The team of Jhong Hilario, Jackie Gonzaga, and Cianne Dominguez made sure that the long wait for them was definitely worth it as they delivered an absolutely superb, heartwarming, star-studded Magpasikat number that didn’t only showcase their talents but also promoted a very important and ever-relevant cause for the episode of “It’s Showtime” on Friday, October 25.

In view of the Mental Health Awareness Month being celebrated every October, as well as of the mental health struggles that each of them has gone through, Team JJC opted for it to become the central theme of their performance and present it through various forms of art.

Jackie, Cianne, and Jhong immediately opened the show by emerging on the stage one-by-one in their abstractly hand-painted white ensembles, with his costume being the only one that had colors on it. They happily danced and did random things as if they were playing like kids while sitting on three chairs, and Angela Ken’s “Ako Naman Muna” was playing in the background. It could be noticed that digital sketches of a heart connected to the brain were also flashed on the LED screen behind them.

But the mood suddenly got somber as they started to depict how their respective lives had turned out when they became adults. A group of dancers in red numbers suddenly appeared onstage as the solo act of Cianne commenced, through which she showed the common predicaments of people transitioning to adulthood—leaving the place we considered our only home for years to pursue our dreams, figuring out what path or career we should take, and realizing how both exciting and harsh the world out there can be.

She was joined by seasoned dancer Rochelle Pangilinan, who seemed to represent the society. Jhong reappeared onstage to literally and figuratively lift her up from being downtrodden, as well as drape a green scarf around her neck, which is later revealed to symbolize mental health awareness.

Jackie’s act, meanwhile, depicted her journey on “It’s Showtime,” where she met and had a romantic affair with a man whom she loved for years. Sadly, their relationship ended after her ex, played by GMA 7 actor Kokoy de Santos, apparently cheated on her, based on what was portrayed in their aerial dance stunt. We witnessed how she struggled in coping with the heartbreak until Jhong came and helped her get through it by reminding her that he cared for her.

Viewers were obviously in awe when Jhong shared the stage with his adorable daughter Sarina, then with popular social media influencer and dancer Niana Guerrero. It could also be noticed that Jhong’s outfit changed from colorful to black and white, which was later revealed to signify his silent or invisible battle with depression. He’s able to further depict it along with Jackie and Cianne as they took on the terrifying circus act called “wheel of death” one-by-one.

They were able to get past their mental health struggles and overcome them with Jhong taking on the lead in their fight. Subsequently, it was only the two ladies who reappeared onstage, reprising their first act but without Jhong this time. Cianne sang “Ako Naman Muna” as Jackie held her hand and the LED screens around them shifted their display to a bunch of butterflies hovering on the white background.

Sarina returned to the stage, clutching a green scarf that she placed on the Jhong’s chair. Celebrities Jed Madela, Louise Delos Reyes, Sofia Andres, Michelle Dee, Maxene Magalona, and Kylie Versoza then walked on the stage one-by-one and were followed by a cohort dressed in attire of various professions. Apparently, they represent the people who struggled with their mental health and/or who have been champions of mental health awareness.

The spectacle concluded with the people onstage exchanging green scarves and some of the dancers also draping green scarves to the hosts and hurados.

Team Jhong-Jackie-Cianne’s Magpasikat 2024 performance received favorable reactions from madlang netizens who were struck by their chosen theme and impressed by how they’re able to execute their concept seamlessly and coherently. Here are some of the remarks about their presentation that we’ve found on X (formerly Twitter):

With more and more people going through mental health problems over the past years, it’s no wonder that the Magpasikat 2024 performance of Team JJC appealed bigtime, not just to the hurados but the madlang people as well. It indeed helped that they were able to present it in a tasteful and creative manner through dance, art, music, and acting without sacrificing the relativity and coherence of the stories they told, to which a lot of people can identify, including Jhong, Jackie, and Cianne themselves.

Many commended Jhong not only for being a great leader but also for putting the spotlight on his gorgeous and talented teammates that allowed them to showcase their skills, which we don’t see everyday on “It’s Showtime.” Besides, it was also an opportunity for them to give the public a glimpse of their lives behind the camera and to finally let everyone know about how they feel and what they think about the slurs hurled against them. It was just a perfect mix of emotions and talent showcase.

Their performance is a reminder for us to take good care of our emotional and mental health. While it can be really difficult to open up and let others know how we feel, it’s always the best to seek help whenever we need it rather than bottling up all the negativities inside us and pretending to be strong. At the end of the day, true strength comes from lifting each other up and not leaving anybody behind.

At the same time, we must also learn to be sensitive to what others feel and to check on our loved ones who we may not know are already struggling with their inner battles, which they just conceal through their displays of joy and strength. Because, as Jhong said during their performance, “Hindi lahat ng nakangiti ay masaya. Hindi lahat ng mukhang masaya ay walang mabigat na dinadala. Minsan ‘yong mukhang malakas, siya pala ang pinakamahina.”

The Magpasikat 2024 exhibitions are finally over! So, which among the groups are you rooting for, Kapamilya? Let’s see if your bet will be hailed as the grand champion in the announcement of winners this Saturday, October 26, live on “It’s Showtime”!