Vice Ganda takes off wig for contestant with alopecia

Metro Manila, Philippines – Popular noontime show host Vice Ganda surprised viewers on Friday after taking off his wig to support a contestant suffering from alopecia.

This happened during the match-making segment of "It's Showtime,” when female contestant April opened up about her insecurities on battling hair loss.

US-based health website "Healthline" defines alopecia as a common hair loss condition that develops when the immune system attacks hair follicles.

April said her hair loss had an impact on her self-esteem.

“Nakikita ko iyong mga tao na may buhok sila…Nag-aayos sila ng buhok nila. Ba’t ako, walang maayos sa sarili ko,” she said.

[Translation: I’m looking at others who have complete hair…They can fix their hair. So I keep asking myself, why don’t I have something to fix?]

April said her condition eventually had an impact on her relationship with her ex-lover.

“Nagkaroon din po ako ng insecurity na baka mas deserve niya nga po ang ibang babae na hindi siya pahihirapan,” she said.

[Translation: I also had an insecurity and thought that maybe, he deserves a woman who won’t make him struggle]

Vice (Jose Marie Viceral off screen) then sympathized with April’s story, saying it also took him quite some time to accept his own battle with his high hairline.

The TV host said he eventually learned to ignore people mocking him for wearing a wig. Vice then took the wig off, deeply moving the contestant, his co-hosts, and the live audience.

"Nasa punto na ako na wala akong paki. Mayroon na akong taong mahal na mahal ako kahit wala akong wig. Hindi na rin ako affected sa mga pangit na pangit sa akin kapag wala akong wig,"

[Translation: I’ve reached a point where I don’t care anymore. There’s someone who loves me dearly even when I don’t have a wig. I’m not affected anymore by people who say I’m ugly when I don’t wear a wig.]

Before the match-making began, Vice advised April to continue loving herself and other people.

“Sana makahanap ka ng lalaki na mamahalin ka kahit wala ka nang wig, hahalikan ka kahit wala ka nang wig, nag ‘I love you’ pa rin kahit wala ka nang wig,” Vice said.

[Translation: I hope you find a man who can love and kiss you without a wig, and can say ‘I love you’ even when you are not wearing one]