Shocking Revelation: Vice Ganda Admits Role in Heart’s School — Throws Shade at Alleged Corruption Involving Chiz Escudero

The entertainment world in the Philippines was shaken after a surprising revelation from popular comedian and television host Vice Ganda. In a heartfelt yet controversial segment of It’s Showtime, Vice spoke about helping rebuild a dilapidated school in the province of actress Heart Evangelista. What began as an emotional story about education and compassion soon turned into a heated discussion involving politics, privilege, and alleged corruption.

Vice Ganda’s Emotional Story

During the show’s “Laro Laro Pick” segment, Vice shared that he had visited a public school in Heart Evangelista’s hometown. He described seeing children without proper classrooms or reading materials, and walls that were falling apart. “I cried so much when I saw that school,” he said. “The students had nothing—no books, no proper desks. I couldn’t walk away.”

Vice explained that he decided to sponsor repairs and donate reading materials to the school, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. The audience applauded his generosity, but his next comment changed everything. He mentioned that the school was located in the province of “Heart Evangelista and her husband Chiz Escudero,” subtly connecting his act of charity to the celebrity couple’s name and reputation.

Why the Mention Stirred Controversy

At first glance, Vice’s statement seemed harmless—a celebrity helping the less fortunate. However, many viewers and netizens interpreted his words as a “shade” toward Heart Evangelista and her husband, Senator Chiz Escudero. By specifically naming them, Vice seemed to suggest that the poor state of the school reflected badly on local leadership.

Heart’s personal assistant, Resty Rosell, quickly responded on social media, criticizing Vice for bringing Heart’s name into the story. She claimed that the school project was already being addressed by the local government and the Parents-Teachers Association even before Vice’s involvement. “Why did you have to mention Heart?” she wrote. “If your goal is to help, then just help. Don’t drag others into it for attention.”

Rosell further claimed that Vice exaggerated his contribution and made it sound as if he alone had saved the school. According to her, the parents’ association had already funded a large portion of the repairs before Vice appeared. The post quickly went viral, dividing fans into two camps—those who praised Vice for his compassion and those who accused him of seeking publicity at the expense of others.

Background: The School in Question

The school mentioned in Vice’s story is Bagacay Elementary School in Barcelona, Sorsogon—the home province of Chiz Escudero. Reports from local teachers have long described the school as severely underfunded, with a shortage of classrooms, books, and learning materials. Parents have been forced to contribute to repairs themselves due to limited government support.

Vice Ganda’s team reportedly helped repaint classrooms, replace chairs, and donate new books. While these gestures were widely appreciated by the community, the association of the school’s poor condition with Heart and Chiz’s names fueled an unwanted political narrative.

Allegations of Corruption

The controversy deepened because Senator Chiz Escudero has recently faced public scrutiny over alleged irregularities in infrastructure and flood-control projects. While no charges have been filed, Vice’s remarks indirectly reminded the public of these ongoing accusations. For critics, his emotional story about a broken school in Chiz’s province seemed like a subtle but deliberate reference to corruption and mismanagement.

Political analysts quickly weighed in, noting that even unintentional comments from major celebrities like Vice can influence public perception. In a country where entertainment and politics are deeply intertwined, the line between a heartfelt confession and a political statement can be dangerously thin.

The Public’s Reaction

Social media exploded with mixed opinions. Supporters of Vice praised his honesty and courage, calling him a hero for exposing the harsh reality of Philippine education. “He said what others are too scared to say,” one fan commented. Others, however, criticized him for using Heart’s name unnecessarily and for turning a charitable act into drama. “He could have helped quietly,” one viewer posted. “Now it looks like he’s attacking someone for clout.”

Some education advocates also chimed in, reminding the public that the real issue lies not with celebrities, but with the government’s chronic neglect of the education system. They pointed out that many rural schools in the country face the same situation as Bagacay Elementary—crumbling classrooms, lack of supplies, and underpaid teachers.

A Reflection on Celebrity Activism

This incident highlights a recurring dilemma among celebrities who use their platforms for social causes. On one hand, Vice Ganda’s actions undeniably helped real students in need. On the other, his choice of words blurred the line between advocacy and accusation. In the age of social media, even a single sentence can ignite a national debate.

Heart Evangelista, known for her refined image and luxury fashion lifestyle, has not yet issued an official statement. Many believe she may choose to stay silent to avoid fueling further controversy. Meanwhile, Vice Ganda has neither apologized nor clarified his remarks, maintaining focus on his ongoing charity work.

Beyond the Scandal

Beneath all the gossip and finger-pointing lies a deeper truth: Philippine public schools remain underfunded and overlooked. Thousands of children still study in unsafe, overcrowded classrooms. Whether or not Vice intended to call out anyone, his story shone a spotlight on this painful reality.

If anything positive has come from this feud, it is the renewed public attention to education. Donations have reportedly increased in several rural areas after the news broke. Viewers who were moved by Vice’s story have started fundraising efforts of their own. Perhaps, in this way, controversy has served an unexpected purpose—turning drama into awareness.

Conclusion

Vice Ganda’s revelation about helping a school in Heart Evangelista’s province may have started as a personal story of compassion, but it quickly evolved into a mirror reflecting the larger issues in Philippine society: class divides, corruption, and the complicated role of celebrities in social change.

Whether one sees him as a hero or a provocateur, Vice undeniably started a conversation that the nation needed to have. Education, after all, should not depend on viral moments or celebrity generosity. It requires long-term commitment, honest governance, and a sense of shared responsibility.

Perhaps this incident will remind everyone—from ordinary citizens to those in power—that the true measure of progress lies not in fame or luxury, but in the condition of every child’s classroom