Vice Ganda, or Jose Maria Borja Viceral, is a multidimensional Filipino figure who excels as a standup comedian, actor, TV host, recording artist, writer, and fashion guru. As the host-cum panelist of ABS-lunchtime CBN’s TV show ‘It’s Showtime,’ he is well praised and easily identifiable. He’s also known for his stand-up comedy, in which he satirizes Filipino society and lampoons human sexuality. He has been in a number of films, six of which have gone on to become commercial triumphs, with six of them being among the highest-grossing pictures in the history of the Filipino film industry. Vice Ganda began his professional career as a singer before transitioning to standup comedy. He got work as a singer/comedian in a bar in Manila, where the proprietor, Richard Castaneda, gave him the nickname “Vice Ganda,” which he kept. He honed his inimitable brand of comedy throughout the years, relying on his sardonic sense of sexuality, situational satire, and withering parody of archetypal behavior. Vice seamlessly transitioned to the small screen, hosting and emceeing a number of shows and programs, including ‘Comedy Central’ and ‘Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbablik,’ as well as making guest appearances that had viewers in splits. Ganda’s excursions into the film and music industries have rewarded him with fame and fortune.
Childhood and Adolescence
Vice Ganda was born in the Philippines on March 31, 1976. Among his five brothers and sisters, he is the youngest. Much before he became known as ‘Vice,’ he was affectionately referred to as Tutoy.
His mother was a volcano from San Juan, La Union, while his father was the administrative head of a district. As he played games and ogled at girls, there was nothing that set him apart from the other lads in the neighborhood.
As he grew older, Vice Ganda instinctively saw that he was sexually disoriented, and he began to retreat from the pastimes that he had formerly embraced with zeal. At the same time, he did everything he could to hide his true identity, which represented his gay persona.
Vice was concerned that disclosing his genuine identity would exacerbate the schism between and among his beleaguered family members. Lito, the eldest of the siblings, left home to settle in the United States after a series of severe feuds with his parents, and Vice had a difficult upbringing.
Vice Ganda witnessed his father’s terrible death when he was just a week shy of his 15th birthday in 1991. His mother was forced to accept overseas work to support the family as a result of the tragedy and the unexpected turn of events.
Vice’s friends and granddad supported him and assisted him in coping with his difficulties. He enrolled at Far Eastern University in Manila, where he studied Political Science. Because of his passion and basketball talents, he was admired by many at the university.
The Career 0f Vice
Vice Ganda started out in the music industry as a singer. Because of his theatrical abilities, he was chosen to perform as a standup in ‘The Library’ and ‘Punchline,’ two well-known comedy clubs/bars in Manila. He spent several years refining his sarcastic skills alongside Manila’s famed singer-comedians John Lapus, Pooh, and Chokoleit.
His success as a slapstick comic paved the path for his transition to the small screen. For his roles as a host, actor, and judge in sitcoms, drama series, discussion programs, and talent competitions, he received eulogies, encomiums, and accolades.
Vice has appeared in teleseries, variety shows, and sitcoms such as ‘Kokey,’ ‘Ligaw na Bulaklak,’ ‘Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbablik,’ ‘Wowowee,’ and ‘Comedy Central,’ among others. Because of his side-splitting humor and impeccable sense of timing, his concerts were highly popular with a certain segment of the audience.
Vice’s television career high point came in 2009 when he was hired as a stand-in judge for ‘Showtime,’ an ABS-CBN midday show with high TRP numbers. His supporters rallied behind him to make him a regular judge, and they were successful.
Vice became a veritable tour de force in the Philippines’ television industry, earning him the moniker ‘The Unkabogable,’ which translates to ‘The Unbeatable.’ Offers to appear in a variety of television shows and programs continued to stream in, allowing him to reach out to a large number of Filipino acolytes both at home and abroad.
Vice Ganda’s life as a child when he was harassed for being gay was depicted in the drama series anthology ‘Maalaala Mo Kay.’
Every Sunday, he hosts his hilarious talk program, ‘Gandang Gabi Vice,’ in which he interviews people from various walks of life, including celebrities, politicians, athletes, and online personalities. His Sunday show is consistently well-received.
Forays Into the Silver Screen
Vice Ganda began his career as a supporting actor in films such as ‘Hating Kapatid’ and ‘In My Life,’ in which he starred with Filipino celluloid icons such as Sarah Geronimo, Judy Ann Santos, and Vilma Santos. He had screen time with Coco Martin in the indie film ‘Condo’ long before he appeared in mainstream films.
In 2010, he received a significant break when he was offered the lead part in the film ‘Petrang Kabayo,’ which is a remake of the 1988 classic. The film was a box office smash, and it was followed by a spate of sequels including ‘Tomboy,’ ‘Sisterakas,’ and ‘The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin.’
Vice had a big role in the film ‘The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin,’ which went on to become the most successful Filipino film ever, grossing over 450 million pesos. in the year 2011 Vice won a ‘Movie Actor of the Year’ award for his masterful portrayal of four separate egos in this film.
Vice Ganda starred in Viva Films and Star Cinema’s comedy film ‘This Guy’s In Love with U Mare!’ in 2012. In the year 2013, he made a cameo role in the film ‘Bromance: My Brother’s Romance.’
In 2015, he starred in the action-comedy film ‘Beauty and the Bestie,’ which premiered at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
A Career in Music
Vice Ganda has also displayed his crooning abilities with chart-topping tunes such as “Boom Panes,” “Whoops Kiri,” and “Karakaraka.” Vicor Music authorized and promoted his debut studio album, ‘Lakas Tama,’ which he released in 2011.
He was featured in the anthology album ‘Showtime,’ which was released by Star Records and promoted and sold by them. In 2013, Star Records released his second studio album, titled “Vice.” In 2014, he released his third album, named ‘#Trending.’
Vice Ganda published a book titled “President Vice: Ang Bagong Panggulo ng Pilipinas” in July 2016 that satirized how he wanted to administer the country if he were elected president of the Philippines.
Personal History and Legacy
Vice Ganda is a proud gay man who wears his sexual orientation on his sleeve. He was, nevertheless, a closet homosexual during his childhood, for which he had to endure unimaginable humiliation and bullying.
He is a confirmed bachelor, and it is unknown if he is involved in a gay relationship. He is currently based in the Philippines, in Quezon City.
In 2013, Trivia Vice Ganda received harsh criticism for satirizing gang rape during a comic musical program. While appearing on one of ‘It’s Showtime!”s programs, he eventually apologized for his dishonorable and unprincipled behavior.
Estimated Net worth
Vice Ganda is one of the wealthiest comedians and one of the most popular. Vice Ganda’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.