Vice Ganda on helping contestants with own money: ‘Masaya ako kapag masaya sila’

Posted by ReyFort Media

At this moment, no curtain is big enough for Vice Ganda, one of the biggest stars in the Philippines. With that level of fame comes wealth — hard-earned, not from the suitcase.

And, while Vice will not go hungry regardless of the country’s economic situation, she is extremely cautious of her savings.

“Takot akong maghirap, eh. Hindi ako maghihihirap kaya magtitipid ako. Lalo na ngayong may crisis, doble tipid talaga. Takot kang mabawasan nang mabawasan ang pera mo,” Vice said.

Having nothing as a child, Vice learned to appreciate money at a young age.

“Dati na akong matipid. Nasanay na ako. Kaming lahat sa pamilya, matipid kami. Kasi lumaki akong limitado ang resources ko kaya kailangan talagang magtipid. Lumaki kami na kanya-kanya kaming budget ng pera,” Vice shared.

Even as her bank account grew, the Kapamilya superstar did not spend much money or pursue a so-called luxurious lifestyle.

She stated, “Matipid talaga ako. Sa kotse, sa gamit sa bahay, ano mang pagkakagastusan, nagtitipid ako. At, lamigin ako, kaya hindi ako masyadong ma-aircon.”

And her practical nature, which has always been in her DNA, is something she encourages her LGBTQIA+ friends — to avoid spending money on things that aren’t important.

Given all of that success, what is Vice’s current value? Does she know the precise amount of her talent fee?

“To be fair, alam naman nila ang worth ko. Hindi ko naman kailangang [sabihin]. At kung may pagkakataon mang hindi naibibigay, nauunawaan ko. Naiipaliwanag naman. Kailangan lang na mag-usap. May times na hindi kayo nagtutugma, pero kailangan lang na mag-usap. At nauunawaan ko ‘yun,” she confessed.

On giving cash prizes to “It’s Showtime” and “Everybody, Sing” contestants out of her own pocket, she opened up: “Kunwari, isang daang nasunugan ‘yung contestants [sa ‘Everybody, Sing’]. Tapos mananalo sila ng 10k or less pa. Hindi naman kaya ng puso ko na parang, ‘Ano ‘to? Ginamit ko lang sila for episode tapos wala naman silang makukuhang tulong?’ So ako na mismo ‘yung maglalabas [ng pera].” 

“Ganoon din sa ‘Showtime.’ Kapag hindi ko ginawa, baka mawala ‘yung puso ko sa ginagawa. Nagbibigay din kasi ng kasiyahan at kaligayahan sa akin ‘yun, eh. Masaya ako kapag masaya sila.”

The Unkabogable Superstar, meanwhile, claimed that the crisis has an impact on her as an entrepreneur.

“May negosyo rin naman ako. At ‘yun [ay] hindi mo matitipid. ‘Yung konsumo sa kuryente [sa business], hindi mo puwedeng tipirin. Iniinda talaga namin ‘yun ngayon. Umaaray din kami,” she revealed. (J. Mercado/abs-cbn)