The 5th episode of “It’s Sharetime” fund drive turned into a celebration of talents discovered on the It’s Showtime stage as Jackie Gonzaga and Ion Perez look back on their journey, and reunite with the program’s babies – BIDAman and Miss Q & A .
Jackie and Ion started the night reminiscing their first days with the It’s Showtime family. She was originally a member of It’s Showtime dancers, then one time was assigned to hold the bowl of questions during the Miss Q & A segment.
Typical of Vice Ganda’s brand of comedy, he commented on her costume and styling, “Sinabihan niya ako na mukhang tutubi kasi green na sequined ‘yung suot ko, kintab-kintaban. Tapos lagi niyang ino-okray ‘yung mga dress ko n’un.”
Some would just smile for being the target of Vice’s ridicule but Jackie was different. She was able to keep up with his humor, and the banter tickled madlang people, “Si Ate kasi, ‘pag may pumapasok na dancer parang lagi niyang inaasar, kinukulit niya sa damit, sa lakad. Nasaktuhan ata n’un na n’ung ako ‘yung pumasok, parang nag-click ‘yung pang-aasar niya sa akin.”
Jackie became a madlang people favorite after Miss Q & A Season 1. When the next season came, another newcomer was given an opportunity of a lifetime, and it’s none other than Ion, who just quit pageantry at the time.
He remembers the date – September 21 – when he received a call from shoe designer Jojo Bragais asking if he’s still in Manila, “Magbabalik-Tarlac na sana ako kinabukasan. Pero sabi niya, ‘Bukas punta ka ng It’s Showtime.’ Akala ko audition pa kaya ang aga ko, alas-siyete.” He arrived in the studio and was surprised when the wardrobe team started to dress him up. “Akala ko audition talaga tapos n’ung pagpasok ng Showtime, binibihisan nila ako. Sabi ko, ‘Anong nangyayari?’”
He was suddenly asked to go on cam and felt nervous. But if it weren’t for the jitters that resulted in a funny squeaky voice, he probably wouldn’t catch the attention of madlang people. “Nung first day ko, hindi ko nararamdaman na may paa ko. At sa liit na ng boses ko, sa sobrang kaba, mas lalong lumiit.” Jackie butted in, “Kaya nag-click agad kasi nga si Ate nagulat sa boses mo na napakaliit.”
Ion continued, “Ang lamig sa Showtime pero pawis na pawis ako. Kaya nung tinanggal ko ‘yung suit ko, para akong nag-basketball. Basang-basa ‘yung polong puti. Laking-probinsya ako kaya ‘pag nakakakita ako ng maraming tao, gusto ko nang umuwi.”
But the shy ‘probinsyano’ is now more comfortable on cam, and more confident with his funny dance moves and singing. Even Jackie learned to just enjoy her moments onstage.
Akin to how It’s Showtime changes lives by opening its doors to talented dreamers, it continues to extend help to Kapamilyas whose lives were affected by Typhoon Odette by hosting “It’s Sharetime.” The interactive benefit show live streamed on KUMU and other platforms is still part of ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan Sa Pagtutulungan” campaign that aims to provide relief to families affected by the calamity.
To make the night more entertaining, Jackie and Ion reunited with Miss Q & A queens Anne Patricia Lorenzo, Marikat Lopez, and Matmat Centino for a fun debate. It’s Marikat VS Matmat and Anne VS Jackie!
The ‘chukchakan’ started with a question for Anne and Jackie on whether it’s easier to forgive or forget. Anne explained that forgetting is a prerequisite to forgiveness, “Sabi nga nila, bago ka makapagpatawad, kalimutan mo ang galit o sakit. Kailangan mong kumalimot sa masasamang experiences na meron ka.”
Jackie, asked to defend that it’s easier to forgive, stressed that moving on doesn’t really mean forgetting about the experience, especially the lessons it brought, “Pwede ka naman magpatawad nang hindi mo nakakalimutan ‘yung ginawa sa’yo. Kasi ‘pag hindi mo nakalimutan ‘yung ginawa sa’yo, ibig sabihin alam mo pa rin ‘yung lesson. Pwede mong patawarin pero hindi mo kakalimutan ‘yung sakit o pakiramdam nung nangyari ‘yun. Para sa akin, mas madaling magpatawad and never forget the lesson.”
In the next round, Marikat and Matmat discussed which between ‘first love’ and ‘TOTGA’ deserves a second chance. Marikat was assigned to first love, “Mas masarap ipagpatuloy dahil sabi nga nila, love is sweeter the second time around.” Matmat defended TOTGA, saying love is not about who came first but who made a lasting impact, “Magkaroon ka man ng mga bagong karanasan sa pag-ibig, siya pa rin ang pinanghihinayangan mo dahil siya dapat ang minahal mo.”
The final round was an argument on whether it’s better to use a black or blue ballpen. Jackie, on the blue side, answered, “’Pag kumalat ang tinta niyan, maganda sa kamay, maganda sa mata. Dahil blue, malamig sa mata. ‘Yung black, ‘pag kumalat ang tinta, madilim at madumi.”
In the next segment, Jackie and Ion were joined by BIDAman Wize Estabillo, JR Baring, and Eris Aragoza to share their most unforgettable moments in the contest. For JR, it’s performing with the boys for the show’s opening number wherein he wasn’t informed of the last-minute changes in choreography, so he’s the only one who went topless. Wize recalled that he got sick before the grand finals but luckily was able to show up. Meanwhile, Eris will never forget his interview in the daily round wherein he just kept on crying for no reason.
The BIDAman hotties serenaded fans and KUMUnizens. Reminiscent of a round in the competition, they also took on an acting challenge with Jackie as co-actress and Ion as director.
In the latter part of the episode, Jackie and Ion amused viewers with their funny duet and solo performances, plus Vice Ganda made a surprise appearance.
Join the next batch of It’s Showtime hosts in the next episodes of “It’s Sharetime” interactive benefits show, live streamed at 8 p.m. on FYE Channel on Kumu, ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page and YouTube channel, iWantTFC, and SKYcable Channel 955 HD and Channel 155 SD. The DSWD Authority/Solicitation Permit No. of this campaign is DSWD-SB-SP-00026-21, which is valid nationwide until May 28, 2022.