MANILA — A “hurt” Vice Ganda struggled to form words on Sunday as he appeared on the verge of breaking down during the live episode of “Search for the Idol Philippines.”

The comedy superstar was commenting on the performance of finalist Lucas Garcia, whose emotional rendition of Moira dela Torre’s “Tagpuan” earned raves from the judges, including its original singer and songwriter.

Garcia’s take on the song about finding one’s true love after uncertainties and heartbreaks, it seemed, struck a chord with Vice Ganda.

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“Pinalungkot mo ako. Sa sobrang ganda ng kanta mo, nalungkot ako,” he told Garcia as his voice cracked.

Pausing several times to compose himself, and at one point apologizing, Vice Ganda admitted that he had just been speaking with fellow judge and close friend Regine Velasquez about a personal matter.

On Twitter, fans of the “Fantastica” star expressed concern for their idol, with a number speculating that he might have been going through a rough patch. Others mentioned Ion Perez, the model-turned-“It’s Showtime” regular who is rumored to be romantically involved with Vice Ganda.

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On Monday, both Vice Ganda and Perez were absent from the noontime program, their fans noticed.

But while followers of the tandem known as “ViceIon” were initially worried about their ties, they found reason to rejoice when photos of Vice Ganda's and Perez’s families meeting surfaced online.

The family photos, which also include Vice Ganda’s mother Rosario Viceral, are the latest hint of a real-life romance between the two, despite never having gone on record to confirm being together.