Kapamilya star Vice Ganda and other hosts of ‘It’s Showtime’ paid tribute to the 11 lawmakers, whom they called “Brave 11”, who voted “NO” to ABS-CBN franchise denial.
The said lawmakers are Bienvenido Abante Jr, Manila 6th District; Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan Muna party-list; Christopher De Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District; Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Manila 4th District; Gabriel Bordado Jr, Camarines Sur 3rd District; Jose “Ping-Ping” Tejada, North Cotabato 3rd District; Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th District; Mujiv Hataman, Basilan; Sol Aragones, Laguna 3rd District; Stella Luz Quimbo, Marikina 2nd District; at Vilma Santos-Recto, Batangas 6th District.
At the beginning of the show’s segment Super FiestStars, Vice Ganda said, “Gusto lang po namin linawin na lahat po ng mga manonood natin, lahat po nang mga pumasok dito na galing sa iba’t ibang barangay at distrito ay chineck namin kung ang kanilang mga congressmen ay pasok doon sa 11 na mga kaibigan namin. Charot!”
Vice referred to the 11 congressmen as their friends for showing the courage to stand up for the network even if the odds were against them. Some netizens also applauded the lawmakers for believing in ABS-CBN and fought with the network all throughout the voting.
“Mabuhay ang 11 mambabatas! Habambuhay namin kayong ipagdiriwang!” Vice shouted.
His co-hosts replied with “mabuhay.”
Vice said that the Kapamilya stars will forever honor the “Brave 11” for supporting the network.
The artist also called out the 70 congressmen who voted against the franchise.
“Dun sa 70, ituloy-tuloy natin ang palabas,” Vice said.
Vice was rather lively during the episode unlike on Saturday, July 11, when he walked out during the show’s intro song.
The TV host said that he needed to exit in the midst of the intro song because he couldn’t collect himself from the pain and dismay from the result of the hearing. Vice explained this later in a tweet.
Kailangan kong umexit sa point na yun para umiyak. I couldn’t fake it. Pero ok nako after humagulgol. https://t.co/RNhsymGbS8
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) July 11, 2020
Most of the Kapamilya artists sympathized with Vice as they are all disheartened as well with what their home network has suffered. While Vice tried to keep a smile on his face for the sake of the show, he still couldn’t fake his emotions as he exited and wept backstage.
Vice’s supporters, the ‘little ponies’, comforted the artist and showed their continuous love and support for the host. He also mentioned that he received many texts from his friends who sent hugs and kisses to him.
Vice was also comforted by his It’s Showtime family and they trended on Twitter when the team shared a dance about “Kapamilya Forever” to show that they will not stop in bringing entertainment and happiness to the ‘madlang pipol’.
Vice also commented about the decision of the congress to shut down ABS-CBN. “Ang ABS-CBN, ang serbisyong ibinigay niya ay naging malaking bahagi ng araw-araw na buhay ng mga Pilipino. Napakalaking bahagi.”
Vice wanted to point out that the fight of ABS-CBN does not only affect the people working for it but also plays a big part in the lives of all Filipino as well as the network provided service to the people in terms of livelihood, entertainment, employment, and charity work through its external projects and services.
“Tungkol ito sa ating lahat. Hindi ito tungkol lang sa mga taga-ABS-CBN, sa mga artista. Tungkol ito sa ating lahat. Tungkol ito sa buhay natin,” Vice said.
The result of the voting of franchise denial endangers the employment of 11,000 employees under ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN still continues to produce shows and TV programs despite what the network is going through right now. Some of its shows can be watched through Sky Cable and iWant TV.
