Filipino entertainer Vice Ganda made history after winning Best Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 Gabi ng Parangal, marking a significant moment for queer representation in Philippine cinema.
In his acceptance speech, Vice Ganda said that “queer people can be best actors,” a statement that quickly resonated across entertainment circles and LGBTQ+ communities. The win was widely celebrated as a breakthrough in an industry where queer performers have long been visible but rarely honored with top acting awards.
Vice Ganda is a gay, gender-nonconforming Filipino entertainer who uses he/him pronouns and has consistently identified as a gay man, not as a transgender woman or nonbinary person. His public persona often incorporates femininity, camp, and drag-adjacent performance, a style that has occasionally led to confusion about his gender identity, particularly among international audiences unfamiliar with Philippine entertainment culture. Advocates say the distinction is important when discussing representation, as the milestone reflects progress for effeminate gay men in mainstream media rather than a transgender-specific achievement.
The Best Actor award was given for Vice Ganda’s performance in Call Me Mother, a film that centers on a queer parent navigating family, responsibility, and social expectations. The film also earned additional recognition during the awards ceremony, including honors tied to gender sensitivity and child performance, reinforcing its cultural impact within the festival.
The MMFF remains one of the Philippines’ most influential cultural institutions, shaping mainstream narratives and elevating performances seen by millions of viewers nationwide. Historically, its top acting honors have favored conventional leading roles, making Vice Ganda’s win a notable departure from past patterns.
While the victory was widely praised, it coincides with new data that highlights ongoing challenges for LGBTQ+ Filipinos. A recent national survey examining public attitudes found that although many respondents describe themselves as tolerant of LGBTQ+ people, that tolerance often fails to translate into everyday acceptance.
Survey findings showed that respondents were more hesitant when asked about LGBTQ+ individuals in positions of leadership, close personal relationships, or workplace authority. Researchers and advocates say this gap illustrates the difference between abstract tolerance and lived inclusion.
The contrast between Vice Ganda’s high-profile MMFF victory and the survey results underscores both progress and limitation. Visibility in film and entertainment can help shift cultural perceptions, but it does not automatically resolve broader social or institutional barriers.
Advocates emphasize that representation matters because it challenges stereotypes and expands who audiences see as deserving of recognition. At the same time, they stress that lasting change requires more than symbolic milestones, pointing to the need for stronger protections, education, and cultural shifts beyond the screen.
As celebrations continue around Vice Ganda’s historic MMFF win, many view the moment as both affirming and instructive. The award reflects meaningful cultural movement, while the polling data serves as a reminder that acceptance in principle does not always align with lived reality.
