Charles Teves
Vice Ganda was praised on social media for immediately disavowing an “It’s Showtime” contestant who made fun of people with disabilities in an August 2 episode.
During the “Miss Q and A” segment, contestant Dimple Ruiz pretended to be someone with a cleft before jokingly claiming to suffer from down syndrome.
“Nagulat kayo ‘no? Akala niyo ngongo ako, mongoloid kaya ako,” Ruiz joked.
Vice Ganda quickly approached Ruiz and said that his introduction was different from what he rehearsed.
“Hindi ‘yan ang intro mo nung rehearsal ha?” the host said while laughing.
“Miss Q and A” is where gay candidates showcase their wit by answering tough questions.
Later on, Vice Ganda apologized to the audience over Ruiz’s attempt to make people laugh.
Love you Ma! 🧡🧡🧡 Salamat dito. https://t.co/aMVV8M4UpC
— Ate Dick (Inah Evans) (@_AteDick) August 2, 2022
“As early as now, we would like to inform everyone that the views and opinions and the words of the candidates do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the host, the show and the network,” he said. “In behalf of candidate No. 3, ngayon pa lamang ay humihingi na kami ng paumanhin sa mga maaaring mga na-offend o hindi nagustuhan ang mga sinabi niya sa simula, lalo na ang paggamit sa mga salitang ‘ngongo’ at ‘mongoloid.’ Hindi na natin ‘yon ginagamit.” he added.
Vice Ganda then asked Ruiz why he went with that introduction, to which the contestant said: “I’m sorry po, dinagdag ko lang. I’m really sorry po, I didn’t mean it. Gusto ko lang pong magbigay ng kasiyahan but hindi ko po sinasadya ‘yon. I’m really sorry for that.”
Fellow hosts Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario noted that contestants should be more sensitive and strictly follow what the management has allowed them to do.
“May mga salita na hindi na angkop at katanggap-tanggap ngayon—’yung mga sinasabing hindi politically correct ‘yung terms—at may mga bagay na hindi pwedeng sabihin sa telebisyon,” Vice Ganda stated.
Viewers praised Vice Ganda for rejecting Ruiz’s statement.
Infairness nung madrop yung slur, walang reaction yung hosts at walang background music.
Sa Eat Bulaga, may namatayan na tapos mag sasayawan pa haha https://t.co/TELn6ghsA0
— Jopet (@iamsuperjopet) August 2, 2022
As someone who was bullied way back in school, Ngongo-Bingot will always hunt me. Thank you meme @vicegandako for correcting her. https://t.co/AVTeFjfMhO
— soja boi (@kultonimac) August 2, 2022
The sound team also refused to hype the joke.
I love how It's Showtime has become so progressive and sensitive now. Making jokes about people with disabilities is something we need to outgrow and unlearn. 🙂 https://t.co/kKaxzlL7KR
— mandeu (@mandmartin_) August 2, 2022
Kita mo yung disiplina ng show dito-biglang tinaggal yung music,no reaction from audience and immediate public apology from the host.
Good Job kayo dun Showtime fam!#ShowtimeAugust2Natin https://t.co/AZX2d5MUpE— DREW (@DrewShikawa) August 2, 2022
Viewers hope future contestants can learn something from what happened.
Maging aral sana sa lahat ng sasali sa Miss Q&A si contestant no. 3. 💁🏻♀️
Buti na lang to the rescue si Meme at ang It’s Showtime. 💙💛@itsShowtimeNa
#ShowtimeAugust2Natin pic.twitter.com/bm8IZwp7IH
— KPEx Official (@OfficialKpex) August 2, 2022
After the segment, Vice Ganda visited Ruiz in the dressing room to comfort him.
” Thanks Meme Vice sa pag comfort po sa akin after ng pagkakamali ko..Talagang sinadya niyo pa po ako puntahan sa Dressing Room to Comfort me.. Napakabuti mo pong tao..Sorry po ulit,” the gay contestant wrote on Facebook.
