Conan O'Brien Rocks Manila: From BGC to a Filipino Teleserye Cameo!

The legendary late-night host and comedian Conan O'Brien has been making waves in the Philippines, filming his travel show, meeting ecstatic fans, and even starring in a local drama!

TL;DR: Here's the Scoop on Conan's Manila Adventure

• Conan O'Brien arrived in Manila on October 13, 2025, to film an episode of his Max travel series, "Conan O'Brien Must Go."
• He delighted fans across Bonifacio Global City and The Manila Hotel, even making a surprise cameo in the GMA Network teleserye "Sanggang-Dikit FR."
• The Emmy-winning host also recorded a special message for Filipino comedy icon Michael V. and the long-running sketch comedy show "Bubble Gang."

Conan's Grand Arrival and the Epic Fan Frenzy Across Manila

Hold onto your hats, Team Coco fans! The one and only Conan O'Brien officially touched down in Manila on Monday, October 13, 2025, and it's safe to say the Philippines hasn't been the same since. His mission? To film a brand new episode of his wildly popular Max travel series, Conan O'Brien Must Go. But as anyone who knows Conan knows, his visits are never just about filming – they're about connecting with people, and Manila's passionate fans were absolutely ready!

Social media exploded the moment Conan and his Team Coco crew (including José Arroyo, Jason Chillemi, Mike Sweeney, and supervising producer Aaron Bleyaert) started posting snaps from Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. He shared photos of himself posing with delighted Filipinos, captioning one post with the enthusiastic greeting, "Mabuhay, Philippines! Just landed in Manila to shoot #ConanOBrienMustGo and I’ve already met so many amazing people."

The excitement wasn't limited to everyday fans. Filipino celebrities couldn't hold back their enthusiasm either! Actor and Unang Hirit host Drew Arellano asked, "Holy moly!!!! Where’s Schlansky!?!", referencing Conan’s producer Jordan Schlansky. Actress and singer Saab Magalona declared Conan her "ultimate crush," even temporarily displacing Tom Holland. And Amazing Race alum Rovilson Fernandez playfully urged Conan to bring "Triumph The Insult Comic Dog to roast our politicians!"

A Memorable Morning Coffee Encounter in Bonifacio Global City

While Conan was spotted all over BGC and even at the historic Manila Hotel, one lucky fan, Charisse Vilchez, had a truly unforgettable encounter on October 14. Before heading to work, she and a friend decided to try their luck at a hotel coffee shop in BGC, based on a hunch that Conan might be staying there. Her instincts paid off!

Spotting a foreign camera crew confirmed her suspicion. Soon enough, Conan appeared – "hard to miss because he’s so tall!" Charisse recalled. Summoning her courage, she waved, got a smile and wave back, and then went for it: "Can we have a photo with you?" Conan, ever the good sport, happily obliged.

In her nervousness, Charisse hilariously mixed up "Mac and Me" with "Mac & Cheese" while trying to tell Conan how much she and her brother bonded over his shows. Conan, with his signature wit, corrected her, and they both shared a good laugh. To top it all off, Conan recorded a personalized, funny video greeting for her brother, calling it "an early Christmas gift." It's these genuine, humorous interactions that truly make Conan's travels special.

"I was trying to tell him how much my brother and I bonded over his show and how we loved the Mac and Me clip he always played with Paul Rudd. But in my nervousness, I accidentally said 'Mac & Cheese.' He corrected me, and we both had a good laugh about it."

— Charisse Vilchez, Lucky Fan

From Global Traveler to Local Television Star in the Philippines

Just when you thought Conan's visit couldn't get any wilder, he pulled off the ultimate surprise: a cameo appearance in a Filipino teleserye! Yes, you read that right. Conan O'Brien joined the cast of GMA Network's action-drama series, Sanggang-Dikit FR, alongside Kapuso stars Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado.

Dennis Trillo himself shared behind-the-scenes photos on Friday, October 17, joking on Facebook, "Taping day w/ Conan the Bar Brien." The photos show Conan in full "teleserye mode," even sporting a trending polo shirt inspired by classic Filipino blankets. His appearance is part of his travel show's tradition of incorporating short, dramatic sketches in the countries he visits, but no one expected him to jump into a full-blown local drama!

The sheer unexpectedness of seeing the American comedy legend interacting with Filipino actors in a local drama has sent ripples of laughter and excitement across the nation. It's a testament to Conan's adventurous spirit and his willingness to fully immerse himself in the cultures he visits.

A Hilarious Message for Filipino Comedy Icon Michael V. and "Bubble Gang"

The fun didn't stop there! Another highlight of Conan's Philippine escapade was a special video message he recorded for Filipino comedy genius Michael V. (aka Bitoy) and the iconic, longest-running sketch comedy show, Bubble Gang. This was a fantastic cross-cultural nod between comedy legends!

In the video, Conan heartily congratulated Michael V. and Bubble Gang on their 30th anniversary, saying, "Hey, Michael V., Conan O’Brien [here], Bitoy! I want to say congratulations- 30 years! To have a show, I don’t care where you live in the world that’s an amazing record. You are a very talented person, I wish you the best. Congratulations."

Michael V. was understandably ecstatic, calling it an "EPIC video greet" that completed Bubble Gang's 30th-anniversary celebration. It was a moment that truly showcased the mutual respect and admiration between global and local comedic talents.

Diving Deeper into "Conan O'Brien Must Go": A Global Adventure Series

For those unfamiliar, Conan O'Brien Must Go is an Emmy-winning travel-comedy series exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max). It's a spin-off from his hit podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, specifically from its "Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan" segment. The premise is simple yet brilliant: Conan travels the world to visit some of his most dedicated podcast fans, often creating hilarious and heartwarming sketches along the way.

The series, which premiered in April 2024, has already taken Conan to a variety of incredible destinations, including Norway, Argentina, Thailand, Ireland, Spain, New Zealand, and Austria. It's quickly garnered critical acclaim, earning four Emmy nominations and two wins, including "Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special" at last month's ceremony.

The show's success led to an early third-season renewal back in March, even before its shortened second season was released. While Max hasn't revealed the exact episode count or a premiere date for the upcoming season (including the highly anticipated Philippine episode), the anticipation is through the roof!

Conan's Illustrious Career and Return to the Oscars Stage

Conan O'Brien's career is nothing short of legendary. He first made his mark as a writer for Saturday Night Live in 1988, then contributed his comedic genius to The Simpsons. He truly became a household name when he took over Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC, hosting it for 16 years (1993-2009). Following a brief, controversial stint on The Tonight Show (2009-2010), he launched his eponymous TBS talk show, Conan, which ran for another 11 years until 2021.

Beyond his talk show legacy, Conan recently hosted the 2025 Academy Awards in March and is already slated to return as host for the 2026 Oscars on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. His unique blend of self-deprecating humor, quick wit, and genuine warmth has cemented his status as one of television's most beloved figures.

The Philippines Awaits: What's Next for Conan's Manila Adventure?

Conan O'Brien's visit to the Philippines has been a whirlwind of fan interactions, cultural immersion, and unexpected comedic gold. From the bustling streets of Bonifacio Global City to the sets of local television, he's left an indelible mark on his Filipino fans and undoubtedly captured some incredible content for Conan O'Brien Must Go.

We're all eagerly waiting to see the full Philippine episode of Conan O'Brien Must Go. Given his track record, it's sure to be a hilarious, insightful, and genuinely heartwarming look at the Philippines and its people, all through the inimitable lens of Conan O'Brien.

Frequently Asked Questions About Conan O'Brien's Philippines Visit When will the "Conan O'Brien Must Go" Philippines episode air? An exact air date for the Philippines episode hasn't been announced yet by Max. Stay tuned to Team Coco's social media and Max's official announcements for updates! Where can I watch "Conan O'Brien Must Go"? "Conan O'Brien Must Go" streams exclusively on Max (formerly HBO Max). What is "Sanggang-Dikit FR," the show Conan O'Brien appeared in? "Sanggang-Dikit FR" is an action-drama teleserye (Filipino drama series) on GMA Network, starring Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado. Is Conan O'Brien hosting the Oscars again? Yes! Conan O'Brien hosted the 2025 Academy Awards and is confirmed to return as host for the 2026 Oscars on March 15, 2026.

Sources:

• ABS-CBN News: "Following Conan O' Brien: American comedian stays at historic Manila Hotel" (Published Oct 17, 2025)
• GMA Integrated News: "Conan O'Brien has been in Manila since Monday and fans have been on the prowl to meet him." (Published Oct 15, 2025)
• Rappler.com: "Conan O’Brien spotted in Manila taping for travel series" (Published Oct 14, 2025)
• The Manila Times: "Conan O’Brien tries hand at a Philippine teleserye" (Published Oct 17, 2025)
• LateNighter: "Conan O’Brien in the Philippines to Film New ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ Episode" (Undated, but mentions third-season renewal in March, so recent)
• BILYONARYO.COM: "Conan O’ Brien wears barong, charms Filipino fans in Manila" (Published 11 hours ago relative to content, implies Oct 17 or 18, 2025)
• WhenInManila.com: "Conan O’Brien Makes Special Cameo in ‘Sanggang-Dikit FR’, Says Hi to Michael V" (Undated, but recent)