Following Vice Ganda’s remarks about the poor conditions of a school in Bulusan, Sorsogon, the town’s mayor, Wennie Rafallo-Romano, spoke out against the statement, saying it had “brought shame” to the institution and its stakeholders.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Mayor Rafallo-Romano issued an official statement addressing the TV host’s comments on “It’s Showtime” regarding his assistance to the school, which he described as a “bulok,” in the province of actress and socialite Heart Evangelista.
The remarks stemmed from the October 24 episode of the noontime show wherein Vice Ganda recounted his visit to an elementary school in Sorsogon, known as the political bailiwick of Evangelista’s husband, Senator Chiz Escudero, where he claimed to have provided financial aid to help improve its condition.
“‘Di ba nga, kinukuwento ko sa’yo, may pinuntahan na akong lugar doon sa probinsiya nila Heart Evangelista. Na isang paaralan na walang reading materials. Pinagawa ko yung eskuwelahan at nagpadala ako ng tulong doon kasi walang reading materials,” Vice Ganda shared during the It’s Showtime’s “Laro Laro Pick” segment.
“Bulok ‘yung paaralan doon sa lugar nila Heart Evangelista. I cried so much when I saw that school,” he added.
In response, the local government unit (LGU) of Bulusan, through Mayor Romano, released an official statement clarifying the claims made by the host-comedian, and clearing Evangelista’s involvement in the issue.
“Bilang ina ng Bayan ng Bulusan, nais ko pong magbigay-linaw sa naging pahayag ni Vice Ganda sa It’s Showtime Episode ng ABS-CBN noong October 24, 2025 patungkol sa kanyang donasyon sa Bagacay Elementary School na kumalat sa social media. Tahasan niyang sinabi na bulok ang eskwelahan sa probinsya ni Heart Evangelista at walang mga reading materials. Nais ko pong bigyang-diin na wala pong kinalaman si Ms. Heart Evangelista-Escudero sa isyung ito,” the statement began.
Romano confirmed that Vice Ganda had indeed visited the school, identified as the Bagacay Elementary School, on September 26, 2023, and donated a total of P67,360, which went toward classroom repairs, comfort room tiling, and internet installation, which its three-month bill had also been shouldered by the actor.
While the local government, she said, remains grateful for his generosity, she also clarified that the school already had a permanent classroom as well as reading materials provided by the Department of Education (DepEd), prior to Vice Ganda’s visit.
She added that DepEd Sorsogon had launched its “Project Target” reading program in May 2023 months before Vice’s donation ensuring that students had access to supplementary learning materials.
Romano further expressed disappointment over Vice Ganda’s description of the school saying the statement brought unnecessary embarrassment to the school, the Department of Education (DepEd) Sorsogon, and the entire community.
“Nagpapasalamat po ang LGU Bulusan sa ipinakitang malasakit ni Vice Ganda, ngunit ang paraan ng pagsasamadla ng kanyang donasyon na may komentong “bulok na paaralan at walang reading materials” ay nagdulot ng kahihiyan sa Bagacay Elementary School, sa bayan ng Bulusan at sa Department of Education,” the mayor said.
She added, “Nabalewala ang lahat ng pagsusumikap ng mga guro at pamunuan, mga magulang at mag-aaral, lokal na liders at ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon at iba pang stakeholders para mabigyan ng kaaya-ayang paaralan ang mga kabataan na angkop sa kakayahan ng komunidad.”
The mayor went on to commend Senator Escudero, who previously served as Sorsogon governor from 2019 to 2022, for his “longstanding support for education,” particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Patuloy ang koordinasyon ng LGU Bulusan sa DepEd Sorsogon at sa Provincial Government para masigurong kasama sa mga plano ng lalawigan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga paaralan. Mula pa noon, si Senador Chiz Escudero ay naging aktibong taga suporta ng edukasyon sa Bulusan, lalo na noong siya pa ay gobernador – prayoridad niya ang edukasyon sa panahon ng COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Concluding the statement, the mayor assured the public that the local government continues to work with DepEd and the provincial administration to address the needs of public schools in the municipality
“Makakaasa po ang publiko na mabibigyan ng tamang intervention ang mga kakulangang nabanggit ng walang propaganda, kundi purong intensyon na matulungan ang ating mga mag-aaral. Maraming salamat po.”
As of this writing, Vice Ganda has yet to issue a response to Mayor Romano’s statement.
