Vice Ganda Defending Mom Bodies on TV Makes Me Feel Seen

As women, we have received countless unwanted comments and criticisms about our bodies in every phase of our lives. “You’re too fat/thin,” when we were growing up, “Ang bastos ng suot mo,” when we were young and living and our lives, up to “Ang pangit mo magbuntis,” or “Ang laki laki mo,” when we became moms. As America Ferrera so powerfully said in her monologue in the Barbie movie, “It is literally impossible to be a woman… You have to be thin, but not too thin,”—it sometimes seems that we can never have the right bodies, ever. And even if we are happy with ourselves, people around us will remind us that it’s never enough and that there’s something wrong with our bodies.

Unrealistic expectations placed on women, specifically mothers, were the topic of a conversation between Vice Ganda and a contestant on It’s Showtime.

“Anong gagawin mo kung matapos niya magka-anak, lumaki siya?”

In a clip making the rounds on social media, Vice Ganda and the contestant were talking about the latter’s ideal partner, with the contestant saying, “I wanted na more on fit, and more on nag-gy-gym tayo together.”

Going to the gym together might seem like a healthy aspiration for couples. Still, when Vice brought up other aspects that can affect a woman’s body, such as childbirth, postpartum, and even hormonal problems, things got a bit complicated.

“Paano kunyare magkaroon ka ng asawang slim? Tapos pagkatapos niya magka-anak, lumaki siya? Anong gagawin mo,” Vice asked.

“Sa ginagawa ko namang lifestyle ngayon, magwo-work together kami. [I can tell her,] Okay, let’s go mag-gym, maging fit,” the contestant answered.

“Paano kung ayaw niya mag-gym? Kasi nagpo-postpartum pa siya? O kaya, nagka-hormonal problem siya,” Vice then pressed on. “How are you going to deal with that?”

“Meron namang mga slim-fit plan…” the contestant answered.

“Ah, so pipilitin mo talaga… Hindi ka papayag na hindi siya pumayat?”

“Kasi alam niyo naman na sa bansa natin… Medyo ayaw ko siyang ma-bully,” the contestant again emphasized.

“Sa akin lang is for the health ng partner ko, ayaw ko rin naman na in the long run, pagsisihan niya. More on health… I want na maging healthy kami pareho sa relationship. Healthy living,” he further clarified.

What Vice Ganda and the other It’s Showtime hosts answered next made every mother feel seen and understood, regardless of shape or size.

“A woman’s body really changes from time to time,” Vice began. “Mas maraming babae na ayaw naman nilang tumaba… May nangyayari sa katawan nilang hindi mo maipaliwanag tapos bigla nalang silang tataba… Lalo na kung nagka-anak na sila.”

“Lalo na yung mga nanay, na wala siyang time mag-gym kasi inaalagaan niya yung anak niya. Mas gugustuhin mo ba yung babae na palaging nasa gym pero hindi naaalagaan anak niya? Sa kagustuhan niyang maalagaan sarili niya, ni hindi siya makapagturo ng ABC sa kanyang anak,” Vice emphasized.

Realities of Post-Partum Bodies

Vice and his co-hosts are correct in pointing out the many reasons women gain weight post-pregnancy: hormonal shifts, thyroid problems, and especially post-partum depression. These are facts and not just excuses women make for what some may perceive as “pinabayaan na ang sarili” after giving birth. Aside from these changes, women who have just given birth will also have to deal with a lack of sleep, time, and personal time while caring for their newborn.

Let’s normalize women’s bodies in every shape and form, including stretch marks, softness, and scars.

For most women, this period marks the big shift from prioritizing just herself to prioritizing her child and her family. Hearing other people acknowledge this, even those who are not women or mothers, hits differently.

Reframe the Conversation

To be clear, we know the importance of fitness and wellness, and everyone should strive to be healthy, to be the healthy versions of themselves. Health is personal, and it can look different for every person, especially for mothers. Supporting a partner’s health should never come as an ultimatum. Encouragement is okay, but pressuring your partner to be healthy out of “concern” is not.

Ultimately, everyone should know and accept that bodies change. Women’s bodies, especially after childbirth, go through complex transformations that are often invisible and not up for public review or criticism. Expecting a woman to snap back to their pre-pregnancy form just because other women can do it is unfair and dehumanizing.

Let’s normalize women’s bodies in every shape and form, including stretch marks, softness, and scars. We should never forget to value health over aesthetics, and that every body that carries a life deserves respect.

Here’s why Kylie Padilla says my worth is more than my weight.