Showbiz Roundup: Vice Ganda, ‘EAT,’ Pauline Amelinckx, and Pura Luka Vega
(From left) Vice Ganda, Wally Bayola, Pauline Amelinckx, Pura Luka Vega. Images: FILE PHOTOS
Vice Ganda was emotional after a contestant from “It’s Showtime’s” “Mini Ms. U” segment told him and fellow hosts that they would remain in her heart.
Meanwhile, Wally Bayola confirmed talks between the production staff of “EAT” and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) are ongoing after his swearing incident, as TAPE Inc. lawyer Maggie Abraham-Garduque denied that “Eat Bulaga” will transfer from GMA to another TV network.
On the other hand, Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee explained that Pauline Amelinckx’s coronation as the first “The Miss Philippines” was a recognition she “truly deserves.”
In other news, Pura Luka Vega remained defiant amid several persona non-grata declarations, and a criminal complaint against them.
Here are the biggest stories of INQUIRER.net’s entertainment section from August 18 to 24.
Vice Ganda’s heartfelt moment
Vice Ganda. Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN It’s Showtime
Vice Ganda broke into tears after a “Mini Ms. U” contestant assured him and other “It’s Showtime” hosts that she will always keep them in her mind and heart.
During the Aug. 18 episode of the noontime show, the comedian had an emotional conversation with 6-year-old Eury Eleandre Villena after the latter narrated a story about how the “It’s Showtime” hosts bring happiness to their audience.
“Ang ganda ng pagkakakilala niya sa pamilyang ito—walang bahid, ang ganda,” Vice Ganda told Villena. “Thank you, Eury. I love you; we love you. Lagi mong iisipin ‘yan kahit saan ka makapunta—maraming nagmamahal sa’yo.”
He, in turn, delivered an impromptu poem on how the child also delighted the show with her presence. “May mga pagkakataon minsan [na] malulungkot ka. Kaya ka nalulungkot kasi nakakalimutan mo na, ‘Ay, may nagmamahal pala sa akin.’ Kaya kailangan lagi mong maalala na may mga nagmamahal sa iyo, mga magulang mo at kami,” he said, before bursting into tears and hugging the kid.
Host Vhong Navarro thanked Eury for the joy she brought to them, to which the kid replied, “Maraming salamat din po, Kuya Vhong. Hindi ka rin po mawawala sa aking buhay—kayo ni Meme Vice.”
“Kahit ipapalabas ako sa TV, araw-araw ko pa rin papanoorin ‘yung video ko para maalala ko si Meme,” she added. “Lahat kayo kasama ko nang walang hanggan.”
Vice Ganda then called the other hosts, who were also tearing up in their seats, to come to the stage and hug the contestant.
Wally is ‘willing’ to comply with MTRCB
Wally Bayola. Image: screengrab from YouTube/TVJ
Wally Bayola said talks between the production staff of “EAT” and MTRCB are ongoing, days after the noontime show was summoned by the government agency following the host’s use of “profane words.”
Bayola made the confirmation during an ambush interview with reporters last Aug. 17, after he was asked about MTRCB’s “Notice to Appear and Testify” against the noontime show.
Incidentally, MTRCB is chaired by Lala Sotto-Antonio, daughter of “EAT” host Tito Sotto.
“Yes po. May pag-uusap po ang MTRCB at sa production [ng ‘EAT’]. Siyempre, hindi pa ako pwede magbigay ng salaysay and I want to keep it privately muna kasi nga, ongoing pa ‘yung pag-uusap,” he said. “Kung ano man ang pwedeng gawin pa, willing naman po ako.”
Bayola apologized during the noontime show’s Aug. 11 episode, saying he is “willing” to comply with the government agency’s orders.
Meanwhile, Jose Manalo expressed support for his “EAT” co-host, as he pointed out that there’s nothing wrong with apologizing to the concerned authorities.
“EAT” was summoned by the MTRCB after Bayola blurted out “P*t*ng*na (m*th*rf***er)” during a skit during the show’s “Sugod Bahay mga Kapatid” segment on its Aug. 10 episode. The TV host eventually apologized a day after, where Manalo assured viewers that such an incident wouldn’t happen again.
READ: Wally Bayola confirms ongoing talks with ‘EAT’ producers, MTRCB after cussing incident
‘Fitting’ award for Pauline Amelinckx
Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee crowns Pauline Amelinck as the first ‘The Miss Philippines.’ Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
Many people were surprised, and some are still confused, when 2023 Miss Supranational first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx was proclaimed the first “The Miss Philippines” during her homecoming press conference, with Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee crowning her, and putting a sash that shows her new title.
“She was a winner for us there in Miss Supranational. And I felt like, ‘okay if not there, then maybe we Filipinos would grant her that recognition she truly deserves. So we decided, when we were in Poland, we’re already talking about it, maybe we should award her as the first The Miss Philippines,” Lee told INQUIRER.net in an interview in Quezon City last Aug. 14.
Before Amelinckx left for Poland in June, she and Miss Charm Philippines Krishnah Gravidez served as spokespersons at the launching of The Miss Philippines Culture and Heritage Celebration, and discussed with members of local media what to expect in the new competition where the country’s next representatives to the Miss Supranational and Miss Charm pageants will be crowned. Back then, the contest’s eventual winner would have been the first one to receive the title.
Lee said the country’s representatives to those two international pageants were initially planned to be proclaimed on the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines stage. “But with the new direction [from the Miss Universe Organization], we were not allowed to do that. So we had to announce it right after. And it was too late for us to create a separate pageant in that span of time. And we couldn’t do it anymore,” she explained.
“I think it’s just fitting because The Miss Philippines award goes to the second highest, and Pauline was the Top 2, the second one. So we decided [in Poland] that it’s good to give that credit to her. If we did have The Miss Philippines [at that time], then maybe she would’ve gotten it. She would’ve been The Miss Philippines,” Lee continued. Michelle Marquez Dee received the Miss Universe Philippines title.
As The Miss Philippines, Amelinckx will have only two months before she relinquishes her new title to her successor. “There are still so many things that are in the planning stage. But I think she can be a great role model for our future girls who are going to compete. It takes hard work and dedication, and not just beauty, for you to bag the title, and I think Pauline is a good example of that,” Lee explained.
The MUPH national director and former beauty queen also said a lot of people were already congratulating them when Amelinckx advanced to the final five of the Miss Supranational competition, predicting the Filipino delegate’s victory.
The Miss Supranational crown went to Andrea Aguilera from Ecuador. Lee said there were a lot of Filipinos in the venue, and they were surprised with the outcome. “But we’re good sports, so we also applauded. But I, too, was surprised, we were surprised because we were already getting ready to cheer, ready to shout,” she shared.
But still, Amelinckx returned to a warm welcome in the Philippines, having several homecoming celebrations in different parts of the country. And now she will be busy looking for the woman who will hopefully raise the nation’s flag with as much fervor and determination as she had.
Auditions for The Miss Philippines competition had wrapped up last Aug. 26. The contests will serve as back-to-back culminating events for the first-ever “The Filipino Festival” in October, a month-long celebration that aims to champion the Philippines’ cuisine, products, fashion, and Filipino musicians, filmmakers, models and beauty contestants.
READ: Shamcey Supsup-Lee explains decision to crown Pauline Amelinckx as first ‘The Miss Philippines’
‘Eat Bulaga’s’ network transfer is ‘false news’
Image: Facebook/TAPE Inc.
TAPE Inc. lawyer Maggie Abraham-Garduque belied speculations that “Eat Bulaga” will transfer from GMA to another TV network, stressing that there’s “no need and reason” for the noontime show to make such a move.
Speculations of “Eat Bulaga’s” network transfer apparently arose after TAPE Inc.’s executive Bullet Jalosjos showed a photo of himself with Sen. Mark Villar—whose family owns the ALLTV network—on the latter’s birthday.
In a statement sent to INQUIRER.net, Abraham-Garduque said there’s no truth to these speculations.
“This is absolutely false news. Camella of the Villars is major sponsor of ‘Eat Bulaga’s’ segment ‘MAY PA-KEY KAMI SAYO,’ wherein winners can win house and lot,” she noted. “If you can see the original post, Bullet merely greeted Mark Villar on his birthday.”
“There is no basis for the speculation that said birthday greeting will be tantamount to intention to transfer to ALLTV,” she stressed, adding that “Eat Bulaga” has an existing block-time agreement with GMA so “there is no need and reason to transfer to another network.”
Meanwhile, TAPE Inc. earlier received from Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines the certification of renewal of registration for “Eat Bulaga” trademark.
This was amid the copyright infringement and unfair competition complaints filed by the noontime show’s original mainstays Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon (TVJ) against TAPE and GMA Network in June.
TVJ also filed a petition for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction to stop TAPE and GMA from using the name, logo and other devices in the new “Eat Bulaga” while the copyright infringement and unfair competition case is pending.
READ: TAPE Inc. lawyer dismisses claims ‘Eat Bulaga’ will transfer to another network
‘Dagdagan niyo pa! Pakialam ko!’
Pura Luka Vega. Image: Instagram/@dulcineapx via @officiallylukaluka
Undaunted by the number of local government units declaring them unwelcome, as well as a lawsuit for their drag portrayal of Jesus Christ, Pura Luka Vega showed their defiance and even held a persona non grata-themed performance at an undisclosed location.
A video by one @femcelgender posted on X (formerly Twitter) last Sunday showed the “Drag Den Philippines” Season 1 alum, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente and who goes by the pronouns they or them, doing a lip-sync performance to Taylor Swift’s hit song “Look What You Made Me Do” while holding a framed photo of themselves in costume as the Black Nazarene
In a separate post by another @kallandian, Pura Luka was seen performing to the same song while holding a bottle of vodka, while their audience was cheering them on. The drag artist then spoke about their persona non grata tag while quoting a verse from the Bible.
“Ito lang masasabi ko — simplehan lang natin ha — lahat tayo makasalanan. Hindi tayo perpekto. Gayunpaman, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Okay? Do not do to others what you do not want others to do unto you. Golden rule lang po ‘yun,” Pura Luka said. “Para sa mga ibang lugar na gustong mag-persona non grata diyan, dagdagan niyo pa! Pakialam ko. Separation ng church at ng state [dapat]. ‘Yun lang po. Thank you po!”
Pura’s performance came after several localities declared them persona non grata for alleged blasphemous portrayal of Jesus Christ while “desecrating” the “Ama Namin,” (The Lord’s Prayer) in their past gigs.
The performer also faces criminal suits filed by the Christian churches under the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) and the Hijos Del Nazareno Central, representing devotees of the Black Nazarene in the Philippines.
The “Drag Den” alum recently launched a crowdfunding initiative to prepare for possible legal steps amid the persona non grata tags and ongoing charges. EDV
READ: Pura Luka Vega after persona non grata tag, charges: ‘Dagdagan niyo pa! Pakialam ko’
