Even prior to Vhong Navarro‘s mauling incident, other “It’s Showtime” mainstays have survived issues and controversies involving them in the past year.
From Navarro being accused of attempted rape, Anne Curtis’ slapping incident to Vice Ganda’s controversial concert segment, co-hosts of “It’s Showtime” have managed to move on from controversies they were respectively involved in in the last year.
However, Vice Ganda on Tuesday reacted about this apparent streak of challenges.
“Magkakasama man kami sa isang programa o hindi, meron at meron namang mangyayaring magaganda at hindi magaganda sa aming lahat,” he said. “Nagkataon lang na nagkasama-sama kami. Hindi kasi ako naniniwala sa gano’n, e.”
The comedian also stressed that there is a reason in everything that they are going through.
“Lahat ng ito ay may dahilan kung bakit nangyayari. At hindi lang naman sa amin, sa ibang tao nangyayari rin naman ‘yan. Nagkataon lang na magkakagrupo kami,” he added.
Recently, Navarro has similarly gotten the support of his colleagues as he continues to recover from a mauling incident last January 22.
Navarro, host of the show since 2009, underwent reconstructive nose surgery last Monday, claimed that he was a victim of extortion, and that he was blindfolded and tied up before being attacked by at least six men led by businessman Cedric Lee.
However, Model Deniece Cornejo, the woman who claimed that Navarro attempted to rape her inside a condominium unit in Taguig, stuck to her statement even if the CCTV footage released by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) supported the statement of the “It’s Showtime” host.
Since news of the incident broke two days later on January 24, the remaining hosts on “It’s Showtime” have turned emotional in a number of its live episodes.
“It’s Showtime,” however, has been a way for its hosts to reach out and react to issues involving them. Below are five other recent controversies or challenges that involved the hosts of the show:
1. Ryan Bang’s tax woes
Ryan Bang was involved in tax evasion charges by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on January 31, 2013. The NBI stated that the former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate did not file any income or percentage tax returns for 2010 and 2011, even though he received at least P3.05 million in income from several companies including ABS-CBN Corp., Summit Publishing and Studio 23.
Bang swiftly responded to the case, saying he vows to resolve it the soonest possible time. The Korean star’s “It’s Showtime” co-hosts expressed support for him, with Vice Ganda even promising to help him pay his debt to the BIR.
2. Jhong Hilario’s Instagram scandal
It was in April 2013 when a sensitive photo of Jhong Hilario was posted on his Instagram page. The photo shows Hilario in a bathtub wherein he accidentally exposed a part of his body that’s not supposedly be exposed at the popular online photo-sharing website. Although he quickly deleted the image, several websites had already re-posted it.
During the live telecast of “It’s Showtime” the next day, Vice Ganda tried to make light of the situation, joking that anyone who wishes to get a “clear copy” of the photo can get it from him. A laughing Hilario quipped, “Kalokalike lang ‘yon!”
3. Vice Ganda’s joke on Jessica Soho
Vice Ganda was put in hot water by humoring his fans with vulgar jokes directly pertaining to GMA 7 reporter Jessica Soho in his concert “I-Vice Ganda Mo ‘Ko sa Araneta” last May 17. The comedian had poked fun at Soho’s weight in a sketch about celebrities as “bold stars,” which also mentioned the likes of Kris Aquino, Gus Abelgas and Boy Abunda.
A day later on “It’s Showtime,” Vice Ganda took some 10 minutes to address the situation. He related that he immediately called Soho to apologize after her statement came out, but was supposedly turned down by the veteran newscaster. Explaining why he had to take the matter on “It’s Showtime,” Vice Ganda said it would be best to say sorry in public so it would reach Soho. Soho, later on the same day, “acknowledged” the comedian’s apology.
4. Kuya Kim Atienza’s illness
Weatherman and “It’s Showtime” co-host Kim Atienza made headlines last October when he revealed that he had been recovering from Guillain Barre syndrome, which is described by WebMD as “a rare, rapidly progressive disorder that consists of inflammation of the nerves causing muscle weakness, sometimes progressing to complete paralysis.”
Atienza’s absence from the noontime show coincided with its fourth anniversary celebration, where he was originally set to perform with Vice Ganda. In a taped message, Atienza said his condition has only gotten better, adding he was set to return soon. Atienza resumed his hosting duties on “It’s Showtime” a month later on November 19.
5. Anne Curtis’ slapping incident
Anne Curtis was grappled with a controversy when she was reportedly involved in an embarrassing confrontation with John Lloyd Cruz where she slapped the actor and two others at a bar in The Fort, Taguig. Model-host Phoemela Baranda was also reported to be a subject of Curtis’ ire at the time. She later went on record to clarify that Curtis never said anything to the effect of the now-infamous line, “I can buy you, your friends and this club!”
When the report surfaced two weeks after the actual incident, Curtis was quick to apologize on Twitter to her fans for “disappointing” them. A day later on December 2, an unfazed Curtis appeared on “It’s Showtime” where she urged viewers to move on, as the parties involved already have.
6. Billy Crawford and Coleen Garcia
Since Billy Crawford broke up with his 5-year girlfriend Nikki Gil, rumors have been circulating about Crawford’s supposed romantic link with Coleen Garcia. A photo made rounds online showing Crawford and Garcia together at Brooklyn’s Barclay Arena watching the Nets vs Bucks. The game happened to be on December 27, just two days after Christmas.
After the controversial photo of him and Garcia together in New York went viral online, Crawford finally set the records straight, hoping this will put an end to accusations about him and Garcia. Crawford admitted that he is currently courting Garcia in an interview on “Buzz ng Bayan” in January this year.
Defending his newly found love, Crawford said that Garcia was never the reason behind his break-up with his relationship with former girlfriend, who reportedly regrets her relationship with Crawford.
The confession became a subject of teasing on “It’s Showtime” the next day. Crawford and Garcia continues to regularly co-host the program, notably without a hint of their off-screen relationship.
The post ‘It’s Showtime’ Hosts Survived 6 Controversies appeared first on ScoopBoy.
