Vice Ganda turns past hurt into a fresh creative chapter

Vice Ganda is moving forward with MediaQuest Holdings, but the road toward the new partnership came with a history the comedian did not shy away from revisiting.

The entertainment superstar admitted having reservations about accepting the offer, recalling the disappointment felt when It’s Showtime left TV5’s programming lineup in 2023. “I admit that I felt hurt at the time, but in this industry, we don’t burn bridges. I eventually said yes because I believed in what they wanted to accomplish,” Vice shared.

Rather than allowing the experience to permanently close the door on TV5, Vice said time gave room for the hurt to pass.

“I allowed myself to heal first. I think it was valid for me to feel hurt. But I did not close doors. I did not burn bridges. There was never a time when I bad-mouthed TV5 after that,” Vice said.

That willingness to move forward has now resulted in a two-year creative partnership between Vice and MediaQuest. Under the VG X MQ collaboration, the comedian is expected to develop content for TV5, as well as other MediaQuest media and digital platforms.

The agreement was formally sealed in Pasig City, with MVP Group chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, MediaQuest Holdings president and CEO Victorico P. Vargas, and Slingshot Studios head for Partnerships, People and Business Development Ranvel Rufino joining Vice at the signing.

For Pangilinan, the partnership brings together MediaQuest’s resources and Vice’s extraordinary connection with audiences. He praised the comedian for building a career and personal brand whose reach extends well beyond the Philippines, even describing Vice’s latest career expansion as completing the entertainer’s rise as the “Queen of All Networks.”

Vice also recalled one statement from Pangilinan that captured what each side could contribute to the venture: “We have what you don’t have, but you have what we don’t have.”

While the partnership is already official, Vice said audiences may have to wait before learning exactly what projects will emerge from it.

“To be honest, there’s nothing definite yet. I still don’t know because it’s too early to tell. But I already have a lot of ideas, and I’m really excited for us to sit down and discuss them soon,” Vice said.

The new deal also comes as Vice maintains ties with ABS-CBN, where the comedian recently renewed a longtime partnership. It’s Showtime continues to air on GMA as well, giving Vice a presence across the country’s major television networks.

According to Vice, ABS-CBN understood the purpose behind the MediaQuest collaboration and supported the move because of their shared objective of producing more television content for viewers.

“They allowed me to pursue it because they understand what we want to achieve with this partnership, and that is to further strengthen television and offer more content for audiences. ABS-CBN shares the same vision because we all want to continue giving life to TV,” Vice explained.

Vice also made clear that the painful chapter involving TV5 years ago was never a personal issue with Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon.

“I have no ill feelings toward TVJ. TVJ had nothing to do with it. I never had any relationship or deal with them. They weren’t the ones who hurt me,” Vice clarified.

What once became a reason for disappointment has now taken an unexpected turn. By keeping the doors open, Vice returns to the MediaQuest fold not simply as a television personality, but as a creative partner preparing to build an entirely new slate of projects.