I WAS quite touched by popular Showtime host Vice Ganda’s effort to use his celebrity status to help a 16-year-old student who has been a victim of bullying.
As Balitang America reported, Kapamilya star Vice Ganda gave an inspiring advice to Pamela Reyes who came to the noon time program “It’s Showtime” to ask for advice on how to deal with bullies in school.
How Vice Ganda delivered his advice to Pamela and to the bigger audience watching the variety show worldwide made it a top trending topic on social media.
Vice Ganda was heard on television saying, “Nagtataka lang po ako sa panahon ngayon na napakadali niyong manghusga sa pisikal na anyo ng isang tao. Nananahimik lang kaming binu-bully ninyo.”
Balitang America then reported that the Showtime host started removing his contact lenses, his hair extensions and make-up to show the world what he looks like without the “mask”.
“Ito si Vice Ganda…Hindi makinis ang mukha ko sa paningin ng iba. Mataas ang hairline ko. Ngayon, pucturan niyo akong lahat. Ikalat niyo sa internet. Pagtawanan niyo ako”
Vice Ganda then told Pamela his message, “BE PROUD OF YOUR SELF”.
He also posted a picture of himself online sans make-up with the hashtag #ProudToBeMe, which trended on social media like Twitter and Facebook. It sure drove conversations.
He likewise challenged people to post photos of how they really look [without make-up or any enhancement like photo shop] in the hope of discouraging and deterring bullies from focusing on a person’s looks.
Such a dramatic move by Vice Ganda was meant to share with people like Pamela that he understands how they feel. After all, celebrities like Vice Ganda have also been victims of cyberattacks and bullying on a larger scope because of their greater exposure to the public.
But what Vice Ganda also shared was how he has been trying to overcome the pain and shame when bullied, by reminding himself that he needs to accept and love himself for what and who he is. This has been his weapon to not be affected, discouraged and destroyed by the bullies.
As Eleanor Roosevelt wrote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
