Comedian Diego Llorico opened up about dealing with jokes about his appearance and explained why he has never seriously ventured into content creation despite the growing number of comedians building careers online.
During his guest appearance on Susan Enriquez’s ‘Kay Susan Tayo! Vlogs,’ Diego was asked to rank Vice Ganda, Michael V., Vic Sotto, Ai-Ai delas Alas, and Rufa Mae Quinto based on who he finds funniest.
Rather than choose among his fellow comedians, Diego opted to take the consequence and drink vinegar instead.
The comedian, who has been dubbed the “Pambansang Bading,” also recalled the teasing he experienced during the early years of his showbiz career.
According to Diego, it was not his sexuality that people usually targeted but his facial features, particularly his mouth. He said this was something he could relate to with Vice Ganda, as both of them had been called “kabayo.”
“Actually, hindi ‘yung pagiging bakla, e. Ano nga, nguso. Kabayo. Kabayo ‘yung madalas dati. Si Vice din naman gano’n din naman ‘yung [tinatawag] sa kaniya,” Diego said.
Despite such jokes, Diego said he believes comedians like him and Vice generally approach humor as part of their work rather than with the intention of hurting others.
“Pero feeling ko, parang parehas lang naman kami ni Vice, na trabaho lang, hindi naman gustong mang-offend,” he explained.
Diego also discussed why he did not follow the path of personalities such as Diwata by becoming a full-time content creator.
For Diego, one of his concerns is how he might react to harsh comments from online bashers.
“Parang hindi ako para doon. Kasi, baka hindi ko rin matantiya ‘yung mga basher, masagot ko,” he admitted.
He then came to Diwata’s defense, recalling witnessing how the social media personality was subjected to relentless remarks even during a basketball event they attended.
“Kasi nakita ko rin ‘yung mga comment kay Diwata eh. Kahit nu’ng nag-basketball kami, meron sa likod, walang tigil sa kaba-bash sa kaniya. ‘Hoy, Diwata ang laos na ‘yung pares mo,’” Diego recalled.
Diego said he has also experienced similar comments online, particularly when he used to livestream on Bigo.
“‘Pag ako nga, kahit nu’ng nagla-live ako sa Bigo, nag-livestream ako eh. ‘Ay, wala ka na sa Bubble Gang, laos ka na,’” he shared.
Instead of taking offense, Diego said he responded to one basher with a self-deprecating joke.
“Sabi ko, unang-una, hindi po ako sumikat,” he quipped.