In a clash of birthday celebrations on Saturday’s noontime TV programming, Anne Curtis’ highly anticipated birthday bash on ‘It’s Showtime’ went head-to-head with a grand affair honoring Lola Belen on ‘Eat Bulaga’!
While Anne and the Kapamilya noontime show had been hyping up her birthday concert, Lola Belen had already commenced her birthday festivities on ‘Eat Bulaga’ since Friday.
Lola Belen, the beloved character portrayed by Wally Bayola in the ‘Gimme Five: Laro ng mga Henyo’ segment, enjoyed a lavish birthday celebration on the TV5 noontime show, hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and the Legit Dabarkads.
However, Anne still managed to capture attention with her hashtag #ShowtimePaANNEdar! despite the competition from Lola Belen.
Anne appeared to still be basking in the afterglow of attending Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour Concert’ in Melbourne, Australia.
May special message si Anne para kay Ate Taylor Swift!#ShowtimePaANNEdar
Subscribe, follow and watch us LIVE Mon to Fri 11:30am │ Saturday 12nn https://t.co/6a3FbJIzzR https://t.co/FA9ip4yjrZ https://t.co/kJcqr7VhWz pic.twitter.com/VvoS2vIxT9— It’s Showtime (@itsShowtimeNa) February 24, 2024
Bringing the concert experience to the ‘It’s Showtime’ stage, Anne performed live and danced to Taylor’s chart-toppers like ‘Ready For It,’ ‘Cruel Summer,’ ‘Bejeweled,’ and ‘Shake It Off.’
She even underwent several costume changes, donning glamorous outfits by Michael Leyva, elevating the grandeur of Anne’s birthday celebration!
Even the recurring joke between Anne and Vice Ganda about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) coming home on her birthday seemed to have materialized.
Anne mentioned that her birthday celebration became even more meaningful because OFWs took their banter with Meme Vice to heart.
Some OFWs even shared their boarding passes/tickets on social media, expressing their intention to return home to watch the show live and becoming special guests in the studio.
Asia’s Sweetheart also dedicated the song ‘Enchanted’ to the OFWs, recognizing them as modern-day heroes of the nation.
Vice formally announced that they would mark OFW Day on the Kapamilya noontime show annually on Anne’s birthday.
Jhong Hilario even jokingly dubbed Anne as the new deity of the OFWs.
Meanwhile, over on ‘Eat Bulaga,’ Lola Belen’s celebration commenced with an opening number featuring Atasha Muhlach, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Miles Ocampo, and Carren Eistrup performing ‘Dyosa’ by Skusta Clee in honor of the iconic grandmother figure of the noontime show.
Happy birthday, Lola Belen ❤️ #LegitDabarkads pic.twitter.com/QW5SCi7D74
— EAT BULAGA TVJ (@eatbulaga_TVJ) February 23, 2024
The Legit Dabarkads also relished the live appearance of the AI twins, Ellen and Lenlen, portrayed by Maine Mendoza and Atasha, serving as a delightful surprise for their AI grandmother.
The ultimate question remains—which birthday celebration captured the hearts of the nation more?
