Marietta Tan Subong (born August 27, 1972), known professionally as Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer.[2]

Pokwang
Pokwang in 2014
Born
Marietta Tan Subong

(1972-08-27) August 27, 1972 (age 52)[1]
Iloilo City, Philippines
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actress
  • television host
  • recording artist
Years active1998–present
Agents
PartnerLee O'Brian (2015–2021)
ChildrenShin Subong (eldest reborn son)

Ria Mae Subong (older daughter)

Melia O'Brian Subong (half-American, half-Filipino younger daughter)

She started in a reality show on ABS-CBN and subsequently appeared in dramas and sitcoms of the network. She also received the Best Comedy Actress award from the Philippine Movie Press Club for her portrayal in the sitcom Aalog-Alog and the Best Female Comedian award from People's Choice Awards. She became a host of the variety shows Wowowee, Pilipinas Win na Win and Happy Yipee Yehey.[3]

Early life

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Pokwang was born as Marietta Subong on August 27, 1972[1][4] in Iloilo City.[5] Her family hails from Antipolo, Rizal. Her father was a drunkard and her mother had difficulties in raising Pokwang and her 11 other siblings.[6] Pokwang was the seventh born among her siblings.[7]

Career

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As a migrant worker

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In 1990, Pokwang went to Japan as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and worked as a group dancer, going home to the Philippines four times within the two years time she worked in Japan. Her contracts in Japan were for six-months each. She saved money to renovate her family's fragile house to one made with sturdier materials. Pokwang also learned how to speak Japanese due to her work. She stopped working in Japan after she got pregnant which was also the time when Japan started to impose stricter regulations after following an issue with OFWs in Japan.[7]

Pokwang went to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to work as a domestic worker[6] in 1998 after the gulf country started to accept OFWs. She worked in the country for six months. She wanted to go home immediately after she learned that her son who was then five years old was diagnosed with a brain tumor but her employer did not want to finance her plane ticket to fly back to the Philippines as she was still under contract. She was then forced to stay to raise funds herself. Her son later died while she was still in Abu Dhabi.[7]

Return to the Philippines

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Following the loss of her son, Pokwang decided to stay in the Philippines and tend to her daughter.[7] Pokwang made her first appearance as a backup dancer in Eezy Dancing of ABC 5.[8]

While performing as a guest in a comedy bar in Cubao, she met Eric Nicolas who was looking for a talent to work with ABS-CBN.[5] She worked in a comedy bar named Funline[9] and in 2002 moved to the Music Box.[7] In 2004, Pokwang joined "Clown in a Million" a reality talent show segment of Yes Yes Show of ABS-CBN after she was convinced by Nicolas to participate and became the grand champion.[5] After winning, she secured an exclusive artist contract with ABS-CBN.[6][8]

Pokwang appeared in various dramas and sitcoms following her win at the reality talent show segment.[5] She also had concerts both outside and within the Philippines and also had appeared in noon-time shows. She starred with other actors and actresses in various projects such as Dolphy which she considers her idol, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Willie Revillame, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Claudine Barretto, Judy Ann Santos, Sharon Cuneta, and Kris Aquino.[6]

She won the Best Comedy Actress award by the Philippine Movie Press Club for her portrayal in Aalog-Alog and the she garnered the Best Female Comedian award of the People's Choice Award. As a film actress she won the Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award twice.[5]

Pokwang appeared in various films portraying supporting characters. Her first film where she portrayed a lead role was the 2011 film A Mother's Story, where she took up a role of an overseas Filipino worker named Medy.[8]

In 2020, following the denial of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, she signed to APT Entertainment and hosted two blocktime shows produced by APT, Chika, Besh! and Fill in the Bank. being aired on TV5.

In 2021, Pokwang officially signed up with Sparkle GMA Artist Center after weeks of speculation of her transfer to GMA Network.[10]

Comedic style

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Pokwang prefers to use herself as a subject of her jokes rather than other people. She does not use "green jokes" (Filipino parlance for sexual innuendos) or devise other jokes more fit for a mature audience as she enjoys having children part of her audience.[6]

Pokwang has also impersonated other people as part of her job as a comedian. Among the people she has impersonated were Dionisia Pacquiao such as for an episode in Banana Split[11] and Anabelle Rama.[8]

Personal life

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In 1993, Pokwang married a Japanese national who she had met while she was working abroad in Japan. The union had a son, who later died due to a congential brain ailment. The couple had become estranged for over a decade. In 2009, after 16 years, Subong's ex-husband contacted her in an effort to reconcile after he found out he had cancer. He also requested to view the grave of his son, to which Pokwang replied "He has forgiven you, he's an angel now.".[12]

In 1996, she entered into another relationship again with a Japanese partner. Though they did not marry, the union had a daughter, Ria Mae (born 1996). Pokwang has since not spoken to her daughter's father, but harbors no ill will toward him, stating she is open to her daughter one day meeting with him. He found out about Pokwang's celebrity status via a mutual friend and through international media channels.[13] In May 2014, Pokwang re-established contact with Ria Mae's father, who had since married and started a family, in an effort to have him appear at her debutante ball for her 18th birthday.[14]

Pokwang had a British suitor but in June 2013 it was reported that he decided not to pursue. Pokwang speculated that the reason for this was that she was "playing hard to get", but insists that she remains friends with the Briton.[15]

 
Becky & Badette - Eugene Domingo Pokwang and John Rey Tiangco

On 20 January 2015, Pokwang entered into a relationship with American actor Lee O'Brian, whom she worked with in the film Edsa Woolworth which was released in theaters in that same month.[16] Subong became pregnant, but miscarried after three weeks.[17] By September 2016, Subong had been introduced to O'Brian's relatives and the two began talking about marriage. Nuptial planning was delayed as Pokwang's priority at the time was her project Till I Met You.[18] On June 16, 2017, Subong announced on Twitter that she was seven weeks pregnant with O'Brian's child.[19][20]

On 18 January 2018, Pokwang gave birth to her third child and her first with O'Brian, Malia, in Antipolo.[21] Pokwang and O'Brien separated in November 2021, with Pokwang having custody over Malia.[22]

On April 8, 2024, the Bureau of Immigration deported Lee O’Brian and was included in the BI’s blacklist. Pokwang previously complained of financial abuse, intimidation and abandonment of their daughters Malia and Mae. She filed a deportation case against Lee in June, 2023. On December 12, 2023, Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco ruled the case on her favor. In early 2023, she kicked Lee out of their home and he moved on to someone new.[23]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Network
1998 Eezy Dancing Herself ABC "Now TV5"
2004 Yes, Yes Show! ABS-CBN
Maid in Heaven Harlene
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Teddy Bear Herself (as Marietta "Pokwang" Subong)
2004–2005 Krystala Fantasia
2005 M.R.S. (Most Requested Show) Herself/Host
Pinoy Big Brother Buzz
2006 Aalog-Alog Etang Sukimura
Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Principal Nendita
Crazy for You Bessie
2007 Love Spell: Shoes Ko Po, Shoes ko Day Lisa
Your Song: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Anna
Ysabella Phuket
2007–2010 Wowowee Herself/Host
2007–2020 ASAP Herself/Performer
2008 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Laruan Rita
2009–2011 Banana Split Herself/Various Characters
2009–2010 May Bukas Pa Amy
2010 Melason In Love Herself
Your Song Presents: Love Me, Love You Lovely
Pilipinas Win Na Win Herself/Host
Your Song Presents: Kim Belma Jolie
2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Singsing Tita B. Canoy
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Birth Certificate Carol Araos
2011–2012 Happy Yipee Yehey! Herself/Host
2011 100 Days to Heaven Digna Amparo
2011–2013 Toda Max Beverly "Lady G" Gil
2011–2016 Kris TV Herself/Recurring co-host
2012–2013 Aryana Ofelia Capuyao-Mendez
2013 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Gown Linda
My Little Juan Sarah de Guzman
Wansapanataym: Give Glove On Christmas Day Queenie Batumbakal
2014 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Arroz Caldo Mely
Mirabella Mimosa "Osang" Balete
Ipaglaban Mo: Umasa Ako Sa Hula Lovinia Ignacio
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Alak Lui
2015 Nathaniel Elizabeth "Beth" Salvacion-Bartolome
Wansapanataym: Raprap's Wrapper Sioneng
2015–2017
2018–2020
Banana Sundae Herself/Various Characters
2015–2016 Celebrity Playtime Herself/Player on TeamBuilding
2016 We Will Survive Wilmalyn "Wilma" Bonanza-San Juan
Till I Met You Agnes De Guia-Nicolas
2017 I Can Do That Herself/Contestant
FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Amor Nieves
2018 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Eskoba Azon
Ipaglaban Mo: Teritoryo Celia
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Orasan Fe
2019 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Divet Diana Carbonell
2020 Make It with You Jessica
Eat Bulaga! Herself/Guest Contestant GMA Network
Chika, Besh! Herself/Host TV5
Fill in the Bank Madam Poky/Host/Chismosang Falakang Officer
2021 Wanted: Ang Serye Mary
The Boobay and Tekla Show Herself/Guest GMA Network
2021–present All-Out Sundays Herself/Performer/Co-host/Various roles
2021 Wish Ko Lang Virgie
Dear Uge Chit
Mars Pa More Herself/Guest
Pepito Manaloto Tarsing Batumbakal
Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: It's Not You, It's Me Sunshine
2022 Regal Studio Presents: Yaya Terror Yaya Mila
Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss Rebecca "Becca" Pacheco
Lolong Coring
2022–present TiktoClock Herself/Host
2023 Open 24/7 Gina
2024 Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Herself
Jose & Maria's Bonggang Villa Tiffany Hambog
It's Showtime Herself Kapamilya Channel
A2Z
ALLTV
GMA Network
GTV

Film

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Year Title Role Producer
2004 Bcuz of U Tiya Pards Star Cinema
2005 D' Anothers Aruray "Balat" Paclayon
Dubai Cookie
2006 D' Lucky Ones Lea
2007 Agent X44 Col. Cynthia Abordo
Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat Gay / Maria Ligaya Kalungkutan Viva Films
2008 Supahpapalicious Nympha Star Cinema
Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia Vicky Cutting-Edge Production
2009 Nobody, Nobody But... Juan Lolay RVQ Productions
2010 Cinco Emily Star Cinema
I Do Myka Punongbayan
Super Inday and the Golden Bibe Miss Kokay[24] Regal Entertainment
2011 The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles Sr. Purisima Star Cinema
Sine Screen
Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! Pining Star Cinema
APT Entertainment
M-Zet Productions
OctoArts Films
2012 A Mother's Story Remedios "Medy" Santos TFC
ABS-CBN International
Star Cinema
The Mommy Returns Ruby Pascual-Martirez Regal Entertainment
The Healing Alma Star Cinema
24/7 in Love Virgie Cruz
D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! Kitty Kilabot APT Entertainment
M-Zet Productions
2013 Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? Cora Veloso Star Cinema
Call Center Girl Teresa "Terry" Damaso Manlapat Skylight Films
Star Cinema
2014 My Illegal Wife Clarisse
2015 Edsa Woolworth Edsa Woolworth Star Cinema
TFC
Wang Fam Malou Wang Viva Films
All You Need Is Pag-Ibig Teacher Corina Star Cinema
2016 Mercury is Mine Carmen Batac Cinemalaya
2018 Sol Searching Lorelei Baloloy ToFarm Film Festival
Oda Sa Wala Sonya QCinema International Film Festival
2019 Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity Don Zulueta APT Entertainment
M-Zet Productions
2023 Ten Little Mistresses Babet Amazon Prime Video
Becky & Badette Badette Imaculada The IdeaFirst Company
OctoberTrain Films

Discography

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Albums

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Title Album information
Pokwang... Ang Album Na May Puso[2]
  • Released: 2009
  • Format: mp3
  • Label: Star Records
  • Writer: Christian Martinez and Lito Camo
  • Chart position: N/A
  • Tracks: "GayaGaya Puto Maya," "Bratatat," "Bahoo," "Sana Kunin Ka Na Ni Lord"
  • Bonus tracks: "Hai"
  • Singles: "Sana Kunin Ka Na Ni Lord"

Singles

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Compilation album
Release date Album Title Record Company Song Title Certification Ref
November 12, 2011 Happy Yipee Yehey! Nananana! Star Music "No Boypren, No Problem" [25]

Awards and nominations

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Awards and Nomination
Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
2007 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Comedy Actress[26] Aalog-Alog Won
2008 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Female TV Host[5] Wowowee Nominated
Best Comedy Actress[5] That's My Doc Nominated
2010 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award[27] Won
23rd Awit Awards Best Novelty Recording Bratatat Nominated
2011 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Comedy Actress Banana Split Nominated
2012 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Comedy Actress Toda Max Won
60th FAMAS Awards Best Actress[5] A Mother's Story Nominated
25th Awit Awards Best Novelty Recording No Boypren, No Problem Nominated
2013 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Comedy Actress Toda Max Nominated
2014 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award[28] Won
2015 Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program[5] Mirabella Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Alonzo Bea (host), Pokwang (guest) (April 1, 2023). Pokwang Takes a Legit Lie Detector Test (#bybea Lie Detector Ep.11) (Vlog) (in English and Filipino). Bea Alonzo. Event occurs at 3:42-4:05. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via YouTube. Alonzo: Were you born on August 27, 1970? Pokwang: (197)2!... Hoy! 1972 ako!... [Hey, I'm born in 1972] Pokwang: if you are watching Wikipedia, Marietta Subong. August 27, 1972, Year of the Water Rat...
  2. ^ a b Buan-Devesa, Reyma (January 22, 2009). "Pokwang unleashes the singer in her". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  3. ^ "Poohkwang concert, tons of surprises at the Music Museum". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Interactive. June 3, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2008. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Pokwang turns 40". ABS-CBN News. August 27, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lu, Monet (September 3, 2016). "Behind Pokwang's fun and endearing personality". Asian Journal. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e Pablo, Rhia De (March 15, 2008). "Comedienne Pokwang on living, laughing, and loving". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e Manimtim-Floresca, Ruth (February 7, 2013). "Pokwang Laughs Her Way to the Bank". Money Sense. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c d "Pokwang to make audience laugh in wild abandon at Piolo show". Filipino Star News - Michigan Edition. Filipino Star News. February 26, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  9. ^ Tariman, Pablo (June 9, 2014). "Pokwang: Life is not a comedy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  10. ^ "Pokwang is now a Kapuso!". GMA Network. June 18, 2021.
  11. ^ Apoyon, Satur (July 21, 2009). "After ABC TV5 guesting, Pacman's mother has been making waves these days". Balita (in English and Filipino). Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  12. ^ "Pokwang's ex-husband has cancer". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). December 14, 2014. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  13. ^ Cruz, Marinel R. "Pokwang wants her kid to meet Japanese dad". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  14. ^ Pumaloy, Rey (May 24, 2014). "Japanese dad: "Iba pa rin na malaman mo kung saan ka nagmula para buo ka."" [Japanese dad: "It's still different to know where you came from for you to become whole"]. Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  15. ^ "Pokwang's British suitor gives up". Balita Filipino New. June 18, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  16. ^ Smith, Chuck (February 9, 2015). "Pokwang confirms relationship with American actor Lee O'Brien". The Philippine Star (in English and Filipino). Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  17. ^ Smith, Chuck (August 20, 2015). "Pokwang 'back in the process of having kids' after miscarriage, says bf". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  18. ^ "Pokwang at Lee, sa kasalan na ang tuloy" [Pokwang and Lee, are heading to a marriage"]. Balita.net (in Filipino). September 5, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  19. ^ Serato, Arniel (June 16, 2017). "PEP EXCLUSIVE. Pokwang confirms she's seven weeks pregnant". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  20. ^ "Pokwang confirms she's pregnant with child with American boyfriend". GMA News. GMA News and Public Affairs. June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  21. ^ "LOOK: Pokwang gives birth to baby girl". ABS-CBN Corporation. January 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "Pokwang reveals real reason behind breakup with Lee O'Brian". ABS-CBN News. February 3, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  23. ^ Casucian, Jiselle Anne (April 11, 2024). "Pokwang's ex-partner Lee O'Brian deported from the Philippines". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  24. ^ Calderon, Nora (November 17, 2010). "Marian Rivera trains in mixed martial arts for the action sequences of Super Inday and the Golden Bibe". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "'Happy Yipee Yehey!' Launches Its first Album". November 12, 2011.
  26. ^ "Tiya Pusit, Pokwang share best-actress trophy". GMA News (in Tagalog and English). November 22, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  27. ^ "ABS-CBN big winner at GMMSF Entertainment Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  28. ^ "Complete List of Winners: 45th Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Awards 2014". The Summit Express. Retrieved 2014-05-019.
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