Vice Ganda. Image: Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin
Updated 10 A.M., June 21, 2023
“It’s Showtime” mainstay host Vice Ganda addresses fans who were shocked upon the announcement of ABS-CBN on the move of the noontime variety show to GMA Network’s free channel, GTV beginning July 1.
The Kapamilya network announced on Tuesday, June 20, that “It’s Showtime” would no longer be seen on TV5 after it signed with its erstwhile rival to broadcast its flagship variety show at its noontime slot.
Following the surprise announcement, Vice Ganda admitted on Instagram that while the move to GTV was surprising, he said that it marks a new chapter for “It’s Showtime.”
“Dear ‘It’s Showtime’ family, alam kong nagulat kayo. Naguguluhan. Natatakot. Nalulungkot. Naiiyak. Haaaaay! Hingang malalim. May kaguluhan at kabilisan ang mga ganap. Gayunpaman, kalma lang (at least try). Nakakabigla man ang mga nangyayari, sabi nga ng linya ko sa kanta natin, ‘Basta’t kasama Kapamilya, kahit ano pa ‘yan, kayang kaya!’ Sa dami ng pinagdaanan natin, kering keri na natin ‘to,” he said.
(Dear “It’s Showtime” family, I know that you were surprised. Confused. Afraid. Sad. About to cry. Ugh! Take a deep breath. There’s confusion and fast. There is chaos and rapidity in the current events. Nevertheless, try to stay calm. Although these developments may be surprising, as the line in my song says, ‘As long as we’re together as a Kapamilya, no matter what happens, we can handle it!’ With all that we have been through, we can definitely handle this.)
The show’s move to GTV was announced just hours before the original casts of “Eat Bulaga,” led by Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey deLeon signed a contract with the Kapatid network and held a media conference.
Despite the change in networks, the “Praybeyt Benjamin” star stressed that the noontime show’s audience, fondly known as “madlang people,” will remain as the priority of its hosts and crew, as he referred to them as their “totoong tahanan” or “real home.”
“Naranasan na natin ang ma-torture, mabugbog, ilibing nang buhay. Ngayon pa ba! Tapik na lang ‘to,” he said. “Madami nang walang kasiguraduhan, pero sigurado akong mahal tayo ng minamahal nating Madlang People. At ang pagmamahal na ‘yun ang bumubuhay sa’tin sa bawat paghihingalong naranasan noon. Ang puso ng Madlang People ang TOTOONG TAHANAN natin.”
(We’ve experienced being tortured, punched down, and buried alive. Are we going to give up now? This is just a little push, that’s all. A lot of things remain uncertain, but I’m sure that our Madlang People loves us. And with this love, we will continue to move forward no matter what hardships we go through. The hearts of our Madlang People is our true home.)
Vice Ganda also expressed his gratitude to “It’s Showtime’s” supporters in his post, saying they will move forward in their goal of bringing hope and joy.
“Kaya tuloy lang. Patuloy tayong magpasaya at magbigay ng pag-asa. Maniwala ka, ‘Ituloy lang ang sikap, sa dulo’y kikislap.’ Sa oras ng iyong panghihina at pagkalito ay sasamahan kita. Bubuhatin natin ang isa’t isa. Itataguyod kahit anong pagod. ‘Di kita iiwan. Pahirin mo ang iyong luha. Itutuloy natin ang saya. Dito at doon. Damhin mo ang mahigpit kong yakap. Mahal na mahal kita,” he said.
(So, let’s keep going. Let’s continue to bring joy and hope. Keep believing, “Just keep moving forward, and good things will happen.” In times of weakness and confusion, I’ll join you. We’ll lift each other up. We’ll help each other even if we tire out. I’m not going to leave you alone. I will wipe your tears. Our joy will continue. Here and there. Please feel my warm embrace. I love you so much.)
The host-comedian ended his post with an English quote, saying, “Life is fascinating and makes you grateful. When it takes one thing from you, it always replaces it with something else.”
Vice Ganda’s post was filled with supportive messages from fans, including some from fellow celebrities Iza Calzado, Bela Padilla, Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, and performer Ate Dick, as seen in the comments of his post.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin
Other “It’s Showtime” hosts also posted on social media about the transfer.
At sa mga Solid Showtimers, Madlang People at mga Kapuso, G na G na? See ya on July 1 sa GTV✨ https://t.co/XQc46FD9SO
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) June 20, 2023
Madlang People! G tayo! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Fx9ydlgiXL
— Ryan Bang (@ryanbang) June 20, 2023
The ABS-CBN noontime show will air on TV5’s noontime slot until June 30, and it will be broadcast in GTV, Kapamilya Network, Kapamilya Online Live, TFC, and iWANTTFC the day after.
On the other hand, TV5 president and CEO Guido R. Zaballero confirmed that TVJ’s upcoming show will take its place on the Kapatid network from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDV