Vice Ganda removes wig for ‘EXpecially For You’ participant with alopecia

Vice Ganda and “EXpecially For You” searcher April. Image: screengrab from Facebook/It’s Showtime

Vice Ganda brought netizens to tears after he removed his wig on “It’s Showtime,” aiming to boost the confidence of an “EXpecially For You” participant diagnosed with alopecia.

Alopecia, as defined by WebMD, is “an autoimmune disorder that causes hair to fall out, often in clumps the size and shape of a quarter.”

During the noontime show’s July 19 episode, “EXpecially For You” searcher April became emotional as she opened up why she was wearing a wig and a bandana.

“May alopecia po ako. Wala po akong hair; naka-wig lang po ako. Nagkakaroon din po ako ng insecurity na baka mas deserve niya nga po ‘yung ibang babae na hindi siya pahihirapan pa,” April said, referring to her ex-boyfriend Andrei who was with her in the segment.

Vice Ganda, being someone who also had insecurities about his hair, affirmed how hard and painful it is for April and those with the same condition as her. Nevertheless, the comedian reminded April that her ability to love is so much bigger than her insecurities.

The comedian, who was already in tears as well, also assured April that she will find a love that is accepting and that she deserves. Vice Ganda then noted that he was able to show himself without a wig to his fellow hosts because they accept and love him.

“Kung gusto niyo naman [makita], kaya ko naman,” he said as he started to remove his wig. “Tanggap nila (madlang people) ako no. Hindi ako nangingimi—kung makakatulong ito para makakuha ng kahit katiting na kumpyansa si April, why not?”

“Ang tagal na panahon na takot na takot ako na magpakita nang walang wig. Nasa punto na ako na wala na akong [pakialam],” he continued. “Meron nang taong mahal na mahal ako kahit wala akong wig. Hindi na rin ako affected do’n sa mga pangit na pangit sa akin ‘pag walang wig… May wig o wala, may nagmamahal dito no. May wig o wala, may tumatanggap dito.”

Both Vice Ganda and April burst into tears once again as they reached each other and shared a tight hug. The comedian’s fellow hosts afterward ran to him to hug and tell him that they love him.

“‘Wag kang magmadali. In your time,” the TV host told April while comforting her. “This is not for me [but] for people like you.”

“Kung makakapagbigay ako sa inyo ng kahit katiting lang na lakas, hindi ko ipagdadamot ‘yon,” he reiterated.

The actor host likewise posted about the encounter on his Facebook account.