MANILA, Philippines – An emotional Jhong Hilario walked out of Tuesday’s (January 28) “It’s Showtime” episode.

Jhong, who is judging one of the show’s segments “That’s My Tomboy”, turned emotional after hearing one of the contestant’s story, April Mariz Herher, a news website reported.

Herher related to the judges the story about her deceased best friend, who she said taught her how to be humble despite all the achievements she had in her life. She also thanked the show for giving her a chance to perform in the television.

After all the contestants said their piece, Jhong said, “Talagang kayong apat ay deserving na nandito sa stage. Pero ‘yung talagang pumukaw talaga… ‘yong hindi ko mapigilang umiyak ay iyong istorya nung pangalawa (Herher), kasi napag-usapan ‘yong kaibigan.”

Jhong then broke down and told everyone, “gusto ko lang sabihin na hindi madali ‘yung ginagawa namin dito sa Showtime.”

He then apologized to the show’s director before walking out.

Though emotional themselves, Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Billy Crawford and Karylle did their spiels before the commercial break.

Jhong was not able to go back to the show and was replaced by his co-hosts Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz.

The viewers knew that the actor/host/dancer went emotional as he recalled what happened to his longtime friend and fellow Streetboys member Vhong Navarro, who was beaten up by a group of men last January 23.

Vhong was accused by Deniece Milinete Cornejo of “attempted rape” and said that Cedric Lee and his friends were the ones who helped her. She also bared her plans to file a case against the actor.

Vhong’s camp will file cases against Lee’s group for serious physical injuries, illegal detention, grave threat, unlawful arrest, grave coercion, and blackmail.