Iskul Bukol Men returns to IBC this summer

March 30, 2014

In the late 70’s and 80’s, their sitcom Iskul Bukol was the reigning program on local television. Iskul Bukol, which piloted on IBC-13, remained at the number one spot in the ratings for more than a decade.

Aside from its commercial success, critics hailed it as a comedy program that reflected college life and real students’ exploits. Characters like Victorio Ungasis and the Escalera brothers played by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon were unforgettable. They were joined by the prim and proper Miss Tapia – played by Marissa Tagasa, plus comedians Tonette Macho, Redford White and Richie ‘da Horsey. Two decades after the show went off the air, the catchy Iskul Bukol theme is undergoing a revival and TVJ merchandise is selling well in the malls – proving the iconic stature of the program and its three hosts.

The Kapinoy Network IBC brings primetime viewing to new heights with the remake of the classic hit sitcom of the 70's and 80's Iskul Bukol will now transformed into Iskul Bukol Men. The all-male sitcom to do an adaption of the top-rated sitcom, and IBC made it comptitive and fighting in counter-programming. IBC is bringing back the classic Tito, Vic and Joey sitcom Iskul Bukol Men as the highest-rating program for the record set visit held at IBC studio in Broadcast City, Capitol Hills, Diliman, Quezon City. Its popularity in television was also brought to the movie screen in the top rating TV comedy on IBC-13.

It featured comedians Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (collectively known as TVJ) and centered on their lives as students (Tito and Joey Escalera and Vic Ungasis) of the fictional Wanbol University will turned into Aki Torio, Robi Domingo and Josh Padilla (known as ARJ). Iskul Bukol Men which IBC-13 is bringing back on air sans the popular triumvirate of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon.

The show will premiere on April 5 and airing on Saturday nights at 7:00PM on IBC-13, as part of the netgwork's Saturday night block For da Boys Sabado like Sandy's Romance (7:45-8:30PM) which is started the teen star Nadine Lustre and AJ Muhlach, and Happy TODAS (10:45-11:45PM) which became an all-male gag show with Keempee de Leon, Sam YG, Victor Anastacio, Young JV, Elmo Magalona and Ya Chang.

That the peple of Kapinoy Talent Center saw the strength of trhe trio in the high school, colleges and universities loved by students of all ages centered on their lives as students of the fictional Wanbol University, parodying its real life counterpart Arellano University

The show’s producer Our Own Little Way Productions reveals that a total remake of the old classic lined up from 1977 to 1990 popularized by the trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon but the Philippines, through IBC, is the first one to succeed in buying the Iskul Bukol franchise. Raymund Barcelon is the writer in the country to work hand in hand with The Kapinoy Network on the remake, and he is singing the Supers Network’s praises. He has seen the work of IBC’s production team and describes it as “Pinoy com,edian level, with higher production values, beautiful lighting and elegant camera movement.”

It starred the top actors Aki Torio, Robi Domingo and Josh Padilla has spurred tight friendships being cast in the daily noontime variety show Lunch Break. They will be guiding IBC from pre- to post-production, to make sure that the adaptation will be consistent with the original, while at the same time having a Filipino touch that local viewers can relate with the tp comedians and comedienne, it is poised to be IBC’s banner show, which could change Pinoy’s primetime viewing habits.

Today's top stars Aki Torio, Robi Domingo and Josh Padilla lead the cast of the remake of classic 70s, 80s and 90s sitcom Iskul Bukol Men. Joselito "Tito" Escalera (Aki Torio) is one half of the Escalera brothers, who plots harebrained schemes. Victorio "Vic" Ungasis (Robi Domingo) is the good-looking and smart teacher's pet with a chick-magnet personality. The Escaleras often pick on him during class. Later became a professor of Wanbol University. Josemari "Joey" Escalera (Josh Padilla) is the other Escalera sibling. Miss Tapia has a crush on him when he finds out that one his students. In girls are Petra Mahalimuyak (Ashley Rivera), a young sexy girl and the boys of the men, more than friends and gwapo the role in powerful. Tito and Joey's younger sister in this name Sharon Escalera (Coleen Garcia).

Also the cast are Coleen Garcia as Sharon Escalera, Katya Santos as Katya Melody, funny girl Ashley Rivera as Petra Mahalimuyak, John Regala as Tonette Macho, Yassi Pressman as Joey Anson, Sofia Andres as Sofia, James Reid as Redford, Paul Robis as Ritchie "Kabayo", Bianca Casado as Bianca, MM Magno as Jimmy "Big J", Tricia Santos as Patricia Garicia, MJ Magno as Johnny "Big J", Gee-Ann Abrahan as Miss Tapia, Alexis Navarro as Ms. Escalera, Tutti Caringal as Mang Temi, Yam Concepcion as Viviana "Bibeth" Belibet, Hiro Torobu as Perfecto "Pekto" Pangkista, Danielle Castaño as Inang or Aling Jacoba, Jamilla Obispo as Mumai, LJ Moreno as LJ Laurel and Coraleen Waddell as Coradeen Santos.

Directed by Bert de Leon, the setting for the new Iskul Bukol will still be in Wanbol University but it will feature different characters. Aki Torio, Robi Domingo and Josh Padilla, just three of the stars of the said remake, pointed out that the original characters nor anyone related to them including the character to be one of the most successful sitcoms on local television.