WATCH: How Jhong Hilario pulled off surprise ‘Showtime’ comeback

Miguel Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='Showtime ABS-CBN' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/06/08/20220608-showtime.jpg' ><figcaption>Jhong Hilario’s co-hosts react to his surprise return to ‘It’s Showtime’ on June 4. <em>ABS-CBN</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — It took an entire day of planning, plus several accomplices including his “competitors” in Tawag ng Tanghalan, to pull off Jhong Hilario’s trending surprise comeback on “It’s Showtime” over the weekend.</p><p>Hilario had been on hiatus from showbiz due to several factors, including welcoming his newborn Sari during the coronavirus pandemic, and the recently concluded election season, where he won a third term as councilor in Makati City.</p><p>With COVID-19 cases slowing and restrictions easing — and having taken oath as an elected official — Hilario could finally return to the ABS-CBN program, via a top-secret “mission” which he chronicled through his vlog released June 7.</p><p>Hilario arrived on the morning of June 4 at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, cautious to interact only with his “accomplices” and avoiding those inside the building who are not aware of his return to “It’s Showtime.”</p><p>Security guards who did a visual check upon his entry became his unwitting “kasabwat” (accomplices), too, as Hilario requested them to not tell anyone else about his arrival.</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ceMvhACiAk?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div><p>The medical officer in charge of administering Hilario’s swab test was told the same, this time by a producer of “It’s Showtime.” When the nurse asked for a photo with Hilario, she was reminded to only post it online, if she plans to, once the noontime program’s episode ends.</p><p>“Naka-record ka, ate! ‘Pag nabuking kami, ikaw ang ha-hunt-ingin ko!” Hilario joked.</p><p>Hilario also shared glimpses of his transformation as Friedrich Palacol, his disguise as a Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant, as well as his rehearsals with Kyle Pasajol and Alyssa del Sol — singers who were tapped to help him accomplish his mission.</p><p>Watching the live episode of “It’s Showtime” from his holding area, Hilario said, referring to his co-hosts, “Wala silang kaalam-alam!”</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FH1_WqrY48?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div><p>He then had a final briefing with “It’s Showtime” producers as well as director Jon Moll, shortly before making his way to the studio he had last set foot on in 2020.</p><p>As Hilario recorded his entire day, his partner Maia also captured their 1-year-old daughter Sari’s reaction to his appearance on TV. To Maia’s amusement, Sari appeared clueless — and even fell asleep just after Hilario revealed himself.</p><p>The revelation — which draw audible shrieks in the studio, and moved his co-hosts to tears — has since become a viral moment that will be remembered as pivotal in the history of “It’s Showtime.”</p><p>“Mga, ka-tumbling, tapos na! Success!” Hilario declared at the end of his vlog. “Na-miss ko ‘tong dressing room na ‘to. I missed ABS-CBN!”</p>

<p>Hilario arrived on the morning of June 4 at the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, cautious to interact only with his “accomplices” and avoiding those inside the building who are not aware of his return to “It’s Showtime.”</p><p>Security guards who did a visual check upon his entry became his unwitting “kasabwat” (accomplices), too, as Hilario requested them to not tell anyone else about his arrival.</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ceMvhACiAk?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div><p>The medical officer in charge of administering Hilario’s swab test was told the same, this time by a producer of “It’s Showtime.” When the nurse asked for a photo with Hilario, she was reminded to only post it online, if she plans to, once the noontime program’s episode ends.</p><p>“Naka-record ka, ate! ‘Pag nabuking kami, ikaw ang ha-hunt-ingin ko!” Hilario joked.</p><p>Hilario also shared glimpses of his transformation as Friedrich Palacol, his disguise as a Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant, as well as his rehearsals with Kyle Pasajol and Alyssa del Sol — singers who were tapped to help him accomplish his mission.</p><p>Watching the live episode of “It’s Showtime” from his holding area, Hilario said, referring to his co-hosts, “Wala silang kaalam-alam!”</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FH1_WqrY48?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div><p>He then had a final briefing with “It’s Showtime” producers as well as director Jon Moll, shortly before making his way to the studio he had last set foot on in 2020.</p><p>As Hilario recorded his entire day, his partner Maia also captured their 1-year-old daughter Sari’s reaction to his appearance on TV. To Maia’s amusement, Sari appeared clueless — and even fell asleep just after Hilario revealed himself.</p><p>The revelation — which draw audible shrieks in the studio, and moved his co-hosts to tears — has since become a viral moment that will be remembered as pivotal in the history of “It’s Showtime.”</p><p>“Mga, ka-tumbling, tapos na! Success!” Hilario declared at the end of his vlog. “Na-miss ko ‘tong dressing room na ‘to. I missed ABS-CBN!”</p>

<p>Hilario had been on hiatus from showbiz due to several factors, including welcoming his newborn Sari during the coronavirus pandemic, and the recently concluded election season, where he won a third term as councilor in Makati City.</p><p>With COVID-19 cases slowing and restrictions easing — and having taken oath as an elected official — Hilario could finally return to the ABS-CBN program, via a top-secret “mission” which he chronicled through his vlog released June 7.</p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='Showtime ABS-CBN' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/06/08/20220608-showtime.jpg' ><figcaption>Jhong Hilario’s co-hosts react to his surprise return to ‘It’s Showtime’ on June 4. <em>ABS-CBN</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — It took an entire day of planning, plus several accomplices including his “competitors” in Tawag ng Tanghalan, to pull off Jhong Hilario’s trending surprise comeback on “It’s Showtime” over the weekend.</p>