MANILA, Philippines — Alden Richards is set to make television history of sorts as the very first guest of Vice Ganda when “Gandang Gabi Vice” officially returns this Sunday, September 13, on GMA Network.
The long-awaited comeback marks a major new chapter for the popular comedy talk show, which originally aired on ABS-CBN. The revived program will premiere at 10 p.m. on GMA, with the television episode also available for free on iWant for viewers in the Philippines.
And the choice of Alden as the opening guest is hardly random.
From a 2017 “Fangirl” Moment to the GGV Comeback
Almost a decade before becoming the first guest of the revived show, Alden and Vice Ganda crossed paths at the 48th Box Office Entertainment Awards in May 2017.
Vice openly admitted being starstruck by the Kapuso actor and even shared a selfie of the two on Instagram at the time.
That memorable encounter has now come full circle.
GMA News confirmed that Alden will appear in the pilot episode, following a teaser that hinted at the Kapuso actor who had made Vice “fangirl” years earlier.
Philstar likewise reported that the clues in GMA’s teaser pointed to Alden, who will now join Vice as the show begins its new run on the Kapuso network.
Why Alden Is the Perfect First Guest
Alden’s appearance carries added significance because Vice herself previously named him among the Kapuso stars she wanted to invite to the show.
When GMA and ABS-CBN announced the return of “Gandang Gabi Vice,” Vice expressed excitement over having access to a much wider pool of celebrity guests, particularly stars from GMA.
Among the names she mentioned were Michael V., Marian Rivera and Alden Richards.
Now, one of those wishes has officially become reality.
For Vice, the comeback isn’t simply about bringing back an old television format. It also opens the door to conversations and comedic moments with Kapuso personalities who previously would not have been part of the show’s regular guest pool.
A New Era for ‘Gandang Gabi Vice’
The return of “Gandang Gabi Vice” represents another collaboration between GMA Network and ABS-CBN, bringing one of Vice Ganda’s best-known programs to a new television home.
ABS-CBN confirmed that the show will return beginning September 13, with Alden Richards serving as the special guest for the opening episode. The program will also feature Vice’s new “Geng Gang,” composed of Vince Maristela, Divine Tetay and Verna.
The format retains the entertainment and comedy elements that made “GGV” popular while introducing a new mix of personalities and guests.
Vice Ganda Is Clearly Ready for the Comeback
When the comeback was first announced in August, Vice made no secret of her excitement.
She described the return as something she had prayed and wished for, and said she was eager to experience again the kind of exhausting but fulfilling work associated with the program.
The comedian also highlighted the opportunity to interview Kapuso stars—something that becomes possible because the revived show is now airing on GMA.
That makes Alden’s appearance particularly symbolic.
The actor isn’t simply another celebrity guest. He represents one of the first major examples of Vice’s expanded access to GMA’s roster of stars.
The Timing Could Not Be More Interesting
The “Gandang Gabi Vice” revival comes at a particularly interesting moment in Philippine television.
Vice remains one of the country’s biggest entertainment personalities, while Alden continues to hold strong recognition as one of the country’s leading Kapuso stars.
Their reunion also carries a nostalgic element for viewers who remember Vice’s very public admiration for Alden back in 2017.
What began as a memorable celebrity encounter has now become the opening chapter of the show’s return.
What Viewers Can Expect
With Alden as the first guest, expectations are already high for the show’s opening episode.
The combination of Vice’s trademark comedy, Alden’s personality and their history dating back to that 2017 encounter gives the premiere an obvious built-in storyline.
And there is another question hanging over the comeback:
Who comes next?
Vice has already revealed several Kapuso personalities she would like to welcome onto the program, meaning Alden’s appearance could be just the beginning of a much larger crossover between the two networks.
For now, however, all eyes are on Sunday night.
After years away from television, “Gandang Gabi Vice” is finally back—and Alden Richards gets the honor of sitting in the first guest chair.
The bigger question is whether their long-awaited reunion will deliver the same unexpected chemistry that made Vice fangirl over Alden nearly a decade ago.
This time, though, the cameras will be rolling—and the entire country will be watching.
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