Stage actor gets caught reading

MANILA, Philippines - Those who watched PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo, at Limang Milyong Boto might still remember Victor Robinson III for playing Juan Tamad, the first-time voter too lazy to go out on Election Day and exercise his right to vote.

The 19-year-old Victor may not have had a professional background in theater, but since coming to Manila to study AB Communications at the Ateneo, he has already joined several theater productions.

Victor joins fellow Ateneans Chris Tiu, Robi Domingo, Nikki Gil, and Karylle as part of the National Book Development Board’s (NBDB) Get Caught Reading campaign.

An elementary and high school valedictorian, Victor has a knack for writing which he discovered before he began to participate in theatrical performances. He was editor-in-chief of his high school paper Ripples at the Ateneo de Iloilo (formerly Sta. Maria Catholic School) and won many awards for national writing contests.

Like other young people his age, he enjoys reading J.K. Rowling, Tolkien, and Dan Brown. Where Filipino writers are concerned, he likes the works of Alvin Yapan, and of Christine Bellen, whose children’s books have been adapted for the stage. Victor dreams of playing Filipino folklore characters like Lam-Ang or heroes like his fellow Ilonggo Graciano Lopez Jaena on stage.

An active member of several school-based organizations (aside from belonging to the Repertory, he is the community development officer of the Ateneo Student Catholic Action), Victor is enjoying student life. “There’s so much to it than just academics. (You get to gain more) friends and opportunities to develop your talents,” he says.

He adds his being a part of Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo, at Ang Limang Milyong Boto gave him the opportunity to influence people to vote for the right candidates. The school organization he belongs to tutors kids from less privileged families on basic reading and comprehension.

Victor is also the artist representative of Zest Air for Visayas and Mindanao. He goes to different provinces to host and perform in the airline’s art-related programs.