a house for my mother. But the most fulfilling work I've done so far was to spend time with a group of young cancer patients. I bought them toys and took some of them out to eat,? he related.
On his new show on TV5, ?My MVP,? a sports reality program for aspiring basketball players, Agbayani continues to inspire people to work hard to fulfill their dreams.
?As one of the hosts, I inject humor in most of my segments,? he said. Agbayani shares hosting chores with current Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles coach Norman Black and former PBA cager Jason Webb.
?I can relate to most of the contestants. I once dreamt of becoming a basketball player, but I was too cash-strapped to even buy a pair of rubber shoes,? he said.
Some 2,000 aspirants, ages 18 to 35, from across the country turned up to audition for ?My MVP.? Only 400 were short-listed. The number was then whittled down to 50, and finally, to 15.
?We are currently in the process of picking the Top 10, who will get the chance to win P1 million worth of prizes,? explained Agbayani.
Those who get the 10 slots will each get an educational plan, which they, or their kids, can use.
Agbayani pointed out: ?Makasali ka lang sa tryout, panalo ka na. You were able to play with no less than Coach Norman and Jason.? 'Di nababayaran ng pera 'yun.?
?My MVP? airs Sundays, 6 to 7 p.m., on TV5.
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph
