(From left) Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano and John Prats. Image: Facebook/@OgieAlcasid.Official, Instagram/@garyvalenciano, Instagram/@johnprats
Kapamilya celebrities assured fans that the suspension of admitting live studio audiences to their shows is only temporary and promised to continue providing entertainment amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The hosts of ABS-CBN’s Sunday variety show “ASAP Natin ‘To” Ogie Alcasid and Gary Valenciano urged fans to pray and not panic while they continue to entertain them through the small screen.
“Let us all give you a bit of joy through entertainment at the comfort of your homes dear kapamilya,” Alcasid said on Instagram yesterday, March 10. “Panandalian lang naman po ito (this is only for a short while).”
“Meanwhile, let us not live in fear but in faith through prayer. God bless you all po and be safe,” he added.
Valenciano echoed the same sentiments and told fans that “all of this is for everyone’s safety” also via Instagram on the same day.
“Rest assured we will continue to inspire, encourage, and entertain from the studios where we are to wherever you may be,” he noted. “May God bless us and shower us with His grace as we face this threat.”
“We’re all in this together kapamilya,” he added. “Let’s not spend time panicking…have [and] gain strength praying!”
“Banana Sundae” host John Prats meanwhile told fans that despite not having a live audience, they will continue taping and airing episodes every Sunday.
“As much as we would like to have you during our tapings, mas pinili namin sa ngayon ang kaligtasan nyo at ng bumubuo ng kinahihiligan nyong pambansang Lafftrip ng bayan,” he said.
(As much as we would like to have you during our tapings, we prioritize your safety as well as the safety of the staff behind your favorite “Lafftrip ng bayan.”)
“Pinapangako po namin na gagawin namin ang aming best para mapasaya kayo every Sunday. Sana matapos na ang lahat ng problema ng mundo at maging ligtas ang lahat, para magsama sama na ulit tayo! Mag dasal po tayo lagi,” Prats added.
(We promise to do our best to make you guys happy every Sunday. I hope all of these problems end and that everyone would be safe so we can be together again! Let us always pray.)
Media giant ABS-CBN in a statement released yesterday said they will be temporarily barring live studio audiences as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. Other than “ASAP Natin ‘To” and “Banana Sundae”, TV programs “I Can See Your Voice”, “It’s Showtime” and “Magandang Buhay” are also affected.
GMA-7 earlier announced that the admission of live studio audience for noontime show “Eat Bulaga” is also suspended.
The barring of studio audiences comes after the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to rise. As of yesterday, 33 confirmed cases in the Philippines have been recorded. Classes in Metro Manila, where most cases are recorded, have also been suspended starting yesterday until March 14 following the outbreak. JB
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