In a recent online show titled ‘PasaHero with Mister Angkas,’ hosted by George Royeca, the Founder and CEO of a well-known ride-hailing and delivery app, Vice Ganda shared insights into his early struggles and moments when he almost gave up on his television career.
The show aims to spotlight stories of heroism, hard work, and the realization of dreams from various accomplished personalities, leaving viewers with valuable lessons they can apply to their own paths toward success.
Vice Ganda, whose real name is Jose Marie Viceral, recounted his humble beginnings in the entertainment industry during the show’s pilot episode. He started his career in a comedy bar in 1998 and transitioned into becoming a prominent stand-up comedian.
When asked about when he became mainstream, Vice revealed that it took him approximately 14 years to achieve that status. He expressed how he sometimes felt left behind when his colleagues from the comedy bar, such as Ethel Booba, Chokoleit, and Pooh, gained fame before him.
He explained, “Actually, hindi ko na siya kinarir maging star sa mainstream.”
Vice admitted that he almost gave up on his dream of becoming a TV personality when his fellow comedians experienced success in teleseryes, recording deals, and other opportunities, leaving him in the background.
Despite the challenges, Vice Ganda remained hopeful and determined. He decided to focus on his comedy bar career, ensuring that his performances were not just ordinary gigs but full-fledged concerts with multiple costume changes and his own band. He even incorporated acoustic music into his comedy act to stay relevant in the industry.
Vice emphasized that he treated his comedy bar work as a business and needed to excel and adapt to evolving trends and demands. He recalled that at one point in his career, he thought, “Sabi ko, ‘maybe it wasn’t for me.’ So sabi ko, ‘edi sige, inyo na ang mainstream pero I will be the Queen of Comedy Bars’,” and accepted that mainstream success might not be within his reach.
However, Vice’s unwavering desire to succeed and be recognized as the best in his field kept him going. He dubbed himself the ‘Queen of Comedy Bars’ and continued to push the boundaries of his craft.
His journey eventually led him to television success, becoming a stand-in judge on the noontime show ‘It’s Showtime’ in 2009. He went on to become a regular judge and host on the program, earning the title ‘The Unkabogable Star.’
The show ‘PasaHero with Mister Angkas’ is set to release new episodes every Thursday at 1 p.m. on YouTube. It will also be available on Spotify and various podcast streaming platforms on the same day at 7 p.m., in collaboration with Podcast Network Asia. The show aims to inspire viewers with stories of perseverance and triumph from renowned personalities who have overcome various challenges on their paths to success.
