Vice Ganda got candid about the high cost of producing "Magpasikat" production numbers and why It's Showtime will not be mounting the annual segment for its 16th anniversary.
"This year, we decided to make the anniversary celebration different," Vice remarked during the noontime show's episode on Friday, October 24.
The Kapamilya comedian-host explained that each "Magpasikat" performance typically costs millions to produce.
"Every year po kasi kapag nagpapa-sikat kami we spend like a minimum of ₱6 million per production number. 'Yun po ang katotohanan dun dahil hindi naman tinitipid 'yung mga gusto naming production number na gusto naming ikaaliw ninyo, na kakapupulutan ninyo ng magandang inspirasyon. 'Yun talagang mawiwindang kayo, 'yung mga first time on Philippine television. Kasi ang taas na ng standard na nagawa ng Showtime eh, ng lahat, ng staff, ng prod, ng mga hosts. Ang taas-taas na rin ng standard ninyo madlang people so as much as possible kahit na hirap na hirap na po kami, hindi sa sinusumbat namin, real talk lang tayo," he said.
Vice admitted that the show can no longer afford that scale of production:
"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," he pointed out.
He went on: "Eh dati ang saya kasi afford namin. Right now, unfortunately and realistically, we can't afford that anymore and I'm sure you understand and you know why."
Nonetheless, Vice promised that the 16th anniversary will still be meaningful, as they are preparing a "grand celebration" in December focused on giving back.
"But still we want to make it extra because Showtime is extra," he said. "Hindi lalampas ang taon na ito na wala tayong ipagdiriwang. Pagdating po ng Disyembre, meron po kaming inalaan na isang malaking pagdiriwang na hindi lang ito kakaaliwan, na hindi lang for entertainment. Sa panahon na ito, hindi lang basta entertainment ang ibinibigay ng Showtime kung napapansin ninyo. We are trying to ediucate people," he pointed out.
He added that the planned week-long event will combine entertainment and public service.
"So sa araw na po iyon nangangako kami na marami at mas malaki 'yung matutulungan nating lahat at mas magiging makabuluhan ang pagdiriwang natin ng anibersayo sa pamamagaitan ng isang malala, at masaya, at engrandeng 'Laro Laro Pick' for one week. One week, malalang 'Laro Laro Pick' for one week so entertaining and maraming buhay ang mababago ng ating Kapamilya at Kapusong Pilipino... We will try to help our madlang peole build and rebuild their lives," he remarked.