The public has known comedienne Ethyl Gabison as “Ethel Booba,” a screen name that plays around puns referring to her sexy figure and the ‘dumb’ persona she projects. But, she says the latter is just a character she portrays in comedy bars. “Kailangan magbobo-bobohan. Ang hirap!” she tells Boy Abunda.
Ethel emerged as the grand winner in the recently concluded Tawag ng Tanghalan Celebrity Champions, a victory that didn’t come easy. With a hoarse voice and having recently gone through a bone grafting procedure, Ethel almost backed out from the semi-final round of the competition. Yet, the comedienne has always been known for her feisty spirit. She resorted to a few gulps of alcohol to help open up her vocal cords and still belted out a Celine Dion classic hit, “To Love You More”, on stage. At the end of the round, Ethel was hailed as the Madlang People’s Choice, giving her ticket to the final competition.
READ: Ethel Booba’s breathtaking vocal talent that amazed us in triumphant TNT Celebrity Champions journey
In the last stretch of the contest, with only two fellow contenders to beat, Ethel was admittedly nervous as she waits for her turn to sing Nonoy Zuñiga's “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” a piece she has never performed before but still marvelously delivered. On that day, she was crowned as the first Tawag Ng Tanghalan Celebrity Grand Champion. When asked if her win induced an increase in her talent fee, the Ethel quips that it did.
WINNING MOMENTS: Ethel Booba hailed as TNT Celebrity Grand Champion
In a game called “Truth or Charot,” Ethel says she never goes home defeated in a singing contest. She also denies rumors of having distaste towards Roxanne Barcelo, her fellow TNT celebrity contender whom she shared a short banter with during the post-performance interview.