First and foremost, Vice Ganda is famous as a phenomenal host and comedian, versatile actor and performer, box-office superstar, sought-after brand endorser, and one of the faces of “It’s Showtime” and ABS-CBN. But as her stardom and influence continue to grow over the years, it’s absolutely worth noting how she uses the well-loved noontime program not just to bring laughter and good vibes to the madlang people, but also to impart sensible stuff that can contribute to our knowledge, awareness, and sensibilities towards various matters.

As we reflect on our faith and our lives this Holy Week, let us revisit the seven times when the Unkabogable Star impressed us as she shared her recent realizations in this episode of Showtime Toplist. 

On cherishing every moment with our loved ones

Let us begin with that “Tawag ng Tanghalan All-Star Grand Resbak” episode, wherein contender Mark Justo of Pangkat Alab tugged our heartstrings with his rendition of Noel Cabangon’s classic song “Kanlungan.” This reminded Vice of a recent conversation she had with one of their writers, who asked everyone in their meeting if they could still remember the moments when their mothers were in their most beautiful. If so, then we must be grateful that we’re able to witness those moments and be hopeful that we would never ever forget. 

And this also applies to our other loved ones; thus, we must cherish every moment that we have with them because beauty fades and time flies very fast.

On not letting fear limits us to be more and do more

As Pangkat Alon’s Enzo Almario reminisced on his singing career and how the Unkabogable Star has been a significant part of it since it was her who inspired him to proudly unleash the real him and tell the world that he is gay, Vice pointed out how fear limits us to be more and do more. “’Yong sa sandaling isipin mo kung ano ang magiging opinyon sa’yo ng ibang tao, ‘yon ‘yong sandali na mawawala ‘yong kaligayahan mo,” she uttered.

Then she turned to Enzo and advised him, “Stop caring towards other people’s opinion. They don’t really matter. Ang pinaka mahalagang opinyon ay ang opinyon mo tungkol sa sarili mo. At kahit ano naman, di ba, natatangi ka. Ano mang hubog mo, ano mang itsura mo, mahal ka ni Lord. ‘Yon ang pinakamahalaga. Hindi ka jinu-judge ni Lord.”

On choosing to live amidst pain and problems

Thus, when Pangkat Agimat’s Jo Pasaron mentioned seeking professional help as he went through depression following the demise of his beloved mom, Vice expressed her support to him by implying that it’s very okay to seek help once we feel the need to do so.

She also seconded Jo’s statement of how good it is to be alive, saying that even though being here on earth might be difficult sometimes, life is still worth living. She further reminded everyone that even though losing a loved one, especially if it’s a parent, may be really painful, we should remain grateful each day that God wakes us up. Besides, it’s only Him who can take back everything and everyone that He has given us.

On achieving dreams despite difficulties and obstacles

In another episode, the “It’s Showtime” family once again put the spotlight on Jo, not because he’s one of the performers, but because they’re extremely proud of him for passing the recent Medical Technologists Licensure Examination—all while competing in TNT. Vice and her co-hosts conveyed that Jo is indeed a great testament that anything is definitely possible as long as we have the determination, diskarte, and dedication to reach our ambitions in life. The process might have been difficult, but Jo was still able to juggle his preparations for the competitions and the exam and conquer the first step in achieving his late mom’s dream for him to become a doctor.

On battling fake news

With the alarming proliferation of fake news, Vice remarked that it is indeed the real enemy of education and not illiteracy. As she put it, “Ang kalaban daw ng edukasyon ay ang paniniwala mo na alam mo pero ang totoo hindi mo alam.” According to her, it’s not enough that we are educated because what we truly need is real education, which we can achieve by doing research and fact-checking, as well as having discernment if the pieces of information we share are accurate.

On the importance of being well-informed in social issues

A few days after “Showtime Sexy Babe” concluded, the Unkabogable Star initiated the discussion about the hosts’ takeaways from the segment. Each of them might have mentioned different perspectives, but for Vice, it’s none other than the realization that there is still a huge chunk of Filipino youth voters, even parents or other members of the society, who are still not informed enough about the electoral process in the country. This was after a contestant claimed that she didn’t have any idea what COMELEC (Commission on Elections) is and the important role it plays in our country.

On the proper way of using social media

And speaking of social media, the Unkabogable Star also had to remind everyone about the proper way of utilizing social media and how everyone of us has the right to air our sentiments, but we must make sure to not inflict harm on other people or organizations. She said, “Maaari kang magbigay ng opinyon [ngunit] iba ang opinyon [at] iba ang akusasyon,” which is a reminder not just for the TNT contestants, but for all netizens. 

Then she added, “Maging mapanuri sa mga inilalagay o ipino-post sa social media. Dahil ano mang inilalagay n’yo diyan ay maaaring ikapahamak ng iba at maaaring ikapahamak mo at pagsisihan mo. ‘Yan po ang paalala namin sa lahat.”