Popular media personality, comedian, and TV host Vice Ganda challenged the 2026 graduating class of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Media and Communication (UP CMC) to leverage their education against societal ills like deception, corruption, and systemic inequality.
Speaking as the guest of honor before 181 graduates, Vice anchored the commencement address on the theme “Dagitab” (spark), calling on the fresh graduates to ignite progressive change. The address opened with the comedian’s signature lively greeting, “Wazzup madlang iskolar!”, before transitioning into a deeply personal reflection on overcoming adversity.
Vice detailed a childhood shaped by poverty, financial barriers at school, and the painful reality of losing a father without achieving justice because the family lacked the funds to sustain a legal battle.
“In my case, these experiences did not break me. It started a spark inside of me.”
While noting that hard work, opportunity, and luck helped break the cycle of poverty, Vice stressed that millions of Filipinos remain stuck in the same position due to systemic problems like low pay, inequality, and bad governance.
The comedian also took aim at the nation’s healthcare disparity, pointing out how ordinary citizens struggle for basic medical care while certain public officials travel abroad for treatment funded by taxpayers. The crowd erupted in applause as Vice repeatedly questioned, “Nasaan ang hustisya?” (Where is the justice?).
Addressing a career in showbiz, Vice explained that socio-political commentary is deliberately woven into the comedy, proving that humor can be a tool for public awareness and accountability.
The forced closure of ABS-CBN further solidified the realization that a massive media platform demands social responsibility.
“Ang aking mikropono na hawak ng aking kamay ay ang aking kapangyarihan… kaakibat nito ang pananagutan ko sa aking mga tagasubaybay, ang tamang paggamit sa aking boses at plataporma.”
Vice pledged to balance entertainment with advocacy, stating a commitment to make people laugh while continuously challenging the status quo.
Concluding the address, Vice reminded the state university scholars of their duty to uplift the nation and firmly reject impunity, lies, and manipulation.
“You are expected to spark change, change not chaos. You are expected to share your education, not disinformation.”