Jhong Hilario, Jackie Gonzaga, and Cianne Dominguez highlight mental health in star-studded 'Magpasikat' performance

Jhong Hilario, Jackie Gonzaga, and Cianne Dominguez highlighted mental health challenges for their "Magpasikat" performance on “It’s Showtime” on Friday.

With Angela Ken’s song about self-love “Ako Naman Muna” as their backdrop, Cianne, Jackie, and Jhong told the story and promoted the advocacy through impressive choreography.

Cianne first showed the domino effects of these challenges, with a special appearance by Sexbomb Girl and “Pulang Araw” actress Rochelle Pangilinan.

Jackie followed, showing how heartbreak from a cheating partner can affect one's mental health, clearly leaning into her experience. Her segment featured “Running Man Philippines” star Kokoy De Santos and an aerial performance.

Apart from dancing with his daughter Sarina and content creator Niana Guerrero, Jhong appeared at the end of both girls' solo performance to give them a green scarf, reminiscent of the green ribbon, the international symbol for mental health awareness.

The three performed fearless stunts on a spinning wheel, with Cianne even having her face covered. They also walked across a bridge with Jhong breaking it to protect Jackie and Cianne.

Jhong, Jackie, and Cianne’s performance also featured appearances of mental health advocates from various industries, including celebrities Jed Madela, Sofia Andres, Michelle Dee, Maxene Magalona, Kylie Versoza, and many more.

They ended their performance with mental health hotlines flashed on the screen.

The advocates, “It’s Showtime” hosts, Magpasikat judges, and the Madlang People were also given the green scarves.

According to Jhong, they chose to follow the theme of mental health to break the stigma surrounding it.

“Maraming nakakaranas. ‘Yung iba, sinasabi nila, ‘nako, bine-baby niyo lang ‘yang mga mental health mental health na ‘yan, mga depression na ‘yan.’ Hindi niyo malalaman hanggang hindi nangyayari sa ‘yo. Hindi niyo malalaman hangga’t walang pamilyang nakakaranas nun,” Jhong said.

“Alam mo, hindi nakikita sa tao kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman nila sa loob. May mga magaling magtago, pero lahat ‘yan may pinagdadaanan. At hindi lahat ng ‘okay lang’ ay ‘okay.’”

The team also consulted the show’s psychologist, and they all agreed that it is important to start a conversation.

The Sample King added the bashings Jackie and Cianne receive on social media served as an inspiration for their concept. 

 "It's Showtime" is set to name the winners of this year's "Magpasikat" on Saturday. The judges for this year include Gabbi Garcia, Donny Pangilinan, Alice Dixson, and former president of ABS-CBN Freddie "FMG" Garcia.

— Nika Roque/LA, GMA Integrated News