WATCH: How social distancing changed ‘It’s Showtime’ amid coronavirus concerns

MANILA — After suspending its studio audience admissions, “It’s Showtime” on Friday observed further measures of social distancing among its hosts, performers, and contestants, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

• WATCH: What changed as ‘Showtime’ went live without studio audience due to coronavirus

The changes in the ABS-CBN noontime program came a day after the Philippine government announced it would enforce social distancing in public spaces — and put Metro Manila under community quarantine — to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Throughout the live episode on Friday, the hosts also shared tips to prevent the virus from spreading, as detailed by the Department of Health.

Here’s a rundown of some changes brought about by stricter social distancing on “It’s Showtime” due to COVID-19, compiled in video:

• In the opening segment, the hosts were noticeably at least a meter apart from each other, with host Vice Ganda noting their more careful observance of social distancing. Usually, they gather closely in a line in greeting the audience at the beginning of the show.
• The pre-drawn 20 “PiLing Lucky” contestants were also a meter apart from each other as they entered the studio. When they lined up on stage, Vice Ganda advised them to raise their arm sideways to determine a safe distance.
• The trio of Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, and Jhong Hilario, known for their riotous “physical hosting,” had limited interactions as they maintained their distance from each other throughout the segment.
• The Genie duo, who usually enter the stage together inside an oversized jar, arrived separately and outside the container. They also each handed the “Charot Cards” to the hosts from a significant distance.
• Usually tasked to pick their lucky items at the same time, the “PiLing Lucky” contestants, this time around, had a pre-drawn number that determined the order in which they can choose an object. They were called one by one, eliminating the normal scenario where they gather closely and race to get the item they want.
• In interviewing a contestant, the hosts maintained at least a meter distance away. This also applied during the “Mini Ms. U” and “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segments.
• At one point during “PiLing Lucky,” Vice Ganda got momentarily confused as to where he should stand on stage without obstructing the cameras, due to the setup of hosts occupying a much larger space on stage than they are used to.
• When “PiLing Lucky” contestant Rocelle won the jackpot prize money, Vice Ganda said he wanted to give her a congratulatory hug but couldn’t, due to social distancing. This was a similar case to the March 10 episode of “It’s Showtime,” when it first went live without a studio audience as a safety measure against COVID-19. In that episode, the hosts nearly hugged a winning contestant, but were reminded of social distancing.
• In the “Mini Ms. U” segment, the interview setup noticeably had the chairs farther apart from each other. Usually, “Mini Yorme” Aaron Sunga shares a chair with the woman co-host (Maja Salvador on Friday), but this time he had his own.
• Normally, “Mini Ms. U” contestants are escorted by a boy to the interview area from the center of the stage. Vice Ganda said the “mini” escorts were temporarily excluded to prevent unnecessary physical contact.
• Even when not on stage, hosts who weren’t part of an ongoing segment were seen seated with considerable distance from each other in the audience area.
• Aside from the hosts maintaining distance, in “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” the judges, too, had desks noticeably positioned to observe social distancing. Usually, their desks are connected and they are seated near each other.
• In a light moment, Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro interviewed the first “Tawag ng Tanghalan” contestant, who was on stage, from a flight of stairs several meters away. The positions were maintained for the remainder of the segment.
• After their turn, “Tawag ng Tanghalan” contestants are usually led off stage by a female dancer who reaches for their hand. This time, contestants were simply guided towards the exit by a gesture, with the dancer maintaining some distance.

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