Vice Ganda (YouTube)

Unkabogable star Vice Ganda believes that the program "It's Showtime" is a priceless gem that nothing can destroy anymore after it has gone through a lot of challenges.

Set to broadcast on GTV Channel beginning July 1, Vice Ganda said that the "Showtime" team is preparing for a grand production number this weekend.

"Grand opening kami. Kailangang ibigay mo sa madlang pipol ang gusto nila," said Vice Ganda on his YouTube Channel on June 27.

Vice Ganda said that the television industry is alive these days as three noontime shows - TVJ's still untitled show on TV5, Eat Bulaga on GMA Network and It's Showtime on GTV Channel - are set to broadcast simultaneously beginning July 1.

"Ayokong sabihin na war. Ang bigat nun. There's always been a competition. Everyone is competing for the audience. Everyone is competing for advertisements. That's the reality and that's healthy. Kapag wala kang katapat, mababagot ka rin. Buhay na buhay ang showbiz ngayon," he also said.

Now in its 13th year, Vice Ganda thinks "It's Showtime" is a gem that has gone through a lot of challenges.

"Naniniwala talaga ako sa pagmamahal ng madlang pipol. We have established a brand with them. What else can hurt us. We hit rock-bottom already. Wala ng sasakit doon na gumising ka ng wala.

"Tapos nagkaroon ng isang (platform), nagkaroon ng dalawa, naging tatlo. Tapos nabawasan ng isa. Parang hindi ako nasaktan. Nalungkot ako. Pero mas masakit sa akin yung makita yung staff, mga tao ng 'It's Showtime' na nalulungkot at sobrang natataranta at nalilito.

"Nabugbog na tayo di ba? Nilibing na tayo ng buhay. Tapik na lang yan. 'Showtime' is such a beautiful gem. Hindi ako nagtataka kung may isang taong may hawak ng gem na yun tapos iwanan n'ya yung gem na yun kung saan man, tapos ine-expect mo na walang kukuhang iba?

"Merong magkaka-interes sa gem na yun at aalagaan niya yun. I just believe in 'Showtime' so much. Ang taas ng tingin ko sa programang ito. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan niya, napakatibay na nito. Hindi ito masisira, malulugmok at mawawasak ng tuluyan," Vice Ganda said.

Vice Ganda also said that he doesn't have any ill feelings against TV5 which became the home of "It's Showtime" for almost one year.

"Wala akong galit sa TV5 pero nalungkot ako sa desisyon ng TV5 kasi syempre hindi pabor sa amin yun eh. Hindi lahat ng mangyayari pabor sa'yo. May mangyayaring mapapaborang iba. Masakit man pero kailangan mong tanggapin yun at kailangan mong irespeto yun," he also said.

It would be recalled that TV5 offered "It's Showtime" the 4:30 p.m. schedule but Vice Ganda said he does not agree with it.

"Personally ayoko ng 4:30 pm time slot because 'Showtime' is a noontime brand. Kung 4:30 pm hindi na siya noontime. I think it's not right. Pero kung saan ang 'Showtime,' go ako," he said.

Click to watch the full vlog: https://youtu.be/E6Up5anbe_Q

But Vice Ganda initially felt that "Showtime" became the casualty in the issue between TVJ and "Eat Bulaga."

“Tayo ‘yung casualty nung naging problema ng TVJ at saka nung Eat Bulaga. Sabi ko, ‘Parang tayo ‘yung tinamaan ng mga kanyon na ibinala nila.’ ‘Yun ang unang naging damdamin namin.

“Kasi nung una, ‘di ba, okay naman sila do’n, okay din naman kami, ‘di ba? Parang, ‘Okay na tayo dito.’ Kasi kung hindi naman sila nag-away, e ‘di buo pa rin sana sila. May kontrata pa naman sila sa GMA hanggang next year, ‘di ba? Pero dahil hindi sila nagkasundo, nagkahiwalay.

“So, siyempre, ‘yung mga performers, normal lang na gagawa sila ng paraan para makahanap ng pupwestuhan nung programa nila, ‘di ba?" said Vice Ganda.