Vice Ganda Defends Underpaid Filipino Teachers
VICE GANDA – In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, Vice Ganda used his platform on It’s Showtime to deliver a powerful message—calling on the government to grant higher salaries for teachers across the country.
Comedian and TV host Vice Ganda made a heartfelt appeal to the government to increase the salaries of teachers in the Philippines, emphasizing that their dedication and hard work deserve fair and decent compensation.
During the October 4 episode of It’s Showtime, which featured teachers as contestants in celebration of World Teachers’ Day, Vice used the opportunity to speak out about the struggles educators face. He urged the public not to “romanticize” their sacrifices, stressing that it is every teacher’s right to receive proper pay for their service.
According to one kindergarten teacher who joined the show, it feels fulfilling to be a “second parent” to students and to earn their respect and gratitude. However, Vice pointed out that such sentiments should not overshadow the pressing issue of low wages among educators.
“Pero, kailangan kayong ituring nang mas disente, bigyan ng mas disenteng kompensasyon o sahod, kasi baka kung lagi nating sinasabi… ‘Puwede na ’to,’ hindi nabibigyang importansya o inaabuso. Naaabuso ang resilience ng mga Pilipino,” Vice explained. He added, “Kailangang swelduhan ng mataas ang mga teacher. Kaya po mababa ang suweldo n’yo kasi ninakawan kayo.”
The comedian praised teachers for their unwavering commitment despite the many challenges they face — from inadequate pay to a lack of government support. For Vice, this resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance of poor working conditions. “Hindi ito dapat i-romanticize. Hindi sapat ang salitang ‘pasasalamat’ kung hindi naman nasusuklian ng sapat na sahod,” he emphasized.
Vice’s remarks quickly went viral on social media, drawing praise from viewers and educators alike. Many agreed that his message reflected the long-standing plea of Filipino teachers who have continuously called for a salary hike, especially in public schools where many educators struggle to make ends meet.
Just a day before Vice’s statement, on October 3, several teacher groups held protest actions to reiterate their demand for a pay increase. These educators carried placards calling for “decent wages and respect” for their profession, highlighting that appreciation alone is not enough without tangible change.
Vice Ganda’s statement served as both a tribute and a reminder that while teachers shape the nation’s future, they too deserve to live with dignity and be compensated fairly for their invaluable contribution to society.
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