Vice Ganda still ‘untamed’

MANILA, Philippines - Vice Ganda is returning to the concert stage and he has one request for the concertgoers — to just have fun and not take things too seriously.

“This is one occasion wherein they will see things they won’t see on my TV shows Gandang Gabi Vice or It’s Showtime because of the many restrictions. Dito sa concert ko, mas maging malaya ako,” said the TV host/recording artist and comedian in a presscon last Wednesday for his Big Dome concert titled Vice, Gandang-Ganda Sa Sarili Sa Araneta: Eh di Wow! on May 22. “Kaya nakikiusap ako na sana yung mga manonood yung masaya lang kayo. Di kayo masyado seryoso sa buhay, di ninyo masyado sineseryoso ang mga maliliit na bagay. Yung gusto lang natin tumawa ng sabay-sabay.”

The concert, which also celebrates his 15th year in showbiz, is also his fourth, after I-Vice Ganda Mo ‘Ko sa Araneta in 2013, The Unkabogable Concert in 2011 and May Nag-Text… Yung Totoo: Vice Ganda sa Araneta in 2010.

During the presscon, Vice was reminded of the controversy that marred his otherwise successful previous concert (reported as the highest-earning concert mounted by a local artist in 2013.)

“(It was) very controversial!” Vice readily admitted. “It became a national issue.”

To recall, Vice was bashed for making “foul” jokes at the expense of a highly-respected broadcaster from the competing network.

Looking back, Vice said that the issue shouldn’t have been blown up like it did. He said, “When the controversy happened, na-enjoy ko na yung concert at yung success ng concert. It (the issue) came out almost three weeks after the concert… Ang maganda dun, di rin naman siya nagtagal. Uminit lang ng ilang araw, tapos nung naganap yung patawaran, naging maligaya ulit lahat. Kung tutuusin, hindi naman dapat lumaki ng ganun ka laki.”

Nevertheless, Vice said he had learned a lot from that episode. “Madaming learnings. First of all, I was able to prove to myself that people are really quick to judge, at ang mga tao talaga ay madaling maniwala sa mga naririnig nila at nababasa nila na hindi nila nabibigyan ng kahit anumang confirmation. But I was also able to prove that people, Filipinos in particular, will forgive with all their heart, especially if they feel the person’s sincerity.”

Meanwhile, Vice, Gandang-Gandang Sa Sarili sa Araneta has been given an R-13 rating, meaning only viewers who are 13 years old and above can be admitted to the concert.

Even if his past concert courted some controversy, Vice won’t tame his act in his forthcoming show. “That won’t be Vice Ganda anymore, if that’s the case,” said the comedian/actor. “The normal and natural performance of Vice Ganda is what you’ll get because that’s what people want to see, and people already know my brand of humor.”

Asked what new antics audiences can expect from the concert, he said, “There should be a lot of firsts, that’s the challenge given to me by Sir Deo (Endrinal). The set-up alone (is different), the stage is found at the center of the coliseum. Parang karera, paikot siya, wala siyang harap, walang likod... Nobody has done it before at saka mas malaki po daw ang kita doon kasi maraming upuan ang mabubukas (laughs). Kasi yung (usual) nakasarado yung back area. And mas madaling mag interact with the audience kahit saan ka pumuwesto.”

He isn’t also worried over the competition posed by the slew of concerts featuring foreign artists. According to him, his show will be worth every peso spent for it because “my concert is totally different.”

He quipped, “First of all, hindi naman nagpapatawa si Ed Sheeran, hindi din kayo matatawa kay Katy Perry, halos lahat ng mga concert na dumadaan, pumupunta ka at makikinig ka ng kanta. Sa concert ko, di ka lang makikinig sa kanta, tatawa ka, mag-iisip ka, uuwi ka ng may sariling opinion at realization, basta sisiguraduhin kong mas masaya ka.”

From having hit concerts, hosting a top-rating talk show, to topbilling box-office movies all within his 15 years in showbiz, Vice Ganda is at the height of his career. What else does he want to achieve?

“Goal? I just want to maintain whatever I have now. I don’t want it to go away. Maybe, people always say that I’m ready for whatever happens. Yes, I’ve said that before as well.

“I was asked before, what if all the things you’re enjoying right now will disappear? What will you do? I answered, it’s OK because I experienced hardship before. I know how it felt to be poor. I already know what to do if I return to being poor. (But I realized) it’s so easy for one to say these things, but when it happens, it’s tough. Ang bigat-bigat. That’s why I’m praying that if it happens, not anytime soon. Because I’m still enjoying (what I have now).”

Vice, Gandang-Ganda Sa Sarili Sa Araneta: Eh di Wow! is under the production of Star Events and ABS-CBN Events, with stage direction by Paul Basinilio, TV direction by Bobet Vidanes and musical direction by Marvin Querido. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets.