In this ever-growing industry, it is highly important for an artist to not only possess striking façade, unmistakable charm, and admirable personality, but he/she should also be able to captivate the people with his/her talent. While being great in one skill is fine, it’s still better if he/she has other prowess to showcase that could expose their versatility and amp up their star power as showbiz personalities.
Just like these celebrities included in this Kapamilya Snaps feature, who are not just laudable actors, but are bankable television hosts as well!
Vice Ganda
He’s been in the industry for over a decade now, but, as we all know, Vice Ganda rose to immense stardom when he joined It’s Showtime in 2009 as a regular hurado and host. This paved the way for him to be bestowed his very own weekly late-night talk show Gandang Gabi Vice that ran from 2011 to 2020 and topbilled a slew of movie projects that were all blockbuster hits!
But before being able to showcase his hosting stint on the noontime program, he appeared in several ABS-CBN teleseryes, such as Kokey (2007), Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik (2007), Ligaw Na Bulaklak (2008), Dyosa (2008), Pieta (2008), Only You (2009), and May Bukas Pa (2009).
And soon, we’re going to see the Unkabogable Star in the upcoming variety gameshow Everybody Sing.
Anne Curtis
As she started out as a teen actress in the late 90s via the classic fantasy flick “Magic Kingdom,” wherein she played the iconic role of Princess Dahlia, we’ve witnessed how Anne has bloomed into becoming one of the most sought-after celebrities in the country through the years.
While she spent most of her teenage years in another network, her caliber as a thespian was further honed and highlighted when she moved to ABS-CBN in 2004. She was one of the main cast members of Hiram, alongside Dina Bonnevie and Kris Aquino, and went on to headline some of the top-rating teleseryes of the channel, such as Pablo S. Gomez’s Kampanerang Kuba (2005), Maging Sino Ka Man (2006), Dyosa (2008), The Wedding (2009), Green Rose (2011), Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (2013), and Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel (2014). She also appeared in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano in 2016 and depicted trans pastor and domestic helper Marrz Balaoro in the “Sinturon” episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2019.
Aside from acting, Anne was also able to showcase her hosting skills via ASAP, reality loveteam search QPids (2005), The Buzz (2005), Star Circle Quest (2006), and then It’s Showtime from 2009 up to the present. She was also tapped to become the host of the reality music competition programs I Love OPM and We Love OPM, which both aired in 2016.
Vhong Navarro
From being one of the talented members of the popular all-male dance group Streetboys, Vhong went on to become an actor and host as well, wherein he gets to bare his innate comedic chops.
He was cast in a slew of movies and sitcoms, both as a supporting role and a headliner. But when it comes to teleseryes, he’s able to show his acting prowess in Mars Ravelo’s Lastikman (2007), I Love Betty La Fea (2008), Kokey @ Ako (2010), 100 Days To Heaven (2011), and Wansapanataym: Nato De Coco (2014).
At the same time, he has also hosted a number of reality programs, such as Wazzup Wazzup (2003), MTB Ang Saya-Saya (2004), It’s Showtime (2009-present), and Your Moment (2019).
Kim Chiu
Ever since her victorious stint in Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 wherein she was declared as the Big Winner, Kim went to become one of the biggest names in the local entertainment scene. She bloomed into a versatile actress and a well-loved performer, whose appearances both on TV and the big screen has always been remarkable and talked about.
Her brilliance as a thespian was further displayed in the teleseryes she starred in, such as Sana Maulit Muli (2007), Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection: Maligno (2008), My Girl (2008), Tayong Dalawa (2009), Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo (2010), My Binondo Girl (2011), Ina, Kapatid, Anak (2012), Ikaw Lamang (2014), The Story Of Us (2016), Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin (2017), Love Thy Woman (2020), and Bawal Lumabas: The Series (2020).
The Chinita Princess has also impressed us with her hosting skills, which she showcased in ASAP, The Voice Kids (2016), Star Hunt (2018), Pinoy Big Brother Otso (2018), PBB: Connect (2020), and now on It’s Showtime as the newest addition to their gregarious family!
Jolina Magdangal-Escueta
Hailed as one of the pop icons of Philippine showbiz, Jolina’s career has already spanned three decades. From being a singer and fashion idol in the 90s, she was also able to show her hosting acting chops in a slew of blockbuster hit movies and well-loved TV programs.
Her first hosting job was in the iconic youth-oriented variety show Ang TV in 1992 when she was only 14 years old, and was succeeded by ASAP (1995-present) and ‘Sang Linggo nAPO Sila (1995). Meanwhile, she got to show her acting and comedic talent in a number of sitcoms and teleseryes, such as Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata (1993), Gimik (1995), Esperanza (1997), Richard Loves Lucy (1998), Labs Ko Si Babe (1999), and Arriba, Arriba! (2000).
As she went back to ABS-CBN in 2015 after working for 15 years in another network, she was immediately bestowed an acting project via the afternoon soap opera FlordeLiza and a hosting stint via the morning talk program Magandang Buhay. She also got to return to ASAP as a performer and host of its “LSS” segment.
Melai Cantiveros-Francisco
After being hailed as the Big Winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up in 2009, Melai went on to have a flourishing showbiz career. She starred in a number of series, such as Kokey @ Ako (2010), Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Impostor (2010), PHR Presents: Mana Po (2011), Apoy Sa Dagat (2013), Honesto (2013), Two Wives (2014), and We Will Survive (2016), in which she didn’t only impressed us with her acting chops, but with her comedic talent as well.
She also ventured into hosting, when she was tapped to be one of the hosts of Kapamilya reality shows I Dare You (2011), Happy Yipee Yehey! (2011), PBB Unlimited (2012), Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2 (2015), PBB Otso (2018), and Magandang Buhay (2018).
Karla Estrada
Before her current stint as one of the momshie-hosts of Magandang Buhay, Karla already appeared in a number of teleseryes ever since she started in the 80s. Among the notable series she was part of were Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1999), Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan (2002), Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (2013), Jim Fernandez’s Galema, Anak Ni Zuma(2014), and Home Sweetie Home (2015).
And this 2021, she topbills the Star Cinema flick “Momshies! Ang Soul Mo’y Akin” alongside Jolina and Melai, which premieres this coming May 28 on digital streaming platforms like KTX.ph, iWant TFC, TFC IPTV, Sky Cable PPV and Cignal PPV.
Luis Manzano
He may have veteran superstars Edu Manzano and Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto as parents, but Luis is still able to step out of their shadows and create a name for himself and be named as one of the most renowned and top favorite TV presenters in the country.
The 40-year-old TV personality began his showbiz career as a host in ASAP and one of the pioneer VJs of ABS-CBN’s music channel MYX. He was also tapped to host a slew of Kapamilya programs, namely, Star Circle Quest (2004), Qpids (2005), PBB Celebrity Edition 1 (2006), Entertainment Live (2008), PBB Teen Edition Plus (2008), Panahon Ko 'To!: Ang Game Show ng Buhay Ko (2010), Pilipinas Got Talent (2010, 2013, 2016), Laugh Out Loud (2011), Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal (2012-2013, 2015-2016), Sarah G. Live (2012), Minute to Win It (2013-2014, 2016-2017, 2019), The Voice Kids (2014), The Voice of the Philippines (2015), Celebrity Playtime (2015), Family Feud (2016), The Voice Teens (2017, 2020), I Can See Your Voice (2017, 2021), World of Dance Philippines (2019), Your Moment (2019), and Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 3 (2021).
But aside from being a bankable host, it can also be recalled that he also shared his acting chops by starring in a number of Kapamilya series, such as Kampanerang Kuba (2005), Crazy For You (2006), Rounin (2007), Dyosa (2008), Flash Bomba (2009), Be Careful With My Heart (2012), and Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet (2019), wherein he was also able to amuse us with his unmistakable sense of humor.
Toni Gonzaga
Ever since she transferred to ABS-CBN in 2004, Toni went on to become omnipresent TV personality as she’s hired to host several reality and talk programs and take part in some series.
Her first project as a Kapamilya was the comedic-news satire program Wazzup Wazzup, wherein she was one of the witty “tad-jocks”. Among the other shows she hosted were ASAP, Entertainment Konek (2005), Pinoy Dream Academy (2006), Entertainment Live (2007-2010), The Buzz (2010-2015), Happy Yipee Yehey (2011-2012), The Voice Teens (2017), Pilipiinas Got Talent (2018), The Voice Kids (2019), I Feel U (2020-present), and PBB, which has been
At the same time, she’s also able to display her acting chops through the teleseryes she was cast in in the previous years, such as Lastikman (2007), Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik (2007), Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (2009), Kokey @ Ako (2010), and Home Sweetie Home (2014-2020).
Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo
Being in the industry for almost four decades, Judy Ann is able to showcase how a multi-faceted artist she is through the films and shows she starred. But as we all know, she’s more acclaimed as an award-winning actress.
Among her notable acting projects in ABS-CBN were Mara Clara (1992-1997), Gimik (1996-1999), Esperanza (1997-1999), Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka (2001), Basta't Kasama Kita (2003), Krystala (2004), Sa Piling Mo (2006), Ysabella (2007), Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala (2013), FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2019), and Starla (2019).
She then went on to astound us with her hosting skills through Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition (2011), MasterChef Pinoy Edition (2012), Bet on Your Baby (2013), and Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan? (2020-present).
Angel Locsin
She was already a famous actress before moving to ABS-CBN in 2007, yet we were still stunned by the impeccable acting prowess Angel exuded in the series she starred in, namely, Lobo (2008), Only You (2009), Imortal (2010), Toda Max (2011), The Legal Wife (2014), La Luna Sangre (2017), and The General's Daughter (2019).
We also got to see her facet as a presenter through her stint as guest co-host of It’s Showtime. But now, she already hosts her own program, Iba ‘Yan, which also allows her to do her advocacy of extending help to our kababayans who are less fortunate and have inspiring stories to share.
Charo Santos-Concio
From being a beauty queen, Charo went on to enter the world of show business in the 70s to start her acting career. She appeared and headlined a string of movies for around two decades before being chosen to be the host of the longest-running drama anthology in Asia, Maalaala Mo Kaya, since 1991.
The ABS-CBN executive also showcased her acting skills on TV by starring in several Kapamilya dramas, namely, Esperanza (1997), May Bukas Pa (2010), Since I Found You (2018), and Starla (2019).
These stars only prove that being passionate in whatever you do, regardless if it’s only one skill or more, is very much important in order to stay for a long time in this ever-evolving world of show business!