For Pride Month, Vice Ganda, an important figure in the gay and queer community, graced the cover of Tatler Philippines magazine, where she spoke briefly about her enduring relationship with partner Ion Perez.

According to Vice, the power of “love” has been helpful in maintaining a relationship. The two held a private commitment ceremony in Las Vegas on October 19, 2021, which received a lot of media attention at the time.

They’ve been going strong since then, and people’s perceptions of gay and straight relationships have shifted little, though there are still others who live in their own bubble and don’t understand.

When asked by Tatler Philippines about the secret to their long-lasting relationship, the phenomenal superstar replied, “Love,” followed by the question, “But what is love?”

“It’s a conscious choice to understand each other, compromise, and be selfless. That’s what binds us,” she added.

Pride Month is incomplete without the presence of an icon whose body of work focuses on giving voice to the LGBTQIA+ community, sharing gay stories through movies, and pushing for equality.

Her message to the community, as described in the article, was simple: what the community accomplishes is important, especially for future generations.

“We may not achieve our dreams in our lifetime, but at least we are doing something,” she said.

She added, “They will be enjoyed, maybe not by us, but by the next generation.”

Vice’s success — from nothing to bankable superstar — inspires the community and serves as a reminder that a simple gay, known as “Tutoy” by her family, may shatter barriers and share seats with other gays.

“I’m an ally. To the LGBTQ+ community, to those who feel alone, to the less fortunate, to the lonely. I’m an ally to every child with a dream. That’s how I wish to be seen. I’m your ally, your friend,” she shared.

The gay icon performed at last year’s Pride Month celebration in Quezon City. Despite the rain, she delivered an energetic number in her blue ensemble.

At the end of everything she does, whether it’s movies, shows, or standup, Vice ensures that her audience laughs and smiles. For her, more than the ensembles she gives, it is the laugh that makes everyone feel human, loved, connected, and coped, even herself.

She told Tatler Philippines, “It’s a way to cope. My family, we laughed together, we laughed a lot. My community was lively. I hung out with the happy kids. We were in the slums and poor, but we had a culture of laughing all day. That was how we coped.”

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