After more than a decade on the air, Pepito Manaloto remains a staple in Filipino households. And for series creator, lead actor, and now director Michael V., the secret to its longevity is simple—love the show.
“We have passion in what we do,” he told reporters during a set visit for Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang Kwento on May 29. “I think the secret is to love the show—not just me, but also the staff, the crew, the creatives, and the whole cast.”
Michael V., also fondly known in the industry as Bitoy, said that this shared passion has helped sustain the series through cast changes, creative pauses, and even the pandemic.
Now serving as both actor and director, he also acknowledged the legacy of the late director Bert de Leon.
“We couldn’t find it in our hearts to replace Direk Bert, and that led to me being assigned as director. But we’re just carrying on his legacy,” he said.
The show, known for mixing humor with everyday family lessons, has also evolved with its audience.
And while television ratings still matter to the network, Bitoy said he puts more weight on how episodes resonate online.
“Sometimes, it doesn’t reflect on the ratings,” he said. “But when it’s shown on social media or YouTube, you’ll see the comments and the views. For me, that’s the most rewarding.”
Bitoy explained that before airing, he tries to get a good feel for an episode’s potential by reading the script and watching the cast chemistry during rehearsals.
“Every time we make an episode, the writers read it to us first, and then the cast reads it together. That’s how we get a good feel for the episodes of our show,” he said.
With Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang Kwento, the team continues to blend entertainment with practical wisdom, especially for audiences navigating changes in fortune, family, or modern life.
Bitoy said they remain intentional about creating episodes that leave viewers with something to take home.
“We make it a point that our audience will learn something,” he said. “Sometimes, the words of wisdom get replaced by a heartfelt scene or a song, but it’s still there.”
Despite the challenges of running a long-standing series, Bitoy said the commitment from everyone involved, from script to screen, keeps the show going.
And as long as the audience keeps watching, he said, they’ll keep telling Pepito’s story.
