'Anong chika?': 10 biggest showbiz issues, trends of 2023
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 27) — From arrests and breakups to network suspensions and international recognition, CNN Philippines takes a trip down memory lane and looks back at an eventful year for the local entertainment industry.
Here are the 10 biggest issues and trends that made headlines in 2023.
Awra Briguela bar brawl
Filipino comedian and actress Awra Briguela was arrested in late June after being involved in a scuffle in a Makati bar.
Authorities arrested the 19-year-old after she reportedly "violently" tore the shirt of one of the complainants and for physical injuries, alarm and scandal, direct assault, and disobedience to a person in authority.
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She was released on July 2 after posting a ₱6,000 bail.
Briguela's friends and advocates of the LGBTQIA+ community condemned the Makati police for allegedly manhandling the actress during her arrest, accusing them of brutality and transphobia.
Pura Luka Vega's 'Ama Namin' performance
Drag artist Pura Luka Vega’s performance as Jesus Christ in a rock rendition of "Ama Namin" drew furious reactions and sparked impassioned debates about religion and gender in the Philippines.
Many Catholics accused they/them (pronouns used by Vega) of blasphemy.
Vega apologized to those who felt uncomfortable but explained that it was a way to heal the exclusion they experience as a Catholic.
The artist was arrested by the Manila police on Oct. 5 and was released two days later after posting bail of ₱72,000.
Vega was promptly declared persona non grata in Manila, Bohol, Bukidnon, Laguna, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and in Floridablanca, Pampanga and Toboso, Negros Occidental.
'It's Showtime' suspension
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Sept. 4 decided to temporarily suspend the popular noontime variety show "It's Showtime" following alleged indecent acts by its hosts and real time partners Vice Ganda and Ion Perez.
It cited an "Isip Bata" segment in a July episode which showed Ganda and Perez licking off cake icing from their fingers.
Photo screengrab from ABS-CBN/Facebook
After a motion for reconsideration was denied in late September, ABS-CBN decided it would not appeal the MTRCB decision and would respectfully serve the 12-day suspension.
The show resumed airing on Oct. 28.
TVJ and TAPE Inc. legal battle
Eat Bulaga hosts Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon (TVJ) shocked their Dabarkads on May 31 when they announced they were officially leaving TAPE Incorporated, the production company behind the longest-running noontime variety show in the country.
On that day, Eat Bulaga re-aired an episode but the trio appeared on the show's Facebook livestream claiming the new TAPE management barred them from working. Tito also said TAPE owed Vic and Joey around ₱30 million each.
READ: Sotto bares reasons behind hosts' decision to leave TAPE
Other mainstays of the show, including Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Allan K., Ryan Agoncillo, Maine Mendoza, and Ryzza Mae Dizon, immediately followed TVJ's resignation.
On June 6, TVJ and other hosts signed an agreement to produce content with Mediaquest Group – the company that operates the TV5 network.
On Dec. 5, the Intellectual Property Office ruled that the trademark for “Eat Bulaga” belongs to TVJ.
The renamed show "E.A.T." started airing on TV5 on July 1.
Dolly de Leon on international stage
Filipino actress Dolly de Leon was nominated for her role in "Triangle of Sadness" at the 2023 British Academy Film Awards in January.
In the same month, the veteran actress won Best Supporting Actress at the 2022 Guldbbage Awards held in Sweden.
In July, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences – the organization that awards Oscars every year.
The Golden Globe nominee has worked on some projects with international stars this year.
De Leon will join the second season of the American TV series "Nine Perfect Strangers," with Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman. She will also take part in the action-comedy American film "Grand Death Lotto," starring John Cena, Awkwafina, and Simu Lui.
Michelle Dee’s Miss Universe journey
Michelle Marquez Dee ended her Miss Universe 2023 journey in the Top 10 in November but the beauty queen trended for quite some time due to issues surrounding the competition.
On coronation night, Miss Universe El Salvador posted a graphics card showing Dee in the Top 5. It was immediately replaced with a new one, this time rightly including Thailand's Anntonia Poslid instead of Dee.
Miss Universe El Salvador issued an apology to both candidates four days after the incident.
Dee won four special awards including Best National Costume and the Voice for Change campaign for her advocacy on autism awareness and inclusivity.
Asia Artist Awards
The eighth edition of the prestigious Asia Artist Awards (AAA) was held at the Philippine Arena on Dec. 14.
READ: New Jeans, SVT's BSS dominate Asia Artist Awards 2023 grand prizes
The AAA, considered as Asia's Oscar and Grammy Awards, recognizes Asian artists in film, television, and music.
Filipino actress Melai Cantiveros-Francisco brought home the AAA Best Actor Award while Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla won the AAA Fabulous Award.
But some netizens were quick to point out issues regarding the event's handling, including the lack of a proper area for artists and tables crashing amid the program.
IN PHOTOS: The Asia Artist Awards 2023
Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla breakup
The breakup of power couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla broke a lot of fans’ hearts and was big news beyond the local entertainment industry.
On Nov. 30, KathNiel shocked even fellow celebrities after releasing separate statements confirming the end of their 11-year relationship.
There were speculations that actress Andrea Brillantes had something to do with the split – but they would remain as rumors.
Kim Chiu and Xian Lim parting ways
Less than a month after the KathNiel breakup, Kim Chiu and Xian Lim also confirmed that they have parted ways after nearly 12 years.
Earlier this month, netizens noticed that Lim had deleted most of the videos, including those with Chiu, from his YouTube channel.
Days before confirming their split, Chiu admitted in Maricel Soriano's vlog that the status of her relationship with Lim was "hanging."
Ronaldo Valdez’s death
The year was capped off by devastating news about the death of multi-awarded, veteran actor Ronaldo James Dulaca Gibbs, better known as Ronaldo Valdez. He was 76.
The cause of death was not disclosed by his family but a supposed crime scene video circulating online would soon worsen the grief of his fans.
Three police officers were relieved from their posts following the video leakage. Authorities are still investigating the cause of death of the "Seven Sundays" and "The Mistress" actor.
