Vice Ganda shares a heartwarming moment with a searcher with alopecia in the Friday episode of ‘EXpecially For You.’
Vice Ganda touched the hearts of many fans after he removed his wig to give courage to a searcher of It’s Showtime‘s “EXpecially For You” segment who is suffering from alopecia or hair loss.
In the Friday (July 19) episode of the noontime show, searcher April opened up about her struggles with hair loss. In response, Vice decided to lift the spirits of April.
“Kung makakatulong ito para makakuha ng kahit na katiting na kompyansa si April, why not?” Vice said before he took off his wig.
“Ang tagal na panahon na takot na takot ako dito, di ako nagpapakita ng walang wig. Nasa punto na ako na wala na akong pake, meron ng taong mahal na mahal ako kahit wala akong wig,” the comedian pointed out.
Vice also highlighted that he already feels secure with the love and acceptance that he gets from his family.
“Hindi na rin ako affected sa mga pangit na pangit sa akin kung wala akong wig. May wig o wala may nagmamahal dito noh? May wig o wala may tumatanggap dito. Bukod kay Ion (Perez), mahal ako ng nanay ko, mahal ako ng mga kapatid ko, mahal ako ng pamilya ko, mahal ako ni Lord,” Vice remarked as he removed his wig.
Vice and April turned emotional as they hugged each other on stage.
“In time. In your time. Huwag kang magmadali. In your time,” the host advised the searchee.
The It’s Showtime host added: “This is not for me, but for people like you.”
The rest of the hosts of the noontime show also turned emotional as they witnessed the heartwarming moment.
Fans online were also quick to express their admiration for Vice’s gesture for April.
“Literally in tears here, Ms. @vicegandako.😭😭 We love you for the person you are,” one fan said on social media platform X.
“It’s Showtime has stood the test of time, thanks to its social relevancy and its inclusivity. To the Showtime family, we love you!” one fan wrote.
Vice has always been vocal about raising awareness about alopecia.
Back in 2019, he showcased a performance dubbed as “Hair Story” for his Magpasikat performance during the tenth anniversary of the program to raise awareness about the condition.
“Lahat ng pinagdadaanan ng Showtime, kasabay ‘yung pagbabago ng buhok ko. ‘Pag malungkot, malungkot ‘yung kulay; ‘pag masaya, masaya ‘yung kulay. Kasabay daw ng maraming taon na lumilipas ng Showtime eh ‘yung marami ring palit nang palit ng buhok ko kaya sabi ko ‘Uy pwede so hair story,'” the host explained.
At that time, Vice shared that he got to meet Amy Perez’s sister who was suffering from alopecia and inspired him to further amplify awareness about hair loss.
“Iniinvite niya ‘ko kung pwede raw ako mag-talk sa isang event ng mga may alopecia, magbigay lang daw ng inspirational message. Before that, ang daming nag-iinvite sa’kin mag-talk,” he recalled.
Vice went on: “Gustong-gusto kong pagbigyan at gusto kong ma-experience din ‘yon at makapag-share ng pwede kong i-share kasi sabi nila madami raw may alopecia na kumukuha ng confidence sa akin kasi ‘pag nakikita nilang naka-wig ako parang feeling nila kaisa nila ako.”
The TV host then explained that people with alopecia wear wigs not because they lack self-love but because it’s a “defense” against the harsh criticisms of the world.
“Maraming may alopecia na choice nila mag-wig. Malaking bagay na mahal natin ang sarili natin at tanggap natin ang sarili natin kung anong itsura natin pero ‘yung paglalagay ng wig, sana maunawaan din natin na ‘yung mga taong nagwi-wig, hindi ‘yan sa hindi nila tanggap ang itsura nila,” she pointed out.
He further explained: “‘Yon ay proteksyon nila para sa mapanuri at mapait na mga salita at pangungutya ng kapwa dahil maraming ‘di nakakaunawa sa karamdaman nila.”
