Vice Ganda puts spin on 'Jet2 holiday' meme with West Philippine Sea, Duterte reference
Vice Ganda earned different reactions when she put a spin on the popular Jet2 holiday meme with a joke referencing the West Philippine Sea and former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Clips of the Super Divas concert with Regine Velasquez on Aug. 8 showed her singing, "Darling, hold my hand," before Vice appears with backup dancers carrying a placard that states, "Jetski Holiday. Avail now!"
"Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC (International Criminal Court). Promo applies to DDS (diehard Duterte supporters) only. Pinklawans and BBMs (Bongbong Marcos supporters) are prohibited. Huwag n'yo akong subukan, mga p****a i*a n'yo," Vice said.
The jet ski reference was an apparent shade at Duterte, who, in his 2016 presidential campaign, vowed to ride a jet ski to the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea and plant a Philippine flag there to supposedly ward off China, which has been amassing resources and harassing Filipino fisherfolk in the contested waters. In 2021, Duterte called it a "pure campaign joke," calling those who believed it "stupid."
The Hague, meanwhile, is where Duterte has been detained since March 12. A day before, he was caught at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court via the International Criminal Police Organization.
Many users found Vice's joke hilarious.
"Nice one Vice more more please," one user said.
"Hahaha sarap ulit-ulitin. Gustong-gusto na kita Vice Ganda," another user said.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña also backed Vice's joke, writing, "Speaking truth to power is most potent when it makes people laugh. Ibig sabihin tagos na tagos. Mabuhay ka Meme Vice Ganda, salamat sa paninindigan. #Jetski."
Others who are apparent supporters of Duterte didn't take it kindly.
In a viral Facebook post, someone who claimed to be a resident of Davao, Duterte's bailiwick, said he's appealing to the city government to declare Vice persona non grata.
"As a Davaoeño, I am appealing to the City Government of Davao to declare Vice Ganda a persona non grata in Davao City. Please lang!" the user said.
To be declared as persona non grata means a person is no longer welcome in a particular place. But it doesn't mean they'll be prevented from visiting it, much less get arrested.
Duterte's former palace spokesperson, Harry Roque, meanwhile, called out Vice for the joke, claiming Vice had been in awe of Duterte when she interviewed him years ago.
"Tayong mga Pilipino, kapag ang isang tao nakadapa na, hindi na sinisipa, Vice Ganda," Roque said in a video message on his YouTube page. "Ang ginawa mo, nasa sahig na si Tatay Digong, nakakulong na, 80 anyos, mamamatay na yata sa kulungan, sinisipa-sipa mo pa. Anong kaligayahan ang nakukuha mo sa ganyang gawain?"
"Kung di mo siya pupuwedeng sabihan ng maganda, eh tumahimik ka na lang," he added.
The original Jet2 holiday meme featured Jess Glynne's song Hold My Hand and a female narration of the British airline's ad, "Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday, and right now you can save £50 per person. That's £200 off for a family of 4. We've got millions of free child place holidays available with 22kg of baggage included. Book now with Jet2holidays. Package holidays you can trust!"
