What makes Vice Ganda really and truly happy?

Just how rich is Vice Ganda?

That was one of the questions the host and comedian was dared asked during a recent roundtable interview.

“I am very rich,” Vice said without batting an eyelash.

But he was also quick to clarify: “The term rich is very subjective. For me, I am very rich because I’m so blessed and because I’m so loved by so many people. My family is healthy. That’s wealth for me. I’m healthy, that’s wealth. OK pa naman ang mga trabaho ko. So, I am very rich.”

Vice was, on the other hand, coy when pressed for figures. “Honestly, I also don’t know. ‘Pag may nakita nga akong list na richest men in the (etc., etc.,) then there are numbers, sa isip ko, ‘di naman, parang kulang (laughs) or sobra naman ito ... Kaya minsan nag-a-add din ako.‘Di ko na rin alam because, of course, pagsasamahin mo yung liquid and (non-liquid) assets,” Vice added, saying he’s very hands-on in managing his finances with the help of someone he trusts.

Comedian friends like Beks Battalion have said in interviews that they’ve learned how to handle their earnings wisely from Vice who, likewise, admitted that he “cuts off” friends who have problems with money management.

“Ayoko na may mga kaibigan ako, lalo na kung bakla, tapos maghihirap. Lalo na ‘pag alam kong may capacity umunlad. Ayoko talaga ng ganun. Kinu-cut ko,” Vice bluntly said. “Kung ‘di lang naman kita mai-influence, goodbye, kasi baka ma-influence ako (If I’m not able to influence you, then goodbye, because I might be the one who gets influenced.) Because that’s how it is — you adapt to your environment. So, if you’re getting heavy and pulling me down, it’s bye for me.”

This interview was also done in connection with his Cathy Garcia Molina-directed Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 entry, Partners In Crime, co-starring Ivana Alawi. As expected, the adventure-comedy co-produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films is one of the entries performing well at the box-office. The annual filmfest runs until Jan. 7.

Vice, who last topbilled a comedy film in 2019 via The Mall, The Merrier, confessed that it was very hard to be funny over the pandemic. “One is because people have become very sensitive. ‘Di mo na alam ano ang pwedeng nakakatawa. ‘Di mo na alam kung ano ang papayagan nilang nakakatawa na topic mo. People are very sensitive and very political. Whereas before, OK pa yung joke na yun ah? Ngayon, ‘Ha? Hindi na pwede banggitin?’

“And very conscious effort yung directive not to touch on or mention things. Like, ‘Ha? This used to be part of satire.’ So, wala ng satire. What happened to satire? What really happened to comedy?...

“It was so difficult to make people laugh and at the same time, may pinagdadaanan ka pa sa sarili (you’re going through something in life). You’re distracted and ang gulo-gulo ng paligid, you are uncertain and the world is uncertain. I also got sick, as well as my loved ones. Every day is just so distracting and distracted.”

Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that Vice was able to survive and “even thrive” during the pandemic. “Ang lakas pa rin ng trabaho ko, nakapag-concert tour pa ako, but ang hirap niya malampasan.”

During the interview, the press asked Vice what made him laugh and happy during this time. “My family makes me very happy. My family, we just laugh whenever we’re together, because my siblings are so funny. Even my friends, they’re so funny that I feel like I’m the least funny person when I’m with them. They’re all very funny and they’re able to influence me. Whatever is happening in their lives and whatever they’re up to, I get ideas from them and develop them into (comedic) material.

“It’s Showtime… They’re also my source of joy. It’s my safest place aside from my home. When I’m there, even if I’m stressed and there are conflicts and mistakes because it’s live eh and I’m head of creative… but the moment (I go live), I forget everything. Ang saya saya ko, paghawak ko na ng microphone. That’s my source of joy.”

So, what makes Vice sad even though it appears that he has everything? “No, not everything. Maybe physical wealth I have… but no one has everything. That makes us so human because we still long for something that we don’t know.

“Yes, you have love, career, family but not every day, your love, career and family are OK. There are days when ngarag ang pamilya mo. There are days na may nag-aaway sa mga kapatid ko or days when Ion and I are not OK or we have misunderstandings.

“There are days when your career is not OK. Like when a film of mine doesn’t make it to the filmfest. It’s not OK. Or my film’s gross is not that high. It’s not OK. Or when I find myself not good or not funny enough or if I offended someone, so it’s not always OK. Life can never be perfect and that is OK.

“I acknowledge the imperfections around me. I acknowledge that these are part of my life. And I will just have to deal with it. And I will just have to make sure that it brings out the best in me.”

Vice said he believes in redeeming oneself  should redeem himself or make up for those times he felt angry, frustrated or hurt.

“Kelangan mababawi ko yun. The ending has to be OK. I remember what Tita Cory (Vidanes, ABS-CBN boss) told me, ‘You know why a problem is called a problem? It’s because it has a solution. If it doesn’t have a solution, it’s a fact.’ So (I’d tell myself), this is just a problem, this is not a fact. Maiikot ko ‘to (I’m capable of turning this around).

“And by the grace of God and ang bait ni Lord tinutulungan niya ako, ang daming bagay na naikot, ang daming bagay na ‘di maganda pero naiayos ko pa rin naman. Ang dami kong sablay, sobra, but tinutulungan niya ako and gave me the chance to fix it. (God) won’t let me have a bad ending.”

Vice is set to do a concert, show and movie this 2023.