Pokwang is undeniably one of the most successful and acclaimed comedians in the country today. Marietta Tan Subong, better known as Pokwang, is a comedian, actress, television host, and singer. But before she soared to fame and success, she went through numerous trials and hardships in life.
Born on August 27, 1970, Pokwang began her career by auditioning for a reality show on ABS-CBN. From there, she became a part of various dramas and sitcoms on the network. Notably, she received the “Best Comedy Actress” award from the Philippine Movie Press Club for her performance in the sitcom “Aalog-Alog” and the “Best Female Comedian” award from the People’s Choice Awards. Furthermore, she became a host on popular variety shows like Wowowee, Pilipinas Win na Win, and Happy Yipee Yehey.
However, before all of these achievements, Pokwang experienced a challenging life as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the 1990s. She worked as a group dancer in Japan, returning to the Philippines four times within two years of her stay there. During her six-month contract in Japan, she diligently saved money to renovate her family’s fragile house, making it more sturdy and secure.
Pokwang’s career at ABS-CBN thrived, but there were changes in her personal life when she entered into a relationship with Lee O’Brian. They welcomed their daughter, Malia, into the world, but sadly, their relationship ended on November 20, 2021, after several years together. Despite this, Pokwang remains devoted to caring for her child. Even before this, she already had a son and a daughter from previous relationships with Japanese nationals in the 1990s. In 2001 Pokwang officially a Kapuso as she signed with the GMA Artist Center up to now.
Despite the challenges that life throws at her, Pokwang continues to demonstrate strength and determination. Recently, she shared a video on her Instagram showcasing the nearly completed dream house she is having built, and in her caption, she exclaimed, “Konti nalang!!!!!! raket pa more hhahahahaha 🙏🏼 ” This has inspired many netizens who expressed their greetings and admiration for Pokwang.
Through life’s twists and turns, Pokwang serves as an inspiration to many due to her ability to bring laughter and joy to Filipinos. She exemplifies determination and hope, showing that no matter how tough.