March 20, 2024, was indeed a momentous day for Philippine television history as It’s Showtime, the longest-running noontime variety show of ABS-CBN, has found its new home on GMA after the two media companies inked a deal to extend its simulcast to the latter’s main channel beginning on April 6.
After days of teasing the madlang people about a highly anticipated “good news” that would surely surprise and delight everyone, we finally witnessedthe contract signing event between ABS-CBN and GMA, which was attended by their respective top executives and the It’s Showtime family. While we got to see everything that happened during that historic day via livestream, Vice Ganda took us to the fun ganaps behind the scenes in her latest vlog.
As soon as that day’s episode wrapped up, the hosts proceeded to get themselves all glammed up in their dressing rooms, then had boisterous kulitan moments in their huddle room and along the hallway as they waited for their departure. As the hosts embarked on the pick-up truck bedecked in blue that transported them to the GMA headquarters where the event happened, Ogie Alcasid led the prayer and their kulitan continued.
Cladded in black and red ensembles, the Kapamilya hosts were warmly welcomed by the swarm of employees of GMA Network, as well as by its bosses who were all smiles as they greeted them. We saw how they cried to the heartwarming message of ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak and how they listened intently to the remarks of GMA executives, including its Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon.
The Asia’s Unkabogable and Phenomenal Superstar also gave a moving speech, in which she conveyed how humbled and grateful she was that GMA extended its hands to ABS-CBN during the trying times and how the challenges transformed the relationship between the two media outlets who were once “rivals.”
A celebratory dinner at a restaurant ensued after the “iconic, historic, and mothering” event, which was attended by the Kapamilya top executives and the It’s Showtime staff and hosts. While everyone was enjoying the food and each other’s company, Vice asked Vhong how he felt about what transpired that day.
According to Vhong, he still found it hard to believe as it felt like a dream that came true. He told Vice, “Imaginine mo, kung alam ko lang ‘yong alam mo, paano ako magtratrabaho. Kaya bilib ako sa’yo kasi na-handle mo na nagpapasaya ka pa rin ng tao sa kabila ng pinagdadaanan natin. Kaya sabi ko, buti na lang ‘di kami involved doon.”
The Unkabogable Star imparted that they actually didn’t let the other hosts know the full details of their agreement with the Kapuso network.
“Pero thank you kasi in-absorb mo na lang lahat para sa amin. Parang ‘ako na, sige, aakuin ko na ang mga pinagdadaanan ng management basta makita ko kayong okay kayo okay na rin ako,” Vhong added.
Now that they’re on the main channel of GMA, Vice revealed that as early as now, they’re already preparing for the much-awaited Magpasikat this year for their 15th anniversary. He exposed that Vhong already contracted Darren to be part of his performance, without him knowing that Darren would officially be a member of theIt’s Showtime family. She found out about it when she told Darren that he would join them in the contract signing as their new co-host.
The celebration capped off with a toast for this new milestone not just for every one part of the noontime program, but for the madlang people and every Kapamilya, too!
Keep on showing your love and support to It’s Showtime by not missing an episode, Mondays to Saturdays at noontime, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, GTV, iWantTFC, and on GMA starting April 6.
