Marking his 35th birthday in a meaningful way, Ryan Bang chose to celebrate by giving back to the people who have stood by him for years and to children affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao.
In a vlog uploaded on his YouTube channel on June 30, the actor-TV host documented how he celebrated his birthday on June 16 with his It's Showtime family. He also treated everyone to three lechons and delighted the audience with a Filipino-themed birthday production number.
During lunch, several of his fellow hosts, including Jhong Hilario, Darren Espanto, Cianne Dominguez, and Kim Chiu, shared birthday messages, thanking him for his kindness, humility, and generosity while wishing him continued blessings.
The celebration continued as the show's staff surprised him with a birthday cake, balloons, confetti, and a chorus of "Happy Birthdays."
After the noontime celebration, Ryan looked back on his journey and reflected on how he became one of the show's regular hosts after first appearing as a guest hurado in 2010, when he was just 18 years old.
He recalled that from the very beginning, his parents constantly reminded him to save whatever he earned.
"Dapat dalawang linggo lang dapat ako sa [It's] Showtime. Sabi sa akin ng nanay ko at siyempre ng tatay ko, 'Anak mag-ipon ka. Lagi kang mag-ipon, kahit maliit.'"
Following that advice, Ryan said he consistently set aside ₱1,000 every month throughout his time on the show, eventually accumulating ₱190,000. Combined with the ₱10,000 he recently earned from a community market, his birthday fund reached ₱200,000.
Instead of spending it on himself, Ryan decided to use the money to help the people closest to him, sharing the savings he had set aside over the past 15 years with his personal assistant and driver.
"Galing sa puso ko...matagal nang nagta-trabaho sa akin 'yung personal assistant ko at driver ko. Sila talaga 'yung pinaka-malapit sa puso ko kasi wala po akong pamilya dito," he shared.
Although he considers many people in the industry as family, Ryan said it is his longtime personal assistant and driver who have been by his side every day for more than a decade.
"Gusto ko hatiin 'yung inipon ko, kahit hindi super laki, para makatulong sa mga inaanak ko," he said, referring to the children of his employees, who are also his godchildren.
He divided the money between his personal assistant, whose child is scheduled to undergo surgery, and his driver, whom he described as a father figure and whose child also had a birthday a day before Ryan's.
Although both initially hesitated to accept the financial gift, Ryan encouraged them to do so, saying he sincerely wanted to help.
Beyond his longtime staff, Ryan also reached out to students of Mahayahay Elementary School in Davao after learning about the severe damage their school sustained during the June earthquake.
"Nadurog talaga 'yung puso ko sa sobrang awa [sa mga] bata. Hindi naman malaki pero hanggat kaya ko, ginawa ko [ay] konting tulong para sa kapwa Pilipino".
His gesture touched many viewers, who filled the vlog's comment section with messages praising his generosity and his love for the Philippines despite being born in South Korea.
"Ryan we love you ❤ Please don’t ever change. You're a blessing to all Filipinos," one viewer wrote.
Another commented, "Happy birthday pambansang koreanong pusong pinoy, napaka generous mo wala kang katulad ❤❤❤ sanay umabot ka ng 1000 taon para marami ka pang matulongan.”
"I am smiling the whole time while watching this vlog. Truly, Ryan has a very pure and kind heart. Super ramdam sa aura ang kabutihan ni Ryan. 🤍,” another viewer added.
Before ending his vlog, Ryan also promised that this would not be the last time he would give back. He shared that he plans to start saving once again so he can continue helping Filipinos, especially children.
"Mag-iipon po ako ulit para sa tutulungang kapwang Pilipino. Nadudurog kasi 'yung puso ko. Siyempre, yung future ng bansa natin nasa mga kabataan."
He ended his message by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve others through his work.
"Thank you kay Lord na ginagamit ako para magpasaya at makatulong sa mga Pilipino. Thank you so much sa pagmamahal niyo sa akin madlang people at sa mga sumusupport sa akin kahit kahit hindi malinaw ang pananalita ko," he lightheartedly said.