SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of fuming netizens were angry on social media about Vice Ganda’s Jessica Soho jokes during his Araneta Concert on May 17.
As of writing, a video of his performance posted on Facebook has over 7,000 comments.
READ: Vice Ganda gets flak for ‘rape’ joke
Netizens also weighed in on Vice Ganda’s public apology on noontime show Showtime on May 29, where the comedian asked forgiveness from Jessica Soho and other personalities he had offended with his jokes.
Debates online were sometimes rational, sometimes emotional. Most were apalled by how the comedian reduced rape to a joke in a concert. Others came to Vice Ganda’s rescue, claiming the jokes were made in the name of comedy.
READ: Jessica Soho to Vice Ganda: ‘This isn’t about me’
Loyalists and criticts
An exchange of sentiment on the video, Vice Ganda’s Facebook page and the Showtime Facebook page tackled the context the jokes were made. Some argued how the jokes are acceptable in a comedy bar, but others disagreed.
Dennis Perez reacts, “Not all jokes of Vice are funny. Vice Ganda, Please make use of your craft properly, remember those persons who you are making fun [of] with your jokes are more popular and well respected by the public than you.”
Alexia Noelle Villafuerte Orpilla says that “Vice Ganda did hurt Jessica Soho but he did not intend [for] that to happen,” and that the apology should be enough. “Sure, the “rape” joke was offending but we should just forget about all of this.”
“Do not take this personally,” she emphasized in capitals.
Aida F. Santos posted an open letter to the comedian saying she used to be a fan.
“I used to watch your show late nights. I found you funny. But the rape joke and the anti-women jokes you uttered during your concert is just foul. Foul to the nth degree. You do not make jokes about rape, about weight of women. That was tasteless, below the belt and simply unacceptable. I suggest you make a public apology to Ms. Jessica Soho, all the women (and gays) you made fun of, the general public. I work with survivors of rape and other gender-based violence. There are more decent ways to earn your bread-and butter.”
Stephannie Kristin Erika Pohl says she sees nothing wrong with the incident. “It is just that if you take a joke seriously and make it affect your lives, it’s your problem.“
A thin line
Many were not offended, saying it was all done in the name of entertainment.
For Iris Macamay, critics should watch the video again, “then try to understand the last concept of his act. Masyado niyong hinusgahan agad ng dahl dun sa linya lang, kaya nga alamin muna ang pngmulan bago niya nasabe yung linyang yun. We keep on judging nood pa din naman nang nood.” (You are too judgmental over the line, find out where it’s coming from. We keep on judging without even watching.)
Sean de la Rosa shared the same thought, adding that going into the Araneta concert implies knowing everything is being done for laughs. “Siguro masyado lang dinibdib ng iba, pero aminin natawa din naman sila sa kanya.” (Maybe some people took it too personally, but they should admit they laughed too.”
Rolyn Mark Aranzado Orquillas disagreed. “I have so much love and respect for Jessica Soho. Same respect I give to my mom and sisters. With Vice Ganda’s fame and influence, I think he is sending a message to the youth or his fans that it is okay to disrespect other people.”
‘I’m sorry’
The anger seemed to wane when the comedian made his public apology, in spite of some skepticism.
“So he admitted [he’s] sorry,” said Mely Guhabac. “I think it’s enough. It’s all in the mind.” He ended his post saying, “It’s just a show anyway.”
Sarah Sentillas said, “Natouch ako sa gnwa ni vice simula pa yun kahapon isa kang totoong tao Vice.” (I was touched by what Vice did since yesterday, Vice is such a real person).
Raymond Osio shared the same admiration. “We salute you Vice Ganda!! For being [a] good person that accept[s] mistakes and brave enough to say sorry to all people you offended. Go Showtime.”
Jem Buenvenida reacted. “I salute you Vice Ganda! For the public apology done over tv today.Very sincere and coming from the soul and not just from the heart”
Joey Sotto did not agree. “Hindi ka naman concern[ed] sa paghingi mo ng tawad plastic ka talaga VG yabang mo na talaga.” (You weren’t really concerned about apologizing, you’re insincere Vice Ganda. You’re so arrogant.”
Equal opportunity comedy
Some netizens said attending the concert meant you accepted an unwritten rule–take nothing seriously.
“You know what people,” said Joan Marudo, “walang magpapatawa kung walang tatawa. kayo din naman ang dahilan nito eh. Tumawa kayo sa joke ni Vice. Lahat ng nasa Araneta tumawa which means nagustuhan nyo ang mga sinabi niya tapos kung makareact kayo, ano to late reaction? Mali ginawa ni Vice, nagsorry siya… pinapahaba niyo lang ang trending.” (Nobody will make jokes if there’s no one to laugh. All of you are responsible for this. You laughed at Vice’s joke. Everyone in Araneta laughed, that means you liked what he said. Then you react now? is this a late reaction? Vice did wrong, he apologized, you’re just making this trend longer).
Rudy Rances Taborda complained that the show was enjoyable until the end, when the jokes became more obscene. “Paano pa kaya yung mga kabataan matututo ng magandang asal kung yung idol nila bad influence na at ‘di marunong rumespeto sa kapwa tao.” (How will young people learn good morals if their idol is a bad influence and cannot respect other people?)
Peeka Boo repeated Vice Ganda’s warning before the concert began, that everything that would be said are for laughs and nothing else. “Kahit nga mga presidente sa kahit anung bansa, nagiging tampulan ng tukso ng mga komedyante.” (Even presidents of any country become the butt of comedians’ jokes).
“If you can’t take the joke, then you’re not mature enough to watch comedy shows.”
A Jessica Soho meme made by a Vic Sotto like page on May 29 also became viral getting over 4,000 shares, 6,000 comments, and almost 50,000 likes.
Comments on Twitter show the same trend of varying view points. According to a report by ABS-CBN, the issue trended worldwide after Vice Ganda’s apology.
To Vice Ganda, I admire you for being man enough to apologize.rappler.com/entertainment/…
Vice Ganda apologizes to Jessica Soho and Ms. Jessica acknowledges it naman. But damage has been done.
I dont really think the Vice Ganda-Soho issue should be a national matter.There are greater issues than that.Just bury the hatchet.
@abscbnnews im a father of two. i advise my children not to watch vice ganda shows anymore, bcus of his bad influence and arrogant act.
Maraming Vice Ganda sa mga Comedy Bars. Dapat pati yun i-monitor na rin. Walang sinasanto ang mga ito sa panglait at pambabastos.
As for the network war, I’m glad Jessica Soho stood up gainst Vice Ganda. About time that someone knocks him off his feet.
di seryoso ang joker na un sa apology @km_jessica_soho “He did not apologize for the joke itself” RT @rapplerdotcom rplr.co/12hkVTT
Dapat Marunong Tayo Mag-Accept ng Sorry. Halata Naman Kay Vice ganda Na Totoo Ung Sorry nya ee.
IMHO, the more important issue is that Vice Ganda just uses a rape spiel as a regular joke, because I think… fb.me/TomViMpT
Look at the publicity ‘rape’ is getting. Now if Vice Ganda can joke about the oil cartel, political dynasties, and education too.
Tackling the Vice Ganda/Jessica Soho issue is something worth talking about. It talks about 2 important social issues: rape & bullying.
The Vice Ganda rape joke was horrible, but you know what’s equally horrible? People who say they’ve lost respect for all gays because of it.
What’s nice about Vice Ganda is that he says he’s sorry and admits his fault. #weloveviceganda
-Rappler.com
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