On Friday, June 17, It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda confessed that he used to hide Ion Perez from the public, just like what his previous relationships did to him.
In a previous vlog by celebrity impersonator KaladKaren, Vice revealed that he decided not to publicly out-date Perez. Apparently, that choice hurt his partner.
“Minsan nahuhulasan siya na parang, ‘Bakit ako tinatago?’ ‘Parang baliktad?’ ‘Ba’t ako tinatago? Kasi ito lang ako? Probinsyano ako?’ ganiyan ganiyan. Naa-affect ‘yung self-esteem niya,” the comedian-host said.
He admitted that he put his then-boyfriend in his “own shoes.”
“Eh ‘yun din ang nararamdaman ko dati, na parang ang baba ng tingin ko sa sarili ko kasi tinatago nila akong lahat.”
Vice recalled how he questioned himself why he was being treated that way. On the other hand, he did the same to his current relationship.
“Hindi namin laging pinag-uusapan na alam kong nakaka-affect na. Nagsta-struggle ako sa sarili ko na ito ‘yung iniinda ko dati, ito ‘yung iniiyak ko dati eh. Tapos itatago kita, ‘di ba? Ako dati ayoko nang tinatago ako pero bakit ngayon tinatago ko siya?
“Parang ang tagal kong natatakot, takot na lang tayo nang takot araw-araw.”
He concluded that he is ready to accept the public’s criticism, whether good or bad, and Vice will not give up on Perez.
“Nag-decide ako na ayaw ko nang matakot; wala na akong pakialam. Kung ika-cancel niyo kami dahil ayaw niyo sa bakla at sa lalaking nag-iibigan, wala na kaming pake. Nakaipon naman na ako at ang tagal ko din itong ipinagdasal. Tapos ngayong nandito itinatago, sabi ko, ‘hindi na.'”
During It’s Showtime‘s 10th anniversary, the comedian admitted they were together. According to Vice, he only felt it was time for the revelation.
“Sa Showtime anniversary, it just happened. Kusa siyang lumabas, kusa siyang naramdaman nang dibdib, kusa siyang naisip nang utak ko, kusa siyang sinabi ng dila ko, and I was so happy when it happened.
“Kahit talikuran ka ng buong mundo, ang mahalaga, mahal ka nang mahal mo. Kun sino ‘yung mahal mo, mag-concentrate ka doon sa taong mahal mo at kunin mo ‘yung pagmamahal na binibigay niya sa’yo,” explained the Kapamilya host.
He added, “Sobrang liberating. Parang hindi siya tinik, troso ‘yung natanggal sa dibdib ko. Ang sarap-sarap and I saw the joy in Ion’s eyes. Tapos umiyak siya, umiyak siya sa Showtime noong sinabi ko iyon.
“Ang sarap! At p*tangina, paninindigan ko ito hanggang ngayon. This is something so beautiful and I will protect this.”
Previously, Perez had a plan to marry his girlfriend. Then on October 19, 2021, the couple tied the knot via a special commitment ceremony in Las Vegas.