“Funny Ka, Pare Ko” has been making many ABS-CBN TVplus users laugh out loud for two years now. As the hit sitcom and stand-up series returns for another season in CineMo, the third most watched channel in Metro Manila, here are fast facts that viewers should know about before watching the season premiere on May 20.
1. DENNIS PADILLA PLAYS A VILLAIN
For the first time, viewers will witness Dennis Padilla wreak havoc as he takes on a kontrabida role in the hit sitcom. Playing the role of a corrupt real estate named Don Jovi, Dennis’ addition in “Funny Ka, Pare Ko” will bring chaos into the lives of Karla Estrada (Carla) and Bayani Agbayani’s (Bigboy) characters when he uses forceful and illegal means to acquire the couple’s Delyon’s Eatery so he can build a shopping mall in its place.
2. DONNA CARIAGA, OTHER “IT’S SHOWTIME” TALENTS JOIN THE CAST
Fans of “It’s Showtime’s” “Funny One” winner Donna Cariaga are in for a major treat as they can finally watch more of her relatable and hilarious hugot lines in her first TV role as Carla’s hugotera cousin from the province. Other “It’s Showtime” talents that will make the new season funnier include “Miss Q and A” first hall of famer Juliana Parizcova Segovia, GirlTrend member Erin Ocampo, and two of Donna’s co-finalists in “Funny One,” Anthony Andres and James Caraan.
3. KARLA AND BAYANI ADOPT ‘GIGIL’ KID CARLO MENDOZA
Remember six-year-old ‘gigil’ kid Carlo Mendoza who had viral Youtube videos last year? Carlo is back in the limelight to bring good vibes after his big screen debut in Vice Ganda’s “Gandarrapido: The Revenger Squad.” In the new season, Carlo plays orphaned boy Niknok who will be adopted by Carla and Bigboy, now that their son Jay-Ar (Igi Boy Flores), is a chef in the big city.
4. MORE LAUGHTER IN DELYON EATERY’S ‘TAWA NG TANGHALAN’
As a sitcom mixed with stand-up comedy, “Funny Ka, Pare Ko” champions Filipino stand-up comedians in the series through a “Tawa ng Tanghalan” night in Carla and Bigboy’s Delyon’s Eatery. Loosely coined from the popular noontime singing competition, “Tawa ng Tanghalan” allows comedians –from veterans like Alex Calleja to newbies like Donna Cariaga –to shine as they showcase their witty punchlines and hysterical jokes –a first of its kind on digital television.
5. TEEN STARS KIRA BALINGER AND GRAE FERNANDEZ BRING ‘KILIG’ VIBES
Besides laughter, “Funny Ka, Pare Ko” will spread love and kilig this season with the introduction of Kapamilya teen stars Kira Balinger and Grae Fernandez as the newest loveteam of the series. Kira plays Princess, the teenage daughter of DongDong (Jayson Gainza) and Pags (Alora Sasam), who has attracted many suitors, including Grae.
Don’t miss the season 5 premiere of “Funny Ka, Pare Ko” on digital free TV via CineMo, the first all-day movie channel on ABS-CBN TVplus this Sunday (May 20) at 5 PM. CineMo is also now the third most watched channel in Metro Manila with an average audience share of 7% for the month of April, according to data from Kantar Media covering urban and rural homes.