Boobay

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In this Philippine name, the family name is Balbuena.
Boobay
Birth nameNorman Balbuena
Born (1986-11-07) November 7, 1986 (age 37)
San Narciso, Zambales, Philippines
MediumTelevision
Alma materSaint Louis University (Philippines)
Years active2004–present
Genres
Notable works and rolesThe Boobay and Tekla Show

Norman Balbuena (born November 7, 1986), better known by his stage name Boobay, is a Filipino actor, comedian and television host. He is best known for appearing in several GMA News and Public Affairs shows (including Unang Hirit) as a co-host. He was also regular in the award-winning comedy-game show Celebrity Bluff as a bluffer or gangnammm along with Edu Manzano, Brod Pete and host Eugene Domingo.

Personal life[edit]

Born in the small town of San Narciso in Zambales province, Boobay is the eldest among the four children of Honorio Balbuena, a soldier, and Aquilla Balbuena, a retired elementary teacher.[1] He was in grade school when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, this caused him and his family to dwell in an evacuation site for two years after their house was destroyed by the eruption. Despite the hardships, Boobay finished grade school in Zambales. He pursued his college education at St. Louis University – Baguio taking AB Communication where he earned a scholarship upon joining the theater group Tanghalang SLU.[2]

Career[edit]

Early years[edit]

In 2004, Boobay first tried his luck in show business by joining GMA Network's KiliTV Comedy Hunt, a talent competition for comedians. Although he did not win the contest, he made the cut and became one of the top 15 finalists.[3]

Seeing potential in the aspiring comedian, director Cesar Cosme called Boobay for a TV project that year. Cosme gave Balbuena the screen name “Boobay” because he thought the comedian looked like the sexy comedian Ethel Booba. After that, Boobay had several guestings in Idol Ko si Kap doing character spoofs of Rufa Mae Quinto and Ethel Booba.[1]

After graduating, he submitted a résumé to GMA Network hoping to become a production assistant. It was Cosme who gave him his break when he was referred to become part of Takeshi's Castle with Joey de Leon and Ryan Yllana.[3]

2007–present: Kapuso comedian[edit]

Boobay started his hosting stints as a Kapuso in several programs of GMA News TV. He is a recurring host in the reality-lifestyle program Day Off.[4] Boobay was also one of the "anchors" of the satirical newscast television program May Tamang Balita with Ramon Bautista, Maey Bautista and Jinri Park where he hosted the segments "Ang Twit-twit Mo!" and "Bulag na Katotohanan" alongside Maey.[5]

In 2012, Boobay was picked as one of the three major hosts of the new season of Extra Challenge along Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez.[6] He then replaced Wally Bayola in the comedy-game show Celebrity Bluff as a "bluffer" or known as celebrity gangnammm in 2013.

It was in 2015 when Boobay joined the cast of Ismol Family where he played the role of Lora the Explorer, the caretaker of "The Bekiry". The same year, he voiced the character of Fulgoso in the 2015 remake of MariMar starring Megan Young and Tom Rodriguez.[7]

Boobay starred in his very first dramatic role when he played the life story of Paul John Presado, the dubsmasher who went viral after posting his video on social media while singing in a jeepney in Magpakailanman: Ang Ganda na 'di Nakikita. It is in the same year when Boobay once again showed his acting prowess in a more serious role in Magpakailanman: Una Siyang Naging Akin with actress Glaiza de Castro.

Boobay is now a co-host of the weekly entertainment news and comedy talk show CelebriTV and a regular guest in various GMA Network and GMA News TV programs such as Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, AHA!, Sunday PinaSaya and others. Recently, Boobay joined the cast of Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye as Yaya Pak, one of the four applicants of Lola Nidora's new yaya (nursemaid). In 2016, he became the co-host of Yan Ang Morning! with Marian Rivera until its cancellation on the same year,[8] and Unang Hirit until 2018.

He is currently hosting The Boobay and Tekla Show with Super Tekla.

Filmography[edit]

Television[edit]

Television shows[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Network Ref.
2022 Himself Guest co-host GMA Network [9]
2020 Co-host
2019–present Main host
2018 Lovely Guest role
2017 Himself Guest/Contestant/
Defending Champion
Road Trip Guest
Performer
2016–2018 Co-host
2016 [8]
2016–2017 Yaya Pak In Kalyeserye;

Mother Goose, Quiz Vee Contestant/Lider

[10]
2015–2016 Himself Co-host [11]
Lora Supporting role [12]
Voice of Fulgoso [7]
2013–2018 Himself Bluffer [13]
2012–2013 Co-host [14]
2011–2019 Recurring co-host GMA News TV [15]
2011–2013 Host [5]
2007–2008 Co-host GMA Network [3]
2004 Finalist

Drama anthologies[edit]

Year Title Episode Role Network Ref.
2019
Taylor Made Success
 Taylor Sheesh GMA Network [16]
2019
Kung Hindi ka Magiging Akin
 Genesis
2017
Ang Pagong at Matshing
 Matshing
2016
Soap Opera Sisters
 Janna [17]
2015
Una Siyang Naging Akin
 Dennis [18]
The Paul John Presado Story: Ang Ganda na 'Di Nakikita
 Paul John [19]
Sleeping Beauty
 Tribe leader [20]
Sugar Daddy
 Venus [21]
2014
A Transgender Love
 Vonda GMA News TV [22]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Producer(s) Notes Ref.
2022 Broken Blooms Buday Bentria Productions Supporting role
2012
Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi
 —
Panoramanila Pictures
 [23]
2010 Market Vendor
Cameo role
 [24]

Accolades[edit]

Year Film award / Critics Recipient / Nominated work Award Result Ref.
2021
 Best Choice Awards
The Boobay and Tekla Show
 Most Outstanding Stand Up Comedian Won
[25]
2015
 PMPC Star Awards for Television
Day Off
 Best Reality Program Host/s (with the hosts of Day Off) Nominated
[26]
Aliw Awards
Himself
 Best Stand-up Comedian Nominated
[27]
2014
 PMPC Star Awards for Television
AHA!
 Best Educational Program Host/s (with Drew Arellano) Nominated
[28]
2013
 PMPC Star Awards for Television
Extra Challenge
 Best Reality Program Host/s (with the hosts of Extra Challenge) Nominated
[29]
Aliw Awards
Himself
 Best Stand-up Comedian Nominated

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Landingin, Ria (January 11, 2013). "Boobay: From soldier's son to comic wonder". GMA News. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  2. ^ Mendoza, Ruel R. (November 8, 2012). "Extra Challenge co-host Boobay reveals serious side behind the funny mask". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Boobay Recalls Trials In Life". Yahoo.com. Manila Bulletin. October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "Boobay at Boobsie, magiging mga lion dancer sa 'Day Off'". GMA News. February 6, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Karambola, Kontrobersya at Kwarta sa 'May Tamang Balita'". GMA News. October 2, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  6. ^ Espinosa, Aries B. (October 20, 2012). "All systems go for new 'Extra Challenge'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Sun, Cherry (August 28, 2015). "Boobay, bibigyang-boses si Fulgoso ng 'MariMar'". GMA Network. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Miralles, Nitz (April 9, 2016). "Kabata-bata pa dami na agad kita Marian nag-open ng bank account para kay Baby Z". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "Boobay, apektado pa rin sa broken nine-year relationship?". PEP.ph. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  10. ^ "AlDub Day 210 Yayapak". Youtube.com. Eat Bulaga! Youtube. March 31, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  11. ^ "CelebriTV Ep. 24: Boobay vs. Antonietta!". GMA Network. February 26, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  12. ^ Acar, Aedrianne (April 6, 2015). "Is there room for one more beki in 'Ismol Family?'". GMA Network. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  13. ^ "Celebrity Bluff: Boobay's funniest moments". Youtube.com. GMA Network Youtube. November 27, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  14. ^ Fernandaz, Rica (December 27, 2012). "An extra explosive 'Extra Challenge' awaits fans in 2013". GMA News. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  15. ^ "Bela Padilla and Boobay as mami vendors in Binondo - Day Off". GMA News. GMA Network. March 4, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "Taylor Sheesh's story to be featured on 'Magpakailanman'". GMA Integrated News. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Dear Uge Ep. 7: Soap opera sisters". GMA Network. GMA Network. April 1, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  18. ^ "Magpakailanman presents 'Una S'yang Naging Akin'". GMA Network. GMA Network. November 25, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "Boobay stars in his first 'Magpakailanman' episode this Saturday". GMA Network. GMA Network. September 18, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  20. ^ "Carla Abellana and Rafael Rosell on 'Dangwa'". GMA Network. GMA Network. November 20, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  21. ^ "Karelasyon: Sugar Daddy". IMDb.com. Internet Movie Database. May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  22. ^ "'A Transgender's Love,' tampok ngayong Sabado sa 'Wagas'". GMA News. October 7, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  23. ^ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (November 8, 2012). "RED CARPET WATCH: Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  24. ^ "Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote (2010) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb.com. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  25. ^ Sun, Cherry (March 22, 2021). "Boobay, Tekla, at 'TBATS,' wagi sa Best Choice Awards". Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  26. ^ "Nominees for the 29th Star Awards for TV bared; Kapuso Alden Richards competes against six Kapamilya stars for Best Drama Actor". Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 9, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  27. ^ "Aliw Awards 2015 Nomination Announcement". musicalplayphilippines.com. Musical Play Philippines. November 5, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  28. ^ "28th Star Awards for Television nominees revealed". Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 6, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  29. ^ "ABS-CBN dominates nominations for 27th Star Awards for Television". Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 9, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
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