Jan Angelo Batongbakal

EXCLUSIVE: Bong Gonzales says Vice Ganda representing queer community inspired him to be 'proud and loud'

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Rising actor and queer content creator Bong Gonzales said that seeing Vice Ganda represent the LGBTQIA+ community while growing up became one of his biggest inspirations in embracing his identity, saying visibility remains crucial in pushing for inclusivity and equality for the queer community.  </p><p>In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a> during the Star Magical Prom 2026, Bong opened up about how he personally does his part in championing acceptance, sharing that simply showing up and being unapologetically himself is already a meaningful form of representation. </p><p>“For me, ang pinaka-importante talaga would be visibility. Kasi importante na you show up sa mga events like this to really represent yourself... showcase who you are, what you really want to show to people, kung ano yung personality mo, character mo,” he expressed.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaEtwbPCTqF/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=432&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A2894605%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>For Bong, the progress of the LGBTQIA+ community today is something he finds encouraging, especially compared to the challenges he experienced growing up. </p><p>“I feel like we are progressing naman na. Siyempre before, may mga difficulties tayo. [Naranasan ko rin ‘yun] growing up, personally. Pero now, since nagpo-progress na nga lahat – the media and everything – I see more representation, more visibility for queer talents.&quot; </p><p>The rising actor also reflected on one of the people who greatly inspired him to proudly embrace who he is, the one and only Unkabogable Star, Vice Ganda. </p><p>“Isa na rin ako sa mga saksi na nakapanood ng mga queer individuals [representing the community], like seeing Vice Ganda [while] growing up meant so much to me. And kung hindi ko siya nakita nung bata ako, I wouldn’t be standing here proud and loud,” Bong expressed. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXvaqtgCR_F/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=432&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A2935008%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Over the years, Bong has steadily built his career in both content creation and acting, becoming known for projects such as <em>Sparks Camp, Un/Happy For You, Love at First Spike, </em>and <em>The Chambermaid’s Daughter. </em>He is also known for hosting, recently serving as one of the hosts for this year’s Love Laban Pride Festival held at the University of the Philippines Diliman last June 27. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaHkyvZiXSj/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=432&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A2950366.800000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><br/><p>As his career continues to grow, Bong shared that he hopes to explore acting even further and take on more challenging opportunities in the future.  </p><p>“Siyempre more more [into acting]. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung gusto kong ma-venture rin, acting talaga. More projects, hopefully,” he said. </p><p>Asked about his dream collaboration, Bong immediately named actress Angelica Panganiban as someone he hopes to work with someday. </p><p>“So far, ang pinaka-dream ko talaga ever since ay si Angelica Panganiban. Siya talaga ‘yung dream ko dahil bet ko talaga ‘yung mga bida-kontrabida roles.” </p><p>Bong is set to further expand his artistry as he joins primetime television, becoming part of ABS-CBN’s upcoming series<em> Someone, Someday,</em> headlined by Asia&#x27;s Superstar Kathryn Bernardo and Multimedia Prince James Reid. </p>

<p>Bong Gonzales says that seeing Vice Ganda represent the LGBTQIA+ community while growing up became one of his biggest inspirations in embracing his identity. </p>

Bong Gonzales says that seeing Vice Ganda represent the LGBTQIA+ community while growing up became one of his biggest inspirations in embracing his identity.