A major showbiz controversy has erupted, placing two of the Philippines’ biggest personalities, comedian Vice Ganda and global fashion icon Heart Evangelista, at the center of an explosive public feud. The conflict ignited on national television during an October 24 episode of the popular noontime program It’s Showtime. In a segment, Vice Ganda made a startling public declaration, dropping Heart Evangelista’s name not once, but twice, in connection with a school in her “province” that the comedian described as being in a “rotten” or “dilapidated” state. Vice Ganda claimed to have visited this school, allegedly finding it had no reading materials, and was so moved by the sight that they personally funded its repair and sent aid. The call-out, made live on air, was immediately interpreted by many as a direct and unexpected shot at Heart Evangelista.

The seemingly charitable anecdote, however, was not received with applause by Heart Evangelista’s camp. The fashion icon’s personal assistant, Resty Roselle, took to Instagram to launch a swift and fiery defense of her employer, posting a series of stories that systematically dismantled Vice Ganda’s claims. Roselle’s response was not just a denial; it was a full-blown counter-offensive armed with pointed questions and receipts. She immediately challenged Vice to name the specific province being referenced, aggressively calling the comedian a “clout” chaser and “mema”—a local term for someone who speaks just for the sake of saying something, regardless of its substance. Roselle argued that if Vice’s concern was genuine, the comedian should have addressed the proper authorities, such as the Department of Education (DepEd) or its Secretary, Senator Sonny Angara, rather than inexplicably calling out Heart Evangelista, who holds no position in the department.

The defense escalated as Roselle began fact-checking Vice’s grand claims of generosity. In a stunning accusation, Heart’s assistant alleged that Vice Ganda did not “build a school” or even a classroom, as the on-air story implied. Instead, Roselle claimed that Vice merely “contributed” to an ongoing project that was already initiated by the PTA of Bagakay Elementary School. She alleged that Vice only appeared on the scene when the rebuilding was already in progress and that the comedian’s contribution was only 60% of the total cost, delivered in three separate installments. Furthermore, Roselle accused Vice of taking all the credit for the project and then monetizing the act of “charity” by featuring it on their own personal, monetized social media channel. To counter Vice’s narrative, Roselle posted images of Heart’s own extensive, yet quietly-performed, charity works in Sorsogon, complete with the “Heart-ibang Lista” branding.

The confrontation continued as Roselle pointed out the absurdity of targeting Heart. She clarified that Heart has no official connection to the Sorsogon issue, and that Vice’s criticism should have been directed at the actual politicians in power in the province, or perhaps even Senator Angara’s wife, Tootsy Angara, if the comedian was so intent on calling out a spouse. The assistant even went so far as to list the names of the winning politicians in Sorsogon, sarcastically questioning if Vice GGanda, who held a show there in 2023, was unfamiliar with them. The feud even managed to rope in a GMA Network Senior Vice President, Annet Gozon Valdez, whom Roselle tagged while questioning Vice’s boasts. In a final, stinging blow, Roselle resurrected a past controversy between Vice Ganda and comedian Ate Gay, implying a pattern of behavior where Vice uses donations for public leverage.

As the online battle raged, the situation was irrevocably altered by the release of an official statement from the local government unit (LGU) of Bulusan, Sorsogon, signed by Mayor Wenner Rafalio Romano. This statement, intended to “clarify” the issue, became the ultimate receipt that appeared to validate the claims made by Heart Evangelista’s camp. The LGU confirmed Vice Ganda’s visit to Bagakay Elementary School on September 26, 2023. It also confirmed the donations, but the amount was shockingly specific: a total of ₱67,360 (approximately $1,140 USD), sent in several installments between December 2023 and January 2024. The statement detailed that this money was used for specific, minor repairs—namely, fixing windows and doors, plastering the walls of a makeshift classroom, tiling a comfort room, and installing internet.

Most importantly, the LGU statement directly and officially contradicted Vice Ganda’s most heart-wrenching claims. The mayor clarified that the makeshift classroom project was started by the PTA, with funds from the school’s MOOE and the LGU, before Vice’s involvement. In the most stunning rebuke, the statement also clarified that before Vice Ganda’s visit, the school already had permanent classrooms, complete books, and supplementary reading materials provided by DepEd. In fact, the LGU pointed out that DepEd Sorsogon had launched its “Project Target” reading program in May 2023, months before Vice arrived and claimed there were no reading materials.

The fallout from this official clarification has been massive, with public sentiment turning sharply against the comedian. Vice Ganda’s narrative—that of a hero moved to tears by a “rotten” school with “no reading materials”—now appears to be, at best, a gross exaggeration and, at worst, a fabricated story for television. The LGU’s statement proved that the school was not only functioning but was already being supported by its community and by DepEd. The “rotten” building was a temporary, makeshift room that was already being addressed by the PTA. As of this writing, Vice Ganda, who initiated the firestorm on national television, has remained silent on the issue, leaving the public to digest the official facts that have turned a supposed act of charity into a public relations crisis.