Vic Sotto | |
---|---|
Born | Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto April 28, 1954 Manila, Philippines |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1976–present |
Spouses | |
Children | 5, including Oyo Boy and Vico |
Relatives | Sotto family |
Marvic Valentin "Vic" Castelo Sotto (born April 28, 1954) is a Filipino actor and television personality. Prolific in Philippine film and television in the Philippines since the 1970s, he is known for playing comedic roles in television sitcoms and films.
Sotto began his career in the 1970s as a member of the disco band VST & Company, where he helped the group popularize the hit songs "Ikaw ang Aking Mahal", "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", "Magsayawan", and "Rock Baby Rock". He later formed a trio with his brother Tito and Joey de Leon, where they starred together in the long-running sitcom Iskul Bukol (1978–1988). From 1979 to 2023, Sotto hosts the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! until 2023, where he left from the show's production company TAPE Inc. due to a dispute. He became one of the founders of TVJ Productions, and currently hosts E.A.T. for 6 months before the show was renamed to its original title Eat Bulaga!.
Sotto has appeared in the other sitcoms Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!, Daddy Di Do Du, Ful Haus, Vampire ang Daddy Ko, Hay, Bahay!, Daddy's Gurl and Open 24/7. In film, he played the lead role as the title character in the Enteng Kabisote film series. His other notable films include Lastikman (2003), Ang Darling Kong Aswang (2009), My Little Bossings (2013), Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles (2018), and Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity (2019). He has also ventured into television hosting, appearing in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Bossing & Ai.
Early life
Vic Sotto was born as Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto on April 28, 1954, at Manila, Philippines. He is the youngest son of Marcelino Antonio Ojeda Sotto Sr. (1917–1999) and Dr. Herminia Castelo. He has three brothers namely Val Sotto (b. 1945), Tito Sotto (b. 1948) and Marcelino Antonio Sotto, Jr. (b. 1951).
Sotto comes from a notable political family in the Philippines. His paternal grandfather was Vicente Sotto y Yap, who infamously authored the Press Freedom Law of 1946 during his term in the Senate. His granduncle, Filemon Sotto, also served as a member of the House of Representatives for four consecutive terms and a senator in the 1910s, while his brother, Tito, served as a senator from the 1992 to 2004 and again from 2010 to 2022.
Education
He studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Career
Early career
He started his career as a folk singer and guitarist. During these years, Sotto was also the lead vocalist of the disco funk band VST & Company. He produced such songs as "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", "Rock Baby Rock", and "Kung Sakali".
He joined his brothers Tito and Val in the early 1970s gag show OK Lang under IBC 13. This is where he met another comedian, Joey de Leon, who invited the brothers to join him. The trio of Tito, Vic and Joey (TVJ) was thus formed, casting in Iskul Bukol, TVJ (Television's Jesters), Rock and Roll 2000 and hosting Eat Bulaga!.
Tito, Vic and Joey
In 1976, the Sotto brothers Tito, Vic and Val were invited by former OK Lang co-star Joey de Leon to co-host an episode of GMA Network's late afternoon variety show Discorama hosted by Bobby Ledesma. Only Tito and Vic accepted de Leon's invitation. The newly formed trio began to do comedy newscast segments interspersed with Top 40 hit-song parodies. Originally, the trio's appearance was supposed to be a one-off invitation as Discorama was set to be axed but after getting good feedback from the viewers and ratings were high, the show was given a new lease on life by GMA management. The trio was later invited to become part of the noontime show Student Canteen as they released 12 albums based on their Discorama Tough Hits segment.
The sitcom Iskul Bukol that gave them nationwide fame as comedians. Soon after, other TV and movie offers came knocking on the trio's door.
In 1979, Tito, Vic and Joey began hosting the noontime show Eat Bulaga!, which was pitted against the more established Student Canteen. Not long after, Eat Bulaga! toppled Student Canteen from the ratings. The trio was still active on both Holy Week Dramas every Lenten Season and also on comedy variety show on Eat Bulaga! until their departure from the show 2023.
TVJ–TAPE Inc. dispute
On May 31, 2023, Tito, Vic, and Joey announced their departure from TAPE Inc., the producer of the longtime variety show Eat Bulaga! They cited the refusal of the company's new management to allow the show to go live as a potential reason for their departure. Not long after, the other hosts and mainstays known as the "Dabarkads" resigned as well.
In June 2023, TVJ announced their move to TV5, where they began hosting a new variety show called E.A.T. that aired on July 1 until January 6, 2024 when the show brought back the original title Eat Bulaga!.
Later career
In the last three decades, he has done sitcoms and television shows for three networks, ABS-CBN, GMA Network and TV5 (most of which were for GMA).
Personal life
Sotto married actress Dina Bonnevie in 1982 and had two children, one of whom is notable actor Oyo Boy Sotto. The married couple broke up in 1986 before their marriage was annulled in 1992. Actress Coney Reyes joined Eat Bulaga! in 1982 as Chiqui Hollman's replacement. During her hosting stint, Coney and Vic got together and had a son, politician Vico Sotto. Angela Luz was a one-time leading lady for Vic in the television series Okay Ka, Fairy Ko when they got together sometime after he broke up with Coney Reyes. Angela Luz gave birth to Vic Sotto's fourth child.
He also had relationships with his fellow Eat Bulaga! co-hosts, Christine Jacob in the early 1990s and Pia Guanio in the late 2000s, but both ended in a breakup. While Christine Jacob quit hosting Eat Bulaga! after ending the relationship, Pia Guanio decided to stay in the show.
Eventually, he married young actress Pauleen Luna, who is also an Eat Bulaga! co-host. They were married in 2016[1] and have one child, who is the youngest of Sotto's five children.[2]
Sotto also has nine grandchildren (three from Danica, five from Oyo, and one from Paulina).
Controversies
Pepsi Paloma gang rape case
In 1982, the 15-year old actress Pepsi Paloma accused Sotto and fellow comedians Joey de Leon and Richie D'Horsie of gang raping and taking photos of her on June 21 in a room at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. On July 31, Paloma's manager Rey Dela Cruz lodged a formal complaint with Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. On August 18, Paloma filed charges of rape and acts of lasciviousness against the three television personalities before the Quezon City fiscal's office.[3] The crime of rape at the time, carried the death penalty in the Philippines, and to prevent his brother from being sent to the electric chair, Tito Sotto quickly went to see Paloma while she was still securing the services of Atty. Rene Cayetano. According to Paloma, Tito Sotto pressured her into signing an "Affidavit of Desistance" to drop the rape charges against his brother and cohorts[4]—Tito Sotto had allegedly placed a pistol on the table in front of Paloma when he went to talk to her.[5]
In exchange for the dismissal of the charges of rape, Vic Sotto, de Leon and D'Horsie issued a public apology to Paloma:
We hope that you will not allow the error we have committed against you to stand as a stumbling block to that future which we all look forward to. We therefore ask you to find it in your heart to pardon us for the wrong which we have done against you.[6]
Despite the suspects' earlier apology, Tito Sotto has maintained his position against any involvement in the whitewashing of the rape case and alleges that the scandal was a gimmick by Paloma's party for publicity. Again, in spite of a live apology issued to the people, Sotto said that he was not involved as a perpetrator in the rape of Paloma and he denied using his position in government to influence the court decision. Sotto became Vice Mayor in Quezon City in 1988 before being elected as a Senator in 1992.[7][8] In 2018, Sotto requested The Philippine Inquirer to remove published articles available online mentioning the Pepsi Paloma Case, claiming them to be "fake news"[9] and damaging to his current reputation as a Senator.[10][11]
In May 1985, Paloma was found dead in an apparent suicide, though evidence suggests this was actually murder in order to prevent her from testifying against Sotto in court.[12] Dela Cruz was murdered years later.[13]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Production company |
---|---|---|---|
1979 | Swing It Baby | Vic | Lea Productions |
Rock Baby Rock | |||
Mang Kepweng | Tres Dwendes | GP Films | |
Mamang Sorbetero | Ariston | JE Productions | |
1980 | Ako, Ikaw...Magkaagaw | Greggy | JPM Productions |
Mr. One-Two-Three | Toto | ||
Iskul Bukol | Vic Ungasis | GP Films | |
1981 | Age Doesn't Matter | Enteng | Regal Films |
Palpak Connection | Jaworsky | GP Films | |
Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2 | Toto | ||
Bilibid Gays | Vic | ||
D'Gradwets | Maverick | Regal Films | |
Mag-toning Muna Tayo | Vic | GP Films | |
Iskul Bukol | Vic Ungasis | ||
Tartan | Tartan | ||
1982 | Si Ako at... Tres Muskiteros! | Poldong Muskitero | |
Tatlo Silang Tatay Ko | Eastwood | 'D Wonder Films | |
1983 | Buhay Misis | Ilyo | GP Films |
1984 | Goodah | Renato | Seiko Films |
Give Me Five! | Michael | Viva Films | |
Naku Ha! | Toribio | Seiko Films | |
1985 | Ride on Baby | Paul | Regal Films |
Super Wan-tu-tri | Gaspar | APG Films | |
Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick | Ricky | Viva Films | |
I Have Three Hands | Jovito 'Bitoy' Agatep | Regal Films | |
Mama Said Papa Said I Love You | Bogs | ||
Ma'am May We Go Out | Chip Soriano | Viva Films | |
1986 | Working Boys | Bert | |
Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig | Eddie | Seiko Films | |
Send in the Clowns | Ricky | ||
1987 | Forward March | Omeng | Regal Films |
The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie | Vic Ungasis | ||
Shoot That Ball | Manoy | ||
Ready!.. Aim!.. Fire!.. | Sugar Ray | Cineventures | |
1988 | Fly Me to the Moon | Galileo | Seiko Films |
Wake Up Little Susie | Napoleon Timawa | Regal Films | |
Good Morning, Titser | Pedro | ||
Smith & Wesson | Jessie Wesson | Viva Films | |
1989 | Si Malakas at si Maganda | Oyo / Malakas | Regal Films |
Gawa Na ang Bala para sa Akin | Nanding | ||
1990 | My Funny Valentine | Florante | |
Hotdog | Jose | ||
Twist: Ako si Ikaw, Ikaw si Ako | Bogart | ||
Ganda Babae, Ganda Lalake | Victor | ||
Crocodile Jones: The Son of Indiana Dundee | Crocodile Jones | ||
Kabayo Kids | Jockey Nanding | ||
I Have 3 Eggs | Sylvester | ||
Samson & Goliath | Samson | ||
Iputok Mo... Dadapa Ako! (Hard to Die) | Bruce | OctoArts Films | |
1991 | Onyong Majikero | Onyong | Regal Films |
Rocky Plus V | Rocky | ||
Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: The Movie | Enteng | M-Zet TV Productions, Inc. | |
1992 | Ano Ba Yan? | Victor | OctoArts Films |
Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: Part 2 | Enteng | M-Zet TV Productions, Inc. | |
Boy Anghel: Utak Pulburon | Boy Anghel | Movie Arts Productions | |
Sam & Miguel (Your Basura, No Problema) | Sam | Regal Films | |
Ang Tange Kong Pag-ibig | Restituto Roso | Movie Arts Productions | |
1993 | Ano Ba 'Yan 2 | Victor Dimasupil | OctoArts Films |
Ang Kuya Kong Siga | Johnny | Movie Arts Productions | |
1994 | Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling | Victor "Toryo" Dimasupil | Star Cinema |
Tunay na Magkaibigan, Walang Iwanan... Peksman! | Estong | Movie Arts Productions | |
Once Upon a Time in Manila | Jet | ||
1995 | Isang Kahig, Tatlong Tuka... (Daddy Ka Na, Mommy Ka Pa!) | Victor | |
1996 | Enteng and the Shaolin Kid | Enteng | |
1997 | Lab en Kisses | Lab | OctoArts Films, GMA Films |
Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy | Victor | Star Cinema | |
Enteng en Mokong: Kaming mga Mababaw ang Kaligayahan | Andrew | MAQ Productions | |
1998 | D'Sisters: Nuns of the Above | Victor Dimasupil / Sister Victoria | GMA Films |
1999 | Basta't Ikaw... Nanginginig Pa | Enteng | Viva Films |
2000 | Bakit Ba Ganyan? (Ewan Ko Nga Ba, Darling) | Ricky Belo | M-Zet TV Productions, Inc. |
2003 | Lastikman | Larry / Lastikman | OctoArts Films |
Fantastic Man | Fredo / Fantastic Man | ||
2004 | Enteng Kabisote: OK Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend | Enteng Kabisote | |
2005 | Perfect: Eat Bulaga Special | Himself | TAPE, Inc. |
Ispiritista: Itay, May Moomoo! | Victor | OctoArts Films | |
The GMA All-Star Special | Himself | GMA Network | |
Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend Continues! | Enteng Kabisote | OctoArts Films | |
2006 | Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On | ||
2007 | Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka Fairy Ko...The Beginning of the Legend | ||
2008 | Dobol Trobol: Lets Get Redi 2 Rambol! | Arthur Calaycay | RVQ Productions |
Scaregivers | Specialist Doctor | APT Entertainment | |
Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After | Vic Ungasis | OctoArts Films | |
2009 | Love on Line (LOL) | Samson Alumpihit Jr. | |
Ang Darling Kong Aswang | Victor Lagman | ||
2010 | Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote | Enteng Kabisote | GMA Films |
2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Angelo | Star Cinema |
Enteng ng Ina Mo | Enteng Kabisote | ||
2012 | D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Bossing Chairman | APT Entertainment |
Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako | Enteng Kabisote | GMA Films | |
2013 | My Little Bossings | Torky Villanueva | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, Inc. APT Entertainment, Kris Aquino Productions |
2014 | My Big Bossing's Adventures | Bossing / Vince / Torius | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment |
2015 | My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore | Vito Carillo | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment, MEDA Productions, GMA Films |
2016 | Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers | Enteng Kabisote | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment |
2017 | Meant to Beh | Ronaldo Balatbat | |
2018 | Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles | Perfecto "Popoy / Pops" Fernandez | CCM Film Productions, APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions |
2019 | Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity | Don Robert Fortun | APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Network |
---|---|---|---|
1975–1976 | OK Lang! | Himself/host | IBC |
1975–1979 | Discorama | Himself/ co-host | GMA Network |
1976–1979 | Student Canteen | ||
1978–1988 | Iskul Bukol | Vic Ungasis | IBC] |
1979–1981 | C.U.T.E. (Call Us Two for Entertainment) | Himself / host | |
1979–present | Eat Bulaga! | RPN (CNN Philippines) ABS-CBN GMA Network TV5 | |
1982–1983 | 2+2 | Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation | |
1987–1997 | Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! | Enteng Kabisote | RPN ABS-CBN GMA Network |
1988 | Coney Reyes on Camera | Himself / guest | RPN |
1989–1992 | TVJ (TeleVision's Jesters) | Himself / host | IBC |
1992 | TVJ on 5 (TeleVision's Jesters on 5) | TV5 | |
Rock n' Roll 2000 | Himself / host / performer | ||
1994–1997 | Mixed nuts! (Numero Unong Terrific Show) | Himself / host | GMA Network |
1997 | 1 for 3 | ||
2001 | Korek na Korek Ka Dyan | ||
2001–2007 | Daddy Di Do Du | Kul | |
2004 | Eat Bulaga! Silver Special | Himself / Host | |
2005 | A Telefantastic Christmas: The GMA All-Star Special | Himself / Various Roles | |
2007–2009 | Ful Haus | Ful | |
2009–2015 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? | Himself / host | TV5 |
2010–2011 | My Darling Aswang | Victor | |
LOL: Laugh Or Lose | Himself / host | ||
2011 | R U Kidding Me! | ||
2011–2012 | The Jose and Wally Show Starring Vic Sotto | ||
2012–2013 | The Million Peso Money Drop | ||
2013–2016 | Vampire ang Daddy Ko | Victor Ventura | GMA Network |
2014–2015 | Lucky Me Nam Nam Dear Bossing | Himself / hist | |
2015 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Sukli ng Pagmamahal | Greg | |
Sabado Badoo | Cameo | ||
2016 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Panata | Moises | |
2016–2017 | Hay Bahay! | Vio | |
2017 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Kaibigan | Vito | |
2017–2018 | Bossing & Ai | Himself / host | |
2018 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Taray ni Tatay | Mario delos Santos | |
2018–2023 | Daddy's Gurl | Barak Otogan | |
2019 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Ikigai: Buhay ng Buhay Ko | Tonio | |
2022–present | Love, Bosleng and Tali | Himself | NET 25 |
2023–present | Open 24/7 | Elvis Zacharus "Boss Ez" Fontanilla | GMA Network |
2023–2024 | E.A.T. | Himself / host | TV5 |
Awards and nominations
Year(s) | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Guillermo Mendoza's Entertainment Awards | Five-time Box-Office King | Won | |
1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2003 and 2004 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Won Okay Ka Fairy Ko Daddy Di Do Du (GMA) |
1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998 2000, 2003, and 2008 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Male Variety Show Host | Won Eat Bulaga! (GMA) |
2006-07 2009 | Enpress | Best Male Variety Host | Won Eat Bulaga! (GMA) |
2007 | Guillermo Mendoza's Entertainment Awards | Comedy Box Office King | Won |
2008 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | All Time Box-Office King Special Award[14] | Won |
2009 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Comedy Box Office King[15] | Won (with Dolphy for Dobol Trobol) |
2009 | 35th Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Festival Actor for Ang Darling Kong Aswang | Nominated |
2010 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Comedy Box Office King[16] | Won |
2010 | GME | Comedy Box Office King | Won |
2010 | Eastwood City Walk Of Fame | Celebrity Inductee | Won |
2010-11 | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Game Show Host | Won Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (TV5) |
2011-12 | NSSUU | Best Variety Game Show Host | Won Eat Bulaga! (GMA) |
2011 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Box-Office Kings (with Bong Revilla)[17] | Won Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote |
2011 | 37th Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Festival Actor for Enteng Ng Ina Mo | Nominated |
2012 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Box-Office Tandem (with Ai Ai delas Alas)[18] | Won Enteng Ng Ina Mo |
2013 | Reader's Digest | Most Trusted TV Host for Entertainment and Variety | Won Eat Bulaga! (GMA) |
2013 | Yahoo! Philippines OMG! Awards | Favorite Male TV Host of the Year | Won Eat Bulaga! (GMA) |
2013 | 39th Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Festival Actor for My Little Bossings | Nominated |
2014 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Phenomenal Stars (with Vice Ganda)[19] | Won My Little Bossings |
2016 | 6th EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Film Actor of the Year for My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore | Won |
References
- ↑ Policarpio, Allan (January 31, 2016). "Vic Sotto weds Pauleen Luna: A promise of forever". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Vic Sotto's big news: wife Pauleen Luna pregnant". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. May 6, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ↑ del Carmen, Cristina P. (September 29, 1982). "It Hurts Only When They Laugh". Who.
- ↑ Rodis, Rodel (March 5, 2014). "The rape of Pepsi Paloma". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018.
- ↑ Jimenez-David, Rina (November 3, 2012). "Jimmy Savile and our own 'lovable louts'". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- ↑ "_". People's Journal. October 13, 1982.
- ↑ De Jesus, Topel V. (March 3, 2016). "Tito Sotto denies whitewashing Pepsi Paloma rape case". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Tito Sotto: Pepsi Paloma scandal was a 'gimmick'". ABS-CBN News. March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Sotto: Pepsi Paloma rape stories are 'fake news'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ↑ "INQUIRER.net statement on the Pepsi Paloma stories". July 5, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ↑ "Beware The Streisand Effect: a Short Explainer for Sen. Tito Sotto". Esquire. June 18, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ↑ Rodis, Rodel (March 15, 2014). "Was Pepsi Paloma murdered?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018.
- ↑ Smith, Chuck D. (July 20, 2017). "I am the son of a dead '80s bold star". Esquire.
- ↑ "The 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards (Part 2)". Pep.ph. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
- ↑ "40th Box Office Entertainment Awards given out". Pep.ph. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "ABS-CBN big winner at GMMSF Entertainment Awards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "42nd Box-Office Entertainment Awards honors outstanding actors and actresses of 2010". Pep.ph. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Vice Ganda named Phenomenal Box-Office Star; Derek Ramsay is Box-Office King while Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes share Box-Office Queen title" Archived 2015-07-01 at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- ↑ "Star Cinema named most popular film producer". Star Cinema. Retrieved May 19, 2014.