Comedian Vice Ganda denied that the man shown standing beside him in a picture that a tabloid published recently is his boyfriend.

“Open naman ako na may dyowa ako pero hindi yung tao na yon na nasa picture. Mali ang nakunan nila,” said he during the press conference for the movie “Hating Kapatid” on July 15.

Many people on several social networking sites also assumed so because the guy had a cap on and was looking down when the picture was taken, as if trying to hide his face so that people won’t see him.

“Hindi siya ang nagtago – ang nagtago ay ‘yung kumuha ng picture dahil di namin alam na kinukunan na pala kami,” Vice pointed out sourly.

The man is Vice’s friend whose girlfriend is also part of the comedian’s clique. Vice said he had already told them about the proliferation of the picture and both just laughed it away.

Vice said his real boyfriend is a model whom he has been with for sometime now. He calls their relationship “serious” though they don’t plan to marry nor adopt a baby.

“Di ako mahilig sa bagets kasi malaking responsibilidad yon. Ayoko mag-adopt ng baby sa simple at selfish na dahilan na gusto kong may mag-alaga sa akin in the future. Kung ganun lang, nurse na lang sana ang kinuha ko,” he said.

Acknowledging that he is a gay icon, Vice is careful to make a wrong impression on people unless it be used to stereotype other gays.

“Gusto ko patunayan na di lang nakakatawa ang mga bakla, di lang basta komedyante. Meron din kaming ibang talent na ma-i-sha-share. Sa bawat pilantik ng mga daliri namin ay may aral kang makukuha.

“Alam ko na kung magiging responsible kami sa kilos namin, di man kami kahanga-hanga sa lipunan ay tanggap naman kami kahit papano.”

The comedian is also having a house built which he has given as a gift to his mother and his siblings. The three storey house, Vice said, is under their name, not his.

“But it is as much for me na rin as it is for them dahil makita ko lang na masaya sila, especially mother ko, ay masaya na din ako, at peace na din ako sa sarili ko,” he said.

Vice is as caring towards his friends to the point that he keeps quiet about his personal life – no matter if he gets misunderstood for doing so –as long as it means people in his circle are protected from nasty talk.

“Syempre pag naapektuhan sila, maapektuhan din ako at sunod nyan ay maapektuhan na din ang relationships namin,” he said.

Vice added that this is the reason he kept mum about his long-standing friendship with actor Coco Martin. Some people, Vice said, could use the information against Coco.

“Sabi ko sa kanya na wag na namin sabihin na magkaibigan kami dahil sasabihin lang ng iba, magdyowa kami tapos ikakasira pa niya. Minsan, may paniniwala ang lipunan na mali at masakit pero hindi ko sila ma-ha-handle.

“Ang tanging dapat ko lang i-handle ay ang sarili ko kaya kung makakaiwas, iiwas,” he said. “Minsan, para wag masaktan—at gaya na nga ng sabi ni Anne Curtis—we have to learn the art of dedma.”

Vice is in the cast of “Hating Kapatid” starring Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo. The movie will not only open in the Philippines on July 21, but it will have simultaneous world premieres in Austria; Switzerland; Barcelona, Spain; Ontario, Canada; Manhattan, New York; San Diego, California; Union City; San Francisco, California; Dubai; the Northern Emirates; Guam; and Honolulu, Hawaii.

Mall shows to promote the film will be held by the entire cast on July 17, 3:30 p.m. at SM North The Block in Quezon City; July 17, 6 p.m. at Glorietta 4 in Ayala Makati; and on July 18, 4 p.m. at SM San Lazaro, Manila.

The entire cast will be doing the rounds of the theaters on opening day. Two premiere screenings are scheduled on July 19, 6 p.m. at Glorietta 4 Cinema 3, and then at 8 p.m. at SM Megamall Cinema 10.

“Hating Kapatid” is directed by Wenn Deramas and written by Mel Del Rosario for Viva Films. It is supported by Jollibee, Charmee, Selecta, San Miguel, Belo Medical Group, Extreme Magic Sing, Cebuana Lhuiller, Unica Hija and MYX Channel.