A writer and mariner wrote an open letter to Vice Ganda about the comedian’s decision not to apologize for calling out a participant in the It’s Showtime segment, Especially for you.
In his letter that he posted on Facebook, Lacruiser Relativo called out Vice for putting people in an embarrassing situation on national television.
“To Vice Ganda, if you and your company find so much fulfillment by shaming innocent people on national TV, congratulations! You have just earned the highest distinction award in the expense of other people’s peace and reputation. Hindi naman kami killjoy vice. In fact, we are hailed as the happiest people in Asia. Nasa dugo natin ang pagiging masayahin. But as long na may mga taong kailangan mong ipahiya on live TV, walang pwedeng magsaya!” he said.
“Hindi ito ang una humingi ng sorry si Vice. Pero sorry becomes an empty word, loses its meaning kung walang genuine remorse and usually contradicts with her actions,” he added.
On June 4, 2024, Vice initially said that he would apologize to Axel Cruz after he told him that the way he approached his ex-girlfriend, Maria Christine, was inappropriate.
“Oy, hindi pwede yun, that’s bad! Don’t do that, you ask for permission. Alam mo bang pwede kang mademanda sa ginagawa mo? Don’t do that, hindi ka pwedeng biglang nagnanakaw ng halik,” Vice told Axel during the May 31 episode of It’s Showtime.
However, Vice, through their show, said that he would not apologize anymore and insisted that what Axel did was inappropriate, despite the statement released by Christine who said that she was fine with what her ex did.
“Binabawi ko yung twineet ko na I will say an apology because I do not need to apologize for what I did. Ito ang aking paniniwala, at paniniwala din namin na hindi kinakailangang mag-apologize because what we did was right,” he stated.
“Nirerespeto namin ang dahilan ni Christine kung bakit sinabi niya yon, na hindi siya na-off when, in reality, na-off talaga siya. At since na-off si Christine, naniniwala ako na hindi mali na kinolout namin si Axel dahil karapatan ng isang babae na tumanggi o umalma kung para sa kanya, sa pakiwari niya ay hindi siya kumportable sa ikikilos ng sinuman sa harapan niya,” he added.
Vice’s message gained mixed reactions from the netizens.