MANILA — Amid rumors romantically linking them, Vice Ganda and Ion Perez have certainly not shied away from their affectionate behavior towards each other on “It’s Showtime,” lending more hints as to the real score between the two.

In the March 29 episode of the noontime program, Vice Ganda’s mother Rosario and sister Emma were shown among the studio audience during the “KapareWho” segment, where Perez regularly makes an appearance.

When teased by co-hosts Karylle and Vhong Navarro that it was time to “meet the family,” Perez did not hesitate to give a message to the members of Vice Ganda’s family.

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“Humihingi po ako ng permiso – puwede ba ako sa puso niya?” Perez said, triggering shrieks from the audience.

Then, in a playful exchange with his “rival” Jackie Gonzaga, Perez said he was “serious” about Vice Ganda, and even gestured towards his heart.

Vice Ganda and Perez’s status has been the subject of speculation as early as February, when “It’s Showtime” co-hosts started teasing them romantically, with candid banter implying time spend together outside work, and a misunderstanding, among others.

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In mid-March, rumors of their romantic involvement were fueled when photos of Perez surprising Vice Ganda during a taping of a “Gandang Gabi Vice” episode circulated online. A number of netizens who claimed to be in the audience during the taping said Perez admitted being in a relationship with the comedian.

Even then, neither of the two has gone on record confirming their romance.

It remains to be seen whether the two indeed admitted their relationship in “Gandang Gabi Vice,” with that episode set to air on Sunday, March 31.