Spark change for good, Vice Ganda urges UP graduates
TV host, actor and comedian Vice Ganda on Sunday exhorted graduates of the University of the Philippines College of Media and Communication (UP CMC) to use their voices to challenge corruption, inequality and disinformation, saying even the smallest “spark” can ignite meaningful change.
“A spark may seem small, but it has the power to grow into a much bigger fire. That reminds me of your theme today. In real life, the spark within me came from my experiences, my struggles, and my principles,” said Vice Ganda whose real name is Jose Marie Viceral.
She was the guest of honor at the UP CMC recognition rites for 181 graduates where the theme was “Dagitab,” which means spark in English.
In her speech, Vice Ganda recalled her difficult childhood marked by poverty, saying each day was a struggle to survive.
She said she experienced missing school exams due to unpaid fees, skipping Christmas parties because she could not afford an exchange gift, and being forced to alight from a jeepney because she did not have money for the fare.
“For many people, those experiences become broken glass—painful memories that continue to wound them whenever they remember them. In my case, those experiences did not break me. They became the spark inside me,” she said.
Motivation
“They made me realize that I did not want to remain poor. So I decided I would no longer stay poor. I knew I had to stand up. I knew I had to step up. I knew I had to work extremely hard,” she added.
According to her, she pushed herself to succeed not only to improve her own life but to also prove that people can rise above poverty despite having very little.
Vice Ganda said she has openly shared her life story with the public to highlight the harsh realities of poverty in the Philippines and inspire others facing similar struggles.
“Being poor here is hard because from the very beginning, people are forced to survive in a system that often fails to provide ordinary Filipinos with opportunities for a better life,” she said.
She noted that many hardworking Filipinos remain in poverty because wages often fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
“Ordinary workers earn just over P600 a day. That’s what the average Filipino worker takes home. Meanwhile, there are people receiving salaries of more than P300,000 even though they don’t even report for work,” Vice Ganda said.
Platform for free speech
According to the TV host, she has faced criticism for speaking out on social issues although she continues to incorporate them into her comedy despite the risks.
“I use my platform to speak about society’s problems in the hope of opening people’s minds, awakening those who have become indifferent, and helping dismantle a system that enables abuse and makes life even harder for poor Filipinos,” she said.
Vice Ganda said she uses comedy to remind audiences that many individuals responsible for wrongdoing remain unpunished, even as corruption continues to plague the country.
She also refuses to keep quiet as people seek to erase the truth, rewrite history, and promote false narratives.
“That’s why I believe my greatest responsibility is to use my voice properly. Yes, I make people laugh. Yes, I entertain them. But I also want to challenge a broken system.” she added.
The actor-comedian also reflected on how LGBTQIA+ people have gained greater visibility and representation over the years.
“Today, LGBTQIA+ people are at the center because they have become the stars of their own stories,” she said.
“I want to lend my voice to those who cannot speak and those who cannot cry out. I want the spark within me to continue burning in my mind and heart so that I can pass it on to many others, especially to all of you, the youth,” she said.
