Vice Ganda’s serious side

MANILA, Philippines — Vice Ganda is one of the known comedians today who brings laughter into our homes seven days a week.

We see his wacky side in the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime,” and make our stomachs ache when we watch his primetime talk show “Gandang Gabi Vice.”

Yet it is very rare that we see him taking things seriously, such as when he addresses criticisms against his concerts and when co-host Vhong Navarro was mauled.

Here are some of his serious insights about life, family and career during the grand press conference for his upcoming concert “Vice Gandang Ganda sa Sarili” set on May 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

On Life

Vice Ganda gives laughter to the people, and he wants to be remembered that way. Yet his reason for his hope of being remembered as a happy person can make you see him in a different light.

“Kasi ‘yong salitang masaya nakaka-inspire, simple pero nakaka-inspire,” he said. “Hindi mo na kailangan mag-isip. Gusto ko lang maging masaya. Kasi ang daming artista na magagaling, pero hindi lahat masaya.”

Career Goals

Looking at Vice Ganda’s achievements, he is on top of his career. He may achieved a lot already, but Vice wants to bring more laughter to the lives of his fans.

Instead of eyeing for a higher status in his career, Vice said he would rather maintain what he has at the moment.

“Ngayon lang talaga kasi gusto ko to maintain kung anong mayro’n ako ngayon,” he replied when asked about his career goals. “Kung anong mayro’n ako ngayon, ayoko munang mawala.”

He was then asked what he will do in case all the money and fame he have now will be taken away.

“Ang sinagot ko, ‘Okay lang po, kasi mahirap naman po ako dati. Alam ko naman po pakiramdam ng maging mahirap, at kung anong dapat kong gawin kung bumalik sa paghihirap,’” he recalled.

“Pero na-realize ko na ang dali lang palang sabihin, pero ‘pag nangyari ‘yon parang ang bigat-bigat. Kaya ngayon pinagdadasal ko na kung mangyari man ‘yon ‘wag any time soon. Kasi ine-enjoy ko pa po.”

Sacrifices in Life

Vice Ganda believes that one cannot have everything in life. So it was hard for him to believe others when they say that balancing life and career is easy. In his case, to achieve a successful career, he had to sacrifice his time for his loved ones.

“Sa ganito namang trabaho kahit anong gawin mo hindi mo talaga mababalanse. Maisasakripisyo mo ‘yong pinakamahalagang bagay, e, sa buhay mo at ‘yon ‘yong pamilya,” he said. “Hindi naman totoo ‘yong ano, e… parang ang hirap-hirap ng sinasabi nilang balancing work and personal life. Hindi naman talaga gano’n kadali ‘yon.”

“Kasi ‘yong mga bagay na kino-consider mong worth fighting for, ‘yon naman talaga ang nagtatanggal ng balance sa buhay mo,” he further adds. Katulad ng career na ito, di ba? Ipinaglalaban ko, hinuhusayan ko, para sa akin this is worth fighting for.

“Pero nawalan ako ng panahon sa nanay ko, sa mga kapatid ko. Kapag naman ginugol mo ang panahon mo ng mahaba sa pamilya mo, mawawaley [mawawala] ka naman sa trabaho, makakalimutan ka ng tao. Kaya ang hirap-hirap sabihin ‘yong balance for everything.”

Despite those sentiments, Vice tries his best to spend as much time with his loved ones. This month alone, he brought his mother with him in United States where he will be having a series of shows.