Do we like Vice Ganda?
Our score: 7 out of 10. Years of public backing for LGBTQ+ rights and a history of speaking up against corruption, with one fresh, contested skit and an on-air apology.
Vice Ganda is the Philippines' biggest comedy name, and the story starts a long way from the spotlight. Vice has said they grew up in Manila's slums and knew from a young age that getting wealthy was the way out. These days Vice is creative head of It's Showtime, steering the show after the pandemic and the loss of ABS-CBN's franchise.
On the harm test, the record is strong. In 2018 Vice used the Showtime stage to urge the Senate to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill, the anti-discrimination bill, arguing it would benefit everyone. Sticking your neck out for a bill that senators were actively opposing is not nothing.
Vice also uses the platform on bigger public fights. At a September 2025 rally at EDSA, Vice told President Marcos to jail the thieves if he wanted a good legacy, in the middle of the flood-control corruption furore. Where you land on that depends on your view of the government, but it is a public figure putting their name to a position.
The recent mess is the July skit. During the 24 July Laro Laro Pick segment, Vice's Memerimar character splashed water on Baby Dolls member Johaira Morris, and some viewers objected, with social media users calling the segment insensitive. MTRCB then summoned the producers after complaints that alleged racist and colorist remarks and other inappropriate scenes.
Vice's response is the telling bit. On the 25 July episode Vice apologised on air, saying the last thing they wanted was to displease viewers and that the show would try to do better. Reactions were mixed, and the MTRCB matter was only at the summons stage in the reporting we could open, so we don't know the outcome.
The good stuff is real. In December 2025 Vice became the first openly queer winner of the Best Actor award at the Metro Manila Film Festival for Call Me Mother, and dedicated the win to the queer community. A Gandang Gabi Vice comeback is also on the way.