Vice Ganda says ‘Pride for me is freedom’

As we close down Pride Month, Vice Ganda had some words of affirmation about what Pride is all about.

At the sidelines of the contract signing of "It's Showtime" with GTV on Wednesday, Vice Ganda said "Pride for me is freedom—freedom to be who you are, the freedom to be allowed to express yourself, and the freedom to be able to just enjoy what you want and who you are.” 

Everybody’s favorite Meme also gave a message to the LGBTQIA+ community, saying “Patuloy lang kayo maging maligaya. Live your lives to the fullest.”

Vice encouraged fellow members of the community to be proud and “just be who we are.”

She added, “Patuloy niyo lang iwagayway ang kulay ninyo. Patuloy niyo lang idiresto lahat ng mga plano ninyo dahil dapat hindi tayo papayag na ano man ang magiging sagabal sa kung ano tayo, at sa mga plano at sa mga pangarap natin sa buhay.”

[Continue to wave the color of your flag. Continue your plans because we cannot let anybody or anything stand in the way of who we really are, or stand in the way of our dreams.] 

For those who aren’t out yet, Meme Vice understands and respects you and your reasons.

“Lahat naman ng tao may mga dahilan kung bakit natin ginagawa ang mga bagay. May mga dahilan ang mga tao kung bakit na-de-delay tayo sa paggawa ng mga plano natin,” she said.

[We all have reasons why we do what we do, why we are delayed at pursuing our plans.]

“Ibigay natin sa kanila yung kalayaan na yun. In their own perfect time, makakahanap din sila ng dahilan para lumabas at magpakilala,” Vice added.

[Let's give them that freedom. In their own perfect time, they will be able to find a way to come out and be who they really are.]

Pride Month happens every June to honor and commemorate the Stonewall Uprisings that took place in 1969 New York. 

It serves to empower the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community by creating spaces where their identities are celebrated, stories are respected, and their rights are recognized. It also serves as a protest against the abuse and injustices the community faces.

"It's Showtime," is set to air on GTV starting July 1, from Monday to Saturday at 12 noon. Vice previously said that she is grateful for this new opportunity.

GTV on Channel 27, also known as Good Television, is a Philippines free-to-air television network wholly owned by GMA Network. Among its programs include "Balitanghali," "Dapat Alam Mo!" and "Farm to Table." It also airs the NCAA.

— LA, GMA Integrated News