After days of teasing fans through playful exchanges on their rival noontime shows, Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto have officially confirmed that they will headline their first-ever film together, ‘The Greatest Showdown.’
The highly anticipated collaboration was unveiled during a launch event held at a mall in Cubao, Quezon City, on Sunday, July 5, putting months of speculation to rest.
Addressing the audiences of both ‘It’s Showtime’ and ‘Eat Bulaga’, Sotto dedicated the historic project to their loyal supporters.
“Sa lahat ng Dabarkads, sa lahat ng Madlang People, ito po ay para sa inyo.”
Vice Ganda echoed the excitement, acknowledging the long-awaited partnership.
“Katulad ko, alam ko lahat kayo inaantay ang pagkakataon na ‘to. Minsan lang ito mangyayari. Lahat gusto mangyari ito noon pa man. Ito na nga. Mabubuo na.”
The comedian added that fans can expect to see more of them together beyond the launch event.
“Sa ngayon, nagtagpo na kami. Hindi lang una at huling beses n’yo kami makikita ngayon dahil mapapanood n’yo kaming magkasama sa isang pelikula.”
According to Sotto, the pair agreed to do the project because they wanted to bring laughter to Filipino audiences.
“Napagkasunduan namin ni Vice na ang pelikula na ‘to ay magbibigay ligaya sa taong bayan.”
He continued: “Alam naman natin na ang bansa ngayon dumaan na sa mga pagsubok kaya kailangan natin ngumiti. Kailangan natin gumanda ang mga awra. Kasing ganda ni Vice Ganda.”
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, ‘The Greatest Showdown’ marks the first collaboration between the award-winning director and Vic Sotto. Lana previously directed Vice Ganda in the Metro Manila Film Festival entries ‘And the Breadwinner Is…’ and ‘Call Me Mother’, the latter earning the comedian a Best Actor trophy at the MMFF.
The official announcement follows several days of on-air exchanges between the two television icons.
During the July 3 episode of It’s Showtime, Vice greeted Sotto on live television, calling him his “idol.” Vic responded later that day on ‘Eat Bulaga’.
“May bumati sa akin kanina eh. Babatiin ko rin siya. What’s up, Vice? Mag-uusap tayo. Mag-uusap tayo nang masinsinan.”
He then jokingly added: “Basta ang masasabi ko lang sa ‘yo, mwah, mwah, tsup, tsup.”
The playful exchange continued the following day, when Vice invited Sotto to meet him at Gateway 2 in Cubao at 4 p.m.
Sotto accepted the invitation on-air, quipping: “3:59 nandoon na ako.”
Long before the official announcement, both stars had already expressed openness to working together if the right project came along. Vice had also previously hinted that he was preparing a major surprise for his next film.
As of writing, the producers have yet to announce additional cast members or the film’s exact theatrical release date.
