Vice Ganda’s ‘strip act’ enlightens viewers

Recently, Vice Ganda made viewers of “It’s Showtime” sit up and really pay attention, when he utilized his “Madam Bertud” “advice” portion on the noontime program to take a strong stand against bullying, which the young woman he was advising was complaining about as a constant bane in her day-to-day existence.

She wept when she recalled insults about her looks, especially the dark color of her skin—and Vice taught her how to counter such taunts, and render them powerless to hurt her.

Even more tellingly, Vice went beyond “theoretical” counseling in teaching her how to be “proud to be me”—by removing all of his makeup, false eyelashes, contact lenses and hair extensions to reveal the real Vice Ganda in all his “imperfection”—and yet his pride in himself and his essence remained unabated.

Proud to be unique

It was a dramatic and powerful “teaching moment,” not just for the constantly-bullied young woman, but also for the show’s viewers, who were persuaded to not care what others thought of them but be proud instead of what made them different—and unique.

That isn’t an easy lesson to learn in these parts, when we’re so dependent on and even subservient to others’ opinions—but Vice’s graphic “self-exposure” made it easier to understand and imbibe.

Vice Ganda’s instructive “strip act” on “It’s Showtime” is a good example of how some celebrities make pertinent use of the “platform” that their popularity provides for them to push their pet advocacies. Not many local stars do it, but it’s become a big stellar mission and conviction abroad.

Sterling examples include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who’ve raised millions to fund housing for disaster victims, among their many other advocacies; Oprah Winfrey, who’s subsidized a high school for girls in Africa, and is now finding additional money to pay for her school graduates’ college education—in the best US universities; and Ellen

DeGeneres, who boosts gender equality and helps needy families and schools.

VICE Ganda’s “teaching moment” was powerful for the show’s viewers.

In fact, probably 30 percent of all stars have become so enlightened and proactive about using their “celebrity power” to do a lot of good that it’s become more than just a trend, it’s practically a habit.

We trust that, with local stars like Vice Ganda, Dingdong Dantes and Ogie Alcasid   showing the way, many more of our stars and starlets will see the light and follow suit.

Consciousness-raising

Why, just last month, KC Concepcion and some photographer colleagues put up a consciousness-raising and fund-generating photo exhibit on the harrowingly tragic earthquake in Nepal, so local awareness of the power of celebrity clout is palpably growing.

Much more needs to be done, of course, and local stars’ efforts shouldn’t stop at the “one-shot” level.

Indeed, Vice himself has again shown the way in this extended regard, by stipulating that his show’s Proud to Be Me campaign should be done on a weekly basis, every Thursday. Thus, everybody in the show proudly appeared with no makeup on—and the effect was stirringly liberating for them—and for the show’s viewers, as well!