Vice Ganda ties OPM songs to Bongbong, Sara, Leni, other politicians

MANILA, Philippines — Host-comedian Vice Ganda sprinkled another dash of political humor on noontime variety show "It's Showtime!" inspired by Filipino tracks.

Across two episodes, Vice Ganda took the helm of the "It's Giving" segment where contestants had to answer trivial questions to stay in the game and the topic were OPM songs.

In the first episode, Vice joked that Rivermaya's "Hinahanap-hanap Kita" was sung by lawyer Harry Roque, earning a laugh from the studio audience since the former presidental spokesperson and human rights lawyer is in hiding somewhere in Europe.

More laughs emerged when Vice said former congressman Zaldy Co was behind the song "Bawal Lumabas" before pointing to the actual singer, co-host Kim Chiu.

Co, who is in the middle of investigations for flood control projects, was reportedly apprehended in the Czech Republic attempting to enter Germany.

One contestant answered correctly that "Wala Na Bang Pag-Ibig" was by Jaya but Vice joked that it was an original collaboration between "Bongbong and Sara," referencing the political falling-out between the president and vice-president who had run together with a "unity" tagline.

In another episode, Vice quipped that Sugarfree's "Makita Kang Muli" was sung by Bato dela Rosa, the senator who has not been seen anywhere since November.

One contestant was unable to answer that Gary Valenciano sang "Babalik Ka Rin" though someone offscreen jokingly told Vice that Co was also behind the song.

"Ang daming kanta ni Zaldy Co lately ah!" Vice exclaimed as the studio audience reacted. "Makaka-compile tayo ng isang playlist."

Co-host Jackie Gonzaga incorrectly said "Miss na Miss Kita," attributed to Father & Sons, was sung by Lani Misalucha though Vice pounced on the mistake by saying it was actually by Bongbong and his sister Sen. Imee Marcos.

A diferent contestant answered wrongly that Sharon Cuneta sang Bituin Escalante's "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana" and Vice joked that the song was by Naga City mayor and former vice president Leni Robredo.

"Kinakausap pa namin siya para i-cover pero kailangan kumbinsihin. 'Di ba gusto niyo i-cover ni Leni ang 'Kung Ako Na Lang Sana'?" Vice asked the audience.

The latter quip is a likely reference to Leni's loss in the 2022 presidential elections and ruling out another attempt in 2028, opting to stay in Naga City.

Other funny remarks were Vice quipping that Freddie Aguilar's "Ipaglalaban Ko" was by ABS-CBN Corp. president Carlo Katigbak and April Boy Regino's "Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin" was by the Filipino people. — Video from ABS-CBN News' YouTube channel

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