‘It’s Showtime’ marks 17th anniversary with ‘Dis Is Ur Show, Disisyete’ celebration

MANILA — ABS-CBN’s long-running noontime variety program “It’s Showtime” is celebrating its 17th anniversary with a weeklong celebration dubbed “Dis Is Ur Show, Disisyete,” featuring special performances, celebrity editions of its popular “Miss Q&A” segment, and some of the biggest names in Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

As the program marks another milestone, its hosts reflected on the show’s evolution, the challenges of entertaining audiences in a changing media landscape, and their enduring relationship with the madlang people.

For comedian-host Vice Ganda, the program’s mission has remained unchanged throughout its 17-year run: to bring happiness to Filipinos.

“Pagpasok mo pa lang, makikita mo nakalagay, make the madlang people happy. So sa umaga pa lang, pagdating namin, yun ang makikita namin. Hanggang sa pag-uwi namin, paglabas namin ng studio, mababasa pa rin namin. Kaya malinaw sa amin kung ano yung intention. Yun, our number one goal, our only goal is to make the madlang people happy,” Vice said.

The comedian emphasized that the bond between the hosts and their viewers has become the foundation of the program’s longevity.

“Showtime is not just a program, it is a relationship,” Vice said, expressing hope that the show would continue to strengthen its connection with audiences in the years to come.

Despite the celebration, Vice acknowledged that producing a noontime variety show has become increasingly difficult, citing financial limitations and the changing expectations of viewers.

“Sobrang hirap ngayon. Sobrang hirap. Ang daming dahilan kung bakit mas mahirap ngayon magpasaya ng tao. Una, sa ABS, siyempre, limitado na yung resources ng ABS-CBN. Unlike dati, lahat ng pasabog, parang madali namin napapagawa,” Vice shared.

He explained that the production team has learned to simplify certain elements of the program while continuing to deliver entertaining content.

Vice also pointed out the growing pressure on entertainers amid public scrutiny and differing standards on social media.

“Ang daming pamantayan ngayon. Ang daming pamantayan na hindi mo malamang kung anong susundin mo,” he said.

Nevertheless, the comedian stressed that criticism and setbacks should never prevent the hosts from fulfilling their commitment to audiences.

“Life must go on and, I know that, a perfect show cannot be attained, diba? It cannot be achieved. But the essence of life is not perfection, it’s about experience,” Vice said.

“Maingay yung mundo but let’s not be afraid. Because if we fear, that will be the moment na hihinto tayo sa kung anong ginagawa na.”

Vice also expressed gratitude to GMA Network for providing the program with a free television platform following the challenges faced by ABS-CBN.

“Alam naman natin pinagdaanan ng ABS and we’re very happy that we are blessed with a partner, GMA. If not for GMA, nasan na tayo ngayon? Facebook, YouTube, di ba? Ang laking bagay yun nung pagtanggap at pagyakap sa atin ng GMA,” he said.

“Kaya we are forever going to be very grateful to GMA.”

Meanwhile, longtime host Karylle described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate the program’s achievements and its continued connection with Filipino families.

“It’s a time to celebrate. So many things are happening. And I just want to take this moment, this week,” Karylle said.

“I’m just so happy. The energy’s so great. And the people are just loving the show more than ever.”

Beyond entertainment, Karylle believes “It’s Showtime” has evolved into a platform where ordinary Filipinos can openly share their personal stories and experiences.

“You can say what you want about a noontime show being a noontime show, but through the years, it has evolved to become something socially relevant,” she explained.

“Makikita mo kasi ito yung tahanan ng bawat Pilipino and komportable silang i-share yung pinagdadaanan nila.”

According to Karylle, witnessing the happiness of studio audiences has also become one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the show.

She likened the experience to visiting Disneyland, where families and groups of friends come together to create lasting memories.

As part of its 17th anniversary, “It’s Showtime” is staging three special celebrity editions of “Miss Q&A,” a first for the program’s anniversary celebration.

According to Vice, the special episodes will air on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, featuring different groups of celebrity contestants.

The Monday edition features straight male celebrities, followed by female celebrities on Wednesday and comedians on Friday.

Among those who took on the challenge were River Joseph and Ralph De Leon, who both gained a deeper appreciation for the preparation and confidence required of “Miss Q&A” contestants.

De leon, who previously served as a judge in the competition, admitted that being on the other side of the stage was a completely different experience.

“Grabe, I’ve been judging Q&A for the past mga 3 months, 2 months, and to finally be in their shoes, it’s something else. Ibang clashing preparation yung kailangan,” Ralph shared.

“And for you to just step on that stage na looking your best and answering your best, it takes a lot. Kaya big, big respect and big love to the whole LGBT community.”

River echoed the sentiment, saying the experience made him appreciate the work that goes into every performance.

“Ako mas na-appreciate ko talaga yung efforts, lahat ng ginagawa nila, yung preparation, and everything they have to do,” he said.

“Just from yung lakad, yung dress, yung suot, yung pag-answer ng sagot, it’s not an easy thing to do.”

Meanwhile, Karylle praised the celebrity contestants for embracing the challenge and giving their all during the anniversary opening.

The weeklong celebration will also feature performances from some of the country’s biggest OPM stars and hitmakers, turning the noontime program into what Vice described as an OPM festival.

“Sa araw-araw po, may pasabog kami ang opening number kasama namin yung mga paborito niyong OPM stars,” Vice teased.

Looking ahead, Vice said his greatest wish is for “It’s Showtime” to remain strong, not only in terms of viewership and production but also in the health of its hosts and the relationship they have built with their audience. 

“Ang wish ko lang eh, patuloy kami maging malakas. Sa lahat ng ibig sabihin ng salitang malakas, yung pangangatawan naming mga hosts, yung lakas ng kakayahan namin, yung lakas ng hatak ng programa namin, yung lakas at tibay ng relasyon namin sa madlang people,” he said.

For Vice, the program’s success is measured not merely by the number of years it has remained on television, but by the happiness it continues to bring to Filipinos.

“Matagal na siyang samahan at relasyon ng programa at ng madlang people na pinagsisilbihan niya. And I don’t want to see this relationship ending anytime soon,” he said.

As “It’s Showtime” enters another year, its hosts remain committed to the promise that has defined the program since its beginning: making the madlang people happy.