IT became an emotional Monday for the madlang people as the team of Vhong Navarro, Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz paid tribute to late Filipino comedians in the highly anticipated “Magpasikat 2023” of “It’s Showtime.”
The three hosts kicked off the week-long anniversary special of the noontime variety show today, November 6.
Their nostalgic performance opened with a black-and-white introduction on screen, like the opening sequence of movies in the ‘90s.
Vhong, Jugs and Teddy then appeared on the stage as they sang and danced to a song dedicated to the beloved Pinoy comedians, who once put smiles on the faces of Filipino viewers and made their stomachs hurt from laughing.
As tribute to these comedians, the “It’s Showtime” hosts also featured three classic comedy sitcoms and a film headlined by three pillars of Philippine comedy — Dolphy, Redford White and Babalu.
These are Redford’s “Buddy en Sol (Sine ito)” in 1992, Babalu’s “Oki Doki Doc” in 1993, and Dolphy’s “Home Along Da Riles” in 1992.
Teddy, Jugs and Vhong portrayed Redford, Babalu and Dolphy, respectively, for their solo stages where they sang and danced to the classic shows’ soundtracks.
Using AI
But just when viewers thought the performance was over after the “Home Along Da Riles” stage, the hosts unveiled a video replay of their performance, with a plot twist.
The hosts used artificial intelligence (AI) in the video to make it look like Redford, Babalu and Dolphy were the ones performing onstage.
The AI-integrated production made viewers more emotional as they flashed images of other late Filipino comedians on the large LED screen, such as Apeng Daldal, Ben Tisoy, Bentong, Bernardo Bernardo, Cachupoy, Carding, Chichay, Chokoleit, Dely Atay-Atayan, Don Pepot, Elizabeth Ramsey, Gary Lising, Ike Lozada, Joy Viado, Mang Tomas, Palito, Panchito, Pipoy, Porkchop Duo, Sammy Lagmay, Soxie Topacio, Tado and Zorayda Sanchez, among others.
Their photos were shown as Vhong, Jugs and Teddy sang in the background, using the voices of Redford, Babalu and Dolphy.
The song’s lyrics goes, “Sana’y maalala nyo kami; minsan sa inyo’y nagpangiti; sa paglipas ng mga taon; tumanda man ang panahon; sa puso n’yo kami manatili.”
One of the production’s highlights is the reunion of Kevin and Ason, when comedienne Nova Villa made a special appearance on the noontime variety show.
Kevin and Ason were the characters played by the Comedy King and the actress, respectively, in “Home Along Da Riles.”
The performance of Team Vhong, Jugs and Teddy ended with Nova, Dolphy, Redford and Babalu greeting the live audience with the “What’s up, madlang people” line.
Netizens touched
The terms “Nakakaiyak” and “Dolphy” immediately trended on X (formerly Twitter), as netizens reacted to Team Vhong, Jugs and Teddy’s performance.
Many X users also commended how the “It’s Showtime” hosts effectively integrated AI into their production.
Some of them, especially ‘90s kids, said that the performance took them down the memory lane.
Today’s production got the madlang people excited to witness the performance of hosts Karylle, Amy Perez, MC and Lassy tomorrow, November 7.
