Michael V.

Michael V. was born on December 17, 1969 at Clinica dela Rosa in Malate, Manila to Cesar Felix Bunagan and Melba Balonzo del Valle.[1] His father named him after German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, upon seeing a copy of Beethoven's LP in his boss' office, not knowing that "Beethoven" is a surname.[2]

The nickname "Bitoy" was taken from a kiddie TV character played by comedian Bentot. When Bentot, as Bitoy, guested in Iskul Bukol, then-high school student Beethoven saw it and began mimicking Bentot's voice in school. His classmates then called him "Bitoy", to which the nickname stuck to this day.[2] He finished his secondary education in Manila Science High School. Bunagan later earned a degree in mass communications from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He joined a lot of contests on TV. In one contest in Eat Bulaga!, judge Ogie Alcasid turned him down. Later, Beethoven became a co-host of Eat Bulaga! and Ogie Alcasid became one of his close friends and co-star in the long-running Bubble Gang and Tropang Trumpo.

During the popularity of Andrew E., the song "Humanap Ka ng Panget" became wildly popular, to which the then unsigned Beethoven composed a reply song entitled "Maganda Ang Piliin (Ayoko Ng Panget)". At that time, OctoArts was then inviting Beethoven's female friend and rapping partner, Dianne, to submit a demo tape. In that demo tape, Beethoven's "Maganda Ang Piliin" was accidentally included. He and Dianne got individual recording contracts. Beethoven's song and its accompanying album became a hit.

When he entered show business, he and his manager were deciding a stage name for his career as a rapper. Back then, the most popular Filipino rappers were Andrew E. and Francis Magalona so they opted for a similar stage name: "Michael V.", after Michael Jackson and Gary V., Bunagan's favorite international and local artists respectively.[2]

Michael V.'s first feature film appearance was in Regal Films' comedy film, "Banana Split" topbilled by Joey Marquez. He eventually gained prominence when OctoArts Films started to include him in several comedies alongside Vic Sotto ("Ano ba Yan", "Ano ba Yan 2", "D' Sisters", "Lastikman"), Ogie Alcasid ("Ano ba Yan", "Ano ba Yan 2", "Manolo en Michelle", etc.), Francis Magalona, among others.

He has won the Asian Television Awards for Best Comedy Performance by an Actor for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. He recently joined MariMar as the voice of the eponymous character's pet dog Fulgoso. After his voice-acting in MariMar, he played a supporting role in Codename: Asero. On August 23, 2008, Michael V, after winning Best Comedy Performance Award at the Asian Television Awards for three consecutive years—was officially informed that he will grace the front cover of Reader's Digest (RD) 5th Annual Humor Special, September issue. Making him the second Filipino whoever landed on the covers of Readers Digest next to former President Cory Aquino.[3]

He also recently had a comedy movie with longtime friend Ogie Alcasid called Ang Spoiled Brat: The Movie produced by GMA Films and APT Productions, inspired from a segment of GMA 7's award-winning gag-show, Bubble Gang. Bitoy also hosted a game show on GMA, Hole in the Wall with Ogie Alcasid in 2009.

Bitoy formerly hosted a comedy-talent show called Bitoy's SHOwwwTIME, which aired from 2009–10 and also hosted Kap's Amazing Stories: Kids Edition, while original host Bong Revilla had left the show shortly for re-election as senator, but Revilla won again as Senator a week later. Bitoy also won as a Celebrity Inductee to the Eastwood City Walk Of Fame Philippines in 2009. Bitoy had his first sitcom entitled Pepito Manaloto currently airing on GMA and is also formerly co-hosting the longest-running noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga! from 2003 to 2016.

In 2010, Bitoy became Nestle Philippines' Laki sa Gatas advocate for Bear Brand Milk. In 2010, Bitoy returned to drama via Jillian Namamasko Po! which he plays a Santa Claus which he created a doll and gives to a good little child. In 2011, Bitoy appeared in Bantatay which he returns to voice as a dog. it was his 4th GMA Telebabad after Marimar and Codename: Asero and Jillian Namamasko Po!. In 2016, he conceptualized Tsuperhero along with Caesar Cosme.

In 2016, it was announced that he was leaving in the 37th year of Eat Bulaga! alongside AlDub's popularity.

In 2019, Bitoy planned to return and make his directorial debut film Family History via GMA Pictures (formerly GMA Films).

Bitoy and his wife Carol have 4 children. In August 2013, Michael was hospitalized[4] for dengue fever, according to a tweet from Ogie Alcasid. Both Alcasid and Michael solicited prayers and platelet donations[5] over the following days, promising to update fans once the situation gets better. Michael then later tweeted that he was recovering from his previous condition, thanking his fans for support.[6]

On July 20, 2020, Michael V. announced in a vlog that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[7] On August 11, Michael V. announced in another vlog that he had already recovered.[8]

In 2015, in conjunction to Bubble Gang's 20th Anniversary,he wrote two books. These books are IMBG: The Bubble Gang Coffee Table Book and The Bubble Bible by Bitoy. These two books were published by Summit Media and delves into the history of the Philippines' longest-running gag show and Bitoy's famous characters such as Tata Lino, Mr.Matapobre, Don Miguel, Sexballs, Mr. Assimo, and many more.