On the November 6 episode of It’s Showtime, Vice Ganda turned a game show segment into a heartfelt call for educational reform. During “Laro Laro Pick,” which featured young Filipino graduates with honors, Vice used the spotlight to honor their grit—and to challenge the nation to do better.
The jackpot round featured Bernie, a Communication Arts student from UPLB, who played for ₱200,000. As the segment unfolded, Vice Ganda took a moment to acknowledge the perseverance of students and their families who managed to earn college degrees despite the many flaws in the Philippine education system.
“Pasensya na, pero kayo talaga ang magtutuwid ng mga maling choices ng mga naunang henerasyon sa inyo,” Vice said. “Pasensya na, pero para sa inyo rin ‘yun—kailangang maituwid at maitama.” Her words were part apology, part challenge, and wholly a vote of confidence in the new generation’s ability to reshape the country’s future.
Bernie correctly answered the jackpot question—naming “Pangaea” as the ancient supercontinent—and took home the prize. But it was Vice’s reaction that resonated far beyond the studio. “Sana ang bansang ito ay magkaroon ng marami pang katulad ni Bernie,” she said. “Mga batang nagkaroon ng magandang edukasyon, magagandang silid at paaralan, mahuhusay na mga guro… Sana magkaroon pa ng maraming ganyan.”
Vice’s remarks echoed a growing public demand for systemic upgrades in Philippine education. With declining functional literacy, overcrowded classrooms, and underpaid teachers, the system faces mounting pressure to evolve. Her statement—“Hindi natin hinihingi, idinidikta natin: dapat marami—hindi marami, dapat LAHAT ng bata makaranas ng magandang edukasyon”—was a powerful assertion that quality education should be a right, not a privilege.
Bernie, clearly informed and articulate, reinforced Vice’s message. “Hindi po sana maging pribilehiyo ang pag-aaral, kasi karapatan po natin ito bilang mamamayang Pilipino, bilang tao,” he said. His words struck a chord, especially as he directly addressed public officials: “Sana po sa ating gobyerno, wag naman po nating pagnakawan ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan.”
The exchange between Vice and Bernie wasn’t just inspiring—it was a microcosm of the broader conversation about education in the Philippines. It highlighted the disconnect between the aspirations of young Filipinos and the limitations imposed by systemic neglect. It also reminded viewers that behind every honor graduate is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and hope.
Vice Ganda has long used her platform to speak truth to power, and this episode was no exception. By celebrating Bernie’s win and framing it within a larger call for reform, she turned entertainment into advocacy. Her message was clear: every Filipino child deserves access to quality education, and it’s time the country made that a reality.
