Oops! That’s a joke to set the mood for a rare Conversation with Vic Sotto, said to be one such specie, who agrees to talk for the first time about his four children by three different women and the mothers who, he stressed, "brought up the children properly."
Vic has two children – Oyo Boy and Danica – with his ex-wife Dina Bonnevie; one – Vico – with former Eat, Bulaga! co-host Coney Reyes; and one – Paulina – with Angela Luz, also Vic’s one-time Bulaga! co-host.
"Of course, I have another son," said Vic deadpan, referring to BJ Forbes (a.k.a. Tolits of the popular Tide commercial, who has his own segment on Bulaga!). He plays Vic’s child in the Regal Films horror-comedy Ispiritista (directed by Tony Reyes, with Cindy Kurleto as Vic’s love interest).
"Watch BJ. He’ll be a big star. He reminds me of Aiza (Seguerra). Aiza was BJ’s age when she started appearing on Eat, Bulaga! after finishing first runner-up in the show’s Little Miss Philippines contest," says Vic.
Like many other comedians (such as Dolphy and Joey Marquez who have dozens of children between them), Vic can’t quite point out (or simply refuses to say) what makes him endearing to women. It could be his sense of humor or his courting style which he, understandably, politely refused to elaborate on. Trade secret, you know.
Read between the lines from the following choice excerpts from an exclusive Conversation with Vic who, at forty-something, has remained as desirable as ever.
As a warm-up, let’s first talk movies. Do you limit yourself to just one movie a year?
"This year, I’m doing two. Aside from Ispiritista, I have another film, Enteng Kabisote: The Legend Continues (His own M-ZET Films is co-producing it with Orly Ilacad’s Canary Films. – RFL), which is for the Metro Manila Filmfest in December."
Do you believe that the movie industry is either down, dying or in coma as the doomsayers have been claiming?
"I don’t think so. I think positive. They say that the industry is dying because dati raw, we produced more than 200 movies a year and now the number is down to not even 50. I look at it differently. Doon sa more than 200 dati, how many were quality films? Now, I can say that 90 percent of the 50 or less that we see now are of good quality."
How is Ispiritista different from your previous movies?
"Medyo mahal ito because of the special effects done by Tony Tuviera’s group. No, I’m not co-producing this movie. I’m just a talent here. Commitment ko kay Mother Lily."
Let’s talk about you as family man, er, as a father. How do you divide your time among your four children?
"I make time for them as often as I can. On weekends, especially. Danica is with me in my sitcom Daddy Di Do Du, so nagba-bonding kami during the weekly tapings. Oyo Boy stays with me. I see Vico regularly on weekends. Same with Paulina."
Do you play favorites?
"No, I don’t."
Of course, they are all provided for, right?
"I provide for them to the best of my ability."
Are you a good provider?
"I try to be one to the best of my ability."
Speaking of showbiz marriages, most of which are deemed to be fragile by the public, what do you think usually causes the break-up – professional jealousy?
"I don’t think so. I think it’s more of miscommunication, especially if parehong busy ang mag-asawa. It’s true even among couples out of showbiz. In showbiz, you must know how to handle intrigues and gossips for your marriage not to be affected. After so many years in this business, I have developed some kind of a defense mechanism. I’ve learned how to let intrigues simply bounce off."
In your and Dina’s case, what caused the break-up?
"Incompatibility. But in fairness to Dina, she proved to be a perfect housekeeper during the early years of our marriage when she quit showbiz."
You are one actor who is suave when it comes to handling your private life. How do you do it? How many other women came into your life after Dina?
"Well, not naman that many. As much as possible, I refrain from talking about my private life on national television. It’s true that life in showbiz is very transparent pero nasa sa’yo ‘yon how to keep some of your privacy. Simple lang: Don’t talk about it."
What’s the sign when you are in love?
"Secret!"
How’s your lovelife these days?
"Okay lang. It’s not my priority."
How true is it that the new girl in your life is a model (daughter of a movie director) who is as old as your daughter Danica?
"She’s not new. She’s based in Dubai."
How do you keep a balance between your career and your "secret" lovelife?
"Well, the woman must be understanding especially when it comes to my erratic schedule."
After one failed marriage (Dina has two. Her second marriage, to Dick Penson, ended up also being annulled. – RFL), hindi ka na nagkaroon ng phobia about marrying again?
"No, not at all. I’m still young; I’m only ‘ty-something. I still look forward to getting married and having a family."
Preferably to a non-showbiz girl?
"It’s not for me to say. It depends on who’s compatible with me, kung sino ang ibigay sa akin ng Diyos."
Going back to your children... Are you a disciplinarian?
"In a way, I’m lenient in some ways and strict in some ways. But I’m not the type of a father na makikialam sa private life nila. Anyway, they are old enough to know what’s right and what’s good for them. I want them to be independent and responsible, hindi masyadong pinakikialaman ng magulang. I guess I’m lucky that all my children are level-headed and responsible. Naiintindihan nila ang kalagayan ng Tatay nila."
Are you open with them – and vice-versa?
"Oh yes, even with personal matters. But I don’t force them to open up. If they want to talk about their personal affairs, I’m willing to listen. If not, I respect their privacy."
What do you remind them of? What advice do you give them?
"You know, it’s better that I don’t give them advice. Otherwise, magkakaluko-luko ang buhay nila. I give them the freedom to choose what they want to do. Danica is into culinary arts and I support her. She also sings. You know, kumakanta-kanta siya habang nagluluto. Oyo Boy is into acting; I think he’ll be a very good actor. Vico is into academics and basketball; he’s an officer of the student council at Brent. I think he’ll become a politician, he’s a leader. Paulina is good in school despite her absences and she’s doing well in sports (especially golf). I’m really proud of my children."
Are you more strict with your sons than you are with your daughters?
"No. ‘Yung paghihigpit, papel ‘yon ng mga Nanay. Fortunately, mabubuti ang mga Nanay nila. I give credit to their mothers for bringing up such wonderful children."
Are you okay with the children’s mothers?
"Hmmmmm. I try to maintain the friendship and the respect we have for each other. Hindi ako mahirap kausap, hindi ako maarte kausap. Madali akong pakisamahan."
Are you a spoiler?
"Not really. Nasa tamang lugar ang pag-i-spoil ko sa kanila (the children)."
Based on your colorful experience (with women), what advice can you give to other men?
"As much as possible, iwasan n’yo. It’s not advisable. Mahirap ‘yung sitwasyon na napasok ko. It’s hard not only for the parents but also, more so, for the children. Ako, suwerte pa dahil maganda ang pagpapalaki sa mga anak ko ng mga Nanay nila. Again, I wouldn’t advise other men to follow in my footsteps."