Some of the most iconic comedy moments start with a simple joke—and for Michael V, one offhand radio punchline became the foundation for one of his most famous characters: Mr. Assimo.
The inspiration came unexpectedly.
“I heard this joke on a radio program where listeners would send in their best punchlines,” Michael V recalls. The joke was about a shopper asking to see a pair of pants. When the seller asked, “Para sa inyo po?” the shopper sarcastically replied, “Ay hindi, para sa ‘yo! Baka birthday mo eh, hiyang-hiya naman ako sa’yo!”
That last line stuck with him.
“I thought, ‘This would make a great tagline,’” he says.
From that single joke, Michael V created Mr. Assimo, a character who could flip any conversation in his favor with his signature deadpan sarcasm and, of course, his now-iconic catchphrase: “Hiyang hiya naman ako sa’yo!”
What made Mr. Assimo such a hit was his relatability—everyone has encountered someone passive-aggressive or frustratingly sarcastic, making the character instantly recognizable.
“Any situation could be reversed in favor of Mr. Assimo, just to make sure he delivers that line,” Michael V explains.
The success of Mr. Assimo proves that comedy thrives on timing, relatability, and a well-placed catchphrase. The character became a fan favorite on Bubble Gang, with audiences eagerly waiting for the moment he would drop his legendary line.
For Michael V, this wasn’t the first or last time a single joke would turn into a pop culture phenomenon. Whether it’s Junie Lee, Yaya & Angelina, or Mr. Assimo, his ability to take real-life observations and turn them into unforgettable comedic moments has cemented his status as one of the greatest comedians in Philippine entertainment.
And all it took was one joke, one line, and endless laughs.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
