LOOK: Vice Ganda’s cancelled QC Pride number was supposed to be a full-blown concert experience
Celebrated for being who he is, ABS-CBN’s Unkabogable Star and It’s Showtime host Vice Gandastands as an icon and a source of inspiration within the LGBT community. Known for his wit, performance skills, and unyielding spirit, Vice’s journey from comedian to iconic figure showcases his strong impact on society. His performances, often grand and concert-like, are more than entertainment. They are powerful expressions of pride and solidarity. Despite setbacks, such as the rain-soaked cancellation at the Love Laban 2 Everyone Pride Festival at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, Vice remains dedicated to his advocacy, emphasizing the importance of safety and the well-being of his audience.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News about his cancelled performance at the Pride festival, Vice Ganda said:
Ang taas ng excitement eh. Ako mismo personal sobrang excited. Para siyang premiere night ng pelikula. Sobrang halaga sa akin ng Pride event na ito. Iba yung gusto kong makapagsalita, makapag perform nung gabi na yun. Mas dama ko siya ngayon. Mas nag-grow na sa akin yung adbokasiya ng community natin. Napakahalaga siya sa akin.
The comedian-host revealed that his set for the Pride festival was comparable to a concert-like performance with several dancers and costume changes involved:
Pinaghandaan ko talaga siya. Ginastusan ko siya. Malala. Parang concert yung imoumount ko. It’s a protest in a form of a concert. Super Bowl x SEA Games opening ang peg. I had 50 dancers on stage, 30 dancing choir, and a full band setup. Five costume changes, five songs.
Despite his disappointment, Vice shared that the safety of everyone is still more important than his performance:
At the end of the day, life is the most valuable [thing]. Paano kung may mapahamak, kahit isa lang. May masaktan, magkagulo. Saka yun ang iniiwasan ko yung magkagulo, may mapahamak, hindi natin gusto lahat yun.
He also explained why he couldn’t simply perform his set on It’s Showtime instead:
May mga elements siya fire, may totoo siyang apoy, may nababasag. Pang malaki siyang venue. ‘Yung hydraulics kong mataas na mataas, ‘yung pakpak na malaki. Hindi siya pang-indoor.
