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Pokwang

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pokwang
Pokwang in 2014
Born
Marietta Tan Subong

(1972-08-27) August 27, 1972 (age 53)[1]
Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actress
  • television host
  • recording artist
Years active1998–present
Agents
PartnerLee O'Brian (2015–2021)
Children3

Marietta Tan Subong (born August 27, 1972), known professionally as Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer.[2]

She started in a reality show on 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.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Pokwang was born as Marietta Subong on August 27, 1972[1][4] in Iloilo City.[5] Her family lives in Antipolo, Rizal. Her father was an alcoholic and her mother had difficulties in raising Pokwang and her 11 other siblings.[6] Pokwang was the seventh born among her siblings.[7]

Career

[edit]

As a migrant worker

[edit]

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.[7]

Pokwang went to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to work as a domestic worker[6] 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 want to finance her plane ticket to fly back to the Philippines as she was still under contract. She was then forced to stay to raise funds herself. Her son later died while she was still in Abu Dhabi.[7]

Return to the Philippines

[edit]

Following the loss of her son, Pokwang decided to stay in the Philippines and tend to her daughter.[7] Pokwang made her first appearance as a backup dancer in Eezy Dancing of ABC 5.[8]

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.[5] She worked in a comedy bar named Funline[9] and in 2002 moved to the Music Box.[7] 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.[5] After winning, she secured an exclusive artist contract with ABS-CBN.[6][8]

Pokwang appeared in various dramas and sitcoms following her win at the reality talent show segment.[5] 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 Revillame, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Claudine Barretto, Judy Ann Santos, Sharon Cuneta, and Kris Aquino.[6]

She won the 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.[5]

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.[8]

In 2020, following the denial of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, she signed to APT Entertainment and hosted two blocktime shows produced by APT, Chika, Besh! and Fill in the Bank. being aired on TV5.

In 2021, Pokwang officially signed up with Sparkle GMA Artist Center after weeks of speculation of her transfer to GMA Network.[10]

In September 2024, Pokwang and her daughter Ria Mae opened a food business, Mamang Pokwang's Gourmet.[11]

In July 2026, during the opening ceremonies of the 22nd edition of Cinemalaya, Pokwang told the press she could relate to her character in 2 Valid IDs (a film about a poor farmer struggling to get her remittance money because she doesn't have a valid ID). She added that she personally experience the same when she was applying as an entertainer in Japan.

Comedic style

[edit]

Pokwang prefers to use herself as a subject of her jokes rather than other people. She does not use "green jokes" (Filipino parlance for sexual innuendos) or devise other jokes more fit for a mature audience as she enjoys having children part of her audience.[6]

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[12] and Anabelle Rama.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1993, Pokwang married a Japanese national who she had met while she was working abroad in Japan. The union had a son, Shin, born in 1995, who later died in 1998 due to a congenital brain ailment. The couple had become estranged for over a decade. In 2009, after 16 years, Subong's ex-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 Pokwang replied "He has forgiven you, he's an angel now.".[13]

In 1996, she entered into another relationship again with a Japanese partner. Though they did not marry, the union had a daughter, Ria Mae (born 1996). Pokwang has since not spoken to her daughter's father, but harbors no ill will toward him, stating she is open to her daughter one day meeting with him. He found out about Pokwang's celebrity status via a mutual friend and through international media channels.[14] In May 2014, Pokwang re-established contact with Ria Mae's father, who had since married and started a family, in an effort to have him appear at her debutante ball for her 18th birthday.[15] Pokwang became a grandmother when Ria Mae gave birth to her first son in 2020.[11]

Pokwang had another British boyfriend but in June 2013 it was reported that he decided not to pursue. Pokwang speculated that the reason for this was that she was "playing hard to get", but insists that she remains friends with her former partner.[16]

Pokwang (center) with co-star Eugene Domingo promoting Becky & Badette (2023)

On 20 January 2015, Pokwang 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.[17] She became pregnant, but miscarried after three weeks.[18] By September 2016, she had been introduced to O'Brian's relatives and the two began talking about marriage. Nuptial planning was delayed as Pokwang's priority at the time was her project Till I Met You.[19] On June 16, 2017, she announced on Twitter that she was seven weeks pregnant with O'Brian's child.[20][21] On 18 January 2018, Pokwang gave birth to her third child and her first with O'Brian, Malia, in Antipolo.[22] Pokwang and O'Brien separated in November 2021, with Pokwang having custody over Malia. She cited that they broke up due to her suspicions of O'Brien's financial mishandling of their joint business venture, as well as his defensive reaction over being confronted.[23]

On June 13, 2023, Pokwang filed for O'Brien's deportation at the Bureau of Immigration, citing that he was only using a tourist visa while living and working in the Philippines for eight years. Alongside the filing, Pokwang complained of financial abuse, intimidation and abandonment of their daughters Malia and Mae. She hoped the filing would help her be "free" of O'Brien.[24] Pokwang also accused O'Brien for being physically and mentally abusive and unfaithful during their relationship, and wanting to abort Malia when Pokwang was pregnant with her.[25] Ria Mae also said O'Brien wanted her kicked out of their home when she announced her pregnancy.[11] Pokwang won her deportation case in December 2023 after her complaint was approved, and the BI deported O'Brien in April 2024. O’Brian was also included in the BI’s blacklist and will not be able to return to the Philippines.[26]

In December 2025, Pokwang publicly apologized on behalf of her family after her brother was caught in a viral video for slapping a man pushing a cart on the street during a heated altercation.[27]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
YearTitleRole
1998Eezy DancingHerself
2004Yes, Yes Show!
Maid in HeavenHarlene
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Teddy BearHerself (as Marietta "Pokwang" Subong)
2004–2005KrystalaFantasia
2005M.R.S. (Most Requested Show)Herself/Host
Pinoy Big Brother Buzz
2006Aalog-AlogEtang Sukimura
Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro PendukoPrincipal Nendita
Crazy for YouBessie
2007Love Spell: Shoes Ko Po, Shoes ko DayLisa
Your Song: Breaking Up Is Hard To DoAnna
YsabellaPhuket
2007–2010WowoweeHerself/Host
2007–2020ASAPHerself/Performer
2008 Maalaala Mo Kaya: LaruanRita
2009–2011Banana SplitHerself/Various Characters
2009–2010May Bukas PaAmy
2010Melason In LoveHerself
Your Song Presents: Love Me, Love YouLovely
Pilipinas Win Na WinHerself/Host
Your Song Presents: KimBelma Jolie
2011Maalaala Mo Kaya: SingsingTita B. Canoy
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Birth CertificateCarol Araos
2011–2012Happy Yipee Yehey!Herself/Host
2011100 Days to HeavenDigna Amparo
2011–2013Toda MaxBeverly "Lady G" Gil
2011–2016Kris TVHerself/Recurring co-host
2012–2013AryanaOfelia Capuyao-Mendez
2013Maalaala Mo Kaya: GownLinda
My Little JuanSarah de Guzman
Wansapanataym: Give Glove On Christmas DayQueenie Batumbakal
2014Maalaala Mo Kaya: Arroz CaldoMely
MirabellaMimosa "Osang" Balete
Ipaglaban Mo: Umasa Ako Sa HulaLovinia Ignacio
Maalaala Mo Kaya: AlakLui
2015NathanielElizabeth "Beth" Salvacion-Bartolome
Wansapanataym: Raprap's WrapperSioneng
2015–2017
2018–2020		Banana SundaeHerself/Various Characters
2015–2016Celebrity PlaytimeHerself/Player on TeamBuilding
2016We Will SurviveWilmalyn "Wilma" Bonanza-San Juan
2016–2017Till I Met YouAgnes De Guia-Nicolas
2017I Can Do ThatHerself/Contestant
FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoAmor Nieves
2018Maalaala Mo Kaya: EskobaAzon
Ipaglaban Mo: TeritoryoCelia
Maalaala Mo Kaya: OrasanFe
2019Maalaala Mo Kaya: DivetDiana Carbonell
2020Make It with YouJessica
Eat Bulaga!Herself/Guest Contestant
Chika, Besh!Herself/Host
Fill in the BankMadam Poky/Host/Chismosang Falakang Officer
2021Wanted: Ang SeryeMary
The Boobay and Tekla ShowHerself/Guest
2021–present All-Out SundaysHerself/Performer/Co-host/Various roles
2021Wish Ko LangVirgie
Dear UgeChit
Mars Pa MoreHerself/Guest
Pepito ManalotoTarsing Batumbakal
Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: It's Not You, It's MeSunshine
2022Regal Studio Presents: Yaya TerrorYaya Mila
Mano Po Legacy: Her Big BossRebecca "Becca" Pacheco
LolongCoring
2022–presentTiktoClockHerself/Host
2023 Open 24/7 Gina
2024 Abot-Kamay na Pangarap Herself
Jose & Maria's Bonggang Villa Tiffany Hambog
2024—2025 It's Showtime Herself/Guest/Performer
2025 Binibining Marikit Mayumi Smith
Stars on the Floor Herself/Judge

Film

[edit]
YearTitleRole
2004Bcuz of UTiya Pards
2005D' AnothersAruray "Balat" Paclayon
DubaiCookie
2006D' Lucky OnesLea
2007Agent X44Col. Cynthia Abordo
Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat: Friends 4 Lyf and DeathMaria Ligaya "Gay" Kalungkutan
2008SupahpapaliciousNympha
Dayo: Sa Mundo ng ElementaliaVicky
2009Nobody, Nobody But... JuanLolay
2010CincoEmily
I DoMyka Punongbayan
Super Inday and the Golden BibeMiss Kokay[28]
2011The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the RilesSr. Purisima
Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!Pining
2012A Mother's StoryRemedios "Medy" Santos
The Mommy ReturnsRuby Pascual-Martirez
The HealingAlma
24/7 in LoveVirgie Cruz
D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?!Kitty Kilabot
2013Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?Cora Veloso
Call Center GirlTeresa "Terry" Damaso Manlapat
2014My Illegal WifeClarissa "Clarise" Zabaldica
2015Edsa WoolworthEdsa Woolworth
Wang FamMalou Wang
All You Need Is Pag-IbigTeacher Corina
2016Mercury is MineCarmen Batac
2018Sol SearchingLorelei Baloloy
Oda Sa WalaSonya
2019 Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity Don Zulueta
2023 Ten Little Mistresses Babet
Becky & Badette Badette Imaculada
TBA The Sacrifice Hilda

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Title Album information
Pokwang... Ang Album Na May Puso[2]
  • Released: 2009
  • Format: mp3
  • Label: Star Music
  • 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

[edit]
Compilation album
Release date Album Title Record Company Song Title Certification Ref
November 12, 2011 Happy Yipee Yehey! Nananana! Star Music "No Boypren, No Problem" [29]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
YearAward giving bodyCategoryNominated workResults
200721st PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Comedy Actress[30]Aalog-AlogWon
200822nd PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Female TV Host[5]WowoweeNominated
Best Comedy Actress[5]That's My DocNominated
2010GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsBert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award[31]N/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 Actress[5]A 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 Award[32]N/aWon
2015Golden Screen TV AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program[5]MirabellaNominated
2023Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressBecky & BadetteNominated

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Alonzo Bea (host), Pokwang (guest) (April 1, 2023). Pokwang Takes a Legit Lie Detector Test (#bybea Lie Detector Ep.11) (Vlog) (in English and Filipino). Bea Alonzo. Event occurs at 3:42-4:05. Archived from the original on September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via YouTube. Alonzo: Were you born on August 27, 1970? Pokwang: (197)2!... Hoy! 1972 ako!... [Hey, I'm born in 1972] Pokwang: if you are watching Wikipedia, Marietta Subong. August 27, 1972, Year of the Water Rat...
  2. 1 2 Buan-Devesa, Reyma (January 22, 2009). "Pokwang unleashes the singer in her". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Poohkwang concert, tons of surprises at the Music Museum". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Interactive. June 3, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2008. [dead link]
  4. ↑ "Pokwang turns 40". ABS-CBN News. August 27, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Lu, Monet (September 3, 2016). "Behind Pokwang's fun and endearing personality". Asian Journal. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Pablo, Rhia De (March 15, 2008). "Comedienne Pokwang on living, laughing, and loving". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Manimtim-Floresca, Ruth (February 7, 2013). "Pokwang Laughs Her Way to the Bank". Money Sense. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Pokwang to make audience laugh in wild abandon at Piolo show". Filipino Star News - Michigan Edition. Filipino Star News. February 26, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  9. ↑ Tariman, Pablo (June 9, 2014). "Pokwang: Life is not a comedy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Pokwang is now a Kapuso!". GMA Network. June 18, 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 "'Proud lola' Pokwang reveals daughter Ria Mae already has a child". GMA News. December 25, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  12. ↑ Apoyon, Satur (July 21, 2009). "After ABC TV5 guesting, Pacman's mother has been making waves these days". Balita (in English and Filipino). Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Pokwang's ex-husband has cancer". ABS-CBN News (in English and Filipino). December 14, 2014. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ Cruz, Marinel R. "Pokwang wants her kid to meet Japanese dad". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  15. ↑ Pumaloy, Rey (May 24, 2014). "Japanese dad: "Iba pa rin na malaman mo kung saan ka nagmula para buo ka."" [Japanese dad: "It's still different to know where you came from for you to become whole"]. Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Pokwang's British suitor gives up". Balita Filipino New. June 18, 2013. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  17. ↑ Smith, Chuck (February 9, 2015). "Pokwang confirms relationship with American actor Lee O'Brien". The Philippine Star (in English and Filipino). Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ Smith, Chuck (August 20, 2015). "Pokwang 'back in the process of having kids' after miscarriage, says bf". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Pokwang at Lee, sa kasalan na ang tuloy" [Pokwang and Lee, are heading to a marriage"]. Balita.net (in Filipino). September 5, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  20. ↑ Serato, Arniel (June 16, 2017). "PEP EXCLUSIVE. Pokwang confirms she's seven weeks pregnant". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Pokwang confirms she's pregnant with child with American boyfriend". GMA News. GMA News and Public Affairs. June 16, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  22. ↑ "LOOK: Pokwang gives birth to baby girl". ABS-CBN Corporation. January 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Pokwang reveals real reason behind breakup with Lee O'Brian". ABS-CBN News. February 3, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  24. ↑ Ballecer, Jose Rafael (June 14, 2023). "Pokwang Seeks Ex-Partner Lee O'Brian's Deportation". OneNews.PH. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  25. ↑ Acierto, Drew (July 18, 2024). "Pokwang details alleged abuse from Lee O'Brian". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  26. ↑ Casucian, Jiselle Anne (April 11, 2024). "Pokwang's ex-partner Lee O'Brian deported from the Philippines". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  27. ↑ Pasajol, Anne (December 16, 2025). "Pokwang reveals viral driver who slapped man with cart is her brother, says sorry". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  28. ↑ Calderon, Nora (November 17, 2010). "Marian Rivera trains in mixed martial arts for the action sequences of Super Inday and the Golden Bibe". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  29. ↑ "'Happy Yipee Yehey!' Launches Its first Album". November 12, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Tiya Pusit, Pokwang share best-actress trophy". GMA News (in Tagalog and English). November 22, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  31. ↑ "ABS-CBN big winner at GMMSF Entertainment Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  32. ↑ "Complete List of Winners: 45th Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Awards 2014". The Summit Express. Retrieved 2014-05-019.
[edit]
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Pokwang at Wikimedia Commons
  • Pokwang at IMDb
  • Sparkle GMA Artist Center profile
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pokwang&oldid=1363886361"