Sparkle’s John Rex Baculfo and Mayang Osabel, both grand winners of GMA Network’s The Clash, have had competitive stints on the Tawag Ng Tanghalan stage. Recalling their best memories in the talent competition felt extra nostalgic for the pair, especially now that “It’s Showtime” has found a new home in GMA-7’s main channel.

In an interview with GMA Regional TV News, Visayan vocalist John Rex Baculfo and Iligan City pride Mariane Osabel shared their favorite memories of the noontime variety show.

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD

Lanao del Norte’s Mariane Osabel, the grand champion of The Clash Season 4, said she is thrilled for what’s about to come, now more than ever that GMA, her home network since 2021, made a historic deal with ABS-CBN and Its Showtime.

“Siyempre nakakatuwa, saka overwhelming. Nakikita ko yung mga nakakatrabaho ko before sa ABS kasi nagTawag ng Tanghalan din ako and nakikita ko sila ngayon sa GMA - sobrang nakaka excite, very historic ng event na ito,” she told GMA RTV News during the momentous contract signing event on March 20. 

As for John Rex, he expressed his overflowing happiness and amazement over the fact that Showtime now resides on GMA’s main channel - a feat nobody would’ve really imagined. 

“Sobrang historic, kasi if we  would look back, di natin maiisip na makakasama natin sila. Sobrang saya, and I am expecting na mas marami pang experiences,” shared John Rex.

“Who would’ve thought noh? Ang galing,” Mariane added.

Asked what she is looking forward to, the 26-year-old singer said it’s all the bonding and entertainment that await the noontime show.

“Based sa sinabi ni Meme nga, sasabog pa yung happiness at bonding!” she said.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS

John Rex joined the noontime show’s singing competition during the pandemic, where television production still required wearing face shields, among other safety measures that were still in place. 

He said it’s what made his TNT stint even more remarkable.

“Sumali ako pandemic, so ang hirap nung naka face shield, may social distancing - parang hindi siya competition tapos wala kang makikitang tao, walang audience. Parang kulang. So yun yung memorable sa akin,” the 25-year-old balladeer revealed.

He held on to his daily defending champion title for days before getting eliminated in the faceoff round of TNT 5’s Quarter 1.

Meanwhile, Mariane recalled a very particular moment where a short line from her performance turned iconic after Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda imitated it and played along.

“Marami akong memorable - mahaba haba din kasi yung time ko kasi nag-semifinalist ako sa TNT, pero yung super memorable was nung nag viral yung “no, no, no, no!” tapos ginagaya ni Miss Anne (Curtis), Meme Vice Ganda… tapos yung mga judge ginagaya nila yung linya na yun,” said Osabel.

“Sana maulit ulit yung moment na yun,” she added.