The Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid once again proved their unmatched stage chemistry in a sold-out concert over the weekend. The night was a whirlwind of power vocals and sharp punchlines had fans both laughing and wiping away tears.
Regine V. and Vice Ganda
But while most left the venue with smiles, one segment of the concert sparked an online storm. A clip of Vice making a joke that appeared to take a sideswipe at DDS, or Diehard Duterte Supporters, went viral. The quip, which referenced the controversial “jetski” remark and the International Criminal Court (ICC), drew flak from Duterte loyalists who took offense to the political undertone. Within hours, heated debates and bashing filled social media feeds.
Amid the backlash, one voice stood out — that of writer Tim Timoteo, who penned an “open letter” to Vice Ganda. His message, which has since circulated online, praised the comedian’s contributions to society while calling out what he described as hypocrisy from certain critics. Here’s a closer look at the letter, with a breakdown of its key points.
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A Letter of Gratitude
Timoteo opens with heartfelt thanks:
“Thank you for making millions laugh when times are hard… For showing up in feeding programs, scholarship drives, and medical fundraisers without demanding a press release.”
Concrete Contributions
The letter then details specific efforts:
“Dahil sa comedy mo, naka-raise ka ng 2 million nung 2020 para tulungan ang mga COVID-frontliners… Nagpadala ka ng mga PPEs at mga foodpack sa mga ospital…
Charity Without Publicity
Another notable passage reads:
“Present ka sa mga charity events for cancer patients and home for the elderly. Marami dyan, walang publicity. Wala sa headline.”
Turning to the Controversy
Then comes the pivot:
“Ngayon, pag-usapan natin yung outrage ng mga DDS.”
Calling Out Double Standards
The letter lists examples:
Na-offend mo yung mga taong naki-halakhal nung minura si Pope Francis… Mga taong naki-palakpak habang binabalahura ni Rodrigo ang Diyos…
The Final Punch
Timoteo closes with biting clarity:
“Kung kaya ng mga DDS palampasin ang kabastusan… pero badtrip sa jetski at ICC joke… anong tawag dun? Mga ipokrito.”
In the end, Timoteo’s open letter not only defended Vice Ganda but also ignited discussions on the thin line between comedy and politics — and the glaring double standards in how audiences react. If anything, the incident proves that in the Philippines, a joke onstage can represent a deeper (or darker) issue. It also proves that there’s no stopping Vice when it comes to her stance.
Read the full letter here:
