As Filipinos, we really have a soft spot for games that bring out our competitive side for fun. We mean, who doesn't love the chaos of parlor activities at parties and fiestas? Give us plastic cups or any random 'gamit sa bahay' and we'll turn them into mini-challenges for our entertainment, right?
It makes perfect sense why viewers have loved every minute of the Kapamilya game show "Minute To Win It." And bonus if our favorite celebrity is playing as the episode gets even more enjoyable to watch. Case in point: Vice Ganda's guesting on the show.
The Unkabogable Superstar played "Minute To Win It” in 2013 as a surprise guest for Luis Manzano’s birthday episode (Luis had zero clue who was about to walk in that day). Vice wanted to make the celebration extra special by showing up unannounced, since the two consider each other lucky charms in their respective projects, which explains why, if you’ve noticed, Luis often makes cameo appearances in Vice’s movies.
While of course she wanted to hit that ₱1 million jackpot at the end if possible, Vice said her real mission was to make Luis happy. Well, mission accomplished, as not only did she succeed in cheering up her friend, she also spread good vibes to the viewers.
Vice immediately cranked up the excitement at the game's Level 1 called "Puddle Jumper," where she had to blow a floating ping-pong ball in water from one cup to another five times. But maybe still getting a feel of her rhythm, she flopped her first attempt, and just playfully drank the water after losing one of her ‘three lives.’
She came back locked in on her second try—of course, Vice knows how to recover fast—finishing the challenge in just 12 seconds and bagging the guaranteed ₱5,000.
Vice’s coordination and focus were tested in Level 2 of the game called “Defying Gravity,” where she had to keep three balloons floating in the air for one minute by tapping them upward nonstop. Sounds difficult, right? But Meme made it look effortless and even added her funny dance moves while doing the challenge.
At Level 3, called “Kick Off,” Luis teased that his visitor is an expert at kicking—IYKYK—as Vice made the task look way too easy. Here, she had to use one foot to kick cans placed around the stage into a bucket at center stage, with two cans needing to go in within one minute. Yup, she got it done!
As the game went on, the "It's Showtime" host could already feel the challenges getting more and more exhausting, especially in Level 4, “Extreme Hanky Panky,” where she had to use both hands simultaneously to pull out tissue sheets from two standard tissue boxes until they were emptied. To hype her up, Luis jokingly asked Vice to take off her jacket and reveal just her sleeveless top underneath. And though shy at first, Vice gave in to her friend's request, which probably breathed in luck into her performance as she succeeded in this round.
As the challenges turned progressively harder, Vice put in extra effort while still enjoying every minute. Next came Level 5, “Tira Banana,” which promised a safety net of ₱75,000 once completed. A banana tied to a string was attached around her waist with the banana hanging about 12 inches above the ground. Using momentum from hip movements, the banana had to be swung in order to roll an orange fruit into a hula hoop placed on the floor.
This had to be the most nail-biting round, as the orange repeatedly came so close to going in, but either Vice's movement lacked a bit of force or the orange would get blocked by the edge of the hoop. Vice failed on her first shot.
With only one 'life' left, the stakes couldn’t have been higher—if Vice lost this round, everything she had earned would be gone, bringing her back down to just the Level 1 prize.
Despite the confidence boost from a video message by Anne Curtis, who also sent in her greetings for Luis, the banana challenge didn’t work in Vice’s favor. The orange eventually fell off the stage, ending her run and leaving her with only ₱5,000 to take home.
Even though she didn't win the biggest prize, as she mentioned earlier, her real goal was just to celebrate with Luis. Besides, she said ₱5,000 would still be enough to buy him a gift.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see Vice return to "Minute To Win It" and try her luck once again? Raise your hand if you’re manifesting it with us!
Catch “Minute to Win It” airing weekdays, 5:45pm on ABS-CBN sa All TV2, Kapamilya Channel, A2Z and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).
IN PHOTOS: Jessy, Vilma join Luis’ birthday bash on “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” pilot episode
Luis Manzano names the competition shows he’s hosted that he’d likely ace
Vice Ganda vs “It’s Showtime” Writers: Unscripted comedy with the ones writing the script
Sisterets Forever! ViceAnne moments on "It's Showtime" that define true friendship
THROWBACK: Julia Montes’ epic ₱500K win on “Minute to Win It” in this nostalgic recap