At the EDDYs, Vice Ganda reflects on films’ mass appeal despite criticism
Box-office comedian Vice Ganda addressed critics who questioned his films’ success during a heartfelt acceptance speech at the 8th Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards (EDDYs).
Vice received with the “Box Office Hero” award and earned a “Best Actor” nomination from the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEED) for his hit 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, *And The Breadwinner Is…,” at the 8th EDDYs held last Sunday.
During his speech after accepting the award on stage, Vice took the moment to respond to criticism that his work was “nonsense,” “shallow” and “cheap.”
“Maraming nagtatanong kung bakit lagi raw maraming nanonood ng pelikula ko (Many are asking why people always watch my movies),” the TV host began.
“Just like last year, nakakatuwa na ang ‘And The Breadwinner Is…’ ang naging No. 1 sa lahat ng entries sa MMFF. Maraming nagtataas ng kilay, maraming nagkukuwestiyon: Bakit daw maraming nanonood ng pelikula ko? Bakit patuloy na pinipilahan ang mga pelikula ko?”
(Just like last year, it’s delightful that ‘And The Breadwinner Is…’ was No. 1 among all MMFF entries. Many raised eyebrows, many questioned: why do people keep watching my movies? Why do people continue to line up for them?)
Vice did not hold back as he quoted harsh criticisms: “Para sa mga ilang kritiko, para sa mga feeling mas magagaling pa sa kritiko, sa mga uma-arteng kritiko, ang mga pelikula ko raw ay walang kwenta, walang katuturan, slapstick, ka-cheapan, puro kabaklaan, puro kabaduyan, bakyang-bakya.”
(According to some critics, or those who think they’re even better than critics, or who pretend to be critics, my films are worthless, senseless, slapstick, cheap, all about gayness, corny and very tacky.)
For the actor, the appeal of his movies goes beyond critical standards, as they serve as a source of escape and comfort for ordinary Filipinos.
“‘Yung pelikula ko po ay ginagamit ng napakaraming masang Pilipino para maging instrumento para sila ay tumawa panandalian, tumawa’t humagalpak hanggang sa makalimutan nila ng ilang segundo kung ano ‘yung masakit, malungkot, at mahirap na sitwasyon ng kanilang pamumuhay araw-araw.”
(My films are used by many ordinary Filipinos as a tool to laugh momentarily, to laugh out loud and forget, even for a few seconds, the pain, sadness, and hardships of their daily lives.)
Vice said his films offer audiences something deeper than mere entertainment, adding that they go and watch him on screen to laugh at him so that somehow they forget their own problems.
“Gusto na lang nilang tumawa. Kasi ‘yun ang magpapatawid sa kanila para bukas (ay) buhay pa sila. Para bukas, gusto pa nila ulit tumayo. Para bukas, may inspirasyon pa rin sila.”
(They just want to laugh. Because that’s what will get them through to tomorrow, so they’re still alive. So that tomorrow, they’ll want to get back up again. So that tomorrow, they’ll still have inspiration.)
Grateful for the support he continues to receive from Filipino audiences, Vice gave thanks to those who have stood by him through the years.
“Walang hanggang pasasalamat ang gusto kong ibigay sa masang Pilipino dahil ‘yung masang Pilipino talaga ang labis-labis ang pagmamahal sa akin.”
(I want to give my endless thanks to the Filipino masses because they are the ones who truly, deeply love me.)
He credited his deep bond with the masses to his 17-year run as a host on the Kapamilya noontime show “It’s Showtime,” where he started as a guest judge and eventually became one of its mainstay hosts.
Vice further described this connection as something genuine and lasting, describing it as like any ordinary relationship because “we understand each other, we speak the same language, we have the same tastes.”
“It’s a love-hate relationship, but we never leave each other. I always think of them. I always try to understand them, and they also try to understand me. And every day, we love each other,” he added. “That’s why, every time I have a film, especially during Christmas, we see each other. Because the Filipino masses and I — we are family.”
The Box Office Heroes formed part of The EDDYs awards-giving event that celebrated the artistic and technical excellence in Philippine cinema in 2024. This year’s staging was presented by Playtime in cooperation with Newport World Resorts and ABS-CBN. Co-presenters were Globe and Unilab. It was supported by Sen. Camille Villar, Beautederm Corporation, Luxxe White, Puregold CinePanaloFilm Festival, Kat Corpus and My Daily Collagen, with co-production by Brightlight Entertainment and direction anew by Eric Quizon. A delayed telecast was aired on the Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV, with global streaming on iWant TFC (The Filipino Channel) on July 27.
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