Comedienne Pokwang is in a combative mood as of late, trading punchlines for barbs directed toward ex-partner Lee O’ Brian following their split in November 2021.
In February, Pokwang told talk show host Boy Abunda that money woes from a business venture were the root cause of their falling out.
She was, after all, and according to her, the one financing the business.
“Karapatan ko kasi bilang partner mo sa negosyo na malaman, 'Ano na tayo? Nasaan na tayo? Anong nangyayari?' Nagpapa-update lang naman ako sa kanya na, feeling ko, karapatan ko yun,” Pokwang shared.
She added, “Halos one year na akong walang naririnig…'Nung last month, ito ang gastos natin.' Yun lang naman ang hinihingi ko. Yun lang naman. Hindi niya nagustuhan.
“Parang ang dating sa kanya, hinuhusgahan ko na siya agad. Parang tinanggalan niya ako ng karapatan na malaman.”
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Pokwang drops bomb about ex-partner Lee O’Brian: “May nilalandi na sya.”
Pokwang on ex-partner Lee O’Brian: “Anim na taon ko na pala siya palamunin.”
Pokwang’s tirades against Lee went on, this time on social media. When a netizen commented that Malia, the comedienne’s daughter with Lee, is “mana sa ama, Pokwang replied, “Nagmana sa ama binuhay mag-isa ng ina.”
And when a netizen wished Pokwang “peace,” she snapped sarcastically, “I'll find my peace kapag wala na sya sa Pinas yun lang.”
Whether one finds her outburst disconcerting or justifiable, Pokwang is both a fighter and survivor, with a life that is trying as much as it is inspiring, and seemingly taken out from the pages of a teleserye.
STRUGGLES GROWING UP
The comedienne known as Pokwang was born as Marietta Subong on August 27, 1970. She and her family moved to Antipolo, Rizal in 1980.
Pokwang was the ninth among twelve children—a dynamic that aggravated the family’s dire financial situation.
“Ay, Lord, masyadong makulay ang aming buhay, very challenging. Hindi ko nga alam kung mabubuhay kami noong araw dahil sa dami namin,” Pokwang told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in May 2021.
“Kasi, imagine, dose kaming anak, plus si Nanay at si Tatay, katorse kami sa bahay.
“E, maagang nawalan ng trabaho si Tatay kaya nagkanya-kanya kaming diskarte sa buhay. Nagtinda kami ng kung anu-ano, naglako sa palengke, nagtinda sa simbahan.
“Pagkagaling sa school, palitan kami. Yung pang-umaga, yun ang magtitinda sa hapon. Yung panghapon, yun ang magtitinda sa umaga.
“Kaya dito sa simbahan ng Antipolo, batang patio ako sa simbahan.”
Money was tight to the point that the siblings had to take turns attending school to give everyone equal access to education.
Pokwang recalled, “Hindi ko alam kung paano kami makaka-survive talaga, mahirap kasi pagkakasyahin mo yung pagkain.
“Yung pag-aaral namin, alternate din. Hihinto muna yung iba, pagbibigyan muna yung mas nakababata.”
She continued, “Nag-abot-abot nga kami nung Grade VI. Apat kami na sabay-sabay nag-graduate kasi kailangan namin magbigay ng daan sa mas nakababata.
“So, kailangan mong huminto muna. Tapos yung mga pinagliitan na damit, ipapasa mo sa mga kapatid mo na mas bata.
“Kumbaga, talagang ang higpit ng aming pamumuhay.
“Okay lang, yung mga challenge na nangyari sa buhay ko noong mga bata pa kami, ito yung nagpapatatag sa akin sa kung ano ako ngayon.”
WORKING OVERSEAS; BEING A MOM
Poverty was the reason behind Pokwang’s desire to try her luck overseas.
She went to Japan to work as an entertainer for two years.
Pokwang, however, had to return to the Philippines after a Japanese lover got her pregnant.
Tragedy struck when her son Shin succumbed to a congenital brain ailment at the tender age of five.
Pokwang and her Japanese boyfriend had long been estranged at the time of her son’s passing.
“Hindi ako nag-se-celebrate ng death anniversary, sa akin lang, i-celebrate natin yung birthday niya, yung araw na ibinigay siya sa akin... don’t forget to celebrate,” Pokwang told GMA Entertainment in an interview.
“Pag birthday niya at pag Christmas, hindi kami nawawalan ng food na paborito niya. At siyempre kapag Araw ng mga Patay at every day, pinagpi-pray ko siya.”
She continued poignantly, “Lahat ng nanay ang pinakamasayang memory is yung nabiyayaan ka ng isang anghel. Pinakamasaya yung unang yakap ko sa kanya, hindi mawawala yun as a nanay.”
Pokwang had another relationship with a Japanese national—the father of daughter Ria Mae born, who was born in 1996.
Aside from Japan, Pokwang also worked as a domestic helper in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for six months.
Her time working in the Middle East was cut short after she decided to stay in the Philippines indefinitely to spend time with her daughter following the passing of her son.
SHOWBIZ BECKONS
Leaving the OFW life behind, Pokwang put her experience as an overseas dancer to good use by working as a choreographer for agencies sending entertainers to Japan.
She was also seen in Eezy Dancing, the dance program aired on ABC 5 and featured a revolving door of hosts including Charlene Gonzalez and G Tongi.
Soon, Pokwang was making the rounds of comedy bars like Funline and Music Box as a stand-up comedian.
Her timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Live comedy became popular in the nightlife scene during the late 90s, so much that venues around the metro started offering such shows to cater to this growing audience.
Pokwang told GMA Entertainment, “Nagkakayayaan kami ng mga kaibigan ko, ito yung pasibol pa lang ang mga comedy bar.
“Natural na sa akin yung malakas mang-okray. Doon ako na-discover sa Funline sa Roxas Boulevard.
“Hanggang sa nakita ako ng manager ng Funline, si Kuya Henry, sinabi niya kailangan nila ng female na host.
“Akala ko hindi ako ready kasi nakikita ko yung mga bakla, makuda. Pero sabi niya, kaya mong makipagsabayan sa kanila kahit babae ka. Hanggang sa one day, napa-oo niya ako.
“Nagtrabaho ako sa Funline, tapos napunta ako sa Music Box sa comedy bar, isa yun sa mga pinaka-unang comedy bar sa Pilipinas.”
It was also during this time that she started using the stage name “Pokwang” as suggested by her comedy bar peers.
One evening, Pokwang met Eric Nicolas, who informed her that he was looking for a talent for ABS-CBN.
Pokwang found herself joining the reality talent show segment of Yes, Yes Show titled “Clown in a Million” in 2004.
She won the contest and consequently secured an exclusive contract with the Kapamilya network.
Pokwang soon became a household name, thanks largely to her many appearances on TV programs, such as Maalaala Mo Kaya, Krystala, Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko, Ysabella, Banana Split, and 100 Days to Heaven, among others.
Pokwang also took her act to the big screen via the films Dubai, Agent X44, Supahpapalicious, Super Inday and the Golden Bibe, and Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?, to name a few.
She was recognized for her work by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), as she won the Best Comedy Actress Award in 2007 and 2012.
Pokwang also bagged the Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
She was named Best Actress at the 6th Urduja Film Festival Heritage Film Awards 2019 for the movie Oda sa Wala.
In 2020, the FAMAS bestowed Pokwang the Dolphy King of Comedy Award.
FROM KAPAMILYA TO KAPUSO
Pokwang made her transfer from ABS-CBN to GMA Network official on June 18, 2021.
Speculations that Pokwang was leaving the Kapamilya network were already buzzing months before the confirmation.
“This is it… thank you po @ArtistCenter @gmanetwork papa God, at sa inyong lahat salamat po sa pagkakataong muling maihatid at maibahagi ko ang aking talento sa inyong lahat na tunay na nagmamahal at sumosuporta,” Pokwang posted on Twitter.
She talked to PEP.ph after the contract signing, where she relayed the events leading to her decision to be a Kapuso.
“Itong desisyon kong ito, pre-pandemic pa and pre doon sa problema sa prangkisa ng ABS,” she said candidly.
“Wala pa ito, wala pa iyang mga iyan, nakaplano na lahat.”
ABS-CBN lost its franchise renewal bid in Congress on July 10, 2020, leaving many of its staff and talents in limbo.
“Since ni-release naman po kami nang maayos, kinausap po kami ng management na wala pong maibibigay sa amin na trabaho, and naunawaan naman po namin siyempre kung ano iyong pinagdadaanan ng network.”
Pokwang continued, “Siyempre, hindi ganun kadali kasi, kumbaga, may iniiwasan kang bagay na baka makasakit ka.
“So, inayos ko muna ang lahat bago iyong paglipat ko, wala akong tatapakang tao.
“But nangyari nga itong pandemic, dumating pa iyong problema sa prangkisa, kaya nagpatung-patong talaga.”
As expected, Pokwang’s decision prompted some people to question her loyalty to her former home network.
Pokwang addressed the criticism at The Boobay and Tekla Show (TBATS) on June 20, 2021.
“Hindi ko naman sila masisisi. Tayo naman, may kanya-kanya tayong paniniwala at pananaw sa buhay,” said Pokwang about the issue.
“Pero kasi ang pananaw ko po sa buhay ko is iyong utang na loob, hindi mawawala.
“Habangbuhay nandoon iyon. Kahit saan ako nanggaling, kahit sino ka, kung sino man iyong ano, hindi mawawala, at hindi dapat inaalis iyon sa puso mo.”
She continued, “Pero tandaan po natin na yung pamilya po natin, sila po yung dahilan kung bakit po tayo patuloy na lumalaban sa kabila ng mga nangyayaring ito.
“Naiintindihan ko, nauunawaan ko iyan [sentiments nila]. Pero sana unawain din po ninyo, nanay po ako.
“Marami pong umaasa sa akin, marami rin pong umaasa sa akin, marami rin po akong gustong matulungan pa.”
In transferring to GMA-7, Pokwang joined a roster of other ABS-CBN stars like Beauty Gonzalez, Xian Lim, Richard Yap, and Bea Alonzo.
Since joining the Kapuso network, Pokwang has been seen in the shows All-Out Sundays, Wish Ko Lang, Pepito Manaloto, Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss, Lolong, and TiktoClock, among others.
DOMESTIC WOES
Pokwang met American actor Lee O’Brian while doing the film Edsa Woolworth in 2014.
“Dito nagsimula ang lahat sa pelikulang Edsa Woolworth my mama and dad na naging true to life ang pag-iibigan hahahaha,” Pokwang happily wrote on Instagram.
The couple’s relationship was blessed with a daughter, Malia Francine O'Brian, who was born on January 18, 2018.
On the surface, the couple was a picture of domestic bliss, however, it was revealed that the couple separated in November 2021.
At the moment, Pokwang’s social-media rants against Lee continue, and it appears that the tension between the ex-couple is not simmering down anytime soon.
She previously said that forgiveness is not in the cards until Lee apologizes to her kids.
Pokwang said on Instagram (published as is), “E, yung pinakain mona at tinuklaw ka ano tawag don? hayaan nalang para may next victim ulit?
“Sana wala sa mga kamag anak at kaibigan mo mabiktima ng kagaya nya huh!
“Hanggat di nag so sorry yan [Lee] samin ng mga anak ko wala syang katahimikan! Huh!”
Going back to her GMA Network interview during the contract signing, Pokwang gave readers a glimpse of her outlook when it comes to matters of the heart, honed by personal experiences and heartbreaks.
“Mahalin mo muna yung sarili mo, buuin mo muna yung sarili mo. Wag kang aasa to the point na feeling mo na hindi ka mabubuhay kung wala sila,” the veteran comedienne reasoned.
“Never ever make them think na hindi mo kaya na wala sila. Wag mo sila bibigyan ng chance na ipakita sa kanila na mahina ka.
“As babae, tapusin na natin yung ganoong mindset na ‘Babae ka lang, sa bahay lang tayo,’ hindi puwedeng ganoon.
“Maging matapang ka, maging matatag ka. Pero nandoon yung lambot mo bilang nanay, nandoon dapat.”
Determined, strong yet loving—that is Pokwang in a nutshell.