Vice Ganda apologizes over alleged insensitive jokes toward Johaira Morris

“It’s Showtime” host addresses backlash as “Memerimar” segment draws criticism online.

“Its Showtime” main host Vice Ganda publicly apologized after facing online backlash over a joke involving Baby Dolls member Johaira Morris during the “Laro Laro Pick” segment of the noontime program’s July 24 episode.

The parody segment, which debuted on July 1 as a spoof of the classic television series “Marimar,” came under scrutiny following its July 24 episode, where Vice’s character, Memerimar, spat water onto Johaira’s face after being startled by Alejandro, played by Ion Perez.

Johaira, who was dressed as a maid alongside fellow Baby Dolls members, was then told by Memerimar, “Ano’ng nangyari sa ‘yo? Bakit nagputik ka?”

Moments later, after Johaira also spat out water in surprise, Vice’s character added, “Bakit gano’n? No’ng ininom mo, mineral water. No’ng binuga mo, kanal na.”

Clips from the episode quickly spread online, with some viewers calling the remarks offensive and racially insensitive. Others also criticized the segment’s use of physical comedy.

Netizens also revisited the July 23 episode, where Memerimar jokingly pretended to punch Johaira before saying, “Bago pa kita suntukin, may pasa ka na.” Some viewers interpreted the remark as referring to Johaira’s skin tone, while others argued that even simulated violence should not be played for laughs on national television.

At the close of It’s Showtime’s July 25 episode, Vice addressed the controversy and apologized on air.

“Bago po kami magpaalam sa inyo ng tuluyan sa araw na ito at sa linggong ito, gusto lang po naming magbigay ng isang mensahe,” she said. “Nakarating po sa aming kaalaman na may mga Madlang Pipol po na hindi nagustuhan o na-offend sa ilan sa aming mga jokes o biruan dito sa ‘Showtime’, pati na rin sa mga ginagawa namin sa ‘Memerimar’ na they found the jokes offensive or insensitive.”

“Gusto lang namin ipaalam po sa inyo na the last thing we want is to displease you o hindi mapasaya ang aming Madlang Pipol. Kaya naman, ina-acknowledge po namin ang inyong sentimyento at humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sa inyo. And we will try to do better. Maraming, maraming salamat po,” she added.

The apology drew mixed reactions online. While many viewers welcomed Vice’s acknowledgment of the criticism, others continued to debate whether the issue had been adequately addressed, including whether Johaira had personally received an apology.

Baby Dolls, which began as “It’s Showtime’s” background dance crew, was formally launched as a P-pop group on the program’s July 17 episode.

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