On July 6, 2026, Television host, actor, and comedian Vice Ganda on Sunday encouraged graduates of the University of the Philippines College of Media and Communication (UP CMC) to use their voices in the fight against corruption, inequality, and disinformation, stressing that even the smallest “spark” has the power to create meaningful change.
“A spark may seem small, but it has the power to grow into a much bigger fire. That reminds me of your theme today. In real life, the spark within me came from my experiences, my struggles, and my principles,” said Vice Ganda whose real name is Jose Marie Viceral.
She served as the guest of honor during the UP CMC recognition ceremony for 181 graduates, held under the theme “Dagitab,” the Filipino word for “spark.” In her address, Vice Ganda reflected on her challenging childhood, sharing how poverty shaped her early years and made everyday life a constant struggle.
She recounted missing school examinations because of unpaid fees, skipping Christmas celebrations due to the inability to buy an exchange gift, and even having to get off a jeepney after realizing she could not afford the fare.
“For many people, those experiences become broken glass—painful memories that continue to wound them whenever they remember them. In my case, those experiences did not break me. They became the spark inside me,” she said.
Vice Ganda said she has been open about her personal journey to shed light on the realities of poverty in the Philippines and to inspire people who are going through similar hardships.
Motivation
“They made me realize that I did not want to remain poor. So I decided I would no longer stay poor. I knew I had to stand up. I knew I had to step up. I knew I had to work extremely hard,”she added.
According to Vice Ganda, the drive to succeed came not only from the desire to improve her own life but also to show that people can overcome poverty despite having limited resources. She added that she has always been transparent about her life story to highlight the realities of poverty in the Philippines and inspire others facing similar struggles.
“Being poor here is hard because from the very beginning, people are forced to survive in a system that often fails to provide ordinary Filipinos with opportunities for a better life,”she said.
She pointed out that despite working hard, many Filipinos continue to live in poverty because their wages are often not enough to keep up with the increasing cost of living.
“Ordinary workers earn just over P600 a day. That’s what the average Filipino worker takes home. Meanwhile, there are people receiving salaries of more than P300,000 even though they don’t even report for work,”Vice Ganda said.
Platform for free speech
According to the television host, she has often been criticized for speaking out on social issues, but she continues to weave these topics into her comedy despite the potential backlash.
“I use my platform to speak about society’s problems in the hope of opening people’s minds, awakening those who have become indifferent, and helping dismantle a system that enables abuse and makes life even harder for poor Filipinos,”she said.
Vice Ganda shared that she uses comedy as a platform to remind audiences that many people who commit wrongdoing are still not held accountable, while corruption continues to affect the country.
She also said she chooses to speak up instead of staying silent as some attempt to distort the truth, rewrite history, and spread misinformation.
The actor and comedian likewise reflected on the growing visibility and stronger representation of the LGBTQIA+ community through the years.
“Today, LGBTQIA+ people are at the center because they have become the stars of their own stories,” she said.
“I want to lend my voice to those who cannot speak and those who cannot cry out. I want the spark within me to continue burning in my mind and heart so that I can pass it on to many others, especially to all of you, the youth,” she said /Elijah Oric Orencia
