It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda has expressed her intention to apologize to “Especially For You” searchee Axel Cruz following a misunderstanding that aired live on the popular noontime show.
On May 31, 2024, Maria Christine appeared on the show with her ex-boyfriend Derick for the “Especially For You” segment, hoping to find a potential new partner.
Among the searchees Christine was choosing from was Axel Cruz.
However, towards the end of the segment, Christine did not select Axel and instead picked a different searchee.
After not being chosen, Axel was given the opportunity to deliver a parting message to Christine.
Before speaking, Axel approached Christine for a high-five and moved his face closer to hers, appearing as if he was about to kiss her.
Vice Ganda, surprised by Axel’s move, intervened, saying, “Oy, hindi pwede yun, that’s bad!
“Don’t do that, you ask for permission. Alam mo bang pwede kang mademanda sa ginagawa mo?
“Don’t do that, hindi ka pwedeng biglang nagnanakaw ng halik.”
Another host can also be heard saying, “Di puwede yun, Axel.”
IFIES “NAKAW NA HALIK ISSUE”
After the show aired, this incident sparked discussions online, with many criticizing Axel for trying to “steal a kiss” from Christine.
On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Axel took to Facebook to clarify his actions, saying that he did not intend to steal a kiss from Christine as many people believed.
Axel uploaded screenshots of the reactions with the caption (published as is): “Hello everyone, Gusto ko lang i-clear at clarify about sa segment ng its showtime ng expecially for you..
“Una sumali ako for fun lang then go with the flow sa mga kulitan at asaran tapos nung time na mag mememeet na kami nung girl yung mga hindi nya pinili ay papalapit palang ako ay naka handa na umapir ang kamay ng girl sakin…
“Then nag apir kame after ng apir is shake hands ko sya, ang gagawin ko dapat ay yung ginagawa ng karaniwan its a ‘BroCode’ after shake hands dikit balikat eh umiwas si girl…
“Akala nya kikiss ko sya or beso again im not intended to kiss her, and yung angle ng cam akala hinatak or pinilit ko, nakaupo po sya nun hindi maabot kaya ganun ang nangyare.
“after that meme vice call out na bawal daw ang ginawa ko to trying kiss or nakawan sya ng halik, nablanko na ako non di ko na alam gagawin ko.”
After sharing his side of the story, Axel appealed to the public not to bash him or, worse, threaten.
He also apologized to everyone if he did something wrong.
He wrote: “Gusto ko lang malaman nyo side ko hindi yung kung ano yung nakita at napanood nyo ang pinaniniwalaan nyo and please stop sending me and posting threat and badwords, stop posting uncut version of video para lang mag viral, thankyou sa mga nag susupport saakin at pinaniniwalaan ako.
“Im sorry if may mali man ako nagawa or mali sa paningin nyo pero para saakin its just like a brocode, and kay ate girl sorry kung nagulat ka or na feel mo na kikiss kita hindi ko intensyon yun.
“And to the whole cast of showtime super grateful to be part of this segment thankful padin ako lalo na kay meme vice please stop bashing her nagulat lang din siguro sya.”
CHRISTINE DEFENDS AXEL
Christine has also taken to TikTok to clarify the situation.
On Saturday, June 1, 2024, Christine reposted the controversial scene on TikTok and “stiched” her video saying she did not feel disrespected by Axel.
She said: “Hi guys! Ako nga pala si Christine. So, kanina paggising ko eh nakita ko itong video na to.
“Tapos, nabasa ko sa comments na yung iba galit, tapos yung iba naman naiintindihan talaga at nakikita nila na wala naman talagang ginawang mali si Axel.
“Ang totoo ako po kasi niyan, wala naman po talagang balak si Axel na ibeso ako.
“Tsaka hindi ko talaga naramdaman na gusto niya akong ibeso.”
According to Christine, Axel’s actual intention was to pat her on the arm, not to kiss her.
She said, “Kasi po ang nangyari di ba, inapiran ko siya. Tapos, parang gusto niya akong i-hug. Tapos, since naka-upo ako, ang awkward ng position.
“Ang feeling ko kasi na gusto niya gawin, iha-hug niya ako, tapos ita-tap niya yung likod ko. Para yung comfort, ganun, parang tropa.
“Iga-ganyan niya. Kaya yun, yumuko siya na banda dito [sa shoulder], kasi itatap niya nga siguro ako e. Parang mag-tropa.
“Pag-tropa di ba, pag halimbawa yung tropa mo, malungkot. Ganun ka mag-ano di ba? ‘Okay lang yan beh,’ ganyan.
“Tapos, di ba, yung position na yun, parang na-misinterpret ng mga host yun.”
Christine continued: “To clarify lang po, wala po talagang nangyaring halik. Wala pong nakaw na halik na nangyari.
“Parang comforting lang po talaga, since emotional ako nung segment.”
Towards the end of the video, Christine expressed her appreciation for Vice Ganda and her co-hosts’ concern, but said again that Axel did not intend to kiss her.
“Pero, in fairness po kay Meme Vice, ramdam mo talaga yung concern niya sa mga ganong bagay.
“Pero gusto ko lang po talagang linawin na wala pong nakaw na halik na nangyari.
“Concern, parang ano lang talaga, gusto nila talaga ako i-comfort.
“Dahil lang sa position na nakatayo siya at nakaupo ako, na-misinterpret lang po talaga siguro ng mga host yun.”
Christine also apologized to Axel for the miscommunication.
“Ngayon, pasensya na din po. Lalo na kay Axel, sorry. Sana, ano, maging okay ka. Pasensya ka na kung mangyari yung ganito.”
VICE GANDA TO APOLOGIZE TO AXEL
Following these clarifications, several netizens have turned to X (formerly Twitter) to urge Vice Ganda to issue an apology to Axel.
Vice Ganda shared her reaction also on X, indicating her intention to apologize to Axel.
Vice Ganda wrote (published as is): “Sorry na mali ang reaction ko. Ang dating kasi sakin at sa ibang andun eh na-off si girl na sinunggaban sya ng halik and i thought na she felt violated. Since hindi naman pala I will apologize to the guy.”
