Vhong Navarro says there is pressure for Showtime to take the lead in the ratings war

Thu Jan 06 2011 07:46 AM
by: Napoleon Quintos

Vhong Navarro was taken by surprise when his Streetboys buddy Jhong Hilario took some time off from the set of Mara Clara so he could greet Vhong a happy birthday on the former’s show Showtime. “Sinorpresa ako ni Jhong sa Showtime. Nagpaalam siya saglit sa set ng Mara Clara para lang batiin ako.Nung Sunday kasi hindi siya nakapunta sa surprise birthday party ko,” Vhong told Push.com.ph outside theShowtime Studio right after the said episode.

Last Sunday, January 2, a few of Vhong’s friends surprised him with a party to celebrate his 34th birthday. “Nandun ‘yung mga close friends ko both showbiz at non-showbiz. Actually matagal ko nang pinoproblema ‘yung venue kung saan ako pwedeng magpa-party para sa birthday ko. Buti na lang ‘yung mga kaibigan ko na ang nagayos.” Vhong shared that his two sons were also present during the party. “Akala nga ng mga friendsko mga kapatid ko. Ang tangkad na kasi nila, mga binata na. Isang 14 years old at isang 12.”

The actor-host-dancer said his 2010 had been filled with so many blessings from God, that’s why he feels like there is nothing else he can ask for for his birthday. But his only prayer now is for Showtime to become more successful now that the program has now taken over ABS-CBN’s noontime slot after the cancellation ofPilipinas Win na Win last December 31. “Nakakalungkot na nawala ‘yung Win na Win. Hindi na natin mapapanood ang Hitmakers at sina Pokwang. Pero hindi naman tayo dapat magalala kasi siguradong may iba pang trabahong maibibigay sa kanila. Kami naman sa Showtime ay natutuwa dahil nadagdagan ng oras ‘yung pagpapasaya namin sa mga Showtimers at madlang pipol. Kaya nagdagdag kami ng mga bagong pakulo, mga games.”

Vhong admitted that in spite of Showtime’s huge following, it is still a tall order going head to head against the rival program hosted by TV legends Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon. “May kaba talaga kasi alam naman namin na ang Showtime ay hindi talaga para sa noontime slot. Pang morning talaga siya. Ngayon ang katapat namin e talagang mga institusyon na ‘yan. Mahirap na silang gibain. Kami sa Showtime ang gagawin lang namin e patuloy na pasayahin ang mga tao.”

Aside from Showtime, Vhong will also be seen on the big screen very soon in the suspense-comedy film Bulong with Angelica Panganiban. Bulong is directed by Chito Roño.