MANILA -- Comedians MC Muah and Lassy Marquez revealed how they battled and overcame gambling addiction.
In an interview with Toni Gonzaga for her vlog, the comedy duo shared how they lost over P10 million in gambling.
MC said his addiction to gambling started after losing his mother to cancer. His father had also passed away.
"Ako nauna. Kasi uuwi ako after ng comedy bar, saan ako pupunta? Baka hindi ako makatulog. So may naghikayat sa 'kin. Sabi niya, 'Ito o para maaliw ka.' Sa casino. Iba ang saya 'pag papunta ka pa lang doon, masaya. Tapos kapag natalo ka na, pauwi, doon ka magsisisi. Tapos hanggang babawi ako, babalik, kailangan kong bumawi. 'Ah kaunti lang ito, P50,000, kaya itong bawiin, isang jackpot lang. Ay, P100,000, kaya pa ito. P200,000, 300,000, 500,000 na,” he said.
Asked of his biggest loss in one day, Muah replied: "Mayroon kaming P800,000 isang gabi."
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Screen grab: YouTube/Toni Gonzaga Studio
For his part, Marquez said he started gambling to fill a void from feeling excluded from their group of friends.
"Sumama lang ako kasi parang 'ang saya-saya niyo.' Parang nale-left out ako palagi," Marquez said.
Adding to the conversation, Muah said: "Eh binigyan siya ng panalo. Pinanalo siya, sa maliit na halaga. Pero pinigilan ko siya, sabi ko, 'huwag.' Sabi niya, 'hindi may control ako.' Minsan, wala kaming tulog, pumapasok kami sa comedy bar, nagte-taping kami, nagshoo-shooting kami, walang tulog. Ganoon kami kaadik sa pagsusugal noon."
The two said there came a point when they were just working so that they can gamble.
"Hindi kami proud dito. Kaya namin kinukuwento ito para maging lesson at para kung sakaling nasa sitwasyon sila. ... Wala talagang (panalo rito)," Muah said.
The two admitted that they lost more than P10 million to gambling. "More than siguro. Kasi 2011 hanggang 2016, limang taon,” Muah said.
Turning point
Marquez decided to break free from his gambling addiction after realizing that he is no longer getting young and that he needed to have his own house.
“Gusto ko nang ayusin ang buhay ko. Gusto ko nang magkaroon ng bahay. (Noong) 2018 nagsimula ako na nag-ipon nang nag-ipon,” he said.
“Inisip ko na lang na parang 'ay matatalo din ako diyan. ayaw ko na.' Saka naapektuhan na rin ang mga bayarin ko. Napunta rin ako sa pangungutang at pagsasanla. Madami akong alahas, nasanla ko 'yon," Marquez added.
For his part, Muah decided to quit gambling after realizing that he had gotten older working in comedy bar but had not saved anything.
“Ako 'yung turning point ko 'yung parang tumatanda na ako sa comedy bar. Kasi makikita mo pangalan namin nasa tutktok ng signage, pero wala kaming ipon. Nakita ko talaga 'yung bank account ko P3,000 na lang ang natira, paano ko mababawi? Eh that time, mga 36 or 37 years old na ako. Paano na? Eh ayaw kong ikuwento sa ibang kaibigan ko, kasi sesermonan nila ako. Kapag nasa lowest point ka ng buhay mo at alam mo ang kasalanan mo, ayaw mong sermonan ka kasi alam mo na,” Muah said.
He added: "Hanggang sabi ko dapat 'yung talagang tanggal. Nagdadasal kami noon. Parang ilang beses yata ako nagpunta ng Baclaran, Quiapo Church. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, alam ko, may edad na ako nang kaunti, pero bigyan mo pa ako ng isa pang chance para maging okay yung buhay ko.’ Tapos ilang linggo or five days lang yata, may tumawag. Sabi niya, ‘itong raket na ito, kikita kayo ng ganito kalaki.’ Sabi ko, ‘Lord salamat. Ito na 'yung simula ng pagbabago."
Like Muah, Marquez shared that he also started to receive a lot of work.
"Ngayon lang namin ulit nakuha 'yung financial freedom na tinatawag. Hindi ba 'yung wala kang iniisip, matutulog ka wala kang iisipin. Iisipin mo na lang 'oh paano pa maging matino ang buhay mo, saan ka magpo-focus ngayon," Muah said.
The comedy tandem said they are now working hard for their family.
Editor’s note:
There are groups in the Philippines dedicated to addressing and helping those who are battling and suffering from gambling addiction.
FREE Mental Health Services for Gambling Addiction (as of 2025)
National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Hotline 1553 (24/7, nationwide, toll-free) Mobile: 0966-351-4518 | 0908-639-2672 Landline: (02) 989-8727 local 1553 Free and confidential. Funded by the Philippine government and DOH. Services include mental health crisis intervention, initial psychiatric assessments, and referrals.
UGAT Foundation (Families in Crisis) Facebook: UGAT Foundation Inc. Email: ugatfoundationinc@gmail.com Offers free counseling via online platforms for individuals and families in crisis, including addiction-related issues. Run by professionals and trained volunteers; donations optional but not required.
School-Based Guidance Counselors (Public Schools and State Universities) Free for enrolled students in public institutions. Can offer initial counseling and refer to DOH or DSWD-accredited services for addiction treatment.
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