Reunited ‘Showtime’ hosts celebrate with selfie

MANILA, Philippines – Fans of Showtime rejoiced as the noontime show’s hosts reunited on stage after Vhong Navarro’s hiatus from the show.

The March 12 episode marked the first time Navarro and co-host Vice Ganda shared the stage since a controversial incident forced Navarro to take over a month off from showbiz. On March 8, while Vice Ganda was in the US for a concert, Navarro appeared on the show to announce his return.

On Monday, March 10 Navarro wearing a brown jacket, gray shirt, and shades officially returned to his hosting duties and was met with cheers from fans and hugs from the whole Showtime cast.

“Hanggang ngayon po ay hindi pa din ako makapaniwala na nandito na ako sa aking tahanan. At first po, matapos mahigit ang isang buwan sasabihin ko ulit ito, happy Monday buong Kapamilya sa buong mundo and, of course, ang na-miss ko – madlang people! (Up to now I cannot believe I’m back home and after more than a month, I can say this again – happy Monday Kapamilya all over the world and of course,  the people I missed!)” Navarro said.

Vhong and Vice reunited

Despite his physical absence during Navarro’s comeback, Vice Ganda said he cried while watching his return from the US via The Filipino Channel (TFC). They were with each other in spirit, he said on March 12.

Navarro thanked Vice Ganda and everyone in the for giving him strength. As Vice Ganda continued his speech, Navarro engulfed him in an embrace.

“Babakla bakla lang ako (I may act gay),” said Vice Ganda. “Pero lalaking lalaki pag pinanindigan ko ang kaibigan ko, hindi kita iiwan, hindi ka namin lahat iiwanan. (But I’m a real man when it comes to being there for my friends. I will not leave you, we won’t leave you.)

Vice Ganda also said that he is happy to see his friend back to busting dance moves and cracking jokes. 

On February 26, days before leaving for the US, Vice Ganda filed a sworn affidavit at the Pasig City Regional Trial CourT, regarding a second rape case against Navarro filed by Roxanne Acosta. The 24-year-old former pageant contestant claimed she was raped by the actor in 2010.

In the sworn statement, Vice Ganda said that Navarro was a guest in his concert on the night the alleged rape reportedly happened.

To celebrate Navarro and Vice Ganda’s return, the Showtime hosts took a “selfie,” perhaps as a nod to a similar viral photo by Hollywood celebrities during the Oscars.

“Kumpleto kami!!! (We’re complete!) #ShowtimeSelfie” read the caption posted by co-host and musician Jugs Jugeta.

Recovering from the controversy

Navarro, was forced to go on hiatus after a controversial incident on January 22 left him with severe injuries. After reconstructive surgery on his nose and two weeks in the hospital, Navarro was discharged on February 6. The actor proceeded to the Department of Justice to file his sworn affidavit.

Navarro is currently facing two separate rape charges, one filed by Acosta, the other filed by model Deniece Cornejo for allegedly raping her in her condominium on January 22. According to Cornejo’s camp, Navarro was injured when cornejo’s friends arrived to defend her.

Navarro denied the allegations, saying he was a victim of extorion and was threatened and mauled in by Cornejo’s friends businessman Cedric Lee and company. 

In recent developments, Cornejo revealed that the actor had raped her twice, the first time when they met in her condominium on January 17.

Navarro recently filed separate perjury cases against Cornejo and Lee’s camp and Roxanne Acosta.

Cornejo, Lee and company are meanwhile also facingserious illegal detention, serious physical injuries, grave threats, grave coercion, unlawful arrest, and blackmail charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation. – Rappler.com