Vice Ganda’s sharp zingers as delivered during the “Super Divas” concert on August 8 did more than provoke a laugh—it ignited an uproar.
Vice’s ribbing invoked the notorious “jetski” anecdote tied to Rodrigo Duterte’s populist bravado, and he braided it with taunts that webbed into showbiz gossip — including a cheeky name-check of veteran columnist Cristy Fermin while teasing friends who had come to the show.
The crowd laughed; the internet howled; and a predictable subset of political loyalists bristled.
What happened next — the predictable pushback — is revealing.
Diehard supporters of Duterte, who have long treated slights as provocation, flooded social media with denunciations and calls for boycotts.
Quick to swirl online was talk of Davao City possibly declaring Vice persona non grata.
On August 11, Vice President Sara Duterte—acting as a government-side spokesperson on the matter—stressed restraint: “Whatever the decision of the City Council… it has to be a majority decision, and they are the correct body to declare a persona non grata here in our city.”
The next day, Acting Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte slammed the idea outright, lambasting inflammatory comedy: “Davao City will not be distracted by cheap insults and distasteful jokes made for clout. Public figures like Vice Ganda… reveal more about their character than about the people they ridicule. The dignity of Dabawenyos is not for sale and should not be reduced to comedy fodder.”
Meanwhile, Cristy aimed back at the comedian with unmistakable venom.
In the August 11 episode of her show “Cristy Ferminute,” she unleashed: “Mag-reality check ka, Vice. Nasa palibot mo lang ang mga ahas na tumutuklaw sa ’yo. Puwede ba magtigil nga kayo? Magpakatotoo nga kayo!”
She also pushed back on rumors of manufactured drama, insisting: “Anong content? Ano? Inimbento namin ’yong kuwento. Hindi kami nag-iimbento ng kuwento. May binasa kami!”
Her tone was equal parts scorn and caution, accusing Vice of playing too close to the gossip fire.
Yet, in the final tally, the loudest voice belonged to Vice Ganda.
And he didn’t even have to issue a rejoinder.
Whether one sees his act as sharp satire or tasteless provocation, the fact remains: he dominated headlines, trended online, and reinserted himself squarely into the cultural conversation.
In the rough-and-tumble ring of politics-meets-entertainment, that’s as good as a win.
