Calls to Boycott McDonald’s Sparked by Vice Ganda’s ‘Jet Ski’ Joke Aimed at Duterte

A satirical remark by comedian-host Vice Ganda during her Superdivas concert with Regine Velasquez has ignited a boycott campaign against McDonald’s—an endorser of Vice—led by ardent Duterte supporters in Mindanao. The spark? A pointed joke referencing ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s infamous “jet ski promise.”

The Skit That Stirred Controversy

At the opening night of Superdivas: The Concert on August 8, 2025, Vice and Regine staged a flamboyant parody using the viral “Jet2holiday” meme. While Regine sang Jess Glynne’s “Hold My Hand,” Vice strutted onstage in full drag, accompanied by dancers holding a “Jetski holiday” banner. The comedian delivered the punchline:

“Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by ICC. Promo applies to DDS only—Pinklawans and BBMs are prohibited. ‘Wag niyo akong subukan, mga pu***ng ina niyo!”

The line cleverly invoked Duterte’s 2016 campaign quip about riding a jet ski to assert sovereignty over disputed waters—a statement he later admitted was intended as a joke.

Divided Reactions Online

While much of the audience cheered, the joke provoked outrage among Duterte loyalists. Netizens polarized: many denounced the quip as disrespectful while others defended it as typical bold humor from someone like Vice.

Boycott Movement Gathers Steam

In Mindanao, a widely-followed vlogger called for a McDonald’s boycott, labeling it “support for Vice Ganda’s promotions” and stating, “Taga-Mindanao, no McDonald’s for now. Until Vice Ganda is fired!” Others followed suit on social media:

“Jollibee or KFC for me; not a McDo person.”
“Same here in Butuan City.”
“Boycott McDonald’s and Vice Ganda. He’s become arrogant, disrespectful.”
“Same with us here in Cebu.”

These statements reflect a growing sentiment among some fans that personal loyalties should be reflected in patronage.

Cost of the Joke: Losing a Million Followers

The fallout extended online. Vice Ganda’s social media following took a hit—dropping from 20 million to 19 million shortly after the concert. While some attribute the loss to social media platform cleanup, others connect it to mass unfollows tied to the controversial joke.

Open Letter in Support of Vice Ganda

Amid the backlash, supporters mobilized to counter the criticism. A heartfelt open letter from netizen Tim Timoteo went viral, praising Vice for her charitable work—from pandemic fundraising to scholarship support. The letter underscored a perceived double standard:

“If DDS can tolerate lewd jokes, blasphemy, and rape jokes from a president, but rages over a jetski and ICC joke from a drag star, what does that make them? Hypocrites.”

Context: The “Jet Ski” Quip’s Resonance

The punchline plays off Duterte’s 2016 “jet ski” campaign promise—a theatrical expression of patriotic defiance that has since become an enduring online meme. With Duterte now held in ICC custody over allegations related to his drug war, the joke took on sharper political overtones.

Commentary from Observers

Philstar highlighted the humor-politics blend: Vice’s take drew both laughter and criticism, reflecting how Filipino humor often mirrors public dissent. LionhearTV emphasized the mixed reaction: a viral skit that balanced satire with punchy social commentary. PEP.ph cataloged strong public responses, including calls to ban Vice from Davao City and varying defenses from fans.

Final Thoughts: Humor, Politics, and Public Response

Vice Ganda’s joke—bold, satirical, and politically laced—sparked a powerful wave of responses: boycotts, follower loss, heartfelt support, and discussions about artistic freedom. Whether or not the boycott affects McDonald’s local sales remains to be seen. But the incident undeniably reflects how deeply politics and pop culture are intertwined in the Philippines.

Vice’s skit was humorous. Its fallout was anything but.