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“Goin’ Bulilit” alumni share fondest memories, valuable lessons learned on the show

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Mary Ann Bardinas

Almost five years since ending its 14-year run in 2019, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a> has made its much-awaited comeback this 2024 to once again deliver laughter and good vibes to viewers and, at the same time, to introduce and showcase a new breed of child stars who would capture our hearts with their talents.As the current rendition brings fresh jokes and parodies that tickle old and new audiences alike, it also provides us with major nostalgia through the “Goin’ Ulilit” segment, where they replay old sketches of the show from many years ago starring former cast members. Seeing them again in their childhood probably makes us miss them so much and wonder how life was for them on the set of the well-loved kiddie gag show.Fortunately, a few of them were able to share their fondest memories and notable experiences and learnings during their bulilit days when they appeared on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/magandangbuhay" target="_blank">Magandang Buhay</a> in the past years. We collated them in this Magandang Buhay Toplist feature for everyone to see!In 2023, OG cast members Sharlene San Pedro, Nash Aguas, Eliza Pineda, Igi Boy Flores, and CJ Navato delighted us as they reminisced about their journey together in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a>.Sharlene related how it’s absolutely a huge and important thing for her to be part of the program, especially since the cast members have grown up together. She told the momshie-hosts, “Parang sila ‘yong naging kaibigan ko [o] kaklase kasi hindi ako nakapag-aral no’n. So, parang na-miss out ko ‘yong childhood na naglalaro sa labas. Pero dahil nasa Goin’ Bulilit ako, parang nakahanap ako ng mga instant kapatid, mga kaibigan.”Nash seconded her statement since most of them had to be homeschooled due to their hectic schedules during that time. While other kids their age found their buddies at school, the bulilits found theirs on the set of the gag show.However, it was not only friends who they had found but also their first crushes! Take CJ, for example, as he confessed to having a crush on Eliza. He recalled how he used to feel a bit envious of their co-star, John Manalo, since he was paired with her often or with other girls sometimes.Apart from giving them an extraordinary and memorable childhood, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a> also instilled in them the values of discipline and professionalism at very young ages. While being cheerful and playful was innate to them as kids, CJ implied that the staff trained them to instantly get serious once the reels were about to roll.“Ang galing din actually na na-balance nila ‘yong perfect na [dynamic]. Kumbaga, trabaho pero di nila kami ni-limit na maging bata. Kapag hindi kami ‘yong nasa eksena, hahayaan nila kami na maglaro. [Naging] playground namin ang hallway ng [ABS-CBN] e. Pero once na kami ‘yong nasa eksena, kailangan naming maging professional. In a way, strict din sila pagdating sa trabaho,” Nash stated.Furthermore, Igi Boy mentioned that being a bulilit helped them develop their social skills, too. They’re able to learn how to get along well not only with their co-stars but also with the staff, crew, and fans, which they continue to practice even now that they’ve all grown up and have been treading different paths and endeavors.“Ayoko pong magmayabang, pero nakikita naman po siya na kapag may nakakatrabaho kami, parang kapag narinig po nila na batch po namin ng ‘Goin’ Bulilit,’ ‘di po talaga sakit sa ulo katrabaho,” Sharlene remarked and added how thankful she is to everyone who guided them all throughout, from the staff and crew to their directors.Besides, she also believes that the “magic” probably lies in the fact that they really liked what they were doing and they were not forced by their parents, so everything appeared easy-peasy for them.Meanwhile, even before both of them became the biggest stars of their generation, we all knew that Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes used to win us over with their cuteness as part of the pioneer batch. However, little did we know that they were not actually close during their <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a> days, which they revealed in their 2017 interview together.They may come from the same batch, but Julia confessed that she and Kathryn were not able to establish a tight bond then since they used to have different sets of friends and she was regarded as a big sister by her castmates. The Asia’s Superstar added that it was also because Julia graduated from the show just a few months after Kathryn joined. They only became close while working on the 2010 remake of the classic ABS-CBN soap opera <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/140080317-throwback-mara-clara-2010-14805" target="_blank">Mara Clara</a> and have considered one another as their OG loveteam partner since then.A year later, the momshie-hosts were able to get a glimpse of Julia’s friendship with another <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a> batchmate, Trina “Hopia” Legaspi, who surprised her when her birthday was celebrated on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/magandangbuhay" target="_blank">Magandang Buhay</a>. According to them, they were actually buddies then since they were among the eldest cast members.They recounted how the staff used to be ‘irate’ at them because they were often nowhere to be found on the set, as they would go together to the comfort room to curl their lashes. They even recalled that instance when their lashes fell off while using the curl lash they borrowed from one of their makeup artists.And lastly, Raikko Mateo imparted the important lessons he learned as a bulilit, which are to become independent and take good care of himself. Momshie-host Melai Cantiveros-Francisco went on to express her admiration for him for being obedient to his mom while they were working together in the 2013 series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-honesto-2013-14613" target="_blank">Honesto</a>.We hope that the current batch of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a> stars will have memorable experiences and valuable learnings as well, just like their predecessors did.

Watch as the “Goin’ Bulilit” alumni share their memories and learnings on the show during their “Magandang Buhay” guesting.