The ‘unkabogable’ fan of Vice Ganda

MANILA,Philippines –  Watch the story of a fan who, even if he did not have a ticket, took a leave from work for a chance to see his idol, Vice Ganda, at the premiere night of “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin.”

Voltaire Tupaz reports.

Baltazar Garcia did not have a pass to the by-invitation screening of The Unkabogable: Praybeyt Benjamin. But he took a leave from work and headed to the premiere night, hoping to see his idol, Vice Ganda.

BALTAZAR GARCIA JR: “Wala talaga akong ticket. Nag-VL (vacation leave) ako for this. Di ako papasok tonight…Makita siya uli personally. Kung swiswertehen, makakuha ng ticket para makapasok sa cinema. Pero gusto ko talaga siyang makausap kahit one meter away ok na sa akin, kahit hi or hello basta mag-respond, chika na sa akin yun.“

He followed Vice Ganda AS Petrang Kabayo. He certainly can’t miss Vice Ganda as “Praybeyt Ryan,” a gay person disgraced by his family of soldiers but ended up representing them in the military at a time of political unrest.

The comedy flick directed by Wen Deramasa tackles familiar themes of discrimination…in particular, homophobia, the fear of or hatred against gays.

DEREK RAMSAY, ACTOR: “Im the platoon commander ng mga kaibigan ni Vice, guys not as gifted as other recruits – overweight, malabo mata, mahina IQ….and then Vice who’s gay. I’m their leader. At first wala akong tiwala sa kanila…but later on they proved me wrong…They can be good soldiers. If you ask me if they should be put in the military , I say yes. They are very talented. If someone who is gay wants to enter the military and serve his country, I think they should be allowed to do that. We should not discriminate gays. Anyone can reach anything as longs as they put their minds to it. Nothing is impossible.” Nothing is impossible. “

Baltazar has always identified with the characters portrayed by Vice Ganda, funny but defiant. He can even mimic “Praybeyt Benjamin’s” popular lines from the movie trailer.

BALTAZAR GARCIA JR, VICE GANDA FAN: (Mimicking Vice Ganda’s popular line in Praybeyt Benjamin) “Pag bakla, salot agad? Everyday, nagigigng confident ako. Sa panahon ngayon, dapat marunong ka na tumayo kung ano ka…Naiinspire at di na ako nahihiya.”

Baltazar never got to see the premiere showing of “Praybeyt Benjamin.” Bu we shared his story with Vice Ganda. 

VICE GANDA, COMEDIAN: “Words would not be enough. Sana magkita kami, mahawakan siya, mayakap siya Yung maibalik ko man lang kahit papaaano yung efforts na ginagawa niya para sa akin. As human beings, they should believe in their worth, bakla man o hindi, meron tayong halaga sa mundong ito. I-empower natin mga sarili natin. Maniwala tayo sa ating self-worth. We should not see people sa sexual preference nila. Kailangang tingnan natin ang tao sa kapasidad nila…Mas imporatnte kung ano ang kayang mong gawin kas ito ang magpapatunay kung anong klaseng indibidwal ka.”

Baltazar may not have seen the premiere of his idol’s movie, but he’s satisfied. He saw Vice Ganda on the red carpet, reminding him that gays are unkabogable and that he, too, can succeed.

Voltaire Tupaz, reporting from Ortigas. – Rappler.com

– Rappler.com