During the “Step In the Name of Love” dating segment of It’s Showtime on May 2, 2025, comedian and TV host Vice Ganda made a passionate plea to candidates running in the May 2025 midterm elections, urging them to prioritize the growing education crisis among Filipino youth.
The call to action was prompted by a recent study revealing that 21% of senior high school graduates in 2024 are not functionally literate, highlighting a severe challenge in the Philippine education system.
While acknowledging the teachers in the audience, Vice Ganda emphasized the immense responsibility they carry in addressing this crisis.
“Napakalaki ng hamon ninyo sa Pilipinas ha. Napakalaki ng pressure at challenge—may datos na nagsasabing 21% ng mga senior high graduates noong 2024, ay hindi functionally literate,” he said, citing the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS).
The survey, discussed in a recent Senate hearing led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, revealed that 18.9 million junior and senior high school graduates struggle with comprehension, unable to understand simple stories.
Vice also recognized the pressure on students, adding, “Hindi lang sa teacher ang pressure kundi sa bata din, syempre kailangan mong i-make sure na hindi ka kasama doon sa 21%.”
He then shifted the conversation to the upcoming midterm elections, challenging senatoriables to address the literacy crisis head-on. “Sana ‘yung mga senatoriables may gagawin diyan sa 21%. May naririnig ba tayong senatoriables na tinatackle nya ‘yan, ‘yung takot at issue ng educational crisis? Kinikilala ba niya ang krisis na ito at may balak sya dito?” he asked, expressing concern over whether candidates are prioritizing this critical issue.
The PSA’s updated definition of functional literacy, which now includes higher-level comprehension skills beyond basic reading, writing, and numeracy, has underscored the depth of the crisis. The survey reported a drop in functionally literate Filipinos from 79 million to 60 million, with 21% of senior high school graduates failing to meet the new standard.
Vice Ganda, a long-time advocate for education, has consistently used his platform to shed light on social issues, particularly the plight of underprivileged students. Known for offering financial aid to deserving students and players on It’s Showtime, Vice’s empathy and commitment to education reform resonate with his audience. His latest remarks amplify the urgency of addressing the education crisis, aligning with calls from education advocates like the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), which has urged 2025 candidates to propose concrete solutions to improve literacy and workforce readiness.
As the midterm elections approach, Vice Ganda’s challenge to senatoriables serves as a reminder of the stakes involved. With nearly 19 million Filipino graduates lacking functional literacy, the nation’s future economic and social development hangs in the balance.
