Vice Ganda thanks GMA as ‘It’s Showtime’ takes plum noontime slot

Vice Ganda during “It’s Showtime’s” contract signing with GMA. Image: YouTube/ABS-CBN It’s Showtime

Vice Ganda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to GMA for giving “It’s Showtime” a new home and to ABS-CBN for “always fighting” for the noontime show, as it’s set to air on the Kapuso network’s noontime slot beginning April 6.

Speaking on behalf of his “It’s Showtime” hosts, Vice Ganda admitted in a contract signing on Wednesday, March 20, that the turn of events has been a wonderful experience for the cast and crew, as it’s proof of how the noontime show was “warmly welcomed” by the Kapuso network.

“Noong nagpirmahan kami sa Seda, that was the first time we gathered for a wonderful partnership sa GTV. Ang sarap-sarap ng karanasan na binigay niyo sa’min,” he said, while referring to the venue of the show’s contract signing with GTV in June 2023. “Hindi lang ‘yun; nakaranas din kami ng GMA Ball… And now, isa na namang masarap, mainit, at magandang karanasan. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo.”

(When we signed our contracts in Seda, it was the first time we gathered for a wonderful partnership with GTV. It was such a great experience for us. But not just that, we also experienced the GMA Ball, and now, we’re having another great, warm, and beautiful experience. Thank you very much.)

The host-comedian then said the past years had been tough for “It’s Showtime” and ABS-CBN while noting that GMA was always there to support them.

“Hindi lingid sa kaalaman niyo na malalim ang aming isinadsad ng Kapamilya. Pero nariyan kayo di para tapakan pa at saktan pa sa mga panahong sadsad na sadsad kami. Inialay niyo ang kamay ninyo para unti-unti kami makabangon,” he said.

“Hindi niyo lang kami tinutulungan makatayo, pinagbuksan niyo pa kami ng tahanan para muling magpalakas, magpagaling, magpahilom, at makatindig ulit kami. Hindi tumindig mag-isa, pero tumindig nang magkasama,” he continued.

(Everyone is aware that the Kapamilya network had been driven to the ground. But you were there not to make us feel lower and hurt us. You offered your hands to us so we could get back up. You didn’t just help us stand up again. You opened the doors to your home so we would be strong, well, healed, and get back up again. You didn’t make us stand up alone, but together.)

KAPUSO 🤝🏻 KAPAMILYA

The executives of GMA and ABS-CBN and the mainstay hosts of “It’s Showtime” sealed the deal for the noontime show to air on the Kapuso network beginning April 6. | 📸: Handout from GMA Corporate Communications via @HMallorcaINQ

READ RELATED STORY:… pic.twitter.com/Qs3m1f8Gls

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) March 20, 2024

During his speech, Vice Ganda said “It’s Showtime’s” move to GMA’s noontime slot is “so historic and iconic,” likening the move to the Kapuso network embracing the Kapamilya network into their home.

At some point, the camera panned to Curtis who wiped her tears, while Chiu watched Vice Ganda with a smile.

“Ang GMA at ABS-CBN [dati], parang 110 at 220 na hindi pwede pagsamahin kasi sasabog siya… pero posibleng nangyari sa pamamagitan ng isang transformer. Ano ang naging transformer? Hamon ang naging transformer kaya pinili kayong magsama. This is a transformative event and moment. Hindi ito agad nangyari pero ngayong nangyayari, this event has a massive transformative purpose,” he said.

(GMA and ABS-CBN used to be like the 110-volt and 220-volt power sources which shouldn’t be put together because it will explode. And yet, it happened because of a transformer. What was the transformer — it was the challenges that urged us to join forces. This is a transformative event and moment. This didn’t happen right away, but now that it did, this event has a massive transformative purpose.)

The “Praybeyt Benjamin” star also pointed out that the move leads to more Filipino homes receiving “laughter, joy, information, inspiration, and hope.”

“Dahil sa pagsasama [ng GMA at ABS-CBN], madali magbigay ng tawa, saya, impormasyon, inspirasyon, at pag-asa. Maraming salamat sa pagpili. Napakarami ng pwede niyong piliin pero sa dulo, pinili niyo kami. At dahil pinili niyo kami, halika, magsanib pwersa na tayo para mapanalunan at mapagtagumpayan ang mas malaking hamon,” said Vice Ganda.

“Maraming salamat sa aming [ABS-CBN] bosses because you have always been fighting for ‘Showtime.’ I know what you do, nakikita ko kung anong ginagawa niyo. Maraming salamat sa GMA, we are humbled and grateful,” he further added.

(Because of GMA and ABS-CBN coming together, it’s easy to give laughter, joy, information, inspiration, and hope. Thank you for choosing us. You can choose other shows but in the end, you still chose us. And because you chose us, let’s come together so we can win and succeed despite the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you to our ABS-CBN bosses because you have always been fighting for ‘Showtime.’ I know what you do. I see what you do. Thank you to GMA, we are humbled and grateful.)

“It’s Showtime” replaces the noontime slot vacated by the now-defunct “Tahanang Pinakamasaya,” which is produced by Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) Inc. The show stands to benefit from GMA’s broader audience base, and would then be going head-to-head with the longest-running noontime show, “EAT Bulaga,” now with TV5 following its exit from TAPE in May last year.