Pokwang
Marietta Subong , better known by her stage name Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer.
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.
Early life
Pokwang was born Marietta Subong on 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 siblings. Pokwang was the seventh born among her siblingsCareer
As a migrant worker
In 1990, Pokwang went to Japan as an Overseas Filipino Worker 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 a 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 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", which are deemed unsuitable for young audiences as she enjoys being a comedian also watched by children.Pokwang has also impersonated other people 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.
Personal life
In 1993, Subong married a Japanese national who she had met while she was working abroad in Japan. The union produced a son, who later died due to a congential brain ailment. The couple had become estranged for over a decade. In 2009, after 16 years, Subong’s estranged husband contacted her in an effort to reconcile after he found out he had cancer. He also requested to view the grave of his son, to which Subong replied “He has forgiven you, he’s an angel now.”.In 1996, she entered into another relationship again with a Japanese national. Though they did not marry, the union produced daughter Ria Mae. Subong has since not spoken to her daughter's father, but harbors no ill will toward him, stating she is open to her daughter one days meeting with him. He found out about Subong's celebrity status via mutual friend and through international media channels. In May 2014, Subong reestablished contact with Rie Mae's father in an effort to have him appear at Ria Mae's debutante ball for her 18th birthday. Subong later revealed that she was aware of her former partner's marriage to a Korean national and that he had started a family with her.
Subong had a British suitor but in June 2013 it was reported that he decided not to pursue. Subong speculated that the reason for this was that she was "playing hard to get", but insists that she remains friends with the Briton.
On 20 January 2015, Subong entered into a relationship with American actor Lee O'Brian, whom she worked with in the film Edsa Woolworth which was released in theaters in that same month. Subong became pregnant, but miscarried after three weeks. By September 2016, Subong had been introduced to O'Brian's relatives and the two began talking about marriage. Nuptial planning was delayed as Subong's priority at the time was her project Till I Met You. On June 16, 2017, Subong announced on Twitter that she was seven weeks pregnant with O'Brian's child.
On 18 January 2018, Pokwang gave birth to her third child in Antipolo city, naming her Malia Francine O'Brian.
Filmography
Television
Films
Discography
Albums
Singles
;Compilation album| Release date | Album Title | Record Company | Song Title | Certification | Ref |
| November 12, 2011 | Happy Yipee Yehey! Nananana! | Star Records | "No Boypren, No Problem" |
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