In a deeply emotional moment that left both the audience and his co-hosts in tears, Vhong Navarro, one of the longtime hosts of ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime”, was visibly overwhelmed during today’s live episode after receiving a surprise heartfelt message from the Madlang People—the term used to refer to the loyal viewers and fans of the show.

A Surprise Tribute That Touched Millions

As the show approached the end of one of its segments, co-host Vice Ganda suddenly asked the production team to pause. Without warning, a pre-recorded video tribute began playing on the big screen. It was a montage of fans, some from provinces and others from abroad, expressing their unwavering support and admiration for Vhong through handwritten notes, video clips, and voice messages.

“Kuya Vhong, thank you for making us laugh every day. In the darkest times, your energy lifts us. We love you so much,” one fan from Mindanao said tearfully in the video.

As the messages continued, Vhong could be seen wiping away his tears. By the time the tribute ended, the usually light-hearted and funny host could no longer contain his emotions.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Vhong said in a shaky voice. “You don’t know how much this means to me. There were times when I thought people forgot me… but seeing all this, I know now—I was never alone.”

A Journey Marked by Trials and Triumphs

Vhong Navarro has been through immense personal and professional challenges in the past few years. From battling legal controversies to taking a hiatus from television, many questioned whether he would ever fully return to the limelight.

But the Madlang People—and his co-hosts—stood by him.

“You were never forgotten, Vhong,” Vice Ganda chimed in, visibly emotional. “You are part of our hearts. No matter what you’ve been through, you’re family—and family doesn’t leave each other behind.”

A Show of Unity and Support

Social media instantly exploded with support. The hashtag #WeLoveYouVhong quickly trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans praising the genuine love and connection between Vhong and the Filipino audience.

“He deserves all this love. Vhong has always made us laugh, even when he was hurting. He’s a real one,” one user posted.

Another wrote: “It’s Showtime is more than a show—it’s a family. What they did for Vhong today was beautiful.”

What’s Next for Vhong Navarro?

While Vhong didn’t hint at any changes in his role on the show, his emotional reaction confirmed that he is still healing and still deeply grateful.

“I will never take this for granted,” he said to the crowd. “Thank you for loving me at my best and at my worst. You’ve given me a reason to keep going.”

Final Thoughts

Today’s episode of It’s Showtime wasn’t just about entertainment—it was about love, loyalty, and second chances. Vhong Navarro’s tears weren’t just tears of gratitude; they were a symbol of a man who, after all the storms, continues to stand—stronger, more human, and more loved than ever.

Emotional Vhong Navarro, makes an It’s Showtime comeback

As announced by Vice Ganda on their noontime program It’s Showtime last January 14, the return of their co-host Vhong Navarro to the TV show came true today, January 16.

This is the first time viewers have seen the TV host-comedian on It’s Showtime after he was detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) way back September 2022.

This is because the rape case filed against him by former model Deniece Cornejo regarding the incident that allegedly occurred at her condo in January 2014 has been revived.

Vhong could not hold back his tears upon his return to television after almost four months.

Here, his colleagues on the show treated him to the song “I’ll Be There For You” by The Moffatts.

Vhong said that he tried to stop himself from crying but he couldn’t because his tears were flowing freely.

“You know, I’ll just share a little bit. When I entered ABS [CBN], I said, ‘I don’t want to cry.’ I don’t want to cry because this is my second home, eh. Here, whatever you’re going through in life, you’re welcome here. Because these are my siblings. This is my family. And the Madlang Pipol audience is included. You’re an extension of our family,” the Kapamilya comedian began sharing.

“But, when I got backstage…nothing, eh. It really started to fall [tears], eh. I said, I’ll lock it first, I’ll set my pin code first, I’ll forget the password so it doesn’t fall but it still fell.”

He also expressed gratitude to all his supporters who didn’t leave him in the fight until he returned to television.

“It’s so nice to have you all welcome me. I don’t know how to thank you…to the people who prayed, believed, and didn’t leave me,” he said.

He admitted that he avoided watching It’s Showtime during his detention. He said he would miss his co-stars on the show even more.

“I haven’t watched Showtime since I was incarcerated because I don’t want to add… I miss you guys, I don’t. I feel even more sad that’s why I avoid watching. That’s why I said, I’ll just watch when I get out,” he said.

And when the court allowed him to post bail on December 5, he learned that there were still processes that needed to be completed, so he couldn’t immediately return to his noontime show.

“That’s just it, when I got out, I couldn’t immediately return [to the show] because there were processes that needed to be done,” Vhong said.

“But the Lord is kind, he didn’t abandon me so I’m here again. So thank you very much to ABS-CBN because I still have a job. My family is still here.”

The actor went into more detail about what he observed while inside the NBI detention center and eventually inside the Taguig City Jail for several months.

“When you’re inside, it’s hard. I saw my friends there, my inmates at the NBI, in Taguig…I felt sorry for those who don’t have anyone to visit them. Some were abandoned by their families. And others were like me. They didn’t do anything but they were there,” Vhong shared.

And if he learned anything from what happened, it’s to continue to trust in God and lean on family and friends.

“God will really test you on how much faith you have in Him. That’s why I told Kuya Ogie [Alcasid], hope and faith must go together. There can’t be only one that is higher. It must be the same, it must be equal,” he shared.

“I cling to the Lord. I cling to my wife, my children, my family, my friends, and the people who pray and believe in me. That’s why I continue to fight to overcome the problems I’m going through,” he concluded.

It can be recalled that Vhong was detained last September 2022 in the rape case filed against him by Deniece Cornejo. The court had initially dismissed it in 2014 but Cornejo appealed it to the Court of Appeals, which is why the case was revived last 2022.

After hearings on the petition filed by his camp, the court allowed Navarro to post bail and temporarily release him last December. Because of this, he was able to celebrate Christmas and New Year with his family.

And today, Vhong finally returned to It’s Showtime after almost four months.