Vic Sotto‘s reputation as a comedian and a ladies’ man often paints a picture of a charismatic and confident personality who thrives in the spotlight. His quick wit, effortless charm, and towering presence have made him a beloved figure in Philippine showbiz, earning him the title “Bossing” among fans and colleagues. The revelation that he considers himself shy and reserved is a fascinating contradiction to his larger-than-life public persona.
“Shy type. Not really that sociable. I’m more of an introvert.” He wasn’t kidding. He is dead serious as he looks straight at the camera. He shifts positions slightly and tells Esquire Philippines, “Maybe you won’t believe me because I’m on television and in movies. But when I’m on TV, I’m a different person. Behind the camera is a different person again.”
He is one-third of the famous Tito, Vic, and Joey trio. He claims the other two are the talkers, and his job is to listen.
He and Piolo Pascual are headlining The Kingdom, which will be shown as part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Sotto plays Lakan Makisig, the ruler of the fictional kingdom.
Vic Sotto as Lakan Makisig and Piolo Pascual as Sulo
It’s a serious film–not of the fantasy-comedy kind like the Enteng Kabisote franchise Sotto is known for. The actor says he was startled when director Mike Tuviera offered him the chance to portray the Lakan. There was a moment of self-doubt for the veteran actor.
“I remember when Direk Mike first talked to me about the concept, about the film, sinabi niya sa ‘kin, ganito, ganyan, medyo na-shock ako. Medyo nagdalawang-isip ako kasi it’s a serious film, sabi nga ni direk, it’s a non-political political film. I was asking myself, ‘Bagay ba sa ‘kin?’ And another question was, ‘Kaya ko ba ‘to?'”
The story is set in a present-day, modern, alternate Philippines–the Kingdom of Kalayaan– where the ruling class are royals, and the government is a monarchy. It poses the question, “What if the Philippines was never colonized?”
The Lakan faces the dilemma over which of his three children will inherit the throne. Magat Bagwis, played by Sid Lucero, is known for his temper. Cristine Reyes, as Dayang Matimyas, is at odds with the Lakan due to her forbidden love for a political enemy. The youngest, Dayang Lualhati, played by Sue Ramirez, is preparing to marry a Thai prince but gets abducted on her wedding day, and is later saved by Sulo, a Tinatwa or outcast played by Pascual.
“It is something out of my comfort zone. it is an out-of-the-box concept that’s why I decided that I wanted to do this,” says Sotto.
He recalls having a conversation with his older children–Vico, Oyo, Danica, and Paulina–over dinner some time ago. During the discussion, one of them suggested that their Daddy Vic should consider doing a serious film for a change. The rest of the family agreed, and Vic said he’d think about it. He even joked that he might do a spinoff of Tom Hanks’ A Man Called Otto, humorously calling it A Man Called Sotto.
Anyone who knows Sotto would remember him for his antics in comedy films and witty banter as a host of Eat Bulaga. Playing Lakan Makisig in The Kingdom is the first time in his decades-long career that he has played a serious role in a serious family drama from start to finish. It’s also the first time he’s worked in an environment where everyone is serious on the set.
“It was some sort of awakening. Ito ang tunay na pelikula.” – Vic Sotto
“I’ve been in this business for more than half of my life and this is the first time na namulat ako sa tunay na buhay ng artista. I’ve done television shows, I’ve done movies before, quite a number of movies, but this is the first time na, I wouldn’t say na nahirapan ako, but it’s the first time na na-challenge ako. As in challenged talaga.”
Sotto says he had to transform for the film. He couldn’t raise an eyebrow or make faces like he did in his previous films. He had to change the way he spoke, and shift his demeanor to one becoming of a real king. So when he says “Ibang klaseng Vic Sotto ang makikita niyo dito,” there’s enough reason to believe so.
“I had to prepare a lot. I had to sit down with my director so many times and we talked about the character, the characterization,” he admits. “Because this is something new to me, what is a king like? We’re not familiar with that kind of character.”
“I really had to sit down with the director, so I will understand the character better. It’s very challenging. I had to rehearse my lines one week before the schedule, the shoot. Because the lines are malalim na Filipino. Matalinghaga, kumbaga.”
Sotto says that aside from the concept, plot, and production value, the opportunity to work with Pascual was one of the reasons he was attracted to the project.
“We belonged to different stations before, so we never had the chance to be together in one film. so this is one pagkakataon na hindi ko kayang palampasin.”
“Isa lang nadiskubre ko. I’ve heard the about this guy before magaling daw na artista. Napatunayan ko na he is a seriously good actor.”
Living the dream
The younger thespian only has good words to say about the veteran actor.
“One thing I discovered about Bosing is, you’re not going to last long in this business if your heart is not in the right place and, I must say, nakita ko,yung dedication niya sa craft, ‘yung commitment niya sa trabaho, ‘yung pagmamahal niya, not just sa trabaho pero sa paligid niya, sa envoronment niya, ‘yung professionalism,” Pascual says. “You’re not gonna, last long in this business staying on top, if you are not that good of a person, If your heart is not good. And that’s what I saw. Napakabait na tao ni Bossing. Sobra.
“I’ve always been a fan,” he adds. “Nakita ko pa lang siya para akong nangangarap it was like, living my dream, you know, na makasama ko ang isang Vic Sotto.”
Like Sotto, Pascual also had his work cut out for him. Playing Sulo, a Tinatwa or outcast, was definitely a challenge. Not only did he have to look the part with makeup and prosthetics and train for Filipino martial arts; he had to truly internalize his character and give justice to his portrayal.
“There was so much internalization I had to go through because of the depth of his pain,” he says about the character. “So that’s why I was always serious, I didn’t want to break character because napaka-importante ng interest ng character ko sa pelikula, so I had to hold on to it until the end, especially during a scene wherein, sabi nga ni Bossing, I was pacing back and forth because sobra ‘yung emotion ko.”
Pascual, who is an A-Lister and one of the biggest stars in Filipino movies, says he is immensely grateful for the opportunity to star in the film.
“It’s a humbling experience for me to be part of something so big. It’s something that we can be proud of as Filipinos and I’m really honored to be part of this as an artist.” – Piolo Pascual
“It’s for the country, it’s for us to realize the choices that we have in the what-ifs of our life,” he says about the film.
Like Sotto, Pascual hopes that Filipino moviegoers will troop to the cinemas on Christmas Day to watch The Kingdom, and bring home a lesson or two in patriotism.
“They should give importance to their color, their identity, who they are as a people, and to make sure that you identify as someone from a nation. A lot of realizations. I should say, because also of what’s happening in our nation, there’s a lot to take away, for sure.”
The Kingdom, directed by Michael Tuviera, is premiering on December 25 in cinemas nationwide.
Story: Jill Tan Radovan
Production: Christa I. De La Cruz
Editor-in-Chief: Paul John Caña
Creative Direction: Igi Talao
Photography: Joseph Pascual
Video: Yanie Cruz and Mig Mabanta
Location: Cignal CX Studio
For Piolo Pascual
Styling: Ton Lao, assisted by Mel Calmante
Grooming: Donald Magbojos
For Vic Sotto
Styling: Abby Paulino, assisted by Danril Escamillas and Faye Cuenco
Makeup: Denise Ochoa
Hair: Jayvee Flores
Special thanks to media.Xchange.
Originally published on Esquire.
