THE recent cyber-libel case that comedian/TV host filed against controversial director Darryl Yap, is undoubtedly a headline-hogging news. Yet, Vic looks unfazed and unbothered even in facing the media for his latest product endorsement.

He remains cool and collected. He insisted his conscience is clear.

“I’m good. I’m relaxed, just going with the flow,” said Vic. “Basta ako naman, I trust in God because I have a clean conscience. Malinis ang pakiramdam ko. Wala namang dapat ika-worry. You’ll only be stressed kapag inisip mo. So relax lang ako.”

On January 9, 2004, Vic filed 19 counts of cyber libel against director Darryl Yap, who is behind the film, “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.” The case stems from the film’s promotional materials, which allegedly suggests Vic’s involvement in the decades-old controversy surrounding late actress Pepsi Paloma. For the case, Vic is seeking P35 million in damages.

Apparently, Vic is handling the situation well. “Daanan mo lang ng daanan,” he said. “Isa lang naman ang pupuntahan natin. Basta diretso ang daan. ‘Yun ang importante. Bawal ang paliko-liko.”

He is thankful to the support given by his loved ones, friends, even fans and supporters. “They show their all-out support for me,” Vic said. “Kahit ano ang mangyari, sama-sama kami.

“Ramdam na ramdam ko ang support sa akin lalo na ang mga kaibigan natin sa media. I really appreciate it. Of course, I also appreciate my family – my wife, my children – my friends. Maraming salamat dahil sila ang nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob sa akin.”

Vic is thankful that his long-time friends and “Eat Bulaga!” co-hosts Joey de Leon and Tito Sotto, who constantly extend their all-out support to him. “Kahit ano’ng mangyari, sama-sama kami,” Vic said.

“Ako ‘yung relaxed lang always. Hindi ko masyadong pino-problema ang mga nangyayari. Alam ko hindi tayo bibigyan ng problema ng Panginoon kung hindi natin kayang ayusin.”

Even Pauleen Luna, his wife of nearly a decade now, is also behind him. “I take the lead,” Vic pointed out. “Chill lang siya. Even my kids, chill lang sila.”

Vic and Pauleen were earlier scheduled to go to Los Angeles for the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), where “The Kingdom” was supposed to be screened.

“I think it’s cancelled now,” Vic said. “The Kingdom” will be showing in other countries, though

Asked if the couple plans to have another baby, Vic joked, “Hindi ko alam kung kaya pa ni Pauleen. Ako kaya ko pa, just ask her kung pwede pa siya.” (Laughed)

The couple’s second child, Baby Mochi, is turning a year old in January 23. “Ang bilis ng panahon,” Vic said. “I’m just thankful that she’s healthy and very beautiful baby.

“Nakakatayo nang mag-isa. Pero mga two seconds pa lang, bagsak na ulit. Kung may kasunod, I always leave it up to God to bless us with another child.”

Doesn’t he aspire for a baby boy for him and Pauleen? “Okay na. Ang dami kong apo na lalaki. Ang gugulo ‘pag nasa bahay. Oyo has five boys. Si Danica naman may dalawang lalaki.

“‘Pag nasa bahay ‘yung mga apo kong lalaki, parang may riot palagi. Ang gugulo. Okay na sa akin ang mga anak na babae. They are very sweet. Malambing.

“I always look forward to going home. Tanggal lahat ng pagod ko sa trabaho when I see my daughters who are really kind.

“Ewan ko kung Daddy’s Girl ang tawag mo kung hindi tumatanggi sa gusto ng anak. Sa Mommy no. Pagdating sa akin, yes.”

“Live more, achieve more, do more” is the tag of Sante Barley, a leading global provider of organic health and wellness products. Santé has built its reputation as a trusted name in health and wellness.

“More than just endorsing Sante Barley, he has been an inspiration to the Sante family globally,” emphasized Joey Marcelo Sante Barley CEO (chief executive officer) Joey Marcelo.

“Vic’s ability to connect with people and his genuine approach to wellness make him the perfect partner for Santé,” added Joey “We’re excited to see how this collaboration will inspire Filipinos to make health and wellness a priority.”

Vic is the type of person who believes there’s always room for improvement. “For instance, in the movies I already tried doing a very serious role. Baka pwede pang sundan ng isa pa.

“Or maybe a serious role with touches of comedy. I always tell myself that I need to improve. I wanted to do more.”

One of the much-awaited events that Vic disclosed is the 50th anniversary of “Eat Bulaga!” in 2029. “We are on our 46th year this 2025, so four years to go,” he said proudly. “Mabilis na ‘yun. Parang kailan lang nagsisimula pa lang kami.

“Now, we’re 46 years already and we’re very thankful to God at sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na tumatangkilik sa ‘Eat Bulaga!’ Mga kaibigan sa press na hanggang ngayon kasama pa rin natin.”

Vic insisted he does not have any secret to his durability and long life. “I am always thankful to fate,” he said. “Kung ano man ang estado ko ngayon, I always lift everything to God.

“Siya naman talaga ang director natin. Siya rin ang producer. Siya na lahat. Ako, I just go with the flow. From doing ‘Okay Ka, Fairy Ko’ to ‘Lastikman, the ‘Enteng Kabisote’ series, which were all successful, who would have thought that I would get an offer to do a very serious role, to do a very serious film?

“I just did my best and gave my role a hundred percent. What is important is to love what we do. Mahalin natin ang pelikulang Pilipino at alagaan natin ang pelikulang Pilipino. Kung maitataas natin ang antas, tayo rin naman ang makikinabang.

“Maliit lang ang ating industriya. Pagtulong-tulungan natin na maitaas ang kalidad. I’m just very happy and proud that I was a part of a film that you can be proud of all over the world.”

As the youngest of four boys after Val, Tito and Maru, Vic has always remained quiet. “I’m more of a listener than a talker,” said Vic. “When I was growing up, I needed to listen to all the brothers ahead of me. I grew up that way. Always listening to the ones older than me

“I only talk when it’s time to talk. I won’t say I’m an introvert. But I’m really the shy type. If we’re new friends, if you don’t talk to me, I also will not talk to you. But once I get to be comfortable with you, we can share stories. Mga kasama ko sa ‘Eat Bulaga!,’ si Joey, Allan K, they are all talkers.”

Prior to “Eat Bulaga!,” Tito, Vic and Joey had known each other from “Discorama,” a variety show with Bobby Ledesma. “That’s 50 years of knowing Tito and Joey and being together with them,” Vic granted.

“When an offer came to host a noontime show, tinaggap namin. We had ‘Iskul Bukol’ then went separate ways. I had ‘Okay Ka, Fairy Ko’ and sina Joey had ‘TODAS.’ ‘Yung main home namin is ‘Eat Bulaga!’

“We’ve been through a lot during the early years of ‘Eat Bulaga!’ Maraming pagsubok, Hindi kami sumu-sweldo dahil walang benta, pero tiis-tiis lang kasi napamahal na sa amin ang programa. So up to now, buo ang respeto namin sa isa’t-isa.

“Kami ni Joey, magkaibigan kami but we treat each other as brothers. Kami ni Tito, magkapatid kami, but we treat each other as friends. The strong bond is there. Mahirap ng tibagin.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio