Ten years ago, the thought of Alden Richards one day sitting across Vice Ganda as the very first guest of a brand-new season of “Gandang Gabi Vice” would have been hard to imagine. There was a time when their names belonged to two of the biggest rival forces on noontime TV, which makes this crossover feel all the more surreal years later.
Alden's much-talked-about “GGV” guesting was sure an iconic full-circle moment. Plus, the episode was extra juicy as he got candid about matters of the heart and at the same time showed his 'makulit' side that we rarely see from him on television.
The AlDub vs. “It’s Showtime” era
In the pilot episode of the much-anticipated "GGV" comeback on September 13, Vice and Alden looked back and laughed at the supposed “rivalry” between “It’s Showtime” and the noontime program that Alden was part of with his then-love team partner Maine Mendoza, together known as AlDub. For Alden, that chapter in Philippine TV was definitely one for the books.
Alden and Vice even recreated AlDub's iconic split-screen kilig moments. But while Alden reminisced about those days fondly, Vice joked that she would rather erase them from her memory. She recalled how AlDub dominated the ratings game so much that she had already prepared herself for the possibility of "It's Showtime" getting canceled.
From there, Alden asked Vice if reports about “It’s Showtime” staff being banned from watching the 'AlDub segment' were true. Vice jestingly clarified that there wasn't exactly a formal memo—but there was an email.
Jokes aside, Vice acknowledged the AlDub phenomenon and how that intense competition made “It’s Showtime” stronger, describing that era as “isa sa pinakamadidilim na stages ng ‘Showtime’ at ako bilang entertainer.”
She added that there was never any personal beef between them. Vice shared that Alden was always warm and kind whenever they crossed paths at events, even during the height of it all. “During those times, we were okay. Magkatapat lang talaga ’yung mga programa namin,” she explained.
Alden's student life
The actor also didn't back down from the revelations Vice unearthed about his younger years. He was apparently a familiar face at the guidance office during elementary school because of disciplinary concerns. “Malikot [ako]. ’Pag sinabing lumakad nang diretso, ako, lalakad ako nang pa-zigzag,” he spilled. And in high school, he even had an embarrassing 'call of nature' incident.
Alden remembers his student life as fun, and judging by the stories he still has to tell, it was certainly never boring.
The 'almost' relationships
First things first, Alden named Anne Curtis as his first showbiz crush, which, of course, earned some 'violent' reactions from Vice. But from all the teasing, the conversation turned serious as Alden opened up about his relationship history. He revealed that he's only had two official girlfriends, both non-showbiz in his student days.
His showbiz love life, however, is filled with “what ifs.” Alden revealed that he's courted five women in the industry, but they all remained “almosts,” with either him or the girl pulling away before the 'relationship' could progress further. As for the last woman he courted, he admitted, “Pareho [kaming umatras] pero mas siya.”
Out of respect, he chose not to speak on behalf of the last showbiz personality he pursued. But he spoke about what the experience taught him, "Ang one thing na natutunan ko sa whatever happened with that relationship is to never say never. Huwag mong bigyan ng ultimatum 'yung sarili mo dahil sobrang saya mo sa sitwasyon. Kinain ko 'yung mga sinabi ko no'n."
He was honest about his own mistakes in love, disclosing that he ghosted the first showbiz girl he courted. Looking back, he knows that wasn't the right way to handle things, and he has since learned the importance of communication.
“Feeling ko, 'yung love life sa akin medyo mailap siya for the past fifteen years na kasi sinusubukan kong hanapin,” he reflected, adding that, at some point, he felt the pressure of society's invisible timelines that tell a person when they're supposed to settle down. But he no longer wants to impose that kind of timeline on himself. After his latest almost-relationship, he decided to stop actively looking for love and let it find him instead.
"Hindi ko sinasabing hindi ko hinihintay 'yung taong darating para sa akin. Kasi for the longest time, hinahanap ko 'yung para sa akin, so baka for a change, hintayin ko naman siya ngayon," he mused. "Seven billion [people in the world], imposibleng walang isa doon na para sa akin."
"Siguro for the longest time, naghahanap ako ng pagmamahal from another person, na, na-realize ko pagmamahal pala sa sarili 'yung kulang," he said, unable to hold back his emotions. Vice stayed by his side and comforted him as their conversation continued off-mic, giving Alden time to just let everything out.
Alden accepts Meme’s challenges
Of course, his GGV guesting wouldn't be complete without putting him through fun challenges. In the "Deep Truth" segment, he had to read a statement and let Vice and her co-hosts Verna Periwinkle and Tetay guess whether it was “trot” (truth) or “charot” (lie). The statement was, “May sinapak ako dahil sinigawan akong ‘bading’!”
The verdict? CHAROT! Alden clarified that he had never punched anyone over such a remark, though he's heard plenty of false rumors and speculation about his sexuality and sometimes such comments get on his nerves.
Of course, you can't have an award-winning actor like Alden on the show and not make him act, right? He jumped right into an impromptu 'vertical drama' scene, playing the devoted suitor of Vice, much to the dismay of his disapproving mom, played by Tetay. And then lawyer Verna arrived to reveal that Vice was actually an heiress.
Alden certainly made “GGV's” comeback one to remember, and now we can't wait to see which stars will be sharing secrets and stories with Vice next.
Watch the full "Gandang Gabi Vice" episode with Alden Richards for free on iWant (for Philippines-based users only).
EXCLUSIVE: Why Alden Richards felt comfortable opening up to Vice Ganda on “Gandang Gabi Vice”
EXCLUSIVE: Vice Ganda reveals the last time she cried and felt ‘kilig'
Coco, Anne, Donny and more! Vice Ganda blindranks iconic moments from “Gandang Gabi Vice”
Alden, bumuhos ang luha sa usapang love life | Gandang Gabi Vice
Vice Ganda at Alden, bumida sa romance acting challenge! | Gandang Gabi Vice