'Bossing' on the spot

As a child, Vic Sotto wanted to be a soldier. He remembers admiring a photo of a relative in military uniform. He liked it and wanted to be like him. But life had other plans for the youngest of four boys in the family — Tito, Val, Maru and Vic. Their parents were industrious government employees. Vic was papa’s boy; Mama was the disciplinarian. Being the youngest, Vic got the hand-me-down clothes. He was shy, even snobbish and was a good listener.

With an enviable reputation of being a ladies’ man, he actually claims that “Hindi ako marunong manligaw. I say it straight, I like you and I want to get to know you more.” He also doesn’t think he has that much-vaunted sex appeal. This reticence makes a lot of girls find him more sexually attractive.

Do you remember your first kiss? I asked him. “Yes,” he quipped. And that kiss was not with a girl but with a gay man. He was with his father strolling somewhere in Paco when they bumped into this gay man who I presume was known to their family. He found the young boy extremely good-looking and kissed him on the lips right in front of his clueless father. “I’m proud of you,” I told him in jest. Vic was a late bloomer in the love department. He says that it was in college when he started to get exposed to matters of the heart.

I sat in front of Vic for this interview marking my very first exhaustive conversation with him. It was his longest interview, I was told. “Pang two weeks,” we joked. Up-close, you know he is a serious, intelligent man. He listens intently. He speaks with candor and honesty. And yes, he’s funny. He may be shy but he is a generous conversationalist who converses not just with his words but with his eyes and pauses.

“There are rumors that you are moving to another channel,” I probed. “We are talking. There are negotiations with other networks.” This is in reference to his TV productions and not Eat, Bulaga!. Among all the roles he has essayed, his favorite is Enteng Kabisote. Vic is the type of actor/producer who is involved not only in the production development of the film but also in the creative aspect. “I study my scripts.”

Dolphy, owner of the King of Comedy title was once quoted to have said that if he has an heir apparent, it would be Vic Sotto. “There’s only one Dolphy,” he shot back.

Tito, Vic and Joey (TVC) have been together for decades now. More than just the work they have done together, what is admirable is the strong friendship they have nurtured in a business that is so fleeting. “You treat friends like family and you treat family like friends,” he declared.

Vic doesn’t claim to be a perfect man — much more a perfect father. “I have my share of shortcomings. I try to be a good provider. And I’m blessed my children have been raised well by their mothers.” He has remained friends with his children’s mothers.

It is a special connection he has with girlfriend Pia Guanio. Yes, they talk about settling down and getting married. They have meaningful, scintillating conversations. “Like me, Pia has a weird sense of humor.”

Vic is also known for being generous to upcoming, fledgling young comedians like Jose and Wally. “You don’t do comedy (unless you’re a stand-up comedian) alone. You do it with a team. And it’s healthy to work with aspiring comedians.” He invites everyone to watch his latest cinematic outing Love on Line which opened Aug. 19. With him in this movie are Paula Taylor, Melissa Ricks, Matt Evans and Ms. Gina Pareño. This movie chronicles the funny misadventures of people in search of love on the Net.

For all his successes Vic is grateful. “Thank you for the love, the laughter, the trust of our audience.”

Thank you too, Vic.

Spring Awakening at RCBC Plaza

Star-crossed young lovers Melchior Gabor and Wendla Bergman face adulthood’s challenges head on in the highly-anticipated staging of Duncan Sheik’s Tony award-winning rock musical Spring Awakening staged by Atlantis Productions as part of its 10th Anniversary.

Bringing the pair to life are Joaquin Valdes and Kelly Frances Lati. Joaquin is a familiar face on the Philippine stage as he has been performing since he was just 11; for Kelly, it will be her professional Philippine theater debut.

Spring Awakening runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187. Due to explicit content and some nudity, parental discretion is strongly advised. Director is Chari Arespacochaga.