Vice Ganda revealed that he and husband Ion Perez have been undergoing regular therapy sessions with a psychiatrist, especially following the controversy that led to the 12-day suspension of ‘It’s Showtime’ by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in 2023.
In a candid interview with ANC anchor Karmina Constantino on her YouTube vlog, the ‘It’s Showtime’ host shared how the couple has navigated emotional challenges together.
“Nagte-therapy kasi kami. We regularly see a psychiatrist,” Vice Ganda admitted. “Kasi ang dami naming pinagdaanan na pagsubok together… imagine mo ‘yong na-suspend ‘yong programa namin dahil sa ginawa namin. Na para sa amin hanggang ngayon ay wala kaming nakikita na mali sa ginawa namin.
“Tapos nagmukha kaming kriminal, tapos nagkaroon kami ng criminal case because of that,” he added.
The suspension stemmed from a segment aired on July 25, 2023, in which Ion Perez was seen feeding Vice Ganda icing from his finger. The act drew complaints from viewers and criticism from personalities like Rendon Labador, who questioned its appropriateness for a general audience during midday broadcast hours. The MTRCB deemed the segment “indecent, inappropriate, and not suitable for children,” leading to the show’s temporary replacement by ‘It’s Your Lucky Day’, hosted by Luis Manzano.
During therapy, Vice shared a moving moment with their psychiatrist that brought him to tears. Ion was asked to write a prayer—and everything in that prayer, Vice said, was about him.
According to Vice, Ion still carries guilt over what happened with the show, even though both of them believe no wrongdoing occurred.
“Dala-dala raw ni Ion ang guilt feeling sa nangyari sa programa,” Vice shared, adding that they’ve leaned on each other deeply during those times.
The incident also resulted in a criminal complaint filed by the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KSMBP), sparking wider debates about censorship, morality, and LGBTQIA+ representation in Philippine media.
Despite the ordeal, Vice Ganda remains steadfast in his commitment to ‘It’s Showtime’, calling it not just a show, but his life.
“I will never allow ‘Showtime’ to lose. I will fight for it just like fighting for my life,” he said in a previous interview.
“This is my life… Ise-save ko siya. Lahat ng kaya kong gawin, ise-save ko siya. Ise-save ko ‘yong mga kasama ko sa bahay na ‘yon.”
