Karylle gives a heartfelt message for her co-host Vhong Navarro, who returned Monday to ‘It’s Showtime’ after being detained for nearly three months. ABS-CBN

MANILA — Karylle couldn’t stop her tears Monday as she apologized to her “It’s Showtime” co-host Vhong Navarro for “losing hope” that he could still return to the noontime program, after facing a seemingly insurmountable legal battle that saw him detained for nearly three months.

In the live episode of “It’s Showtime” welcoming back Navarro, the hosts took turns in giving a heartfelt message to the returning mainstay.

Prompted to share hers, a visibly emotional Karylle joked that she would rather skip her turn. “I can feel your return. I can’t do it. Next! Pass!” she quipped.

Turning serious, Karylle went on: “I don’t know what I’m feeling, because I’ve really lost hope. I’m sorry that my hope has been dashed.”

At that point, the singer-host was in tears, and so was Navarro.

“But sometimes, a crowd of people come, they say that one day, this will happen. And here you are now. I’m just so grateful,” she told him.

“You’re so cute now,” Karylle added, laughing.

Vice Ganda sympathized with Karylle, saying it is normal to lose hope especially when challenges seem impossible to overcome.

“It’s so sincere, that he lost hope, because it happens,” the comedy superstar said. “There will come a time when we lose hope, and that’s okay. What’s important is that we regain the hope that we lost.”

“We can’t just give up — what’s called toxic positivity. That’s normal, like feeling hopeless. It’s normal to feel that way. What’s important is that we regain that hope, like now. Life. You thought it was gone, but it just faded, it’s still there,” he said.

Navarro, 45, was detained at the National Bureau of Investigation for two months, and then at the Taguig City Jail for two weeks, in relation to previously dismissed and now-revived rape cases filed against him by Deniece Cornejo.

He was released in December 2022 after posting a P1-million bail.

On Monday, more than a month since he was temporarily freed, Navarro also got an apology from another co-host, Jugs Jugueta, for not being able to visit him during his detention.

“I just want to apologize to you and your family because I couldn’t visit you when you needed me the most. I couldn’t be there for you. But if you forgive me, I’ll make it up to you,” Jugueta said.

“I’ll call you ‘handsome’ every day like before, as long as Ate is mad at me,” he added, in jest.

Navarro only had reassuring words for his long-time friend and co-host, responding: “You don’t have to apologize or be sorry. I understand everything.”

Vice Ganda attested to Navarro’s words, as he recalled their conversation about the explanation Jugueta had given them for not being able to visit. They did not divulge the reason publicly.

“He said, ‘You know, I understand, I don’t feel any resentment,’” Vice Ganda said.

Addressing Navarro, he continued: “The best thing that happened to you is the wisdom that this ordeal has given you. It is so intelligent. It gives you so much understanding. You will experience so much growth in your heart. You will understand everything.

“What could be more painful than what you experienced? That was already painful. That’s why you are even stronger now, you are even more humble, and we will be infected by that humility of yours.”