Kim Atienza has nothing but good words for comedian-host Vhong Navarro.
In an interview posted on the TikTok account JakalaTV3, Kim shared the kind of person Vhong is based on their interactions over the years.
Kim worked with Vhong as co-host of the noontime show It's Showtime for seven years before transferring to GMA Network in October 2021.
Read: Vhong Navarro makes emotional return to It's Showtime
"Alam mo mga comedian malulungkot na tao yan," Kim took note.
"Oo, ang galing magpatawa ni Vhong, pero ang lalim ng hugot niyan sa buhay. Mahal ko yang si Vhong."
Kim's comments coincided with Vhong's legal victory against the group of businessman Cedric Lee and model Deniece Cornejo, who on Thursday, May 2, 2024, was charged guilty by the court for an event that transpired a decade ago.
Read: Cedric Lee starts serving time at New Bilibid Prison
Read: Deniece Cornejo, diretso sa kulungan matapos mahatulang guilty
Vhong filed charges against Cedric and Deniece for serious illegal detention for ransom, stemming from a January 2014 incident in which the comedian was severely beaten after he allegedly attempted to rape Deniece.
Both parties filed legal cases against each other, with the Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch 153 sentencing Cedric, Deniece, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Raz to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years imprisonment.
Read: (Updated) A timeline: Vhong Navarro vs Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo legal battle
Read: Bagong mugshot ni Deniece Cornejo, pinagdudahan ng netizens
DEEP CONVERSATIONS
Kim said he got to know Vhong more during the time they were in It's Showtime, with the two engaging in conversations ranging from mundane to serious and personal issues.
He looked back, "Yung mga kuwentuhan namin araw-araw, alam na niya buhay ko, kinuwento ko na sa kanya. Alam ko rin buhay niya.
"Araw-araw, ilang oras kaming kuwentuhan nang kuwentuhan. Naging malalim [na nga ang usapan], mga problema na pinag-uusapan namin. Kinuha pa niya 'kong ninong sa kasal niya."
Vhong tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Tanya Bautista in an intimate wedding ceremony on November 28, 2019, at the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto in Japan.
Read: The star-studded guest list of Vhong Navarro and Tanya Winona Bautista's wedding
The two were boyfriend and girlfriend when Vhong found himself entangled in the controversy surrounding Deniece.
Kim added, "Alam ko kung saan galing si Vhong, alam ko puso ni Vhong, at alam ko katauhan niyan."
A GENEROUS COLLEAGUE
Likewise, Kim commended Vhong for being a good co-host when they were in front of the camera.
Elaborated Kim, "Sa bigayan ng linya, sa comedy pasisikatin ka niyan. Gagawin ka niyang sikat. Meron kasing mga komedyante na sila lang. Si Vhong, hindi. Ang sarap ka-dialogue niyan kasi magiging pareho kayong nakakatawa."
Vhong, according to Kim, is also the type who has no qualms about sharing his possessions with close friends.
"Sa gamit mapagbigay yan. 'Pag may inarbor ako diyan, 'Vhong, ganda ng shades mo, ha. Ray-Ban, bigay mo sa 'kin yan.' Oo, bibigay niya agad. Mapagbigay yan," elaborated Kim.
During the talk, Kim also commended other former It's Showtime colleagues like Vice Ganda, calling her a "comic genius" and Billy Crawford a dear friend whom he regularly spent time with even after concluding his stint in the show.