Vice Ganda looked back on his journey as a breadwinner, recalling his sacrifices and unwavering determination that eventually allowed him to give his family a better life.
In his latest vlog, the It's Showtime host looked back on how growing up in hardship inspired him to dream of a better life not just for himself, but for his entire family. As he reflected on his journey as a breadwinner, he recalled the sacrifices, odd jobs, and unwavering determination that eventually allowed him to fulfill that dream.
"Naalala ko nung bata pa lang ako, ambisyosa kasi talaga ako. Alam ko kung ano 'yung sitwasyon [at] kung nasaan kami nung maliit pa lang ako. Nakikita ko 'yung sitwasyon at kondisyon ng pamumuhay namin [ng pamilya ko]. And hindi ako nakuntento. Sabi ko 'Masaya naman ako dito sa komunidad na ito, mababait 'yung mga tao, masaya, makulay, ang daming kwento. Pero hindi ako matatapos doon'. Gusto kong makaranas ng some more,” he said. "Kaya nangarap ako hindi lang for myself, but for my family."
He went on to share that his journey as a provider began long before fame, taking on various sidelines while he was still young. "Ang laki ng inaabot ng mata ko. Ang dami kong nakikita at ang dami kong gustong mapuntahan at maranasan."
"Sumasama ako sa mga kaibigan ko na nagbebenta ng tanso, nagbebenta ng plastic sa mga junkshop. Nung college na ako, nag-buy and sell ako, pumupunta ako ng Zurbaran at Cartimar," he recalled, sourcing branded items to sell to his classmates.
He earned his capital after winning a singing contest, allowing him to grow his buy-and-sell business by selling branded shoes and clothes. According to the actor, some merchants even trusted him enough to let him sell products on consignment.
"Sa ganoong pagkakataon, natutulungan ko 'yung sarili ko at nababawasan ko rin 'yung isipin ng mga magulang ko."
Vice also looked back on how his mother worked tirelessly as a caregiver in the United States to provide for their family. Witnessing her sacrifices inspired him to one day carry that responsibility himself.
"Nung nagsimula na akong kumita, sabi ko 'balang-araw sasapuhin ko at papasanin ko 'yung bigat na nasa likod at balikat ng nanay ko'. Hindi naman ako agad naging breadwinner ng pamilya namin [kasi] 'yung nanay ko capable siyang mag-trabaho. Nagta-trabaho 'yung nanay ko [at] hindi naman humilata lang at nagpa-sarap at umasa lang sa amin, hindi. Hindi ganon ang nanay ko,” he said.
Even then, he knew he first had to build a stable future before he could help others. He explained that many breadwinners remain trapped in a cycle of sacrifice because they immediately carry everyone else's burdens before finding solid ground themselves.
"Kasi diba kung pare-pareho kayo ng level, sinong mag-aangat? Para mai-pull mo 'yung tao mula sa baba, kailangan nasa taas ka."
He added that this difficult reality is shared by many Filipinos supporting their families.
"'Yun ang kwento ng mga breadwinners. Nananatili sila sa ilalim kasi 'yung pasan-pasan nila sa balikat nila, ipinu-push nila paangat at hindi nauubos 'yun. Ang masakit pa doon, 'yung mga pinush niya paangat, iniwan siya...'Yun yung sad reality. That's the sad story of so many breadwinners, specifically, OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers)."
Vice emphasized that no one ever forced him to become their family's provider, saying: "No one designated me to be a breadwinner. It was my own will to help the family."
Before stepping into comedy bars, Vice worked as a telemarketer in Ortigas, surviving on transportation allowance while commuting daily in business attire despite the heat. The experience eventually left him questioning where his future was headed.
"Nalungkot lungkot na ako. Sabi ko, 'Saan ako papunta? Ano nang mangyayari sa life ko?’,” he shared.
Eventually, after struggling in the job, one of his closest friends invited him to a comedy bar, which led to him being discovered as a comedian.
Vice said his first salary as a comedian was only P400, which barely covered his transportation, food, makeup, costumes, and other work expenses.
"Kailangan kong [magkaroon] ng tip para kumita. Imagine kung paano mo pagkakasiyahin yung apat na daang piso eh siyempre yung trabaho namin as performers, hindi siya katulad ng ibang empleyado na naka-uniform so hindi mo po-problemahin ang damit mo. Hindi naman kailangan putok ang makeup mo at ayos na ayos ka. Hindi mo kailangang mag-taxi [kasi] pwede kang mag-LRT o jeep."
Eventually, his earnings became enough for him to start saving instead of merely surviving.
"Magastos talaga siya, walang natitira. Hindi rin naman ako naka-ipon agad...Nakaipon-ipon na ako nung tumaas 'yung sweldo ko. Naging six-hundred [pesos] na. Tapos parang nagkaroon na ako ng mga fans, ng regular following. Tapos nagkaroon na ako ng mga regualr guests na may pa-tip. Lumaki 'yung kita ko. Naka-ipon ako kasi sa laki ng tip ko, hindi ko na kinakailangangang gastusin 'yung sweldo ko," he said.
Throughout his journey, Vice said his family remained his biggest supporters.
"Ever since my family has been very supportive of me, my craft, my profession," he maintained.
As his income steadily grew, he gradually began providing for his family's needs, buying gifts during the holidays, preparing bigger celebrations, and watching his siblings genuinely enjoy the life they once only dreamed about.
What made it even more meaningful, he shared, was that his family never demanded anything from him. "Yung pamilya ko magaling silang magpasalamat. Ang hindi sila magaling ay ang manghingi. Hindi talaga sila nanghihingi."
Vice also clarified that he never considered himself the family's sole breadwinner because each of his siblings also worked hard in their own way. As his career flourished, however, he simply chose to shoulder more because he knew he could.
"Buo sa utak ko talaga na aayusin ko 'yung pamilya ko doon sa lugar namin. [Although] masaya ako doon. Maraming magandang ala-ala. Pero gusto ko namang makaranas kaming lahat ng level up."
Eventually, his childhood dream became reality. He built a home for his family and finally convinced his mother to come home to the Philippines for good after years of working abroad.
His father passed away on his 13th birthday, while his mother spent years overseas working as a caregiver. Growing up without both parents by his side during his teenage years was never easy, but it became the very reason he pushed himself to succeed.
More than wealth or fame, Vice said what he truly wanted was to make his family whole again to celebrate milestones together, create happy memories, and finally let his mother witness everything he had worked so hard for.
Today, looking back at his journey, he knows every sacrifice was worth it. "Ang sarap sa pakiramdam dahil nangyari. Being a breadwinner is never easy, sobra siyang hirap. Pero dahil ang laki ng pangarap ko at para sa akin importante 'yun, pinanghawakan ko siya. Kaya ngayon ang swerte-swerte ko kasi ngayon, okay na."
At this point in his life, Vice said his biggest priority is not all about material success but the health and well-being of the people he loves, especially his family and husband Ion Perez.