Beethoven del Valle Bunagan or known to the public as Michael V is a Filipino multi talented actor, impersonator, director, composer and parodist. He is born on December 17, 1969. He is a regular talent of GMA Network who appears in Bubble Gang and his own show Pepito Manaloto. He finished his secondary education from Manila Science High School and earned his degree in Mass Communications from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He is married to a very supportive non-showbiz wife Carol Bunagan and they have four children, Milo, Yani, Migo and May Paul.
Bitoy as everyone calls him rooted from the comedian, Bentot who guested at Iskul Bukol and was named Bitoy. The young Beethoven mimicked his voice to his classmates and so he was nicknamed Bitoy by his classmates and has stuck to his personality to this day. His screen name Michael V rooted from Michael Jackson and Gary Valenciano combined as one, thus Michael V. Bitoy, as a young child is a very hopeful young fellow. He used to spend his idle hours at the rooftop of the tenement housing where his family lived for 20 years. At the rooftop he dreams to make a difference in any possible way he can. Bitoy joined a contest in Eat Bulaga, the longest running noon time show in the Philippines; where among the judges is the renowned singer, writer, composer Ogie Alcasid who then turned him down. Today, Bitoy is now one of Eat Bulaga’s regular hosts and Ogie Alcasid is one of his good friends and co-star in Bubble gang and has worked together at Tropang Trumpo.
In the days when Humanap Ka Ng Panget by Andrew E was a hit song, Bitoy composed a song as a counterpart to it. It was entitled Maganda ang Piliin (Ayoko Ng Panget). The song was accidentally included in the Demo tape her friend and rapping partner, Dianne submitted to OctoArts. It turned out that Dianne and Bitoy signed a recording contract for the said recording company. Bitoy started in the movies when he appeared at Banana Split which was preceded by Joey Marquez. However he was more noticed when he was included in comedy flicks alongside Vic Sotto, Ogie Alcasid, and Francis M among others.
Beethoven, Michael V or Bitoy graced the covers of Reader’s Digest (RD) 5th Annual Humor Special after winning the Best Comedy Performance Award at the Asian Television Awards for three consecutive years. He was featured in Reader’s Digest September issue of 2008. He is the second Filipino whoever landed on the covers of Readers Digest next to former President Cory Aquino. He is described as brilliant by many co-stars and actors. An intelligent man, whose art tickles every Filipino, brings hope and joy to every home. He is a very simple man who takes pleasure in simple things.
