January 16, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Barely a month after he did his first-ever dramatic role in director Michael Tuviera’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “The Kingdom,” comedian-TV host Vic Sotto still couldn’t believe it that he actually did serious drama for the first time on the big screen.
“After watching the finished product of ‘The Kingdom,’ I would say that I’m very proud of it,” said Vic. “I’m very happy to be part of that film. At the start, kabado ako. Will the public accept me for this new and serious role? Then mamamatay pa ako.
“After viewing the film, sulit lahat ng pagod namin sa paggawa ng pelikula. For so many months, I was in front of the mirror looking at my image as a king. I was memorizing my lines. I looked at my co-stars and they gave their all for their roles.”
Vic does not discount the fact that he is open to welcoming another drama project in the near future. “Or it can by drama with touches of comedy,” he said. “I’ve proven that I can do drama, we can do another one.”
The veteran comedian and TV host attributes it to clean living that’s why he still managed to be around even at this time after nearly five decades in the business.
“Do not step on other people’s toes,” he said. “Huwag kang manira, huwag kang maangas. Stay humble. Humility is a very important word to me. Stay relaxed.”
Vic is joined on stage by Sante Barley CEO Joey Marcelo during a presscon introducing the veteran comedian and host as the newest endorser of the health and wellness brand.
Admittedly, the 70-year-old star is not getting any younger. “Matagal akong nagpahinga sa pelikula before I did ‘The Kingdom’,” said Vic. “I know how tedious and draining to make a movie. It drains your energy emotionally and physically.
“Making a movie takes so much of your time. We want to raise the quality of the Filipino films that we make. We want to be really professional. We need to be constantly conscious of certain number of blockings, throwing of lines, doing the angles in doing the shots. It’s no joke to do all that.”
His constant source of joy are his children, not just the two young ones — Tali and Mochi — but even Danica and husband Mark Pingis, Oyo Boy and wife Kristine Hermosa, Vico, Paulina.
“Every once in a while, we go out for dinner, catching up,” Vic offered. “We do that regularly.”
Vic is the perfect face for a brand that’s all about promoting a better quality of life.
He was recently introduced as the latest brand ambassador of Sante Barley, a leading global provider of organic health and wellness products. Santé has built its reputation as a trusted name in health and wellness.
“More than just endorsing Sante Barley, he has been an inspiration to the Sante family globally,” said Sante Barley chief executive officer (CEO) Joey Marcelo.
Vic’s partnership with Sante Barley will also feature him in a series of campaigns, including TV commercials, digital content and live events designed to educate Filipinos about the importance of organic health products.
“Vic’s ability to connect with people and his genuine approach to wellness make him the perfect partner for Santé,” added Joey. “We’re excited to see how this collaboration will inspire Filipinos to make health and wellness a priority.
“We want Sante Barley to be part of the 50th anniversary of ‘Eat Bulaga’,” Joey added. “We are looking at a bigger partnership with Bossing in the years to come. We are looking at a stronger partnership. Whenever we do partnership, we want it long term.
“I know Bossing is inspiring OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) in Hong Kong, Dubai. When you hear the stories of our kababayans abroad, malulungkot ka. We want to inspire our OFWs to create something big, create something huge so they can eventually return home and be with their family.
“We know Bossing can really help us a lot to inspire OFWs. They are so far away from us. The least that we can do is to show them that there is really hope while you’re alive.”
Vic is thankful all these years to family and friends in the business who continue to support him, like “Sir Joey for trusting me with endorsing his product.”
Since last year, while even doing ‘The Kingdom,” Vic has taken Sante Barley and noticed that the vitamin supplement has helped him not just physically but mentally to be constantly in tip-top condition during shooting.
Vic has been a prominent fixture in the Philippine showbiz scene since the 1970s. As an original host of the long-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga!” alongside his brother Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon, Vic has been a household name for decades.
His extensive filmography features lead roles in sitcoms and iconic comedy and fantasy films, such as “Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote” (2010), “Enteng ng Ina Mo” (2011) and “Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako” (2012).
He is leaving everything to God, whatever problems or trials that he is facing. “Trust in God,” Vic said. “With God on your side, you can easily ignore those stress and trials, tanggal lahat ‘yan. Kayang kaya mo ang mga pagsubok, whatever it is as long as you trust God.”
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