Boobay

Norman Balbuena (born November 7, 1986), better known in his stage name Boobay, is a Filipino actor, comedian and television host. He is best known for appearing in several GMA News and Public Affairs shows (including ''Unang Hirit'') as a co-host. He was also regular in the award-winning comedy-game show ''Celebrity Bluff'' as a bluffer or ''gangnammm'' along with Edu Manzano, Brod Pete and host Eugene Domingo.

Personal life

Born in the small town of San Narciso in Zambales province, Boobay is the eldest among the four children of Honorio Balbuena, a soldier, and Aquilla Balbuena, a retired elementary teacher. He was in grade school when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, this caused him and his family to dwell in an evacuation site for two years after their house was destroyed by the eruption. Despite the hardships, Boobay finished grade school in Zambales. He pursued his college education at St. Louis University – Baguio taking AB Communication where he earned a scholarship upon joining the theater group ''Tanghalang SLU''.

Career

Early years

In 2004, Boobay first tried his luck in show business by joining GMA Network's ''KiliTV Comedy Hunt'', a talent competition for comedians. Although he did not win the contest, he made the cut and became one of the top 15 finalists.

Seeing potential in the aspiring comedian, director Cesar Cosme called Boobay for a TV project that year. Cosme gave Balbuena the screen name “Boobay” because he thought the comedian looked like the sexy comedian Ethel Booba. After that, Boobay had several guestings in ''Idol Ko si Kap'' doing character spoofs of Rufa Mae Quinto