Ion Perez and Vice Ganda. Image: Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin, screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

Vice Ganda recently admitted that he envies engaged couples who are free to express their joy without judgment from the public, as he recounted letting his fear of being bashed prevent him from announcing his engagement to Ion Perez right away.

The comedian opened up about this during an episode of his weekend show “Everybody Sing,” which featured engaged couples as contestants last Saturday, July 1.

“Kaya ako nae-emote pag nagku-kwento [sila] kanina pa [kasi] nararamdaman ko ‘yung joy tapos napi-picture ko sa utak ko. Naiinggit ako kasi hindi gano’n ‘yung naramdaman ko nung nag-propose sa akin si Ion,” he said, while interviewing a pair. “Nainis ako kasi hinayaan kong talunin ng takot ‘yung dapat saya kong naramdaman.”

(I was getting emotional while they were telling their stories a while ago, because I feel their joy and I can picture [their proposals] in my mind. I am envious because it was not how I felt when Ion proposed to me. I am annoyed because I let my fear overpower the joy that I was supposed to feel.)

“Sobrang dami ng sinasabi tungkol sa amin ni Ion na nanakawan ako ng joy,” he continued. “Parang sa inyo—kasi normal ‘yan sa paningin ng marami, ‘yung babae tsaka lalaki. Pero ‘yung sa amin, hindi normal ‘yung tingin sa amin kaya ‘yung moment na nag-propose sa akin si Ion, nung lumuhod siya tapos nagbigay siya ng ring, nanginig talaga ako.”

(There were a lot of comments against me and Ion and that stole my joy away. Your case—a man and a woman—is normal in the eyes of the majority. But in our case, we are not seen as normal. That was why when Ion proposed to me, when he got down on one knee and gave me a ring, I was shaking.)

Vice Ganda recalled his immediate reaction of asking his friends, who were present when Perez popped the question, to delete the videos they took of the couple, because the comedian was scared that it would be shared to the public.

“Ayoko siyang kumalat kasi takot na takot ako. ‘Pag kumalat ‘yon, iba-bash nanaman nila si Ion, ako. Hindi nila io-honor ‘yung love,” he explained. (I do not want [the videos] to be shared because I was so scared. Once it was shared, the public would once again bash me and Ion. They would not honor our love.)

“Nakakainggit kasi ang ganda nung nangyari sa inyo,” he added, this time breaking into tears. “Ang ganda rin sana nung nangyari sa amin kaya lang ang duwag-duwag ko.”

(I envy you because what happened to the both of you was really beautiful. Ours would have been beautiful, too, if I were not a coward.)

Vice Ganda revealed that he keeps a video of the proposal with him, but he has opted not to share it to the public to protect such core memory from getting insults.

He then underscored how he felt “important, loved and appreciated” when Perez proposed to him, advising the engaged couples to cherish this stage in their relationships as it is one of the best feelings in the world.

“Ang pinakaswerte lang sa nangyari sa akin, ‘yung fear ko noon ay wala na. At ‘yung care ko noon sa ibang tao, wala na kasi lahat ng care ko [ay] na kay Ion na lang at sa nararamdaman namin,” said Vice Ganda.

(The most fortunate thing from what happened is that my fear back then is now gone. The care I had for what others would say then was also gone, because all I care for now is Ion and our feelings for each other.)