Michael V's doesn't play lotto in real life

MICHAEL V's first sitcom, "Pepito Manaloto" that starts on March 20, is about a simple guy who won P700 million in the lotto. Might this not mean that he's enticing people to gamble in the lotto? "Hindi naman," he says. "Ang concept talaga ng show is there's always hope, but we're not saying na lotto is the only way for you to be successful. What we try to impart is that when you're given a good opportunity to improve your life, make the most out of it. In real life, we hear a lot of people winning, tapos nauuwi rin sa wala."

Does he replay play the lotto? "Ironically, no, ni hindi nga ako marunong tumaya. But dito sa sitcom, dun talaga umikot ang kuwento, sa pananalo sa lotto."

Does he feel bad that "Bitoy's Showtime" didn't do as well as "Bitoy's Funniest Videos" that was rating so well and yet was replaced? "No regrets for me. All projects naman, may definite ending. Ito ngang 'Pepito Manaloto', believe it or not but we have already planned its ending kahit di pa ito umeere. Siempre, mas maganda yung paghandaan mo na kaysa di mo matapos nang maayos ang story. But I'm optimistic magtatagal sa ere itong 'Pepito' kasi di pa ito nagagawa sa TV. Ngayon pa lang so it has a big chance na magustuhan talaga ng viewers. Kasi ang mga katapat namin, parehong talent shows ('Talentadong Pinoy' and 'Pilipinas Got Talent'), so we offer a good alternative."