By now, you’ve probably noticed the resurgence of a certain fictional bondie in recent pop culture. No, this doesn’t pertain to Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls, or Stella from Winx Club, or Barbie. We’re talking about Girlie, one of Vice Ganda’s iconic characters from the box office hit Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy (GBBT).
The utterly chaotic but sentimental movie left us all in stitches in 2013, when it first hit theaters at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Now, over a decade since its release, Filipinos have developed a newfound appreciation for the film, thanks to Girlie’s hilarious “Goodness gracious!” monologue.
@officialiwant Goodness gracious ka talaga, Girly! 😆 Watch #GirlBoyBaklaTomboy on iWant! #viceganda
The scene gained immediate momentum on social media, taking over our timelines with memes and impersonations. Even Meme Vice couldn’t help but join the hype and pay homage to the unforgettable role.
Photo: iWant, ABS-CBN Star Cinema/YouTube
Girlie’s online prominence wouldn’t have been possible without the mind behind it all—the late Wenn V. Deramas. If it weren’t for him, Filipino comedies wouldn’t be the paragons of entertainment we know and love today, and we definitely wouldn’t have gotten characters as unforgettable as Girlie and her siblings on the big screen.
GBBT is only one of Direk Wenn’s remarkable contributions to the local film industry. Girlie’s catchphrases have sparked numerous conversations about his remarkable body of work, giving us many reasons to revisit it and applaud how it has shaped Filipino comedy through the years.
Direk Wenn’s movies have positively influenced generations of storytellers and pop culture enthusiasts who’ve broken boundaries with their voices. Here’s why his blockbusters still hold a special place in our hearts, even after a decade and counting:
No Context Needed
@bini_maloi
Girlie’s over-the-top lines stemmed from her realizing that the police mistook her for her twin sibling, Mark (also played by Vice Ganda), who got caught shoplifting at the mall.
Believe it or not, we barely needed this context to make the scene go viral. That’s how you know you’re in the midst of a classic Wenn Deramas punchline—the joke can stand alone and speak for itself without overly depending on its build-up. Spare us the details and explanations; we can enjoy Girlie’s monologue on its own. Vice’s shrill Valley Girl accent, cartoonish gestures, and peak “overacting” or “OA” energy can already make us laugh like there’s no tomorrow.
Similarly, Ai-ai delas Alas’s “Tanging Ina,” the theme song of her film saga with Direk Wenn of the same name, trended earlier this year without rhyme or reason. Netizens just used the song for their comedic vlogs, even if they didn’t allude to the actual movies. That’s all these people needed to poke fun at their mundane lives.
Laughter as a Universal Language
GBBT was released in 2013, but Girlie’s scene didn’t blow up on social media until 13 years later. The viral moment has now reached a whole new demographic that probably hasn’t watched the movie yet. But guess what? They’re still chuckling. They still get a kick out of that one bit from the film as if it had premiered yesterday.
We can look at Direk Wenn’s other films in the same light. They attest to how laughter brings generations together, with standout moments that remain mindful of issues, trends, and events of that time. It’s no surprise that Filipino humor has branched out to the rest of the world, as Direk Wenn’s movies gradually reach international content creators’ radars.
Clever Fourth Wall Breaks
We all love a good joke that the audience is also in on. But there’s a certain nuance required to break the fourth wall without being trite or killing the story’s vibe.
Thankfully, Direk Wenn’s works assure us that we don’t have to worry about all that. Breaking the fourth wall has become a running gag in his movies that keep getting better with every watch. From referring to scripts and acknowledging the audience in GBBT, to witty product placements and advertisement catchphrases in Sisterakas and the Praybeyt Benjamin duology, these punchlines will never get old.
Thoughtful and Heartfelt Life Lessons
Beyond the smiles, laughs, ridiculous plot twists, and “unseriousness,” Direk Wenn made it a point to turn his comedies into labors of love. His films reflect Filipinos’ everyday lives with unique characters who work towards their dreams like us. Moreover, his flawed yet striking protagonists, portrayals of imperfect families, and subtle nods to social issues have given us hope that love can still prevail amid adversities.
Through these relatable aspects, Direk Wenn’s stories have helped us appreciate life for what it is and what’s yet to come. We could all use a break from life’s expectations every once in a while. That’s why we’ll always remember his movies as a much-needed breather from reality, whether we want to blow off steam or simply have a good laugh.
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What are your favorite films by Wenn Deramas? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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