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Darren Espanto describes It’s Showtime co-hosts, bares their ‘quirky’ qualities

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Mary Ann Bardinas

From the four corners of the <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime" target="_blank">It’s Showtime</a> studio, Vice Ganda and Darren Espanto brought their bardagulan and kulitan moments on the road as they hopped on an awesome and fun “Jeeppool Karaoke” in the latest vlog uploaded on the former’s official YouTube channel.Born and raised in Canada, commuting was something that Darren never experienced because aside from the fact that there are no jeepneys there, their family already had a car when his singing career here in the Philippines started in 2014. It might not be his first time to ride a jeepney since he already embarked in a bedecked one used in an event that he attended before, but it was his first time to experience going around while aboard one.And since it was his legit initial try riding a jeepney, the Unkabogable Star and his creative team made sure that it would be a remarkable experience as they rented a traditional PUJ, which they decorated with fiesta-themed furnishings and set up a mini karaoke inside it in their attempt to turn this vlog into a “jeep-pool karaoke,” the Pinoy version of the popular “carpool karaoke” seen in foreign shows.When asked by Vice to whom he dedicated it, Darren divulged that it was actually inspired by the love journey of the series’ lead characters Caroline and Bingo, impressively played by Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan.Since “Iyo” is the fulfillment of his childhood dream to have a love song that is “timeless” and can be sung to serenade a special someone or at weddings, he regards this as his top favorite among the songs that he released in the past decade.In the past romantic affairs that he had, Darren recalled that he was actually not the type who would ask whoever he was dating back then if they were already a couple as they already regarded one another as girlfriend and boyfriend. Since he was really young, it was quite difficult for him to buy stuff for his previous girlfriends because his finances have been handled by his parents. Thus, he resorted to borrowing from his friends in order for him to buy presents.He disclosed that the most lavish gift he’s ever given to a girlfriend was a ring, while the most expensive and most precious that he received were two pairs of shoes and a platinum ticket to the concert of Filipino-American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars in 2023 held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. He might have refused to mention the name, but his avid fans and followers on Instagram were able to perhaps figure out who he was referring to.Vice then had him sing the classic OPM love song “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita?” but quizzed him first if there was a point in his life that he asked this question this question to himself. Darren then confessed that he’s quite difficult to love since he is not that expressive.Their conversation then veered to his The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1 experience, with the Unkabogable Star asking if he ever thought that he was truly the rightful winner, just like what other people believed in.“Ayoko namang sabihing dapat nanalo ako,” he retorted. “Sa akin, I thought I did my best. Saka bata pa lang ako ayoko nang nag-e-expect. Kasi naranasan ko na ‘yong nag-expect tapos ‘di naman napunta sa’kin, like sa mga past contests. Itong ‘The Voice Kids,’ gusto ko lang talagang masali sa showbiz industry sa Pilipinas.”Both of them agreed that Lyca Gairanod, who was also his teammate under Coach Sarah Geronimo’s wing, indeed deserved to be the grand winner since she possessed amazing talent and irresistible charm as well. At the same time, they’re both impressed by how Lyca’s vocal prowess has improved through the years and keeps on getting better.Many of his contemporaries may be talented and admirable like him, but it’s Sheena Belarmino with whom Darren is amazed the most because she can sing and dance effortlessly.He further showcased his range as a singer by belting out “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw,” which was originally sang by Sheryn Regis and covered by Morissette.While he couldn’t recall uttering those words in the 24 years that he’s been living, what he’s certain of is that he does not see himself quitting anytime soon as he yearns to stay long in the industry. Besides, he also aspires to perform and release music internationally, which he already experienced when he was chosen to be the representative of the Philippines in the Chinese singing competition “Singer 2019.”They then discussed his stint as the newest addition to the <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime" target="_blank">It’s Showtime</a> family, which is something that he really didn’t see coming or imagine happening. Little he did know that his appearances in the past years as a guest performer, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/tawagngtanghalan" target="_blank">Tawag ng Tanghalan</a> hurado, Magpasikat import, and guest co-host were gearing him up for the significant and huge role that he started to take on early this year.Vice went on to quiz him about who among the hosts he’s the closest, with Darren mentioning him, as well as Kim Chiu and Ryan Bang as he considers them as his best friends. Meanwhile, he implied that he’s still building his bond with Ogie Alcasid, Vhong Navarro, and Jhong Hilario since he shares the same dressing room with them.The Unkabogable Star then had him describe each one of the <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime" target="_blank">It’s Showtime</a> hosts and bare their “negative” qualities. They started off with Ryan who he simply tagged as “Koreano,” then went on with Ion Perez as the “fitness guru,” Jackie Gonzaga as “kikay,” Cianne Dominguez as “matakaw” like him, Teddy Corpuz as “ma-kape,” Jugs Jugueta as “palamura,” Jhong Hilario as “Sample King,” Karylle as “very smart,” Vhong Navarro as “fashionable,” Anne Curtis as “bulol” like him, and Vice as “sunshine.”“Sinabi ko ‘to sa kanya noon. Parang hindi kumpleto ‘yong araw namin sa Showtime ng walang Vice Ganda,” Darren explained, to which Vice commented how sweet the Gen Z star is as he would send him a heartwarming text message whenever he’s absent.With regard to the quirky characteristics of the hosts, Darren revealed that Ryan seems to be always mad, while Ion is always in a hurry. He then shared how Jackie has been a crybaby recently, while Karylle tends to interrupt jovial moments by sharing fun facts with him regarding the topic their group talks about. He reiterated Cianne’s being “matakaw” and Jugs’ being “palamura,” while didn’t mention anything “negative” about Ogie, Vhong, Jhong, and Anne.On the other hand, he pointed out how he and Vice tend to have mood swings, as well as how he and Kim are both “madaot,” a Pinoy slang that pertains to a person who ‘bullies’ others usually in a playful manner.The vlog capped off with the two of them performing a duet of Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 6 champion Lyka Estrella’s hit song “Hawak Mo,” which has become a karaoke staple.Catch them on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime" target="_blank">It’s Showtime</a>, Mondays to Saturdays at noontime on <a href="http://kapamilyachannel.com/" target="_blank">Kapamilya Channel</a>, <a href="http://kapamilyaonlinelive.com" target="_blank">Kapamilya Online Live</a>, A2Z, GTV, and GMA 7.

Vice Ganda had Darren describe each one of the It’s Showtime hosts and bare their ‘quirky’ qualities.