Vice Ganda looked back on the difficult period when she and fellow superstar Coco Martin were both struggling to survive in the entertainment industry, long before they became two of the biggest names in Philippine showbiz.
In an interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila, Vice shared how surreal it still feels for them to talk about their success today, considering where they started.
“Until now, ‘pag nag-uusap kami, surreal siya sa aming dalawa,” Vice said. “Hanggang ngayon, bigla kaming matatahimik tapos sasabihin namin, ‘Grabe, ’no, sikat na sikat tayo?’ Tapos tatawa kami, ‘Grabe, ’no, ang dami nating pera?’”
Vice said that during their early years, survival—not fame—was their only goal.
“When we were starting, we just wanted to survive. We just wanted to work, to earn a living,” she recalled. “Kailangan lang naming magtrabaho kasi pareho kaming walang-wala.”
At the time, Coco was still taking on small acting roles, while Vice was beginning to build her name as a stand-up comedian and TV personality. There were moments, she said, when Coco had no projects at all.
“May raket ako, wala siyang raket,” Vice shared. “Ako kahit papano may following sa comedy bar, tapos sa TV.”
She recalled even sharing her own talent fee with Coco just so he could earn something.
“Wala siyang raket, nakakakuha ako ng raket… binenta ko siya. Sabi ko, ‘Pwede bang kunin niyo si Coco Martin?’” Vice said. “Nung sinabi nilang wala silang budget, sabi ko, ‘Hatiin niyo na lang ang budget ko.’”
At the time, Vice said her talent fee was only ₱10,000, which they split between them.
Despite their hardships, Vice said they never imagined the level of success they would eventually achieve.
“Kumain pa kami sa putsu-putsung Vietnamese restaurant, tapos umiiyak kami,” she recalled. “Pareho kaming bit role-bit role lang, wala kaming tent. Naranasan namin ’yung mukha kaming kawawa.”
Now regarded as icons of Philippine entertainment, Vice believes their shared success came at the same time for a reason.
“Sabay kaming nanalangin, sabay din kaming sinagot,” she said.
During the interview, Vice also spoke about her long-standing friendship with Coco, her work on It’s Showtime, her marriage to Ion Perez, and her upcoming MMFF film ‘Call Me Mother’.
Despite their fame and fortune today, Vice said remembering where they came from keeps both her and Coco grounded—and grateful.
