Chugug first, iyak later: Vice Ganda shares touching moment with ‘kalokalike’

What started as a laugh-out-loud impersonation of Vice Ganda ended as a touching moment between the comedy superstar and her “kalokalike,” in the live episode of “It’s Showtime” on Wednesday.

The contestant, Deja, had the madlang people erupting in cheers as he was unveiled as the first impersonator of Vice Ganda in the lookalike tilt’s fourth season.

Deja, who made headlines earlier this year as the winner of “Drag Den Philippines,” got to exchange jokes and engage in banter with Vice Ganda.

Their interaction would later turn sentimental, when they acted as each other’s “reflection” with a message to themselves.

Vice Ganda’s heartfelt statement, about happiness and loving oneself, appeared to move Deja, who was seen tearing up. He shared that, growing up, he regarded Vice Ganda as a role model who represents their community in mainstream media.

“This is such a dream come true for me,” he told Vice Ganda. “I love you so. You’re my icon, my diva, my legend, my myth.”

“Growing up as a young little gay sa province, parang nakikita ko ‘yung self ko sa kaniya. Representation sa media. Sobrang halaga nu’n sa akin noong bata ako na pini-figure out ko pa lang kung ano ako, kung may mali ba sa nararamdaman ko. Pero noong nakita kita, hindi ako nag-iisa. Sobrang salamat, Meme,” Deja said.

Deja eventually won the day’s edition of “Kalokalike,” along with an impersonator of comedian Pepe Herrera. A lookalike of comedienne Boobay, meanwhile, fell short of one vote to clinch a prize.