Comedians and former ‘It’s Showtime’ co-hosts MC Muah and Lassy Marquez revealed for the first time their painful five-year battle with gambling addiction that cost them over ₱10 million—and nearly everything they had.
In a candid interview with Toni Gonzaga on her YouTube show ‘Toni Talks’, the longtime comedy duo shared how their descent into gambling began in 2011 and consumed their lives until 2016.
MC, whose mother passed away from cancer, said grief and emotional emptiness led him to the casino.
“Uuwi ako after ng comedy bar… may naghikayat sa’kin [sa casino] na para maaliw ako. Iba ang saya kapag papunta ka pa lang d’un. Kapag natalo ka… d’un ka magsisisi,” he recalled. “P50,000? Kaya ‘tong bawiin nang isang jackpot lang. P100,000? Kaya pa. Ay, P200,000 na, P300,000… P500,000… Umabot ako ng P800,000 sa isang gabi. Ganu’n na kami kaadik sa pagsusugal.”
Lassy said he was initially just tagging along for fun, until he experienced a gambler’s high from beginner’s luck.
“Halimbawa, nag-show kami ng gabi. So diretso kami [sa casino] nang madaling-araw, aabutin ng umaga, tanghali, hapon. Uuwi lang, maliligo, show ulit… minsan iidlip lang ako ng 30 minutes. Ganun kami dati,” he admitted.
Despite their tight schedules in showbiz, both kept returning to the tables—sacrificing sleep, health, and savings.
“Walang tulog. Taping, shooting, shows… pero tuloy sa sugal. Ganun kami kaadik,” said MC.
Their losses piled up until their savings were gone and their jewelry pawned.
“Ang laki ng naipon namin ni Lassy. Anong nangyari? P2,000 na lang yung naiwan sa bangko,” MC shared.
“Ang dami kong alahas. Nasangla ko lahat. Ang binabayaran ko na lang sa sanglaan, yung interest.”
Lassy also admitted to borrowing money just to pay bills.
“Napunta na ako sa pangungutang. Naapektuhan na ang mga bayarin ko,” he said. “Ayoko na. Gusto ko nang ayusin ang buhay ko. Gusto ko nang magkaroon ng bahay.”
MC, on the other hand, had a turning point when a young comedian gently confronted him about his financial situation.
“Tinanong niya ako, ‘Ate MC, ito na lang natira sa pera mo?’ Tapos sabi niya, ‘Nagugutom ka na ba? Gusto mo libre kita, may KFC rito,’” he recalled. “Doon ako natauhan. Ayoko nang tumanda nang ganito.”
Eventually, both decided to stop gambling for good. They turned to prayer—and each other.
“Ilang beses na kong nagpunta ng Baclaran, Quiapo Church. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, bigyan mo pa ako ng chance para maging okay yung buhay ko.’”
Not long after, MC received a work offer that marked a new beginning.
“May tumawag, sabi niya, ‘Yung raket na ito, kikita kayo ng ganito kalaki.’ Sabi ko, ‘Lord salamat. Ito na yung simula ng pagbabago.’”
Lassy shared a similar sentiment: “Ang daming dumarating na ibang work. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, ito na lang. Ayoko na talaga.’”
Today, the two say they’ve finally found peace—and financial freedom.
“Ngayon lang namin nakuha yung financial freedom. Yung matutulog ka nang walang iniisip. Ang iisipin mo na lang, paano pa maging matino ang buhay mo,” said MC.
Their story is more than a confession. It’s a cautionary tale.
“Hindi kami proud dito. Kinekwento namin ‘to para maging lesson. Walang panalo rito,” MC emphasized.
MC and Lassy have not appeared on ‘It’s Showtime’ in recent months following reports of their quiet departure from the noontime show. Neither has publicly confirmed their exit, but their emotional interview has drawn support from fans who praised their honesty and strength in overcoming one of their darkest chapters.
