What defined Pokwang’s success as a comedian, TV host and performer was not just mere talent. It was also the struggles she faced growing up and the birth pains that she encountered as an entertainer later on in life.
Those who have followed Pokwang’s showbiz career know that she came from an impoverished family. Somehow her knack for comedy could even be traced to her despondent childhood. Instead of feeling sorry for herself and losing hope in life because of poverty, her defense mechanism was – make fun of life!
In one of her humorous anecdotes in life, she shared that when she was still in grade school, she convinced her mom or “nanay” to join her class’ exchange gift affair during a Yuletide Season. Her mother wasn’t keen about her request since they hardly could afford a meal three times a day and buying a gift was a luxury.
But her mom gave in to Pokwang’s whim. She didn’t buy a gift but instead broke a bar of laundry soap and wrapped it with an old newspaper. On the day of her exchange gift party, Pokwang, when no one was looking, slipped her gift among her classmates’ gifts. When her teacher chanced upon her gift when she started numbering them, she asked her students who owned the gift wrapped with newspaper. And before anyone could answer, Pokwang remarked in Filipino, “What an embarrassing gift!”
The above event in her life as well as seeing her mom make rings out of laundry wires are just two of her inspiration to work hard for a better life. And as the saying goes, the rest is history as her utmost drive to succeed now includes her child!
At the moment she has two regular shows in ABS-CBN, “Banana Split” and “Wowowee.” She also did an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” What she is excited about is her upcoming “Your Song” episode entitled “Feb-Ibig” which will premiere on Feb. 7 and which will air all Sundays of February.
Directed by Joey Reyes, she is joined by Jason Abalos, Vangie Labana, John James Uy, Chinggoy Alonzo, Manny Castañeda, Kakai Bautista, Jommy Teotico, and Desiree Del Valle.
“I’m blessed and honored to be given this show. This is an answered prayer because I always pray to God to give me good projects like ‘Your Song.’ I’m very thankful that Deo Edrinal and his Business Unit entrusted me this show. All I can promise is that I won’t give them any headaches and I will work hard,” remarked Pokwang who in the story is Lovely, a jaded woman in terms of love because of being always hurt by the man he loves.
Pokwang also relates well to her character Lovely since she has also experienced heartaches in the past. She is proud to say though that she has learned much from her heartbreaks in life.
“Right now I’m focused with my child’s future. I’m not the same Pokwang who when she falls in love goes crazy and focuses on her love life only. I learned now to love myself also,” she quipped.
She added that among the lessons she learned is to forgive. She believes that she won’t get rich by sowing hatred. For her it’s better to be happy with everyone she’s with in showbiz because the people she met on her way up would be the same people she would chance upon on her way down.
So why is she still working hard despite her successes in television?
“Getting tired is not an option for me,” she revealed. “I need to work harder because I’m putting to school my siblings’ children. And I want them to finish their education so they could also help their families,” explained Pokwang. Giving her family a good life is a promise to her mother she intends to fulfill. She feels that she has now the capacity to provide what their parents weren’t able to do because of poverty.
In showbiz, Pokwang’s success is already a given. What’s important is making sure it goes on and on like an Energizer bunny. And she has just what it takes for her success to always thrive – the people she works with!
“There’s a lot of people who reminds me to be humble like ‘Manay’ Ethel Ramos. It depends on the people you’re with because you absorb their traits. I’ve seen how dedicated and serious the people I’ve worked with so far with their careers and I’ve learned a lot from them. I learned to love my career and take care of it,” she stressed.