After decades of the so-called “network war,” ABS-CBN and GMA have finally ended it this 2023 through the landmark agreements and collaborations they forged. And one of those is the broadcasting of It’s Showtime in the noontime slot of GMA’s sister channel GTV – which we indeed never see coming.
This historic TV event didn’t just allow the Kapamilya noontime program to be enjoyed again by many Filipinos in more parts of the country, but also for Kapuso stars to appear on the show without any hitches. In the previous months, we’ve already seen several GMA artists grace the show to either promote their projects, provide us with entertaining production, or be a judge in one of the segments of It’s Showtime.
Let’s find out who they are and revisit their remarkable appearances in this Kapamilya Toplist feature!
Rodjun Cruz, Rayver Cruz, and Barbie Forteza
Since it was history in the making, It’s Showtime made sure that its first day on GTV would be unkabogable and remarkable by pulling off a huge and spectacular opening number featuring its talented hosts and a few of the brightest stars of ABS-CBN and GMA. Apart from showing off what they got onstage, the hosts also gave the celebrity guests, which included Kapuso artists Rodjun Cruz, Rayver Cruz, Pokwang, and Barbie Forteza, the opportunity to yell the program’s trademark greeting “What’s up, madlang people!” Sanya Lopez, Christian Bautista, and Mark Bautista partook in the party as well.
Barbie returned to It’s Showtime in November as one of the hurados of Magpasikat 2023, alongside Tirso Cruz III, Olivia M. Lamasan, Jett Pangan, and Apl.de.Ap of the American hip-hop group Blackeyed Peas.
Julie Ann San Jose
Two weeks after the star-studded GMA debut, the Asia’s Limitless Star had the opportunity to show off entertain the Kapamilya and Kapuso audiences by performing the popular Korean pop hit “Cupid” by Fifty Fifty, with the noontime program’s very own girl group Baby Dolls as her backup dancers. She even joined the gregarious hosts in the RamPanalo segment afterward.
Before July ended, she was one of the newest additions to the ever-growing panel of judges of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” as a special guest hurado. Coincidentally, on her first day, she met one of her competitors in the 90s singing contest “Birit Bulilit,” whose name is also Julie.
Ken Chan
While some Kapamilya fans are aware already of how a talented actor he is, Ken made us fall for his charms further when he showed off his dancing chops by performing Jungkook of BTS’ trending hit “Seven”. He was interviewed by the hosts afterward, wherein he confessed that he actually looks forward to working opposite Kim Chiu, who’s also a proud Filipino-Chinese like him. His exposure on the show was extended as he also joined the hosts in the RamPanalo segment.
Sanya Lopez
Just less than a month after her first-ever appearance on the program as one of the performers for its GTV debut, the Kapuso star immediately had her comeback. She truly set the stage on fire with her sultry dance number which made us love her more.
Sanya expressed how ecstatic she was to be back and, at the same time, impressed the hosts with how she perfectly sang the It’s Showtime anthem. Hoping that isn’t going to be her last, she also wishes to have a dance showdown with Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis. The hosts, of course, didn’t let her simply leave without her doing the “Mini Miss U Challenge” and joining them in the “RamPanalo” segment.
Bianca Umali
As It’s Showtime marked their first month on GTV, they celebrated it with a fierce dance number from Bianca, through which she’s able to unleash her “dangerous woman” facet. The Kapuso actress conveyed her excitement and nervousness towards her Kapamilya stage debut, as the hosts, especially Vice, heaped praises on her mesmerizing beauty and stupefying dance prowess.
Jasmine Curtis-Smith
Truly, Anne was indeed a picture of a proud ate when her younger sister Jasmine commenced the August 5 episode through a Barbie-inspired dance number along with Baby Dolls.
This guesting came 13 years after the last time she appeared on the show, making her an OG It’s Showtime baby. She and the hosts reminisced about the fun “Ole! Ole!” production number that she used to do with her ate more than a decade ago, as well as expressed their wish to see them together again in another performance. The hosts also had her do the “Mini Miss U Challenge” and join them in “RamPanalo.”
That wish of them got granted three months later when Jasmine took part in Team Anne-Ogie-Ryan’s Magpasikat 2023 performance, wherein she surprised and amazed us in the aerial dance she did with her beloved big sister.
Mark Bautista
Avid Kapamilya viewers would know that he used to be one of the popular heartthrobs of ABS-CBN in the mid-2000s, endearing us not only with his good looks, but with his swooning voice, too!
And just last July 1, he was among the Kapuso artists who performed in the GTV debut of It’s Showtime, singing a duet with his former fellow ASAP Champions Erik Santos. He also served as a special guest hurado in the grand finals of TNT Duets also held that same day.
And in mid-August, it was officially announced that Mark would continue taking on the role in the seventh edition of “Tawag ng Tanghalan”. He expressed his excitement about this stint and looked back on his kontesero days before he became well-known. When asked what kind of judge he would be, he said that he actually doesn’t care much about the technicalities as long as the performance could touch his heart.
Andrea Torres
Madlang people once again had a scorching noon when Andrea delivered a totally fiery performance that indeed unleashed her sexiness.
In her interview with the hosts, the Kapuso star revealed that it was actually not her first time to set foot on ABS-CBN as she used to go there when she was younger. She also heeded their request to do an energetic and sultry version of the “Mini Miss U” challenge.
Ysabel Ortega
Another former Kapamilya to grace the noontime show with her presence is young actress Ysabel Ortega, who captivated us not only with her stunning beauty, but with her dancing chops, too. She opened the August 18 episode with an invigorating dance number with Baby Dolls and Hashtags.
When interviewed by the hosts, she and Ryan Bang confirmed that they have known each other since 2009 because they used to study in the same high school. Thus, it didn’t come as a surprise that he mentioned his name when asked whom she wanted to work with. Ryan also imparted that her mom, former actress Michelle Ortega, and her dad have taken good care of him, especially during the pandemic, since they are neighbors. Being her friend and brother figure, he expressed his all-out support for all her endeavors.
Michael V and Manilyn Reynes
It was definitely a historic moment on TV when Michael and Manilyn made a surprise appearance on the show to join their good friend Ogie Alcasid on his special birthday number. Ogie and Manilyn had a heartfelt duet of “Pangako,” which both of them wrote decades ago and became one of the hit songs of his wife, Regine Velasquez, while he and Michael sang the classic love song “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang.”
After their delightful duets, the terrific trio gave us a glimpse of their decades-long friendship, which bloomed as they were all under the film production company OctoArts. Michael and Manilyn also reminisced about their fondest memories with the OPM icon, as well as conveying their special birthday messages for him.
Miguel Tanfelix
The talented Kapuso heartthrob indeed won our hearts when he grooved to K-pop group Enyphen’s “Bite Me” to commence the August 26 episode of the show.
In his interview with the hosts, the actor imparted how happy and thrilled he was about it, as well as how he’s been dreaming of having a dance collab with Vhong Navarro. The host, in turn, commended his impressive performance and said that he was also looking forward to sharing the stage with him.
Kyline Alcantara
Certainly, avid supporters of Kyline know that she used to be one of the promising child stars of ABS-CBN. Thus, many were pleased to see her back via her guesting on It’s Showtime last September, wherein she mesmerized us with her splendor and dancing chops.
According to her, it was actually her second time on the show as her first appearance was when she sang “Hallelujah” when she was still a kid. The hosts even presented to her a poster of her borrowed from one of her fans, which included an image of her portraying her kontrabida character Arlene from the 2013 soap opera “Annaliza.”
Ruru Madrid
Together with former Kapamilya actress and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano leading lady Yassi Pressman, Ruru Madrid made an appearance on the It’s Showtime stage to promote their then-upcoming film “Video City: Be Kind. Please Rewind.” Before they left, the hosts had them take on the “Mini Miss U” dance challenge.
David Licauco
There’s definitely no doubt that David is one of the hottest heartthrobs in the country at present. As his loveteam partner Barbie had already appeared twice on It’s Showtime, many were probably waiting for his turn. And that moment finally arrived when the “Pambansang Ginoo” was tapped by Team Karylle-Amy-Lassy-MC to be the voice of their computer-generated character Lulu for their Magpasikat 2023 production number, much to the surprise of everyone, especially Argus and Barbie.
Alden Richards
And just recently, Alden appeared on the program for the first time together with the Megastar Sharon Cuneta as they promoted their upcoming film “Family of Two.”
Talking to the hosts, he confessed watching them and stated, “It’s an honor to be here. And kaya rin po ako talaga nandito ngayon is to really show na tama na ‘yong network wars or the misunderstandings kasi isa lang naman talaga ang gusto nating gawin – ang mapasaya ‘yong mga tao, ‘yong mga nanonood sa atin.”
Whose It’s Showtime appearance thrilled you the most, Kapamilya? Get your daily dose of good vibes and awesome surprises by not missing an episode of It’s Showtime, Mondays to Saturdays on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, GTV and A2Z.