Vice Ganda and Ion Perez's love story is proof that love truly conquers all.
Amidst society's conservative beliefs and skepticism over LGBTQ relationships, the two tied the knot in Las Vegas.
It was not exactly the kind of wedding that Vice Ganda imagined, but it was nonetheless the ending she had wished for.
Here are some of Vice and Ion's sweet moments—from the moment the sparks flew until they exchanged "I do's."
The kulitan on It's Showtime
Vice and Ion first met on Gandang Gabi Vice in 2017, but the tuksuhan started on It's Showtime in 2018.
Vice would often tease Ion, who was dubbed Kuya Escort, during their segments together.
Ion would banter back and forth with Vice, much to the kilig of the audience.
On September 27, 2018, Vice asked Ion, “Bukod sa boses mo, ano pang maliit sa iyo? Sabihin mo na hangga’t maaga pa, para hindi na ako umasa.”
He replied, “Wala na. Boses lang talaga yung maliit sa akin.”
Later that year, in the December 21 episode of ABS-CBN's noontime show, Ion and Jacque "Ate Girl Jackie" were competing for Vice's attention.
Ate Girl Jackie said to Vice, "Mas malaki puso ko."
To which Ion countered, "Mas malaki yung sa akin kasi kumasya ka, e."
Vice was rendered speechless, then he pretended to slap Ion.
Their patok kulitan and asaran on stage led to more airtime being given to the two, and their real-life romance eventually bloomed.
The declaration of love
On October 26, 2019, It's Showtime held its 10th anniversary special at Resorts World Manila.
After performing in the segment "Magpasikat," Vice Ganda delivered a speech.
He said, "... For so many times in the past, I felt I was all alone.
"At itong pang-sampung taon ng Showtime, ang suwerte ko kasi hindi na ako nag-iisa.
"Meron na akong katuwang sa buhay."
This elicited loud cheers from the live audience. When co-hosts Anne Curtis and Vhong Navarro asked about the identity of this special person, Vice Ganda pointed to Ion.
Ion was then called to join the three hosts, and kishesed Vice on the cheek.
When asked if he would like to say anything, Kuya Escort said, "Wala, kasi yun nga ang lagi kong sinasabi ko sa kanya, siguro minahal ko sa kanya yung nakikita niyo sa kanya.
"Siguro bonus lang na naging Vice Ganda, pero yun talaga yung minahal ko—si Tutuy."
Tutuy is Vice's nickname to his family and loved ones.
Their travels together
Since then, the two have been inseparable. And yup, they have met each other's families.
And they have so far travelled to the U.S., Canada, Japan, and other places.
They seem to love the beach, too, based on their multiple travel photos by the beach.
Their anniversary celebrations
Since their first year together was kept a secret, their admission during the 10th anniversary of It's Showtime on October 25, 2019, marked their first anniversary as well.
To celebrate their second anniversary, the two went to the Enchanted Kingdom and documented it via a vlog titled "Happy TWOgether! Vice-Ion’s 2nd Anniversary Celebration!”
Vice said, “October 25 is a very important day because it’s our anniversary. Yes, two years na tayo. Dahil espesyal ang araw na ito, of course, we need to celebrate.
"Ito ay isang bagay na worth ng isang selebrasyon. Kaya naman ise-celebrate natin sa espesyal na lugar kung saan feeling namin ay magiging masaya kaming dalawa at masaya kami dahil pinayagan nila kami na dito i-celebrate ang anniversary namin.”
Ion added, “Ang sarap nung naging free tayo, tanggap tayo ng tao, kahit may ilan na hindi pa rin.”
Vice also noted how far they had come in their two years together.
He said, “Ang pinakamasaya sa akin na nangyari ay nagdesisyon tayo na panindigan ito kahit hindi naman tayo sigurado kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ng ibang tao.
"Kasi maraming beses na iniisip ko ang magiging reaksyon ng mga tao. At dahil iniisip ko iyon ay huwag na lang kasi natatakot ako.
"Dumating tayo sa point na wala na tayong pakialam kung ano ang reaksiyon niyo. Bahala na kayo basta tayo itutuloy natin ito, kasi ito ang gusto natin.”
For their third anniversary, the two flew to the U.S., where Vice Ganda held a concert titled "Vax Ganda: A Dose of Laughter."
Their spontaneous wedding
In February 2022, the couple revealed through a vlog that they got married in Las Vegas a few days shy of their third anniversary.
The ceremony took place in The Little Vegas chapel on October 19, 2021. According to them, it was a "spur of the moment" decision.
"... Tapos bumili kami ng singsing-singsingan sa Aldo, five dollars!" he added.
It was not the bongga wedding Vice imagined, but it didn't matter.
"Parang dinedma ko na yung pangarap ko na bongga yung singsing ko, bongga yung damit ko. Parang, wala na akong pakialam.
"At this point, kahit walang tao, wala na yung mga kaibigan ko. Ang mahalaga na lang, yung kami, di ba? Yung nandun siya, nandun ako.
"'Tapos sabihin na natin yung gusto nating sabihin. Yun lang. And it just happened. It just happened. Ang saya-saya namin. Ang ganda nung naranasan namin."
Isn't that the sweetest? Congratulations to the (not so) newlyweds!