Just this October, It’s Showtime celebrated its 15th anniversary via the magnificent and festive Magpasikat 2024 fete. Little did we know that something new has also begun as the noontime program commences its 16th year—the unexpected team-up of Darren Espanto and Jackie Gonzaga!

Curious how it all started? Let’s look back on some of the kilig and delighting kulitan moments of the #JaRen loveteam so far in this episode of Kapamilya Update!

Those who have been following the “It’s Showtime” hosts on social media, specifically on Instagram, are probably aware that they had an after-party on the very same night of the announcement day of winners for this year’s Magpasikat. They uploaded photos and short videos taken from that super fun celebration when the extreme closeness of Darren and Jackie also began, as what their co-hosts hinted in their banter during the ”It’s Showtime” episode following that epic night.

It can be recalled that prior to being teased to each other, #JaRen already shared a kilig moment during an episode of the now-defunct segment “Expecially For You” wherein they did a skit that was directed by Vice Ganda. The spark between them was truly evident in their gestures and the way they looked at each other.

Their co-hosts started to make fun of them after something intriguing happened during the after-party of the “It’s Showtime” anniversary. The Unkabogable Star mentioned about finding Jackie’s false eyelashes attached to Darren’s pants that eventful evening, then came up with their “ship” name, “JaRen.” While Jackie couldn’t stop laughing, Darren seemingly wanted to explain what happened but retreated as his bestie, Kim Chiu, began ‘mocking’ him.

In another episode, their co-host Ion Perez apparently threw insinuations about them during their opening spiels, wherein Jackie uttered, “Nakakatakot sumugal sa pag-ibig. ‘Yong tipong ibibigay mo na ang lahat pero lugi ka pa rin, luhaan ka pa rin.” Ion commented to this, saying, “Huwag kang mag-alala, Darren-ting din ang tamang tao para sa atin. Minsan nand’yan lang ‘yan sa tabi-tabi,” and turned to Darren.

The 23-year-old multihyphenate seconded it by shaking the 30-year-old dancer-host’s hand and told her, “Mahahanap mo rin ‘yan,” to which their other co-hosts giddily reacted.

They were once again teased by Vice after Jackie sweetly described Darren as “maalaga” and “mapagmahal” when she introduced him as one of the hurados in an episode of ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan.” Hearing his co-hosts’ praises to him got Darren speechless.

In view of the Halloween celebration, Tyang Amy Perez asked Darren to share a scary story, to which the latter mentioned the “exorcism” of Jackie that happened that eventful Saturday night. This got the hosts laughing because they knew what he was referring to, with Jackie once again expressing her gratitude to Darren for taking care of her while she was apparently drunk.

The kilig continued when Darren personally greeted Jackie during her birthday celebration on the show and expressed his birthday wish to her. At first, he jokingly wished her to not count tiles nor to hug a toilet seat anymore on her next birthday, then went on to give her a tight embrace when prompted by his bestie.

Does the #JaRen loveteam make you kilig as well? Watch out for more of their delightful encounters on “It’s Showtime,” Mondays to Saturdays at 12 noon, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, GMA, GTV and A2Z.