Vice Ganda via Instagram
Veteran journalist Tony Calvento gave Kapamilya comedian Vice Ganda only until today, Wednesday, to issue a public apology following a supposed insult of the comedian on him.
In a Facebook post last August 14, an enraged Calvento boldly warned the TV host that “If I don’t get the personal apology from him, not read by someone, I will make my move. I will wait till Wednesday.”
Image: Screen grab of Tony Calvento’s Facebook post
In reaction to Calvento, Vice Ganda issued an apology through a letter read by “It’s Showtime” co-host Billy Crawford last Saturday. Calvento, however, did not accept it because apparently, it was “read by someone” and not Vice Ganda himself.
The former host of “Calvento Files” then shared Vice Ganda’s written apology on another Facebook post.
‘Nais ko pong humingi ng paumanhin kay Mr. Tony Calvento sa pag kakabanggit ko ng kanyang pangalan sa interview ng isang semifinalist ng Tawag ng Tanghalan kahapon,” Vice Ganda wrote.
(I would like to apologize to Mr. Tony Calvento for citing his name during the interview of a semifinalist on “Tawag ng Tanghalan” yesterday.)
“Ang tanging intensyon ko ay magbigay ng payo sa aming contestant na magtiwala sa sarili at sa kanyang kakayahan,” he added.
(My only intention was to give advice to our contestants, for them to trust themselves and their capabilities.)
Vice Ganda further wrote that he actually respects the veteran journalist.
“Again, my sincerest apologies, Mr. Tony Calvento. Malaki po ang respeto ko sa inyo bilang isang journalist, kaibigan at kapamilya.”
(Again, my sincerest apologies, Mr. Tony Calvento. I respect you so much as a journalist, friend and “kapamilya.”)
Image: Screen grab of Tony Calvento’s Facebook post
Calvento threatened to file a civil case against the entire production of “It’s Showtime” and a criminal case against Vice Ganda. He mentioned that the comedian called him up to apologize to him right after his outrage yet he “demanded a public apology to put him in his proper place.”
“Just because you’re a famous host you can make fun of anyone,” Calvento wrote.
Meanwhile, Vice Ganda is currently out of the country for his concert series, “Pusuan Mo si Vice Ganda: Nagmahal. Nasaktan. Nag-concert.” in South Korea.
What happened?
During an episode of “It’s Showtime’s” last Friday, Vice Ganda mentioned Calvento’s name while interviewing one of the semifinalists of “Tawag Ng Tanghalan”, a talent search segment of the noontime show. Contestant John Mark, shared that he usually shies away from showing his face because of how he looks.
Ever-famous for his sarcasm and insults, Vice Ganda told Mark that he should “Never be ashamed of your face. Yang mukha mo, ikaw ‘yan at maraming pagdadalhan ang mukhang ‘yan,” he said.
(Never be ashamed of your face. That’s you and that face will take you places.)
Right after Vice Ganda gave the words of encouragement, the comedian followed it up with a reference to Calvento: “That is a gift… your face. Kahit gaano kalaki ‘yan, kahit kamukha mo si Tony Calvento, mukha mo ‘yan kaya dapat proud ka,” he added.
(That is a gift, your face. No matter how big it is, even though you look like Tony Calvento, that’s your face, so you should be proud). JB
RELATED STORIES:
Vice Ganda goes into fangirl mode over Alden Richards
Vice Ganda fumes over EDSA traffic, wonders where his million-peso taxes go