The program’s anniversary presentation looks different this year.
On Monday, December 1, ABS-CBN’s noontime variety program It’s Showtime kicked off the month with its special week-long presentation.
Called MagPaskoSikat, it is being held to belatedly celebrate the show’s 16th anniversary last October.
For the first of the six-day-long affair, the hosts had a hip-hop and rap-themed opening production number.
Jhong Hilario performing Francis Magalona’s hit songs with the late Master Rapper’s sons Arkin and Elmo Magalona. Meanwhile, Vhong Navarro sang Andrew E.’s Andrew Ford Medina with Jackie Gonzaga and Cianne Dominguez.
Paul N Ballin and the viral hit Pogi also received spotlight with Ogie Alcasid, Jugs Jugueta, Ryan Bang, and Ion Perez.
Dreycruz and Bert Symoun also appeared for the Wag Ipagsabi segment with Teddy Corpuz, Kim Chiu, and Darren Espanto.
Karylle then sang Kahit Bata Pa Ako with Aikee, while Anne Curtis performed Itsumo with DiCE, K9, and Hi-C, as well as MC and Lassy.
For the grand finale, Vice Ganda did Gloc 9’s hit song Sumayaw Ka with Tawag Ng Tanghalan All-Star Grand Resbak winner Marko Rudio.
Aside from the production number, which is expected to happen daily until Saturday, December 6, the show will also present the week-long special edition of Laro Laro Pik, with the jackpot prize being PHP1 million.
The staging of MagPaskoSikat replaces for this year the annual Magpasikat anniversary competition between hosts.
In an on-air statement last October, main host Vice Ganda explained that they decided to skip the tradition due to the financial challenges that the show is facing in the years after ABS-CBN was forced to end its terrestrial broadcast after its Congressional franchise was not granted in 2020.
“I’m sure alam niyo naman ‘yun kung gaano naging kahirap sa ating lahat na itaguyod itong programa ‘to sa mga nakalipas na taon. We have been trying our very best pero naisip namin every year, per day, per prod, minimum of ₱6 million. Minsan umaabot ng ₱10 million, so kung susumahin mo ‘yan sa isang linggo, para sa isang linggo lang na selebrayon, magkano ‘yung ginagastos namin,” the Kapamilya personality explained.