Vice Ganda to ‘It’s Showtime’ contestant saying it’s fun to be poor: Don’t romanticize poverty 

Vice Ganda recently dropped nuggets of wisdom on “It’s Showtime” after saying that it’s wrong to “romanticize poverty” in response to one contestant of the show’s “Rampanalo” segment that it’s fun to be poor.

During the ABS-CBN noontime show’s July 3 episode, the TV host-comedian asked the contestants about his state of living, to which the contestant replied that he’s doing okay despite having a less-fortunate life.

“Opo, Meme Vice. Kahit mahirap, kahit sa isang araw, isa o dalawang beses lang po kami [kumakain], okay naman po. Masarap mabuhay bilang mahirap,” the contestant said. (Yes, Meme Vice. Even if life is hard, almost to the point of us only eating only once or two times a day, it’s okay. It’s fun to be poor.)

Vice Ganda then asked the contestantn if he doesn’t want to live comfortably, noting that he seemed to be struggling to make ends meet. The latter appeared to ponder about his words before saying: “Ah, hindi po, Meme Vice. Kaso ayoko naman pong nakikita na nahihirapan ‘yung mga magulang ko (Ah, no, Meme Vice. But I don’t want to see my parents having a hard time).”

In response, the “Rampa” singer gently reminded the contestant that it’s not “right” to believe that it’s “okay” to be poor. He also pointed out that to think that being poor is okay is a “wrong mentality,” especially for those who are determined to escape poverty for their families.

“Iko-correct lang natin ‘yan ah. Kasi hindi tama ‘yung sinasabi nating okay naman maging mahirap. Alam mo ang okay lang na nararamdaman ng maraming mahirap (ay) okay kasi mahirap sila pero nagmamahalan silang pamilya, okay ‘yun,” said Vice Ganda.

“Mahirap sila pero mabuting tao sila, okay ‘yun. Mahirap sila, pero mahal sila ng nanay at tatay nila, okay ‘yon. Mahirap sila at nakakapag-aral sila, okay ‘yun. Pero kung may pagkakataong maging mayaman, ayaw mo ba ‘yun?” he continued, to which the contestant admitted that he likes the chance to become rich, should the opportunity present itself.

(Let’s correct that mindset.. Because it’s not right to say that it’s okay to be poor. It’s okay to believe that despite being poor, love prevails in your family. Even if they’re poor, you’re a good person, that’s okay. They’re poor, but their mom and dad love them, that’s okay. They’re poor, but they can still study, that’s okay. But if you have the opportunity to become rich, wouldn’t you take it?)

“Kaya ‘wag mong sasabihing, ‘Okay, masarap maging mahirap.’ Kasi hindi totoo ‘yan. Mali ‘yun, mali. Maling mentality, ha. Mali ang mentality na mahalin natin ang pagiging mahirap dahil hindi. Maraming pagkakataon sa buhay natin na hirap na hirap tayo dahil sa kundisyon ng ating pamumuhay,” he said.

(So don’t say that it’s okay to be poor because that’s not true. It’s wrong, it’s a wrong mentality. It’s wrong to love being poor, because it’s not worth enjoying. There are many moments in life that we struggle to get by because of our living conditions.)

That is why, Vice Ganda said, people must strive to move past poverty to be able to send their children to good schools, and give them comfortable lives and a good future. He further said that  having the right “mindset” regarding one’s financial status in life is key to have stability, but romanticizing poverty is “wrong.”

“Mindset, mindset, mindset! ‘Mahirap ako ngayon, mabuting tao ako, pero tatakas ako sa kahirapan. Magiging mayaman ako at mabuting tao pa din.’ We [can] change that mindset, diba? Huwag nating i-romanticize ang poverty,” he said.

(Mindset, mindset, mindset! ‘I may be poor now, but I’m a good person and I can escape from poverty. I will be rich and I will remain good.’ We can change that mindset, right? Let’s not romanticize poverty.)

A clip of Vice Ganda’s interaction with the contestant caught the attention of netizens, particularly on Twitter, with some praising the actor-comedian for shedding light on “socio-political awareness.”

“This is why vice’s branding and longevity is unquestionable. her sense of humor, guts, socio-political awareness, and most [especially] her wisdom are such a breath of fresh air. A comedian like her is such a rarity in this industry — complete package & a game changer,” one @__janabee__ said.

this is why vice’s branding and longevity is unquestionable. her sense of humor, guts, socio-political awareness, and most specially her wisdom are such a breath of fresh air. a comedian like her is such a rarity in this industry — complete package & a game changer. https://t.co/PNUPzeTOWp

— ⋆ ???????????????????????? ⋆ (Taylor’s Version) (@__janabee__) July 4, 2023

One @sushiashes pointed out that it’s okay for “Filipinos” to long for a “comfortable life.”

I need these thoughts para mas maging aware mga Filipinos. Poverty is not okay! Deserve natin ng comfortable life. https://t.co/eABB0abATz

— ash.icarus (@sushiashes) July 4, 2023

“EXACTLY! Let us NOT deprive ourselves of having the best life that we can have! As long as we remain as good people, we deserve to live our life in the best [way possible],” another @regalmonswift said.

EXACTLY! Let us NOT deprive ourselves of having the best life that we can have! As long as we remain as good people, we deserve to live our life in the best way as possible! https://t.co/0CPzYlFo91

— Licorne???? (@regalmonswift) July 3, 2023

Twitter user @warmstoneyunnie also pointed out, “But also a reminder that if you’ve already done everything and you still can’t get out of the situation you’re in, don’t let anyone blame you and say you’re not working hard enough. Di pantay pantay ang mga tao, may iba, may advantages kahit di in the form of wealth.”

But also a reminder that if you’ve already done everything and you still can’t get out of the situation you’re in, don’t let anyone blame you and say you’re not working hard enough. Di pantay pantay ang mga tao, may iba, may advantages kahit di in the form of wealth. https://t.co/EQO3hpVx2I

— || GENERAL ????♦️|| ???? || ❄️ || (@warmstoneyunnie) July 3, 2023

“It’s Showtime” made headlines after its pilot episode on GTV was broadcast last July 1. The premiere was done in a star-studded affair, as it featured celebrities from ABS-CBN and GMA. EDV

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