ACTIVITY 2: Evaluate if the “It’s Showtime” host Vice Ganda has been ethical in his

words and actions.

Submitted by: SANTOS, Odyson D. (BSCE 2-1) GEC 4 Purposive communication

When we hear the word Vice Ganda, most Filipinos watching televisions and tracks his

movies would easily recognize the face of ‘The Unkabogable’ comedy actor named Jose Marie

Borja Viceral. He became famous in the national television in 2009, when ABS-CBN puts him

as a stand-in judge in the noontime entertainment “Showtime” later changed as “It’s Showtime”.

His career then skyrocketed when he was offered the lead role in the 2010 movie ‘Petrang

Kabayo’, and continued with several appearances on numerous shows, and even making his own

talk night named ‘Gandang Gabi Vice’.

Apart from his scenes from movies, most people find it entertaining when Vice Ganda

puts on his impromptu jokes during the noontime show ‘It’s Showtime’. Though it seems funny

to watch, there were numerous times when the actor has crossed the boundaries of joking

through painful insults and unprincipled actions. On one instance, the Movie and Television

Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), a government agency that is responsible for the

classification and review of television programs, filed a complaint on the actions of Vice Ganda

towards a male contestant in the It’s Showtime segment ‘Gandang Lalaki’. In the document,

Vice Ganda wipes off a towel on his sweaty armpit and smudged it all over the face of one of the

program’s male dancers. In another occasion, Vice Ganda deliberately discriminated and

ridiculed an old, weak and almost bald man in the Sine Mo’ To segment. Vice Ganda offensively

compared the old man’s appearance to a coconut. In another episode, an alarming numerous

sexual and green jokes were observed, and even though his co-hosts already asked him to lay
low, he continued to convey those sexual puns even in front of the young audience, and the

national television where millions of Filipinos are watching.

Though some people find it hilarious and count it as a joke, these actions clearly violated

numerous guidelines and media code of ethics, specifically  the KBP Code of Ethics

Section 2 of Article 28, which stipulates that persons who appear in live

programs, shall not be embarrassed or humiliated in whatever manner.

Another is the Article 25 Section 3 which specifies that sexual depictions

should be avoided.

Regarding whether it is unintended or a simple gag, Vice Ganda must be more

responsible and sensitive toward his unethical actions. Seminars as well as strict guidance must

be instigated to avoid further wrongdoings in the future. Vice Ganda may not be a journalist but

as a media personality, he is still expected to uphold certain ethical standards based on the

Broadcast Code of the Philippines. He is viewed and adored by millions of Filipinos so his

actions may influence his supporters most especially those at the young age group. With an

epithet of ‘The Unkabogable’, Vice Ganda must also uphold the duty of being ethical and

responsible.