Vice Ganda opens up to Eugene Domingo on the pressure of being ‘unkabogable’ in a heart-to-heart conversation
Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo, two of the biggest names in Philippine comedy, recently shared a raw and honest conversation that went beyond their usual comedic banter. Their vlog episode, VICE GANDA x EUGENE DOMINGO PUKSAgutan, is a must-watch for fans who want to see a different side to these beloved stars. The video now has more than 1.2M views.
The two, who are sharing the screen in the MMFF 50 entry “And the Breadwinner Is…”, took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their first project together.
“Si Direk Wenn ang nag-Petrang Kabayo. At dun tayo unang nagsama sa pelikula,” Eugene recalled.
“Unang pelikula ko. Nag-cameo siya. Nanay. Nanay kita. Eh kasi Wenn Deramas baby siya. Kaya madali silang nakukuha. Yung gano’n,” Vice shared, adding a touch of humor to the memory.
But beyond the laughs, Vice expressed a deeper appreciation for Eugene’s consistent support. “Tsaka parang, yung damang-dama ko sa’yo na, gusto mo talaga, tsaka mahal mo talaga ako noon. Hindi siya ‘yung per season.”
Eugene, in return, highlighted her admiration for Vice’s comedic talent. “Gusto ko talagang madiscover kang nakakatawa ka. Kasi, talagang yung tawa ko sa’yo malala eh. Tapos parang hindi ba alam ng mga tao na nakakatawa ‘to? So, ‘yung sunud-sunod na nakikita ko nang phenomenal blockbuster [king] ka nga as Praybeyt Benjamin. Sabi ko, grabeeee! Grabe talaga. Ang layu-layo-layo na! Kumbaga, sabi ko, nasa palad talaga niya maging star. More than you expected.”
The Weight of the Crown
The lighthearted reminiscing soon gave way to a more profound discussion about the realities of fame. Eugene delved into the complexities of Vice’s journey to superstardom, asking, “Nahirapa ka bang i-handle yun? Yung pagiging phenomenal star?”
Vice, clearly not used to such introspective conversations, responded with, “Wow! Hindi ako sanay na ganyan yung usapan.”
But Eugene persisted, “Gusto ko talaga malaman.”
This prompted Vice to open up about the immense pressure that comes with being at the top. “Ang pinakamahirap kasi talaga, parang, yung success na laging may kabuntot yan na challenge at pressure. Ang lala ng pressure ng lahat. Lalo na ‘yung title na Unkabogable. Ang hirap naman panindigan na unkabogable lagi. Hindi ba puwedeng kalma-kalma lang? Kailangan laging may pinatutunayan. Kasi lalo na dati sa Magpasikat, nung manager ko pa si Sir Deo, hindi ako puwedeng matalo. ‘Pag natalo ako sa Magpasikat, ipapatawag niya ako. ‘Bakit ka natalo? Hindi ka puwede matalo kasi unkabogable nga ang brand mo.’”
Vice further shared her evolving perspective on success and the need for constant validation. “In reality, you can’t win all the time in life, in your profession. You can’t win all the time and that should be okay. Maraming times na I don’t want to please anymore. Kasi for the longest time, I want to please because I want to maintain being unkabogable. I want to be number one. ‘Di ba? Kaya sige, ipi-please ko siya kahit hindi na ako masaya pagod na ‘ko. Ngayon, wala na akong pakialam. Being unkabogable is just, it’s in your mind.”
Stepping into a New Role
The conversation then shifted to their latest film. Eugene asked, “So, anong motivation mo sa paggawa ng pelikula natin And the Breadwinner is…”?”
“‘Di ba, hindi ako gumawa ng movie last year? Kaya sabi ko, kung gagawa ako ngayon, gusto ko talaga, gusto ko yung concept,” Vice explained.
Eugene highlighted Vice’s desire to work with director Jun Lana, to which Vice readily agreed.
Eugene then commended Vice’s performance, noting a newfound depth in her acting. “This time, artistang artista ka dito. Why do I say that? You were so, this is true ha, you were so insecure. And that is the perfect description of an actor. An actor is always insecure. You know why? Wala talagang, hindi niya masabi sa sarili niya na nagawa ko nang tama, nagawa ko nang tama. Kahit na isipin pa niya, ay, ang galing, na-very good ako. Sa sarili niya, hindi, hindi ko yata nagawa. Hanggang sa mapanood mo, tsaka mo nalang masasabi, mukhang tama naman yung ginawa ko.”
She went on to describe Vice’s complete immersion in her character. “And I saw you, nakita ko siya, hindi siya nagsasalita, hindi siya kumikilos, nasa isang tabi lang siya. ‘Yung talagang isinabuhay niya si Bambi, ‘yung, so paano? Wala siyang kinakausap. Siguro kinakausap na lang niya ako kasi, syempre, kakahiya naman sa akin kung di niya ako kakausapin.”
Eugene even recounted a humorous anecdote from the set. “Tapos minsan nainis ba ako pag hinaharot niya ako ni Gladys. Oo, kasi na maingay ka. kami. Oo, ayaw akong maging masaya. Gusto ko malungkot na malungkot ako lagi.”
A Commitment to Authenticity
Eugene observed a significant shift in Vice’s demeanor on set, marking a new level of commitment to her craft. “So sabi ko, ay, ah, oh, okay. Iba na yung gusto niya ngayon. Ayaw na niya mga bida-bida siya kahit sa offscreen. Talagang on and off, isinabuhay niya si Bambi and that is the first step to being an actor. ‘Yung hindi na importante na nakasama ka sa chika all around. Dito lang ako, sarado lang ako. At pinahanga mo ako lalo dun sa eksenang tumayo ka na lang, iniwan mo kami. And then, sinabi mo na, ‘I cannot concentrate there because everybody’s having fun. Hindi bagay sa eksena.’”
She praised Vice’s dedication to portraying her character authentically. “Sabi ko, ay, bongga. Meron nang nangyari sa kanya. May iba ng development sa’yo as an actor. Nire-respeto mo na. Hindi ko naman sinabi, hindi mo nirerespeto yung mga roles mo before. I wouldn’t know, hindi ako kasama. But seeing your behavior, seeing you were really into ‘I want to deliver my role as authentic as I can,’ ‘Hindi ako maglalaro dito.If the role is asking for me to, you know, to be weak at this point, I will be weak inside and outside. So I cannot, I cannot permit everybody to destroy that.’”
Eugene ended her observation with heartfelt admiration. “Grabe ang concentration mo. I really, I admired you there. Kaya kahit hindi ako kasama sa eksena, tapos talagang ayaw mo akong paalisin, hindi na lang din ako umalis. Hindi naman talaga po ako kasama sa eksena.”
Want to see the insightful conversation? Check out the full vlog episode here:
And be sure to catch Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo in “And the Breadwinner Is…”, showing now as part of MMFF 50!
