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Good vibes: Revisit Ogie Diaz’s Kapamilya sitcoms and drama series

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Liezel dela Cruz

<p>When we hear the name Ogie Diaz, we equate it to juicy showbiz chika and the art and skill of creating big stars in showbiz. Not many of today’s internet-savvy peeps remember him as an actor and comedian – yup, these are included in his résumé.</p><p>Now, you’re curious. And to satiate your spirit of inquiry, here, we look back on his acting stints in Kapamilya sitcoms and drama series.</p><p>But, first, a little history! Ogie made his way into the industry as Cristy Fermin’s apprentice. From being a proofreader, he eventually earned his byline and appeared as a segment host in showbiz-oriented TV talk shows on ABS-CBN.</p><p>Ogie, whose secret dream was to become an actor, would spend his free time observing the chaos and fun during tapings inside the ABS-CBN studios. As fate would have it, talent manager Douglas Quijano, who built the stellar careers of Richard Gomez, John Estrada, and Joey Marquez, and one of the executive producers of the now-iconic sitcom “Palibhasa Lalake” (1987), saw his comedic potential and asked the show’s writer Joey Reyes to include him in the script. And that’s how the gregarious gay character Pekto was born.</p><div><iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="535" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=420&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJeepneyTV%2Fvideos%2F772453446208202%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe></div><p>Ogie has been a staple talent in most Kapamilya comedy programs since, playing mostly flamboyant gay characters like Charlotte in the sitcom “Pwedeng Pwede” (1999) topbilled by Robin Padilla and Redford White.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KR0PKy5pJdY" title="Pamangkin ni Robin, nakidnap! | Pwedeng Pwede Fastcuts Episode 59" width="690"></iframe></div><p>He appeared in Aga Muhlach’s “That’s My Doc” (2008), modern iteration of the original “Oki Doki Doc,” as fake weather forecaster Indyanera Jones.</p><p>Equipped with his incredible talent in impersonation, he added more hilarity in the superhero series “Volta” (2008) as the crime field reporter Gosh Abelgash, satirizing popular ABS-CBN news personality Gus Abelgas.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lxhgEop9PLs" title="Volta Full Episode 5 | YeY Superview" width="480"></iframe></div><p>Though stereotyped as a comedian, Ogie managed to cross over to drama series once in a while. He was cast in the inspirational teleserye “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/maybukaspa"><em><strong><u>May Bukas Pa</u></strong></em></a>” (2009) as Atong, the husband of Baby’s character portrayed by Arlene Muhlach, to provide a breather from all the heavy scenes.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/px89dwzlPEg" title="Baby and Atong become additional hostages of Froilan | May Bukas Pa" width="640"></iframe></div><p>In 2010, he played the ghost exorcist Mando in “Momay,” which was headlined by then-child star Xyriel Manabat.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SSKYYSU4RKQ" title="Full Episode 24 | Momay" width="480"></iframe></div><p>It was followed by his stint as Rommel, the big-hearted man who took orphaned kids under his wings, in “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/02090218-throwback-mutya-2011-14523"><strong><u>Mutya</u></strong></a>” (2011).</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rcEQon56W4A" title="Mutya: Pagtanggap sa pagiging Sirena (Full Episode 14) | Jeepney TV" width="640"></iframe></div><p>Ogie was privileged to work with esteemed drama icons in the classic tale “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/walanghanggan"><strong><u>Walang Hanggan</u></strong></a>” (2012) that birthed Coco Martin and Julia Montes’ tandem. Here, he portrayed Kenneth, the loyal assistant of Helen Gamboa’s character Margaret.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LdEhkh6lDmE" title="Margaret, inamin na pinadukot niya ang anak ni Emily | Walang Hanggan" width="640"></iframe></div><p>A year later, he was back on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold block, playing yet another devoted and ‘marites’ best friend as Percy in the musical drama teleserye “May Isang Pangarap.”</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKbC91sWoAk" title="May Isang Pangarap - Episode 50" width="640"></iframe></div><p>He was also cast in the Judy Ann Santos-starrer “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/huwagkalangmawawala"><strong><u>Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala</u></strong></a>” (2013) as Roger, one of the trusted sidekicks of the Drama Queen’s character Anessa. More assignments came for Ogie as he was part of “Dyesebel” (2014), “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/nathaniel"><strong><u>Nathaniel</u></strong></a>” (2015), and “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/bornforyou"><strong><u>Born For You</u></strong></a>” (2016).</p><p>Ogie showed a different side of him, this time, trying his hands on mystery-action as Bruce in “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/thebloodsisters"><strong><u>The Blood Sisters</u></strong></a>” (2018) and Hugo in the afternoon drama “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/sandugo"><strong><u>Sandugo</u></strong></a>” (2019).</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ytCS30gv2eI" title="The Blood Sisters: Adele and Bruce try to find Emman | EP 100" width="640"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KuLfp8U6Fzw" title="Hugo, ginawan ng paraan ang kanilang problema kay Bernardo | Sandugo (With Eng Subs)" width="640"></iframe></div><p>Besides his consistent appearances in sitcoms and teleseryes, Ogie was also a prominent personality in Kapamilya showbiz talk shows. He earned his spot as one of the main hosts of “Showbiz Inside Report” (2012) joined by Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez, and Carmina Villaroel.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WyOnP8BuxW0" title="Showbiz Inside Report, Sabado na!" width="480"></iframe></div><p>Prior to this, he was the provider of juicy showbiz news and blind items in “Showbiz Lingo” (1992), “S2: Showbiz Sabado” (2003), “Magandang Umaga Pilipinas” (2004), “Umagang Kay Ganda” (2007), and “Entertainment Live” also known as E-Live (2012).</p><p>Ogie has had an incredible oeuvre of work in showbiz, dabbling in hosting, acting, writing, and field reporting since 1986. He also ventured into managing the careers of aspiring artists, and is currently focused on vlogging.</p><p>Outside showbiz, he has advocacies and is a member of the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc., more popularly known as Kasuso Foundation’s board of trustees.</p>