Pokwang
Filipino actress
title: "Pokwang" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1972-births", "living-people", "filipino-film-actresses", "filipino-television-actresses", "filipino-women-comedians", "people-from-iloilo-city", "actresses-from-iloilo", "actors-from-antipolo", "filipino-expatriates-in-japan", "filipino-expatriates-in-the-united-arab-emirates", "visayan-people", "star-magic", "abs-cbn-people", "gma-network-(company)-people", "tv5-network-people", "filipino-women-pop-singers", "filipino-television-variety-show-hosts", "filipino-sketch-comedians", "actresses-from-rizal-(province)", "comedians-from-rizal-(province)"] description: "Filipino actress" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokwang" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Filipino actress ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Pokwang |
| image | Pokwang 7-21-2014 (cropped).jpg |
| caption | Pokwang in 2014 |
| birth_name | Marietta Tan Subong |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines |
| occupation | {{flatlist |
| partner | Lee O'Brian (2015–2021) |
| yearsactive | 1998–present |
| agent | {{plainlist |
| children | 3 |
| :: |
| name = Pokwang | image = Pokwang 7-21-2014 (cropped).jpg | imagesize = | caption = Pokwang in 2014 | birth_name = Marietta Tan Subong | birth_date = | birth_place = Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines | occupation = {{flatlist|
- Comedian
- actress
- television host
- recording artist | spouse = | partner = Lee O'Brian (2015–2021) | awards = | yearsactive = 1998–present | agent = {{plainlist|
- Star Magic (2004–2020)
- APT Entertainment (2020–present)
- Sparkle GMA Artist Center (2021–present)}} | children = 3
Marietta Tan Subong (born August 27, 1972), known professionally as Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer.
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.
Early life
Pokwang was born as Marietta Subong on August 27, 1972 in Iloilo City. Her family lives in Antipolo, Rizal. Her father was an alcoholic and her mother had difficulties in raising Pokwang and her 11 other siblings. 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 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 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.
Return to the Philippines
Following the loss of her son, Pokwang decided to stay in the Philippines and tend to her daughter.
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, 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 Revillame, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Claudine Barretto, Judy Ann Santos, Sharon Cuneta, and Kris Aquino.
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.
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.
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.
Comedic style
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.
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, Pokwang married a Japanese national who she had met while she was working abroad in Japan. The union had a son, Shin, who later died 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.".
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. 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.
Pokwang had a British suitor 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 the Briton. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Valenzuela16Dec2023_81.jpg" caption="[[Becky & Badette]] - [[Eugene Domingo]] Pokwang and [[John Rey Tiangco]]"] ::
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. 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 Pokwang'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 and her first with O'Brian, Malia, in Antipolo. Pokwang and O'Brien separated in November 2021, with Pokwang having custody over Malia.
On April 8, 2024, the Bureau of Immigration deported Lee O’Brian and was included in the BI’s blacklist. Pokwang previously complained of financial abuse, intimidation and abandonment of their daughters Malia and Mae. She filed a deportation case against Lee in June, 2023. On December 12, 2023, Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco ruled the case in her favor. In early 2023, she kicked Lee out of their home and he subsequently moved on to someone new.
Filmography
Television
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Eezy Dancing | Herself |
| 2004 | Yes, Yes Show! | |
| Maid in Heaven | Harlene | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Teddy Bear | Herself (as Marietta "Pokwang" Subong) | |
| 2004–2005 | Krystala | Fantasia |
| 2005 | M.R.S. (Most Requested Show) | Herself/Host |
| Pinoy Big Brother Buzz | ||
| 2006 | Aalog-Alog | Etang Sukimura |
| Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko | Principal Nendita | |
| Crazy for You | Bessie | |
| 2007 | Love Spell: Shoes Ko Po, Shoes ko Day | Lisa |
| Your Song: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do | Anna | |
| Ysabella | Phuket | |
| 2007–2010 | Wowowee | Herself/Host |
| 2007–2020 | ASAP | Herself/Performer |
| 2008 | * Maalaala Mo Kaya: Laruan* | Rita |
| 2009–2011 | Banana Split | Herself/Various Characters |
| 2009–2010 | May Bukas Pa | Amy |
| 2010 | Melason In Love | Herself |
| Your Song Presents: Love Me, Love You | Lovely | |
| Pilipinas Win Na Win | Herself/Host | |
| Your Song Presents: Kim | Belma Jolie | |
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Singsing | Tita B. Canoy |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Birth Certificate | Carol Araos | |
| 2011–2012 | Happy Yipee Yehey! | Herself/Host |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Digna Amparo |
| 2011–2013 | Toda Max | Beverly "Lady G" Gil |
| 2011–2016 | Kris TV | Herself/Recurring co-host |
| 2012–2013 | Aryana | Ofelia Capuyao-Mendez |
| 2013 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Gown | Linda |
| My Little Juan | Sarah de Guzman | |
| Wansapanataym: Give Glove On Christmas Day | Queenie Batumbakal | |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Arroz Caldo | Mely |
| Mirabella | Mimosa "Osang" Balete | |
| Ipaglaban Mo: Umasa Ako Sa Hula | Lovinia Ignacio | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Alak | Lui | |
| 2015 | Nathaniel | Elizabeth "Beth" Salvacion-Bartolome |
| Wansapanataym: Raprap's Wrapper | Sioneng | |
| 2015–2017 | ||
| 2018–2020 | Banana Sundae | Herself/Various Characters |
| 2015–2016 | Celebrity Playtime | Herself/Player on TeamBuilding |
| 2016 | We Will Survive | Wilmalyn "Wilma" Bonanza-San Juan |
| 2016–2017 | Till I Met You | Agnes De Guia-Nicolas |
| 2017 | I Can Do That | Herself/Contestant |
| FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Amor Nieves | |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Eskoba | Azon |
| Ipaglaban Mo: Teritoryo | Celia | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Orasan | Fe | |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Divet | Diana Carbonell |
| 2020 | Make It with You | Jessica |
| Eat Bulaga! | Herself/Guest Contestant | |
| Chika, Besh! | Herself/Host | |
| Fill in the Bank | Madam Poky/Host/Chismosang Falakang Officer | |
| 2021 | Wanted: Ang Serye | Mary |
| The Boobay and Tekla Show | Herself/Guest | |
| 2021–present | All-Out Sundays | Herself/Performer/Co-host/Various roles |
| 2021 | Wish Ko Lang | Virgie |
| Dear Uge | Chit | |
| Mars Pa More | Herself/Guest | |
| Pepito Manaloto | Tarsing Batumbakal | |
| Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: It's Not You, It's Me | Sunshine | |
| 2022 | Regal Studio Presents: Yaya Terror | Yaya Mila |
| Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss | Rebecca "Becca" Pacheco | |
| Lolong | Coring | |
| 2022–present | TiktoClock | Herself/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 |
| :: |
Film
::data[format=table]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Bcuz of U | Tiya Pards |
| 2005 | D' Anothers | Aruray "Balat" Paclayon |
| Dubai | Cookie | |
| 2006 | D' Lucky Ones | Lea |
| 2007 | Agent X44 | Col. Cynthia Abordo |
| Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat: Friends 4 Lyf and Death | Maria Ligaya "Gay" Kalungkutan | |
| 2008 | Supahpapalicious | Nympha |
| Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia | Vicky | |
| 2009 | Nobody, Nobody But... Juan | Lolay |
| 2010 | Cinco | Emily |
| I Do | Myka Punongbayan | |
| Super Inday and the Golden Bibe | Miss Kokay | |
| 2011 | The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles | Sr. Purisima |
| Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Pining | |
| 2012 | A Mother's Story | Remedios "Medy" Santos |
| The Mommy Returns | Ruby Pascual-Martirez | |
| The Healing | Alma | |
| 24/7 in Love | Virgie Cruz | |
| D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Kitty Kilabot | |
| 2013 | Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? | Cora Veloso |
| Call Center Girl | Teresa "Terry" Damaso Manlapat | |
| 2014 | My Illegal Wife | Clarissa "Clarise" Zabaldica |
| 2015 | Edsa Woolworth | Edsa Woolworth |
| Wang Fam | Malou Wang | |
| All You Need Is Pag-Ibig | Teacher Corina | |
| 2016 | Mercury is Mine | Carmen Batac |
| 2018 | Sol Searching | Lorelei Baloloy |
| Oda Sa Wala | Sonya | |
| 2019 | Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity | Don Zulueta |
| 2023 | Ten Little Mistresses | Babet |
| Becky & Badette | Badette Imaculada | |
| TBA | The Sacrifice | Hilda |
| :: |
Discography
Albums
::data[format=table]
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| Pokwang... Ang Album Na May Puso | |
| :: |
Singles
;Compilation album ::data[format=table]
| Release date | Album Title | Record Company | Song Title | Certification | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 12, 2011 | Happy Yipee Yehey! Nananana! | Star Music | "No Boypren, No Problem" | ||
| :: |
Awards and nominations
::data[format=table]
| Year | Award giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV | title=Tiya Pusit, Pokwang share best-actress trophy | url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/69677/showbiz/tiya-pusit-pokwang-share-best-actress-trophy | access-date=8 October 2016 |
| 2008 | 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Female TV Host | Wowowee | |
| Best Comedy Actress | That's My Doc | |||
| 2010 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award | ||
| 23rd Awit Awards | Best Novelty Recording | Bratatat | ||
| 2011 | 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Banana Split | |
| 2012 | 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Toda Max | |
| 60th FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | A Mother's Story | ||
| 25th Awit Awards | Best Novelty Recording | No Boypren, No Problem | ||
| 2013 | 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Toda Max | |
| 2014 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award | ||
| 2015 | Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program | Mirabella | |
| 2023 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Becky & Badette | |
| :: |
References
References
- (1 April 2023). "Pokwang Takes a Legit Lie Detector Test (#bybea Lie Detector Ep.11)". [[Bea Alonzo]].
- Buan-Devesa, Reyma. (22 January 2009). "Pokwang unleashes the singer in her". ABS-CBN News.
- (3 June 2008). "Poohkwang concert, tons of surprises at the Music Museum". [[ABS-CBN Interactive]].
- (27 August 2010). "Pokwang turns 40". ABS-CBN News.
- (3 September 2016). "Behind Pokwang's fun and endearing personality". Asian Journal.
- (15 March 2008). "Comedienne Pokwang on living, laughing, and loving". The Philippine Star.
- (7 February 2013). "Pokwang Laughs Her Way to the Bank". Money Sense.
- (26 February 2015). "Pokwang to make audience laugh in wild abandon at Piolo show". Filipino Star News.
- (9 June 2014). "Pokwang: Life is not a comedy". The Philippine Star.
- (18 June 2021). "Pokwang is now a Kapuso!". [[GMA Network]].
- (21 July 2009). "After ABC TV5 guesting, Pacman's mother has been making waves these days". Balita.
- (14 December 2014). "Pokwang's ex-husband has cancer". ABS-CBN News.
- Cruz, Marinel R.. "Pokwang wants her kid to meet Japanese dad". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- (24 May 2014). "Japanese dad: "Iba pa rin na malaman mo kung saan ka nagmula para buo ka."". Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc..
- (18 June 2013). "Pokwang's British suitor gives up". Balita Filipino New.
- (9 February 2015). "Pokwang confirms relationship with American actor Lee O'Brien". The Philippine Star.
- (20 August 2015). "Pokwang 'back in the process of having kids' after miscarriage, says bf". The Philippine Star.
- (5 September 2016). "Pokwang at Lee, sa kasalan na ang tuloy". Balita.net.
- (June 16, 2017). "PEP EXCLUSIVE. Pokwang confirms she's seven weeks pregnant". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
- (June 16, 2017). "Pokwang confirms she's pregnant with child with American boyfriend". [[GMA News and Public Affairs]].
- (2018-01-18). "LOOK: Pokwang gives birth to baby girl".
- (February 3, 2023). "Pokwang reveals real reason behind breakup with Lee O'Brian".
- (April 11, 2024). "Pokwang's ex-partner Lee O'Brian deported from the Philippines". [[GMA Integrated News]].
- (17 November 2010). "Marian Rivera trains in mixed martial arts for the action sequences of Super Inday and the Golden Bibe". Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc..
- (November 12, 2011). "'Happy Yipee Yehey!' Launches Its first Album".
- (22 November 2007). "Tiya Pusit, Pokwang share best-actress trophy". GMA News.
- [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/06/24/10/abs-cbn-big-winner-gmmsf-entertainment-awards "ABS-CBN big winner at GMMSF Entertainment Awards"]. ''ABS-CBN News''. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- [http://www.thesummitexpress.com/2014/05/complete-list-of-winners-45th-guillermo-mendoza-box-office-entertainment-awards-2014.html "Complete List of Winners: 45th Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Awards 2014"]. ''The Summit Express''. Retrieved 2014-05-019.
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