Vice Ganda opened up about how he supported Ryan Bang during one of the most difficult periods of the latter's life following the cancellation of his wedding to Paola Huyong.
In his latest YouTube vlog featuring Ryan as a guest, Vice revealed that he made it a point to check on Ryan every day after the wedding was called off.
"Kahit ako hanggang ngayon hindi ko iyon ma-imagine kaya awang-awa ako kay Ryan nun. Hindi ko siya maiwan, pupuntahan ko siya. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya ito hinaharap kasi ang bigat nito," he said.
The comedian admitted that he struggled to find the right words to comfort Ryan because he had never experienced a similar situation himself.
"Feeling ko ang dami ko na pinagdaaan pero 'yun hindi ko 'yun alam. Hindi ko 'yun pinagdaanan. Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yung pwede kong i-advise sa kanya kasi wala akong ganung experience eh. Tsaka hindi mo siya masukat, kung gaano siya kasakit," he confessed.
Vice noted that what made the situation even more difficult was the public nature of Ryan's engagement.
"Tapos alam na ng lahat, in-announce na sa buong mundo na they are about to get married. Engaged na si Ryan, kumalat na ang mga litrato, tapos isang araw, oh pak, bakit nawala ang mga litrato ko? Bat ako na-delete?" Vice said.
For his part, Ryan expressed his gratitude to Vice for being by his side throughout the ordeal. "Araw-araw pumupunta mommy ko. Ang cute ni mommy, 'Ryan, gusto mo puto bumbong. Next day, 'Anak bibingka.' Araw-araw. 'Anak ano gusto mo? Gusto mo lutuan kita?" he recalled. "Araw-araw pumupunta ang mommy ko. Isang buwan."
Ryan also recalled one of the most valuable pieces of advice he received from Vice while coping with heartbreak.
"First day nasa room lang ako buong araw... Daming tumutunog sa social media eh, so dark. Depression pala ganito," he recalled. "Agad pumunta sa akin si mommy Vice, 'Anak pasok ka pa rin sa Showtime, parehas pa rin ang routine na ginagawa mo.' So ang ginawa ko Showtime, and bago mag-Showtime tumakbo ako, dito na area, hanggang mapagod."
According to Ryan, maintaining his routine and staying physically active helped him overcome negative thoughts.
"'Yun pala best medicine pagtuma-takbo, lakad, walking, takbo, nawawala 'yung mga naiisip mo na negative. Iyon 'yung secret medicine ko. Takbo tapos huwag ka na masyado mag-social media."
Vice likewise advised Ryan to stay away from social media while he was still healing. "[Sabi ko sa kanya] 'huwag ka munang magbasa ng social media please. That's the biggest favor na magagawa mo sa sarili mo, huwag kang magbasa ng social media,'" Vice said.
In the same vlog, Ryan also opened up about his breakup with Paola. "I'm single [since January]," he revealed.
The It's Showtime host pointed out that he made efforts to save the relationship.
"Tinry ko na ayusin. Kasi alam ko noong panahon na 'yun, hindi ko maintindihan, hindi dapat umabot nang ganito. I was trying I was hoping, I was praying na maayos," he recalled.
He went on: "Akala ko mafi-fix. Siyempre sa relationship, mayroon din akong kasalanan. Pero I never cheat."
READ: Ryan Bang confirms split with Paola Huyong
Ryan cited cultural differences as one of the factors that led to the end of their engagement.
"We found out magkaiba pala kami ng kultura. Magkaiba pala ang paniniwala, gawi, thinking, lalo na pagdating sa marriage," he stated.
Ryan described the breakup as the darkest and hardest period he has ever gone through.
"Sobrang hirap. Sobrang pagsisisi. In my whole life, 'yon 'yong pinaka-dark and hardest time in my life and 'yong experience ko na 'yon, pinakamabigat sa puso. Ang hirap din sa akin kasi kung ano-ano iniisip ng ibang tao," he recalled.