Anne Curtis on “It’s Showtime.” Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN It’s Showtime
Anne Curtis delighted her overseas Filipino worker (OFW) fans—both those who were able and unable to return home to the Philippines on her birthday—with a Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour”-inspired performance on “It’s Showtime.”
The actress-TV host sang the American singer’s hit songs “Ready for It,” “Cruel Summer,” “Bejeweled,” “Enchanted” and “Shake It Off” in her birthday performance on the noontime show on Saturday, Feb. 24.
“This year, my birthday was made even more special. It started with a running joke and I don’t know bakit bigla siyang naging trending ulit, but I feel maybe it’s for a reason—para sa ating mga kababayan na maybe are missing a piece of home,” she said.
“From a joke, naging parang a reason for me to celebrate and bring meaning to you guys,” she addressed the OFWs she invited and were present in the studio. “So para sa mga hindi nakauwi para sa birthday ko, para sa inyo po ito.”
Curtis’ remark was a reference to her banter with fellow host Vice Ganda back in 2017. At the time, the pair was talking about how OFWs experience homesickness especially during family gatherings on Christmas and birthdays.
Curtis misunderstood the comedian and thought that the latter meant OFWs feel sad over not being able to return to the country during the actress-TV host’s birthday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icVTArQ5xvU
After Curtis’ birthday performance on Saturday, Vice Ganda then suggested making the actress’ birthday as an annual celebration of OFW Day on “It’s Showtime.”
“I know na parang it’s a joke but I hope that during times that you guys feel sad kasi nami-miss niyo ang pamilya [niyo]… I’m able to bring you happiness dahil sa joke na ‘yon pag birthday ko. I just hope na kahit konti, mapatawa ko kayo,” Curtis addressed OFWs.
“Maraming-maraming salamat at you guys made it to my birthday!” she added.