After almost five years, Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda once again reaffirmed her love and trust in ABS-CBN as she officially renewed her contract with the company she calls home during The Unkabogable Day event last Feb. 15.
"Ang tagal ng expired ang contract ko (sa ABS-CBN). Hanggang inabutan ng pandemic at franchise issues. Ang tagal ko ng walang kontrata sa ABS-CBN. Parang hindi natin kailangan ng kontrata dahil nandito naman ako. Parang nakapirma na talaga yung puso ko rito," said Vice Ganda, as she thanked the management of ABS-CBN for renewing her contract.
(It's been a while since my contract expired (on ABS-CBN). Until the pandemic and franchise issues took over. I didn't have a contract with ABS-CBN for a long time. It seems like we don't need a contract because I'm here. It seems like my heart has really signed here.)
During her contract signing, Vice looked back on her decades-long career in the industry. “The journey has been quite long na rin. There were difficult times, but there were a lot of fun times. It was colorful pero kung susumahin mo, it’s a winning journey.
"Everyday I just live in the now. Kung ano man yung masakit kahapon, kung ano man yung malungkot kahapon, pinipilit ko syang dedmahin kasi gusto ko now. Gusto ko mag concentrate sa now. Gusto kong asikasuhin ko ano ang dapat kong gawin now.
"Almost 14 years na ang 'It's Showtime.' Noong simula naglalaro lang ako. Tapos nage enjoy kayong pinapanopod ako habang naglalaro. Hanggang yung laro naging trabaho. Yung trabaho naging obligasyon. Ang hirap nung 13 years na yun. Pero gusto ko yun. Ipinagpapasalamat ko yung hirap na yun. Pinaganda ako ng mga hirap na yun. I am full of joy. My heart is overwhelmed with all the things happening right now.
Vice Ganda also declared her loyalty for ABS-CBN. "Yung paa ko nakabaon na sa bahay na ito, ayoko ng lumabas, especially now that the world is unsafe. I'd rather be here inside my home. It's the perfect and safest place for me. Safe na safe ako rito. Alagang-alaga ako rito."
The ace comedienne added: "Our relationship was never perfect. Pangkaraniwang pamilya itong pinasok ko hindi yung pa-bait, pa-perfect. Hindi kami ganun. Masaya, nagkakasundo pero nagkaka-away away rin. Nagkakatampuhan din. At the end of the day, kahit ano pa yan, hindi namin iiwan yan. Ang mahalaga yung pagmamahalan namin sa isa't isa. Ganun kasi yung tutoong pamilya. Kahit na wala tayong kontrata, hindi ako aalis."
Vice Ganda promised to work very hard for ABS-CBN. "I will work very hard for our audience. Lord, give me strength, give me love, give me joy. Gusto kong maging masaya araw-araw para marami akong mapasaya."
She also said: "Sobrang laking biyaya po nito. Ang dami ng nangyari sa buhay ko at na-achieve ko na rin ang fame and fortune na mas malala pa sa naimagine ko. Lahat ng mangyayari ngayon at bukas, puro bonus na lang po ito eh. Malaking tulong po ito."
Several Kapamilya artists, colleagues, friends, and loved ones also gave their heartfelt tributes for the Unkabogable Star.
“Thank you for your Unkabogable loyalty and love for ABS-CBN and for all of us. With or without a contract, you stood by us even in our most difficult times. Binigyan mo ng lakas ang lahat ng ating mga Kapamilya sa gitna ng lahat ng ating pagsubok,” said ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes.
Vice then thanked the ABS-CBN bosses. “Maraming maraming salamat po sa patuloy na pagtitiwala, pagbibigay ng trabaho, oportunidad, pagkakataon… I am so grateful."
Among the ABS-CBN executives present were chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Group CFO Rick Tan, Star Magic and Entertainment Production head Laurenti Dyogi, and ABS-CBN head of Non-scripted Format Louie Andrada.
Vice Ganda rose to fame in the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime” and has scored multiple box office hits through the years. Vice has also received various awards as a Kapamilya star. In 2021, she was named as the Best Entertainment Program Host at the Asian Academy Creative Awards and Most Trusted Entertainment/Variety Presenter at the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards.
Recently, Vice was voted by the De La Salle Araneta University community as Most Outstanding Twitter Influencer, Most Outstanding Social Media Personality, Most Influential Multimedia Filipino Celebrity, and Most Outstanding Entertainment Show Host at the 5th Gawad Lasallianeta. Vice also won Best Variety Show Host at the 2023 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards of Trinity University of Asia.