The November 15 airing of It’s Showtime delivered one of its most heartwarming episodes yet, as Vice Ganda helped a contestant secure a life-changing ₱250,000 jackpot prize during the Laro-Laro Pick segment.
The moment not only underscored Vice’s generosity and compassion but also highlighted the resilience of the lucky player, Joseph Morado—a school administrative staff and former teacher at the University of the East—whose life story moved both the studio audience and viewers at home to tears.
Joseph’s journey to the jackpot round was already filled with emotion. A father of five, he lost one of his children to chronic kidney disease during the pandemic, while also losing his job. With his wife working overseas, Joseph shouldered the responsibility of raising his children alone. To make ends meet, he took on jobs far from his professional background—working as a construction laborer and even as a debt collector for an Indian moneylender. “Yung trabaho naman po, as a parent, as a father, syempre gagawa ka ng paraan—namasukan ako ng construction, tapos collector ako ng Bumbay. Nagtiyaga po ako kahit ₱250 ang sahod isang araw,” Joseph shared, his voice steady but filled with the weight of sacrifice.
Vice Ganda, visibly touched, empathized deeply with Joseph’s struggles. “Nawalan ka na ng trabaho, nawalan ka pa ng anak. Grabe namang dagok ‘yun! Bilang tatay—kung tatay ka di ba? May sarili kang trabaho, nawalan ka pa ng trabaho during pandemic, nakakakulta na ng utak ‘yun, tapos mawawalan ka pa ng anak?” Vice said, acknowledging the unimaginable pain Joseph endured. She added, “Di ba? Nag-aral ka para maging guro, (tapos) nag-construction ka, naging collector ng pautang. At saka ‘yung sinasabi nya, mawalan ka ng trabaho magagawan mo ng paraan eh, pero ‘yung mawalan ka ng anak? Hindi mo masusukat ‘yun kung paano yun kabigat para sa isang ama.”
The jackpot round question was deceptively tricky: “Ano ang tawag sa sinaunang alpabetong Pilipino na nangangahulugang ‘lupain sa tabi ng dagat’?” The correct answer was Baybayin, the ancient script used by Filipinos before the introduction of the Roman alphabet by the Spaniards. However, many Filipinos often confuse Baybayin with Alibata, a term mistakenly popularized in the 20th century. Vice, aware of this common misconception, made a deliberate choice to guide Joseph toward the right answer. “Tanggalin mo na sa isip mo ang ‘alibata’ dahil hindi iyon ang tamang sagot,” she clarified, effectively ruling out the wrong option and giving Joseph the confidence to respond correctly.
Joseph, after taking a moment to think, answered: “Baybayin.” The studio erupted in cheers as he secured the ₱250,000 jackpot prize. His two sons, who had earlier urged him to take the risk, were among the most jubilant. “Alam ko po na kaya ni Papa ‘yan sagutin!” one of them had declared before the round began, their faith in their father rewarded in spectacular fashion.
The episode was a testament not only to Joseph’s resilience but also to Vice Ganda’s trademark generosity. While some may argue that Vice bent the rules by indirectly coaching Joseph, the gesture was seen by many as an act of kindness—ensuring that a man who had endured so much hardship would not walk away empty-handed. It was not the first time Vice had offered subtle guidance to contestants during jackpot rounds, but this instance carried a particularly poignant weight given Joseph’s backstory.
Vice’s actions resonated with audiences who have long admired her for blending entertainment with empathy. Her ability to connect with contestants on a personal level, to spotlight their struggles, and to extend compassion in moments of vulnerability has become a hallmark of her hosting style. For Joseph, the win was more than just financial relief—it was validation of his perseverance and a reminder that even in the face of devastating loss, hope and kindness can prevail.
