In the past 14 years, we’ve witnessed how a lot of ties intertwined among the gregarious family of It’s Showtime, which delightfully continues to grow and thrive amidst the challenges and setbacks that they have to go through together and as individuals. Among these lovely connections is between Vhong Navarro and Ogie Alcasid, who just launched their podcast recently entitled “Let’s VhoGie”, which was shot at the latter’s toy room.

For the first episode, the two divulged how they came up with the idea of putting up their own podcast. They thought that the amusing and inspiring exchanges they usually have with one another and with their other co-hosts inside their dressing room at work were worthy to be heard by the madlang people.

The two reminisced about how their closeness started after they were paired with one another in Magpasikat 2021, which was also the same year when Ogie officially became a regular host of the noontime show. Aside from looking back at some of their hilarious experiences during their Magpasikat rehearsals, they also talked about how their friendship began through hurling funny punchlines at one another even when he was just a mere hurado of Tawag ng Tanghalan.

Little did everyone know that prior to It’s Showtime, the two already got to work together several times in the past, which included a guesting at a variety show where Ogie performed with Vhong’s dance group Streetboys.
They may be seen bantering with one another on TV most of the time, but Vhong and Ogie can actually talk about a sensible stuff off-cam. Vhong imparted how Ogie has guided him, especially during those times when the noontime program, as well as himself, are in the midst of trouble.

“Kasi no’ng time na may mga pagsubok na dumaan sa Showtime [at] sa personal na buhay, ‘yon din ang nagpalalim sa friendship natin. No’ng time kasi na may pinagdadaanan ako, grabe si Kuya Ogie sa paggabay sa akin at sa prayers,” Vhong related.

Then he continued, “Kasi ang hirap pong pumasok sa Showtime actually no’ng time na nagpapatawa ka pero sa likod no’n, ang bigat-bigat na. So, ang ginagawa ko no’n, pupunta ako sa church ng [ABS-CBN], tapos ipra-pray over ako ni Kuya Ogie. Tapos pagsampa sa stage, parang ‘whooo!,’ wala lahat. Parang wala ‘yong problema.”

At the same time, Ogie disclosed how grateful he is to Vhong, too, for helping him out in his hosting duties, most especially on his first day. He was initially scared and anxious to accept it at first due to the COVID-19 surge during that time, but things became bearable for him and he eventually enjoyed working everyday, particularly because of Vhong.

Their conversation turned emotional and serious as Vhong recalled how Ogie had become instrumental in fortifying his faith in God during that time when he got jailed in 2022. Besides, that’s also when how he was able to prove that he’s indeed one of the people in his life that is for keeps and that holds a special place in his heart.

“Never akong nagsalita after ng kung anong nangyari sa’kin kasi hangga’t maaari, gusto kong mag-move forward na. Eh parte siya ng buhay natin, hindi siya pwedeng iwasan. ‘Yong taong kausap ko kasi ngayon, hindi ‘to basta tao lang at kaibigan. Napaka-espesyal nito sa akin kaya kailangan kong sabihin kung ano ‘yong nasa puso ko hindi lang sa kanya personal, pati sa lahat ng mga tao, kung gaano kabuti ang isang Ogie Alcasid,” he conveyed.

The second episode commenced where they left off in the previous episode, in which Vhong handed a gift to Ogie – two water dippers (or tabo). He revealed that the reason why he gave it to him is because he still uses tabo everytime he takes a bath and goes to the loo. On the other hand, Ogie gave him a collectible Star Wars toy for their exchange gift.

Vhong capped off the episode by reiterating that they did this to share their friendship with the madlang people and expressing his love to Ogie and his entire household for welcoming him to their abode.

Catch them on It’s Showtime, Mondays to Saturdays at 11:30AM, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, GTV and A2Z.