The host, as well as the program, said this through an official statement on-air.
The host, as well as the program, said this through an official statement on-air.
On Tuesday, June 4, ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts led by Vice Ganda addressed the controversial moment during their ‘Expecially For You’ segment last Friday, May 31.
During that episode, searcher Christine saw searchee Axel for the first time. But when Axel attempted to go closer to Christine, the searchee was called out by hosts after allegedly attempting to kiss the searcher on her cheek.
After the broadcast, clips of the segment became a hot topic on social media, especially X and TikTok, with mixed opinions from netizens who have either sided with the hosts or the participants.
As response, Vice Ganda, in a tweet on Sunday, said that she would apologize for her actions during that time.
Sorry na mali ang reaction ko. Ang dating kasi sakin at sa ibang andun eh na-off si girl na sinunggaban sya ng halik and i thought na she felt violated. Since hindi naman pala I will apologize to the guy. https://t.co/nSyvvrEtqG
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) June 2, 2024
Courtesy of vicegandako / X
However, towards the end of their episode on Tuesday, Vice retracted her earlier pronouncement.
According to Vice, she would no longer be apologizing for the actions she made during that time, as what they did as hosts “were right.”
She adds, they have personally spoken to both Axel and Christine, along with professional psychologists of the program.
Vice disclosed that the searcher revealed during her talk with the psychologist that she felt “off” at that moment, this is despite her post on TikTok that she felt alright. But the reason was no longer specified by the hosts to respect the privacy of the female participant.
Meanwhile, the ‘Unkabogable’ star has also reached out to Axel, who said that he is “learning” from the incident and even expressed his apologies to Vice over the bashing that the TV personality got on social media.
Moreover, Vice assured the public that the program is helping both participants to overcome the situation.
“Tinutulungan po namin silang maproseso ang mga pangyayaring ito,” she said.
She also taught the importance of consent, especially when one would like to kiss or hug another person.
Vice also asked the public to spare both Axel and Christine from further scrutiny on social media.
Here is the program’s full statement, as uploaded on their official page.
‘It’s Showtime’ is currently the longest-running noontime show of ABS-CBN, and airs from Monday to Saturday noon on multiple platforms, including Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and on erstwhile rival network GMA and its secondary channel GTV.
