Vice Ganda is taken aback as Jackie Gonzaga suddenly breaks down during the ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ segment. (Right) The pair, dubbed ‘ViceJack,’ share a hug later in the program. ABS-CBN

MANILA — It only took one question about love to trigger Jackie Gonzaga’s sudden flow of tears during the live episode of “It’s Showtime” on Tuesday, confusing co-hosts and the audience until it became clear that the breakout star was nursing a heartbreak.

Gonzaga, whose onscreen banter with Vice Ganda spiraled into the popular “ViceJack” tandem, was called in earlier than usual to the stage when a contestant in “Tawag ng Tanghalan” credited the pair as his “happy pill” during his hospital recovery.

The contestant, Janno Nazareno of Tarlac, had been diagnosed with skin cancer, leading to the amputation of his left leg to prevent its spread. He is now cancer-free.

Aside from recovering from a health condition, Nazareno also nursed a broken heart after a failed relationship, he told hosts Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis.

With Jackie joining them on stage, Curtis asked the dancer-turned-TV star if she had any advice for Nazareno about loving again after being hurt. The topic, it turned out, was a sensitive one for Gonzaga, who immediately burst into tears.

“Huwag tayong sumuko magmahal. Nakakasakit man, masarap maramdaman ‘yung tunay na pagmamahal,” she said, before covering her face, in tears.

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Taken aback by Gonzaga’s emotional moment, both Vice Ganda and Curtis approached her for a hug.

Gonzaga is known to be in a relationship with Hashtags member and former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Tom Doromal.

“Kung anuman ‘yang pinagdadaanan mo, sigurado ako napagdaanan ko noon ‘yan,” Vice Ganda told Gonzaga and Nazareno. “Ang masasabi ko lang — pag-ibig ang gagamot sa sugat na nilikha rin ng huling pag-ibig.”

Gonzaga was due for another appearance later in the telecast, for the “KapareWho” segment, where she and Vice Ganda carried on with their usual “romantic” banter.

“Kaya nga pinilit kong pumasok, kasi kahit ganito ang nararamdaman ko, ‘pag nakikita kita, sumasaya ako,” Gonzaga playfully told Vice Ganda.

While she initially appeared more composed, Gonzaga couldn’t help but shed tears again during a light moment, when Vice Ganda teased her after a sweet moment with his rumored boyfriend Ion Perez.

The humor, however, gave way to heartfelt moments, as Vice Ganda gave his ward genuine advice and assurance of a comforting presence.