# Pokwang

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 a drunkard 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. 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, 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, 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 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.
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 on her favor. In early 2023, she kicked Lee out of their home and he moved on to someone new.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1998 | Eezy Dancing | Herself | ABC |
| 2004 | Yes, Yes Show! | Herself | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Maid in Heaven | Harlene | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Teddy Bear | Herself (as Marietta "Pokwang" Subong) | ABS-CBN |
| 2004–2005 | Krystala | Fantasia | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | M.R.S. (Most Requested Show) | Herself/Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Pinoy Big Brother Buzz | Herself/Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2006 | Aalog-Alog | Etang Sukimura | ABS-CBN |
| 2006 | Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko | Principal Nendita | ABS-CBN |
| 2006 | Crazy for You | Bessie | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Love Spell: Shoes Ko Po, Shoes ko Day | Lisa | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Your Song: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do | Anna | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Ysabella | Phuket | ABS-CBN |
| 2007–2010 | Wowowee | Herself/Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2007–2020 | ASAP | Herself/Performer | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Laruan | Rita | ABS-CBN |
| 2009–2011 | Banana Split | Herself/Various Characters | ABS-CBN |
| 2009–2010 | May Bukas Pa | Amy | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Melason In Love | Herself | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Your Song Presents: Love Me, Love You | Lovely | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Pilipinas Win Na Win | Herself/Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Your Song Presents: Kim | Belma Jolie | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Singsing | Tita B. Canoy | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Birth Certificate | Carol Araos | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2012 | Happy Yipee Yehey! | Herself/Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Digna Amparo | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2013 | Toda Max | Beverly "Lady G" Gil | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2016 | Kris TV | Herself/Recurring co-host | ABS-CBN |
| 2012–2013 | Aryana | Ofelia Capuyao-Mendez | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Gown | Linda | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | My Little Juan | Sarah de Guzman | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym: Give Glove On Christmas Day | Queenie Batumbakal | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Arroz Caldo | Mely | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Mirabella | Mimosa "Osang" Balete | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Ipaglaban Mo: Umasa Ako Sa Hula | Lovinia Ignacio | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Alak | Lui | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Nathaniel | Elizabeth "Beth" Salvacion-Bartolome | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Wansapanataym: Raprap's Wrapper | Sioneng | ABS-CBN |
| 2015–2017 2018–2020 | Banana Sundae | Herself/Various Characters | ABS-CBN |
| 2015–2016 | Celebrity Playtime | Herself/Player on TeamBuilding | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | We Will Survive | Wilmalyn "Wilma" Bonanza-San Juan | ABS-CBN |
| 2016–2017 | Till I Met You | Agnes De Guia-Nicolas | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | I Can Do That | Herself/Contestant | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Amor Nieves | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Eskoba | Azon | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Ipaglaban Mo: Teritoryo | Celia | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Orasan | Fe | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Divet | Diana Carbonell | ABS-CBN |
| 2020 | Make It with You | Jessica | ABS-CBN |
| 2020 | Eat Bulaga! | Herself/Guest Contestant | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Chika, Besh! | Herself/Host | TV5 |
| 2020 | Fill in the Bank | Madam Poky/Host/Chismosang Falakang Officer | TV5 |
| 2021 | Wanted: Ang Serye | Mary | TV5 |
| 2021 | The Boobay and Tekla Show | Herself/Guest | GMA Network |
| 2021–present | All-Out Sundays | Herself/Performer/Co-host/Various roles | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Wish Ko Lang | Virgie | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Dear Uge | Chit | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Mars Pa More | Herself/Guest | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Pepito Manaloto | Tarsing Batumbakal | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: It's Not You, It's Me | Sunshine | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Regal Studio Presents: Yaya Terror | Yaya Mila | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss | Rebecca "Becca" Pacheco | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Lolong | Coring | GMA Network |
| 2022–present | TiktoClock | Herself/Host | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Open 24/7 | Gina | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Abot-Kamay na Pangarap | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Jose & Maria's Bonggang Villa | Tiffany Hambog | GMA Network |
| 2024 | It's Showtime | Herself | Kapamilya Channel A2Z ALLTV GMA Network GTV |
| 2025 | Binibining Marikit | Mayumi Smith | GMA Network |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Producer |
| 2004 | Bcuz of U | Tiya Pards | Star Cinema |
| 2005 | D' Anothers | Aruray "Balat" Paclayon | Star Cinema |
| 2005 | Dubai | Cookie | Star Cinema |
| 2006 | D' Lucky Ones | Lea | Star Cinema |
| 2007 | Agent X44 | Col. Cynthia Abordo | Star Cinema |
| 2007 | Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat | Gay / Maria Ligaya Kalungkutan | Viva Films |
| 2008 | Supahpapalicious | Nympha | Star Cinema |
| 2008 | Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia | Vicky | Cutting-Edge Production |
| 2009 | Nobody, Nobody But... Juan | Lolay | RVQ Productions |
| 2010 | Cinco | Emily | Star Cinema |
| 2010 | I Do | Myka Punongbayan | Star Cinema |
| 2010 | Super Inday and the Golden Bibe | Miss Kokay | Regal Entertainment |
| 2011 | The Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the Riles | Sr. Purisima | Star Cinema Sine Screen |
| 2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Pining | Star Cinema APT Entertainment M-Zet Productions OctoArts Films |
| 2012 | A Mother's Story | Remedios "Medy" Santos | TFC ABS-CBN International Star Cinema |
| 2012 | The Mommy Returns | Ruby Pascual-Martirez | Regal Entertainment |
| 2012 | The Healing | Alma | Star Cinema |
| 2012 | 24/7 in Love | Virgie Cruz | Star Cinema |
| 2012 | D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Kitty Kilabot | APT Entertainment M-Zet Productions |
| 2013 | Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? | Cora Veloso | Star Cinema |
| 2013 | Call Center Girl | Teresa "Terry" Damaso Manlapat | Skylight Films Star Cinema |
| 2014 | My Illegal Wife | Clarisse | Skylight Films Star Cinema |
| 2015 | Edsa Woolworth | Edsa Woolworth | Star Cinema TFC |
| 2015 | Wang Fam | Malou Wang | Viva Films |
| 2015 | All You Need Is Pag-Ibig | Teacher Corina | Star Cinema |
| 2016 | Mercury is Mine | Carmen Batac | Cinemalaya |
| 2018 | Sol Searching | Lorelei Baloloy | ToFarm Film Festival |
| 2018 | Oda Sa Wala | Sonya | QCinema International Film Festival |
| 2019 | Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity | Don Zulueta | APT Entertainment M-Zet Productions |
| 2023 | Ten Little Mistresses | Babet | Amazon Prime Video |
| 2023 | Becky & Badette | Badette Imaculada | The IdeaFirst Company OctoberTrain Films |

## Discography
### Albums

| Title | Album information |
| Pokwang... Ang Album Na May Puso | Released: 2009 Format: mp3 Label: Star Records 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
#### 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" | PARI: Platinum | |

## Awards and nominations

Awards and Nomination :
| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| 2007 | 21st PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Aalog-Alog | Won |
| 2008 | 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Female TV Host | Wowowee | Nominated |
| 2008 | 22nd PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | That's My Doc | Nominated |
| 2010 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 2010 | 23rd Awit Awards | Best Novelty Recording | Bratatat | Nominated |
| 2011 | 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Banana Split | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Toda Max | Won |
| 2012 | 60th FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | A Mother's Story | Nominated |
| 2012 | 25th Awit Awards | Best Novelty Recording | No Boypren, No Problem | Nominated |
| 2013 | 27th PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Comedy Actress | Toda Max | Nominated |
| 2014 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Bert Marcelo Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 2015 | Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program | Mirabella | Nominated |