Why “masa” loves Lola Nidora
Wally Bayola is best known for his role of portraying Lola Nidora (sometimes Duhrizz, Rihanna and Doktora the Explorer) in the Kalyeserye portion of the longest running noontime television variety show Eat Bulaga.
He did starring roles together with his comic duo Jose Manalo in movies like “D’ Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?!” and Scaregivers.
But according to Wally, he considers his Lola Nidora character a career changing one.
“Marami siyang binago sa buhay ko, dahil mas nakilala ako. Kapag pumupunta kami sa mga barangay para sa segment namin sa Eat Bulaga, maraming bumabati at iyong mga bata nagble-bless talaga sa akin,” he said.
“Life changing din siya dahil mas napalapit ako sa masa at naging misyon na namin ang pagtulong,” he added.
He also feels blessed to be given the chance to play the iconic and lovable grandma character.
“Iyong lola character kasi kaya siya tumagal, nagko-comedy siya pero pag seryoso, nagseseryoso siya at may mga life lessons at wisdom siyang ibinabahagi,” he pointed out.
He admitted that he can identify with his role because he had once a lola.
“May lola rin ako sa probinsya. Ang mga lola kasi sa probinsya, pinakikinggan nila. Pag dating ng alas-6 ng gabi, papasok ka na ng bahay. Nakasanayan na kasi na sila iyong pinakikinggan ng lahat hindi lang ng kanilang mga apo. So, ganoon sila, minamahal sa ating kultura,” he explained.
He also believes that he won’t be stuck with his Lola character and it won’t, in any way, limit his artistry as a comedian.
“Siguro naman, hindi. Hindi kasi kami palaging ganito. Nagkataon lang na kasama ko ang mga kapatid ko sa “Lola’s Beautiful Show.” Marami naman akong ipino-portray na characters sa “Sunday Pinasaya” at the same time, iba’t-iba naman ang mga characters ko, pero itong Lola lang iyong tumagal,” he elucidated.
He also added, there’s no downside in portraying Lola Nidora as far as his career is concerned.
“Walang disadvantage sa pagpo-portray ng lola. Original na character kasi iyong character na ipino-portray ko. Mahirap kung tunay na tao ang gagayahin dahil magkakaroon ng comparison. Happy naman ako dahil nabibigyan ako ng pagkakataong i-interpret ang sarili kong lola sa tulong na rin ng creative at production people namin,” he said.
He also said that the creative and production people behind Eat Bulaga do not stop innovating to avoid the ‘sawa’ factor in their characters in the show.
“Kasi, iyong kasing production people, tinutulungan nila kami. Sinisiguro nilang mabago siya sa usual na character ng mga lola na kilala at napapanood natin at everytime, may bago kaming ipinakikita,” he said.
In real life, comedian Wally Bayola is a proud grandparent himself.
“May apo na ako. Si Baby Zafira and he calls me Wowo,” he commented.
Wally reprises her Lola Nidora role in their first movie together with Jose Manalo and Paolo Ballesteros in “Trip Ubusan:The Lolas vs. Zombies,” a joint production of APT Entertainment and M-Zet Productions.
Directed by Mark A. Reyes V, the movie also stars Angelica dela Cruz, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Arthur Solinap, Lovely Abella, Taki Saito, Kenneth Medrano, Miggy Tolentino, Shaira Mae dela Cruz, Archie Adamos, Jayvhot Galang and Caprice Cayetano with guest appearances from Al Tantay, Joshua Zamora, Nino Muhlach and Rochelle Pangilinan.
The family-oriented movie unreels in cinemas nationwide starting November 22.
