Yassi Pressman, who is mourning the death of her father, turns emotional in the February 20 episode of ‘It’s Showtime’. ABS-CBN

MANILA — Yassi Pressman tried but failed to contain her tears during the live episode of “It’s Showtime” on Thursday, as the topic of a father being apart from his children came up.

Pressman’s father, Ronnie Pressman, passed away early this month at age 90.

Pressman and co-host Vice Ganda were interviewing Tawag ng Tanghalan contender Jaymoh Javier, who shared he hasn’t seen his daughter for a long time.

Javier’s tearful message for his child struck an emotional chord with Pressman, who visibly shook from crying as she turned her back to the camera.

“Alam ko kasi ‘yung experience ng nagmamahal na tatay,” Pressman explained to Vice Ganda.

Pressman managed to compose herself, and even laughed along as Vice Ganda cracked jokes to lighten up the mood.

When Vice Ganda approached Pressman to give her a hug, she said, “Huwag, iiyak ako lalo.”

Pressman, 24, is the older of two children of Ronnie, who is British, with Belcy, who is Filipino. Pressman, in her various interviews, has credited her father as her source of inspiration for work.