MANILA -- “Natulala ako!”

This was Vice Ganda’s reaction when she got the call last Saturday night that organizers of the Pride PH event at the Quezon City Memorial Circle has decided to cancel the event.

Due to the heavy downpour, the audio and lighting equipment on stage has been compromised. ABS-CBN News also learned that even the dressing rooms backstage have been ravaged by the rain and the stage has been flooded. Some performers also got stuck in traffic along Quezon Avenue. 

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“Ang taas ng excitement eh," Vice said. "Ako mismo personal sobrang sobrang excited. Para siyang premiere night ng pelikula. Sobrang halaga sa akin ng Pride event na ito. Iba 'yung gusto kong makapagsalita, makapag-perform nung gabi na yun. Mas dama ko siya ngayon. Mas nag-grow na sa akin 'yung adbokasiya ng community natin. Napakahalaga siya sa akin.”

Vice revealed to ABS-CBN News that she spent a lot in the preparation for a concert-like performance.

“Pinaghandaan ko talaga siya. Ginastusan ko siya. Malala. Parang concert 'yung ima-mount ko. It’s a protest in a form of a concert,” Vice said.

“Superbowl X SEA Games opening ang peg. I had 50 dancers on stage, 30 dancing choir, full band set up. Five costume changes, five songs.”

She even had a special guest booked for her supposed 16-minute performance.

“Ang saya-saya ko na napapayag ko siya. First pride performance niya rin 'yun. For the longest time, she has been one of the LGBT icons, pero first grand performance niya rin 'yun,” Vice said.

It was around 8 p.m. when Vice got the call from the organizers. “Malaki siyang project for me, tapos sinabi nang hindi na tuloy, natulala ako,” she said.

“At the end of the day, life is the most valuable (thing). Paano kung may mapahamak, kahit isa lang. May masaktan, magkagulo. Saka 'yun ang iniiwasan ko 'yung magkagulo, may mapahamak, hindi natin gusto lahat 'yun.”

Now the question is, will that supposed grand performance see the light of day?

“Tumawag sa akin 'yung 'Showtime,' sabi nila gusto mo sa 'Showtime' na lang natin gawin yan? Sabi ko, yung production value ko hindi pang-indoor. May mga elements siya fire, may totoo siyang apoy, may nababasag. Pang malaki siyang venue. 'Yung hydraulics kong mataas na mataas, 'yung pakpak na malaki. Hindi siya pang-indoor.”

We also asked Vice if there’s any truth to the rumor going around that there will be reprise or a rescheduled part two of the Pride PH event, Vice said, “I am still waiting for a heads up from Pride PH and QC government. Kasi nanghihinayang din sila.”

Meanwhile, Vice also surprised marchers during the Pride March earlier Saturday when she climbed up the fence of ABS-CBN to get a glimpse of the parade.

“Nag-me-meeting ako with the writers ng ‘It’s Showtime’, tapos maingay may mga tambol. Sabi ko ‘ano yun?’ Sabi nandiyan na po sa labas yung parada. Hinalt ko 'yung meeting, sabi ko ‘Wait lang!’ Tapos labas kami, takbo kami. Hindi namin alam kung saan kami sisilip, eh may bakod. Sorry sa ABS security, kasi umakyat ako sa bakod.”

"It's Showtime" staff told ABS-CBN News that initially, Vice was stepping on a small box but she was given a ladder so she can get a good view of the parade.

“At least doon nakita ko, naramdaman ko kahit papaano. Nakakaway man lang ako sa mga nagpaparada,” Vice said.

“Alam mo, buti na lang pala nakita ko 'yung march. At least may naramdaman ako, na-experience akong Pride nung araw na yun. Kung ‘di wala akong na-experience, kasi sa TV ko lang at sa tawag nalalaman.”

Netizens and actual marchers who saw Vice at the ABS-CBN fence praised the Kapamilya TV host for her gesture.

“Natuwa rin ako kahit papaano, it brought them joy. Nung nagkawayan kami, sumisigaw-sigaw with me parang na-ha-hype sila lalo. Ang hirap nung parada ang haba, mainit, pero na-hype sila nung nakita nila ako. 'Yun lang ang na-experience ko,” she said.