Cover Story

Comic Relief

BERT and Ernie. Batman and Robin. Chuck and Diane. Dynamic duos all. Now it’s James and Rodfil Obeso. Add Clint Holton P. Potestas and it becomes an interview with YouTube sensation and fast-rising comedy duo Moymoy Palaboy.

Boredom could be blissful when words are not enough. Or perhaps, call it Narcissistic when two brothers find entertainment in watching themselves on screen. Luck has its funny side, too.

In an attempt to replay their happiest moments as often as they can, the duo Moymoy Palaboy, composed of brothers James Ronald and Rodfil Obeso, started to record their own comic skits on video camera and posted it on YouTube.

“We just enjoy doing videos. It’s like recording our ‘fun’ times and (then) showing it to our friends, that’s all. But after a year, we were like: ‘Wow! We didn’t expect it to be this huge’,” says Rodfil, who’s known for his fuzzy hair. “We just want to see ourselves in the internet.”

Their 15 minutes of fame has brought them to higher ground. Both natives of Talisay, Cebu, they’ve garnered the applauses and giggles of Manila.

“Moymoy Palaboy is the YouTube account of James. Noon kasi, pag nag-upload kami ng video, sabay kami: meron ako, meron din siya, so napagkasunduan na lang na kay Moymoy Palaboy na lang ang gamitin namin, isang account na lang kaming dalawa para madali maalala. (Before, when we uploaded videos, we did it together in separate accounts. We then decided to merge our accounts to Moymoy Palaboy because it’s easily remembered. But that (does) not mean that we’re palaboy (stray cats) ha?” continues Rodfil.

Their videos on YouTube, a video sharing website, is considered as one of the most viewed. GMA network executives have given the duo a regular segment, IyoTube in Bubble Gang, a Friday night gag show. On set, they lip-synch pop songs, not to mention exhibit theatrical facial expressions to match them. But what they mostly enjoy is the free hand to conceptualize the contents: from the featured songs to the episode’s theme.

Even before the tandem’s rise to internet “stardom”, they’ve looked up to the show’s main casts, Ogie Alcasid and Michael V. And up until now, working with comic royalties is a surreal moment.

Cast for almost a year, Rodfill considers their first day on set by recalling: “Diego, one of the show’s mainstays, told us that Ogie wanted to meet us. So, we went, but we were suspecting that Michael V. might be playing a prank on us. We still obliged, anyway.”

“When we arrived, we were surprised that the entire cast of Bubble Gang was complete; it was our first day of taping. We were so star struck. We were very, very shocked because most showbiz personalities were there to welcome us. The feeling is indescribable.”

“Everybody’s very nice. That’s why there’s no pressure on our part. With our audience, we hear good comments. But we’re not expecting anything. Yes, it’s luck! Sinuwerte lang talaga (We’re just really lucky!).”

In Dec. 2008, Moymoy Palaboy was chosen to endorse Gastripac, a product of Cebu-based International Pharmaceutical Incorporated, side-lining the duo’s concert in Paseo, Mabolo.

The Obeso brothers are on the brink of completing their first album under Sony BMG and have planned to launch it this month. This musical project features a different tune, but the humor remains.

And what else?

“Get ready to rock & roll!”

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