Pokwangs biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Marietta Subong (born 000000001970-08-27-0000August 27, 1970), better known by her stage name Pokwang, is a Filipina comedian, actress, TV host, singer, impersonator and salon co-owner.She started in a reality show in ABS-CBN and subsequently appeared in dramas and sitcoms of the network. She also received the Best Comedy Actress award from the Philippine Movie Press

IntroFilipino actor, comedian and singer
A.K.A.Marietta Subong
IsComedian 
Television presenter 
Musician 
FromPhilippines 
TypeFilm, TV, Stage & Radio 
Humor 
Music 
Genderfemale
Birth27 August 1970, Philippines
Age:49 years

Marietta Subong (born 000000001970-08-27-0000August 27, 1970), better known by her stage name Pokwang, is a Filipina comedian, actress, TV host, singer, impersonator and salon co-owner.
She started in a reality show in ABS-CBN and subsequently appeared in dramas and sitcoms of the network. She also received the Best Comedy Actress award from the Philippine Movie Press Club for her portrayal in the sitcom Aalog-Alog and the Best Female Comedian award from People’s Choice Awards. She became a host of the variety shows Wowowee, Pilipinas Win na Win and Happy Yipee Yehey.

Table of Contents

Early life

Pokwang whose real name is Marietta Subong was born in August 27, 1970 in Iloilo City. Her family hails from Antipolo, Rizal. Her father was a drunkard and her mother had difficulties in raising Pokwang and her 11 other sibling. Pokwang was the seventh born among her siblings

Career

As a migrant worker

In 1990, Pokwang went to Japan as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and worked as a group dancer, going home to the Philippines four times within the two years time she worked in Japan. Her contracts in Japan were for six-months each. She saved money to renovate her family’s fragile house to one made with sturdier materials. Pokwang also learned how to speak Japanese due to her work. She stopped working in Japan after she got pregnant which was also the time when Japan started to impose stricter regulations after following an issue with OFWs in Japan.

Pokwang went to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to work as domestic worker in 1998 after the gulf country started to accept OFWs. She worked in the country for six months. She wanted to go home immediately after she learned that her son who was then five years old was diagnosed with a brain tumor but her employer did not allow her and Pokwang was forced to finish her contract. Her son died while she was still in Abu Dhabi.

Return to the Philippines

Following the loss of her son, Pokwang decided to stay in the Philippines and tend to her daughter. Pokwang made her first appearance as a backup dancer in Eezy Dancing of ABC 5.

While performing as a guest in a comedy bar in Cubao, she met Eric Nicolas who was looking for a talent to work with ABS-CBN. She was worked in a comedy bar named Funline and in 2002 moved to the Music Box. In 2004, Pokwang joined “Clown in a Million” a reality talent show segment of Yes Yes Show of ABS-CBN after she was convinced by Nicolas to participate and became the grand champion. After winning the contest she secured an exclusive artist contract with ABS-CBN.

Pokwang appeared in various dramas and sitcoms following her win at the reality talent show segment. She also had concerts both outside and within the Philippines and also had appeared in noon-time shows. She starred with other actors and actresses in various projects such as Dolphy which she considers her idol, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Willie Rivellame, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Claudine Barretto, Judy Ann Santos, Sharon Cuneta, and Kris Aquino.

She was named Best Comedy Actress award by the Philippine Movie Press Club for her portrayal in Aalog-Alog and the she garnered the Best Female Comedian award of the People’s Choice Award. As a film actress she won the Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award twice.

Pokwang appeared in various films portraying supporting characters. Her first film where she portrayed a lead role was the 2011 film A Mother’s Story, where she took up a role of an overseas Filipino worker named Medy.

Comedic style

Pokwang prefers to use herself as a subject of her jokes rather than other people. She also does not do “green jokes” or humor of sexual nature which is unsuitable for a young audience as she enjoys being a comedian also patronized by children.

Pokwang has also impersonated other people for as part of her job as a comedian. Among the people she has impersonated were Dionisia Pacquiao such as for an episode in Banana Split and Anabelle Rama. Pacquiao said that she was fine with the impersonation and actually finds it funny.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNetwork
2016-2017Till I Met YouAgnes De Guia-NicolasABS-CBN
2016We Will SurviveWilmalyn “Wilma” Bonanza-San Juan
2015-presentBanana SundaeHerself/Various Characters
2015Wansapanataym: Raprap’s WrapperSioneng
NathanielElizabeth “Beth” Salvacion-Bartolome
2014Maalaala Mo Kaya: AlakLui
Ipaglaban Mo: Umasa Ako Sa HulaLovinia Ignacio
MirabellaMimosa “Osang” Balete
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Arroz CaldoMely
2013Wansapanataym: Give Glove On Christmas DayQueenie Batumbakal
My Little JuanSarah de Guzman
Maalaala Mo Kaya: GownLinda
2012-2013AryanaOfelia Capuyao-Mendez
2011-2016Kris TVRecurring co-host
2011–2013Toda MaxBeverly “Lady G” Gil
2011100 Days to HeavenDigna Amparo
2011–2012Happy Yipee Yehey!Host
2011Maalaala Mo Kaya: Birth CertificateCarol Araos
Maalaala Mo Kaya: SingsingTita B. Canoy
2010Your Song Presents: KimBelma Jolie
Pilipinas Win Na WinHost
Your Song Presents: Love Me, Love YouLovely
Melason In LoveHerself
2009–2011Banana SplitHerself/Various Characters
2008Maalaala Mo Kaya: LaruanRita
2007–presentASAPHerself/Performer
2007–2010WowoweeHost
2007YsabellaPhuket
Your Song: Breaking Up Is Hard To DoAnna
Love Spell: Shoes Ko Po, Shoes ko DayLisa
2006Crazy For YouBessie
Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro PendukoPrincipal Nendita
Aalog-AlogEtang Sukimura
2005Pinoy Big Brother BuzzHost
M.R.S Most Requested ShowHost
2004–2005KrystalaFantasia
2004Maalaala Mo Kaya: Teddy BearHerself (as Marietta “Pokwang” Subong)
Maid In HeavenHarlene
Yes Yes ShowHerself
1998Eezy DancingHerselfABC
1997-1998Master Showman PresentsHerselfGMA

Films

YearTitleRoleProducer
2015All You Need Is Pag-IbigTeacher CorinaStar Cinema
Wang FamMalou WangViva Films
Edsa WoolworthEdsa WoolworthStar Cinema
TFC
2014My Illegal WifeClariseSkylight Films
Star Cinema
2013Call Center GirlTeresa “Terry” Manlapat
Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?Cora VelosoStar Cinema
2012D’ Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?!Kitty KilabotAPT Entertainment
M-Zet Productions
24/7 in LoveVirgie CruzStar Cinema
The HealingAlma
The Mommy ReturnsRubyRegal Entertainment
A Mother’s StoryMedyTFC
ABS-CBN International
Star Cinema
2011Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!PiningStar Cinema
APT Entertainment
M-Zet Productions
OctoArts Films
The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the RilesSr. PurisimaStar Cinema
Sine Screen
2010Super Inday and the Golden BibeMiss KokayRegal Entertainment
I DoMyka PunongbayanStar Cinema
CincoEmily
2009Nobody, Nobody But… JuanLolayRVQ Productions
2008Dayo: Sa Mundo ng ElementaliaVickyCutting-Edge Production
SupahpapaliciousNymphaStar Cinema
2007Apat Dapat, Dapat ApatGay / Maria Ligaya KalungkutanViva Films
Agent X44Col. Cynthia AbordoStar Cinema
2006D’ Lucky OnesLea
2005DubaiCookie
D’ AnothersAruray “Balat” Paclayon
2004Bcuz of UTiya Pards

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum information
Pokwang… Ang Album Na May Puso
  • Released: 2009
  • Format: mp3
  • Label: Star Records
  • Writer: Christian Martinez and Lito Camo
  • Chart position: N/A
  • Tracks: “GayaGaya Puto Maya,” “Bratatat,” “Bahoo,” “Sana Kunin Ka Na Ni Lord”
  • Bonus tracks: “Hai”
  • Singles: “Sana Kunin Ka Na Ni Lord”

Singles

Compilation album
Release dateAlbum TitleRecord CompanySong TitleCertificationRef
November 12, 2011Happy Yipee Yehey! Nananana!Star Records“No Boypren, No Problem”
  • PARI: Platinum

Awards and nominations

Awards and Nomination
YearAward Giving BodyCategoryNominated WorkResults
200721st PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Comedy ActressAalog-AlogWon
200822nd PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Female TV HostWowoweeNominated
Best Comedy ActressThat’s My DocNominated
2010GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsBert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement AwardN/AWon
23rd Awit AwardsBest Novelty RecordingBratatatNominated
201125th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Comedy ActressBanana SplitNominated
201226th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Comedy ActressToda MaxWon
60th FAMAS AwardsBest ActressA Mother’s StoryNominated
25th Awit AwardsBest Novelty RecordingNo Boypren, No ProblemNominated
201327th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Comedy ActressToda MaxNominated
2014GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsBert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement AwardN/AWon
2015Golden Screen TV AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama ProgramMirabellaNominated

Personal life

Pokwang had a relationship to a Japanese husband with whom she had a son but died due to illness. She met the Japanese when she was working in Japan. However she was estranged from her former partner for 16 years until they established contact in 2009. Her former partner informed her that he has cancer and that he wishes to see the grave of their son. She also had a separate relationship with another Japanese with whom she had a daughter named Rie Mae but also left Pokwang when their daughter was still at a young age. She hasn’t establish contact with the Japanese as of October 2014, but at this time she expressed willingness to enter in a new relationship preferably with a Filipino.

Earlier in May 2014, Pokwang disclosed that she has been establishing contact with Rie Mae’s father so that her daughter and former partner could meet personally following the debut or 18th birthday of her daughter, as well as rumors that Japan will relax its visa laws. Pokwang said that she has information that her former partner the father of Rie Mae is now married to a Korean and now has another child.

Pokwang had a British suitor but in June 2013 it was reported that he decided not pursue. Pokwang speculates that the reason for this was that she was “playing hard to get” but insists that she remains friends with the British.

In January 20, 2015, Pokwang entered in a new relationship with American actor Lee O’Brien whom she worked with in the film Edsa Woolworth which was released in theaters in the same month ago. Pokwang became pregnant but three weeks from August 20, 2015, Pokwang had a miscarriage. The two are back to focusing on having baby before getting married. By September 2016, Pokwang was introduced to O’Brien’s relatives and the two have discussions on getting married but Pokwang’s priority at the moment is her project with Till I Met You.

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