Nikko Natividad gives two cents on ‘It’s Showtime’ viral ‘beso’ issue

(left) Nikko Natividad and Vice Ganda | Images: Instagram/@nikkonatividad, Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network

Following Vice Ganda’s statement withdrawing his apology regarding the “EXpecially For You” contestants viral “beso” issue, Kapamilya actor Nikko Natividad gave his two cents on the topic by sympathizing with the contestants, saying “he knows what it feels like to be ridiculed on television.”

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Natividad remarked that he felt that it wasn’t the guy’s intention to make the girl uncomfortable.

“Ipagpalagay na natin na bebeso talaga yung lalaki. Hindi naman nya intensyon manyakin sa live yung babae. Ang mali lang nya ay hindi nya alam na need pala muna magpaalam bago bumeso (kunwari lang na bebeso talaga sya ha),” he said.

The “I’m Not Big Bird” actor asserted that he pitied the parties involved, as he knows what it feels like to be put on a tight spot on television.

“Naaawa lang ako sa lalaki na may nagawang mali pero hindi nya talaga intensyon. At syempre dun sa babae. Na offend man sya o hindi sya lang ang makakapag sabi nyan. Kung na offend man sya alam ko na mapapatawad nya yung lalaki,” said the Natividad.

“Sobra lang kasi napahiya yung lalaki na sasabihan pa na tatadyakan at pwede kasuhan. (Again sakin lang po ito ha.) ALAM KO KASI PAKIRAMDAM NG PINAPAHIYA SA TV AT NAPOPOWERTRIP BASE SA EXPERIENCE KO,” added the actor.

Image: Facebook/Nikko Seagal Natividad

The incident happened on May 31 on “It’s Showtime” when searchee Axel approached searcher Christine seemingly attempting to kiss the latter on the cheek. The girl, however, avoided the gesture, which caught the attention of the hosts.

“Hoy, ‘di pwede ‘yon. That’s bad. You don’t do that. You ask for permission,” Vice Ganda told Axel. “Alam mo bang pwede kang mademanda sa ginagawa mo? Hindi ka pwedeng nagnanakaw ng halik.”

After the moment made the rounds on social media, Axel explained through a video on his TikTok page that he was not going to kiss Christine but was only trying to bump shoulders with her.

In a separate video, Christine also clarified that Axel was not going to kiss her but instead leaned closer for a hug. She thanked the hosts for their concern and apologized to Axel for the bashing he received because of the incident.

After their statements, Vice Ganda took to X (formerly Twitter) to say he was going to apologize to Axel, saying their remarks were only because they thought Christine felt violated, which was the reason he called the latter out.

However, on June 4, Vice Ganda and his fellow hosts addressed the matter anew, saying that they had talked to Axel and Christine regarding the incident alongside the staff and psychologists.

The TV host-comedian underscored that Christine admitted that she felt “off” over Axel’s gesture and that she had a reason—which they and the staff were not allowed to disclose.

“Nakausap po [naming] muli si Axel at si Christine, at dahil po don ay binabawi ko ‘yung ni-tweet ko na I will say an apology because I do not need to apologize for what I did,” Vice Ganda said. “Paniniwala namin na hindi namin kailangang mag-apologize because what we did was right.”

At the end of their statement, Vice Ganda asked the netizens to stop bashing Christine and Axel, as he affirmed that the latter understood the situation and had learned from it.

We would love to hear more from you! Help us improve your reading experience by answering this survey.