For years, Sunday nights were almost synonymous with Vice Ganda.
When Gandang Gabi Vice premiered in 2011, it quickly became one of the country’s most talked-about Sunday shows and eventually turned into a weekend habit for many Filipino viewers. A big part of its appeal was Vice Ganda’s ability to make people let their guard down and show a side of themselves that audiences did not always get to see.
His guests ranged from politicians, who were often expected to be serious and guarded, to dramatic actors and veteran stars who suddenly found themselves laughing, telling personal stories and being completely unfiltered.
Now, the country’s Phenomenal Unkabogable Superstar is bringing that familiar mix of laughter, good vibes and celebrity conversations back to Sunday nights.
Gandang Gabi Vice makes its much-awaited return tonight, September 13, on GMA and iWant, with one of GMA’s biggest stars as his very first guest.
For his pilot episode, Vice welcomes Kapuso actor and Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards, giving viewers a chance to see a more relaxed and personal side of the actor.
I got to speak with both Alden and Vice Ganda during the Preview Ball on Thursday, where Alden shared just how much he enjoyed being interviewed by Vice.
Alden revealed that he had not been saying yes to many talk shows lately, making his experience with Vice all the more memorable.
“Naku, abangan nyo yun. It has been a while since nag-yes ako since sa mga talk show. It was a fun experience for me. I can’t put it in words. It’s one of the best interviews I’ve had, maybe in my 15 years in showbusiness, so I’m really grateful for Vice for making the interview so light and meaningful. It’s a very grounding experience for me, and it’s a very black-and-white, humble, no-pretension, walang kashowbizan interview,” he added.
For Alden, what made the conversation stand out was its honesty and lack of pretense. After 15 years in show business and countless interviews, he considers his conversation with Vice one of the best he has experienced.
When I asked Vice about Alden’s glowing reaction, his excitement was just as evident.
“Oh my God, I’m so excited for everyone to see the episode that we did for Ganging Gabi Vice. That’s gonna be the pilot episode. It’s gonna be happening this Sunday, 10 o’clock. Ang saya! Makikita n’yo ‘yung side ni Alden na hindi n’yo laging napapanood. Thank you very much, I’m so grateful to Alden Richards for trusting me, for trusting the program. Nag-enjoy lang siya! Ang dami niyang ikinuwento, ang dami niyang ipinakitang nasurprise din ako. Ang saya-saya ng episode this Sunday kaya abandon n’yo po Gandang Gabi Vice on GMA, 10 o’clock po ‘yan!”
From Vice’s reaction, it seems Alden gave his host plenty of surprises during their conversation.
And choosing Alden as the opening guest was no accident.
When GMA News asked Vice why the Kapuso star was chosen for the pilot, he explained that he specifically wanted one of GMA’s biggest stars to join him as he begins this new chapter of Gandang Gabi Vice.
“Sobrang deserve namin ang Alden for our pilot episode. Ngayong, of course I want one of GMA’s biggest stars to join me,” she told the press in Filipino at the Preview Ball. “And that’s what I’ve been looking forward to, ‘yung ma-interview Kapuso stars. In almost ten years of Ganging Gabi Vice, ilang Kapuso stars lang na-interview ko. Ito na ‘yung chance para makachika ko silang lahat. Para ma-GGV-fy ang mga Kapuso star.”
But the show will not be limited to GMA personalities. Both Kapamilya and Kapuso stars are expected to appear as special guests.
The returning show also comes with some new faces. Joining Vice as co-hosts are Vince Maristela, Divine Tetay and Verna, collectively known as the Geng Gang.
The comeback was announced in August, marking another collaboration between ABS-CBN and GMA Network. This time, viewers will have more ways to catch the show, with Gandang Gabi Vice airing on GMA while also streaming its television episode for free on iWant for Philippines-based users.
For longtime fans, the return brings back a familiar Sunday ritual. For newer viewers, it is an opportunity to discover why Vice Ganda became known for getting even the most unexpected personalities to loosen up in front of the cameras.
And if Alden’s reaction is anything to go by, Vice may already have another memorable interview on his hands.
Gandang Gabi Vice returns tonight, September 13, at 10 p.m. on GMA. The episode will also stream for free on iWant for viewers in the Philippines.
