{"id":2016306,"date":"2025-09-12T09:38:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2016306"},"modified":"2025-09-12T09:38:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T09:38:39","slug":"filipino-political-satirists-through-the-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/filipino-political-satirists-through-the-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Filipino political satirists through the years"},"content":{"rendered":"

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MANILA, Philippines \u2013 The circus that is Philippine politics easily lends itself to comedy and online memes, and quite naturally, translates to more content for the many witty and brave Filipino satirists. <\/p>\n

With the ongoing probe<\/a> of the flood control projects and the likes of the Discayas making the news rounds, there\u2019s no doubting that all eyes are on the government as the drama and dismay unfold.<\/p>\n

Longtime comedian Michael V. quickly latched onto it, with his enduring gag show Bubble Gang unveiling a new character in Ciala Dismaya.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So no matter which side you sit, Filipinos unite under comic relief through impersonations, skits, and social media memes.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look back at the moments in local pop culture history when veteran and emerging Filipino satirists took center stage.<\/p>\n

Willie Nep: From Marcos to Noynoy<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\"\"Willie Nepomuceno as Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the 36th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.<\/p>\n

Impersonating someone is one way of picking apart social issues, and perhaps no one does it better in the Philippines than the late Willie Nepomuceno<\/a>, who deemed himself as an \u201cimpressionist\u201d of many public figures in politics and pop culture.<\/p>\n

An alumnus of the College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman, he first started out by imitating the voices of the Reycard Duet and Queen of Kundiman singer Sylvia La Torre<\/a> for his classmates.<\/p>\n

He rose to fame as an impersonator when he started dressing himself up as Ferdinand Marcos Sr. during the surge of the First Quarter Storm<\/a> in the late president\u2019s term. A known activist, Nepomuceno used his artistic talents in rallies by dressing up in costumes and imitating voices in order for the people to listen.<\/p>\n

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Utilizing comedy, his acting methods and theatrics made such strong impact during these rallies in the 1970s that the government personally asked him to stop impersonating Marcos Sr. In February 2022, \u201cWillie Nep\u201d participated in the 36th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution<\/a> dressed as the late president.<\/p>\n

Nepomuceno also drew a lot of chuckles every time he lampooned legendary actors like Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy, as well as many other political figures, including former presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Noynoy Aquino.<\/p>\n

\"\"The iconic Willie Nepomuceno. Photo from his Facebook page<\/p>\n

\u201cThey say comedy is just a twist from reality\u2026 I think mas nakakatawa \u2019yung original, \u2019yung mga totoong nangyayari (the original is funnier, the ones actually happening), their statements,\u201d Nepomuceno said in a 2018 interview<\/a> with Inquirer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nepomuceno died<\/a> in 2023 at 75 due to a head injury, but unquestionably, inspired many other Filipino comedians to use impersonations as a means to advocate political and social awareness.<\/p>\n

The \u201980s with Mr. Shooli and \u2018Sic O\u2019 Clock News<\/strong>\u2018<\/h5>\n

\"\"Jun Urbano as the irrepressible Mr. Shooli. Photo from the UP College of Mass Communication<\/p>\n

\u201cIsang platitong mani (A plate of peanuts),\u201d is just one of the memorable phrases that\u2019s familiar to Filipinos in the \u201980s and \u201990s, all because of Mongolian Barbecue star Mr. Shooli \u2014 the genius who kept everyone in stitches amid the uncertain political times.<\/p>\n

Manuel \u201cJun\u201d Urbano Jr. was a comedian, filmmaker, actor, and director who created the well known television character of Mr. Shooli, a Mongolian national with a Chinese accent who commentates on the state of Philippine politics. <\/p>\n

As Mr. Shooli, Urbano managed to toe the line between serious discussion and playful yet non-offensive banter between him and the guests that he invited. <\/p>\n

HIs gags, often guised as somewhat innocent statements on Philippine politics, caught the likes of former presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo off guard with his charm. At at one point, Urbano also had former presidential son and now Philippine President Ferdinand \u201cBongbong\u201d Marcos Jr. guest in the show.<\/p>\n

\"\"Still of Ferdinand \u201cBongbong\u201d Marcos Jr. with Mr. Shooli in Mongolian Barbecue. Courtesy of WordPress user cbholganza.<\/p>\n

Just months before his death<\/a> in December 2023, Urbano was honored in August with the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Dr. Jose R. Perez Memorial Award<\/a> for his contributions to Philippine cinema.<\/p>\n

In October of the same year, the 84-year-old Urbano was bestowed with the Gawad Plaridel award<\/a> from the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Mass Communication. His famed alter ego Mr. Shooli gave the acceptance speech, and of course, wouldn\u2019t be without a quip:<\/p>\n

\u201cNoong araw, \u2018pag ikaw may problema, sisigaw ka, \u2018Tulong, pulis! Tulong, pulis!\u2019 Ngayon \u2018pag may problema ka, ikaw sisigaw, \u2018Tulong, may pulis, may pulis!\u2019\u201d\u00a0he joked, drawing laughs from the crowd.<\/p>\n

(Back in the day, when you had a problem, you would shout, \u2018Police, help! Police, help!\u2019 Now, if you have a problem, you would instead shout, \u2018Help, there\u2019s a cop, there\u2019s a cop!)<\/p>\n