# Vic Sotto

Marvic Valentin "Vic" Castelo Sotto (born April 28, 1954), popularly known as Bossing, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and television personality. Prolific in film and television in the Philippines since the 1970s, he is known for playing comedic roles in television sitcoms and films. He is also one of the three pioneer hosts of Eat Bulaga! with his elder brother Tito Sotto and Joey De Leon.
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, Sotto hosts the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! He became one of the founders of TVJ Productions, with Eat Bulaga! being carried over with it after leaving the original production company, TAPE Inc..
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 and background

Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto was born on April 28, 1954, to Marcelino Antonio "Nonong" Ojeda Sotto and Herminia Castelo Sotto. He has three brothers namely Val Sotto (b. 1945), Tito Sotto (b. 1948) and Marcelino Antonio Sotto Jr. (b. 1951). He finished his secondary education 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", as well as majority of the show's production staff, 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).

### Other ventures
#### Endorsements

Sotto is a product endorser. In 2024, he was the first and only official brand ambassador of PlayTime PH, a licensed online gambling.

## Personal life

Sotto married actress Dina Bonnevie in 1982 and had two children, one of whom is 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 had a relationship 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. 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 breakups. Jacob quit hosting Eat Bulaga! after ending the relationship, and Guanio stayed in the show.
Eventually, he married actress Pauleen Luna, who is also an Eat Bulaga! co-host. Their age gap is thirty-four years. They were married on January 30, 2016, at Saint James the Great Parish Church, in Ayala Alabang, and have two daughters.

## 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. 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 attorney 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—Tito Sotto had allegedly placed a pistol on the table in front of Paloma when he went to talk to her.
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.
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. In 2018, Sotto requested The Philippine Inquirer to remove published articles available online mentioning the Pepsi Paloma Case, claiming them to be "fake news" and damaging to his current reputation as a Senator.
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. Dela Cruz was murdered years later.
In January 2025, a Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court granted Sotto's petition and issued a writ of habeas data. The prerogative writ ordered the censorship of portions of the Pepsi Paloma promotional teaser trailer and at the same time required respondent Darryl Yap to submit an answer. On Cristy FerMinute, lawyer Enrique "Buko" V. Dela Cruz, Jr. said that Sotto's daughter was bullied in school because of Yap's alleged defamation. Sotto thereafter filed 19 cyber libel cases against Yap with the Muntinlupa Court, regarding the showing of The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma teaser trailer which mentioned Sotto's name. On January 24, the Court ordered Yap to delete his 26-second teaser video from all online video platforms and social media.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Production company |
| 1979 | Swing It Baby | Vic | Lea Productions |
| 1979 | Rock Baby Rock | Vic | Lea Productions |
| 1979 | Mang Kepweng | Tres Dwendes | GP Films |
| 1979 | Mamang Sorbetero | Ariston | JE Productions |
| 1980 | Ako, Ikaw...Magkaagaw | Greggy | JPM Productions |
| 1980 | Mr. One-Two-Three | Toto | JPM Productions |
| 1980 | Iskul Bukol | Vic Ungasis | GP Films |
| 1981 | Age Doesn't Matter | Enteng | Regal Films |
| 1981 | Palpak Connection | Jaworsky | GP Films |
| 1981 | Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2 | Toto | GP Films |
| 1981 | Bilibid Gays | Vic | GP Films |
| 1981 | D'Gradwets | Maverick | Regal Films |
| 1981 | Mag-toning Muna Tayo | Vic | GP Films |
| 1981 | Iskul Bukol | Vic Ungasis | GP Films |
| 1981 | Tartan | Tartan | GP Films |
| 1982 | Si Ako at... Tres Muskiteros! | Poldong Muskitero | GP Films |
| 1982 | Tatlo Silang Tatay Ko | Eastwood | 'D Wonder Films |
| 1983 | Buhay Misis | Ilyo | GP Films |
| 1984 | Goodah | Renato | Seiko Films |
| 1984 | Give Me Five! | Michael | Viva Films |
| 1984 | Naku Ha! | Toribio | Seiko Films |
| 1985 | Ride on Baby | Paul | Regal Films |
| 1985 | Super Wan-tu-tri | Gaspar | APG Films |
| 1985 | Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick | Ricky | Viva Films |
| 1985 | I Have Three Hands | Jovito 'Bitoy' Agatep | Regal Films |
| 1985 | Mama Said Papa Said I Love You | Bogs | Regal Films |
| 1985 | Ma'am May We Go Out | Chip Soriano | Viva Films |
| 1986 | Working Boys | Bert | Viva Films |
| 1986 | Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig | Eddie | Seiko Films |
| 1986 | Send in the Clowns | Ricky | Seiko Films |
| 1987 | Forward March | Omeng | Regal Films |
| 1987 | The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie | Vic Ungasis | Regal Films |
| 1987 | Shoot That Ball | Manoy | Regal Films |
| 1987 | Ready!.. Aim!.. Fire!.. | Sugar Ray | Cineventures |
| 1988 | Fly Me to the Moon | Galileo | Seiko Films |
| 1988 | Wake Up Little Susie | Napoleon Timawa | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Good Morning, Titser | Pedro | Regal Films |
| 1988 | Smith & Wesson | Jessie Wesson | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Si Malakas at si Maganda | Oyo / Malakas | Regal Films |
| 1989 | Gawa Na ang Bala para sa Akin | Nanding | Regal Films |
| 1990 | My Funny Valentine | Florante | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Hotdog | Jose | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Twist: Ako si Ikaw, Ikaw si Ako | Bogart | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Ganda Babae, Ganda Lalake | Victor | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Crocodile Jones: The Son of Indiana Dundee | Crocodile Jones | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Kabayo Kids | Jockey Nanding | Regal Films |
| 1990 | I Have 3 Eggs | Sylvester | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Samson & Goliath | Samson | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Iputok Mo... Dadapa Ako! (Hard to Die) | Bruce | OctoArts Films |
| 1991 | Onyong Majikero | Onyong | Regal Films |
| 1991 | Rocky Plus V | Rocky | Regal Films |
| 1991 | Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: The Movie | Enteng | M-Zet TV Productions, Inc. |
| 1992 | Ano Ba Yan? | Victor | OctoArts Films |
| 1992 | Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: Part 2 | Enteng | M-Zet TV Productions, Inc. |
| 1992 | Boy Anghel: Utak Pulburon | Boy Anghel | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1992 | Sam & Miguel (Your Basura, No Problema) | Sam | Regal Films |
| 1992 | Ang Tange Kong Pag-ibig | Restituto Roso | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1993 | Ano Ba 'Yan 2 | Victor Dimasupil | OctoArts Films |
| 1993 | Ang Kuya Kong Siga | Johnny | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1994 | Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling | Victor "Toryo" Dimasupil | Star Cinema |
| 1994 | Tunay na Magkaibigan, Walang Iwanan... Peksman! | Estong | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1994 | Once Upon a Time in Manila | Jet | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1995 | Isang Kahig, Tatlong Tuka... (Daddy Ka Na, Mommy Ka Pa!) | Victor | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1996 | Enteng and the Shaolin Kid | Enteng | Movie Arts Productions |
| 1996 | Lab en Kisses | Lab | OctoArts Films, GMA Films |
| 1997 | Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy | Victor | Star Cinema |
| 1997 | 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 |
| 2003 | Fantastic Man | Fredo / Fantastic Man | OctoArts Films |
| 2004 | Enteng Kabisote: OK Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend | Enteng Kabisote | OctoArts Films |
| 2005 | Perfect: Eat Bulaga Special | Himself | TAPE, Inc. |
| 2005 | Ispiritista: Itay, May Moomoo! | Victor | OctoArts Films |
| 2005 | The GMA All-Star Special | Himself | GMA Network |
| 2005 | 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 | Enteng Kabisote | OctoArts Films |
| 2007 | Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka Fairy Ko...The Beginning of the Legend | Enteng Kabisote | OctoArts Films |
| 2008 | Dobol Trobol: Lets Get Redi 2 Rambol! | Arthur Calaycay | RVQ Productions |
| 2008 | Scaregivers | Specialist Doctor | APT Entertainment |
| 2008 | Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After | Vic Ungasis | OctoArts Films |
| 2009 | Love on Line (LOL) | Samson Alumpihit Jr. | OctoArts Films |
| 2009 | Ang Darling Kong Aswang | Victor Lagman | OctoArts Films |
| 2010 | Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote | Enteng Kabisote | GMA Films |
| 2011 | Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! | Angelo | Star Cinema |
| 2011 | Enteng ng Ina Mo | Enteng Kabisote | Star Cinema |
| 2012 | D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! | Bossing Chairman | APT Entertainment |
| 2012 | 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 | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, Inc., APT Entertainment |
| 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 |
| 2024 | The Kingdom | Lakan Makisig | APT Entertainment, M-Zet Productions, MQuest Ventures |
| TBA | Petrang Kabisote | Enteng Kabisote | OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV Productions, APT Entertainment, Star Cinema & The IdeaFirst Company |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1975–1976 | OK Lang! | Himself/host | IBC |
| 1975–1979 | Discorama | Himself/ co-host | GMA Network |
| 1976–1979 | Student Canteen | Himself/ co-host | GMA Network |
| 1978–1988 | Iskul Bukol | Vic Ungasis | IBC |
| 1979–1981 | C.U.T.E. (Call Us Two for Entertainment) | Himself / host | IBC |
| 1979–present | Eat Bulaga! | Himself / host | RPN/CNN Philippines/RPTV ABS-CBN GMA Network TV5 |
| 1982–1983 | 2+2 | Himself / host | 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) | Himself / host | TV5 |
| 1992 | Rock n' Roll 2000 | Himself / host / performer | TV5 |
| 1994–1997 | Mixed nuts! (Numero Unong Terrific Show) | Himself / host | GMA Network |
| 1997 | 1 for 3 | Himself / host | GMA Network |
| 2001 | Korek na Korek Ka Dyan | Himself / host | GMA Network |
| 2001–2007 | Daddy Di Do Du | Kul | GMA Network |
| 2004 | Eat Bulaga! Silver Special | Himself / Host | GMA Network |
| 2005 | A Telefantastic Christmas: The GMA All-Star Special | Himself / Various Roles | GMA Network |
| 2007–2009 | Ful Haus | Ful | GMA Network |
| 2009–2015 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? | Himself / host | TV5 |
| 2010–2011 | My Darling Aswang | Victor | TV5 |
| 2010–2011 | LOL: Laugh Or Lose | Himself / host | TV5 |
| 2011 | R U Kidding Me! | Himself / host | TV5 |
| 2011–2012 | The Jose and Wally Show Starring Vic Sotto | Himself / host | TV5 |
| 2012–2013 | The Million Peso Money Drop | Himself / host | TV5 |
| 2013–2016 | Vampire ang Daddy Ko | Victor Ventura | GMA Network |
| 2014–2015 | Lucky Me Nam Nam Dear Bossing | Himself / hist | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Sukli ng Pagmamahal | Greg | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Sabado Badoo | Cameo | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Panata | Moises | GMA Network |
| 2016–2017 | Hay Bahay! | Vio | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Kaibigan | Vito | GMA Network |
| 2017–2018 | Bossing & Ai | Himself / host | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Taray ni Tatay | Mario delos Santos | GMA Network |
| 2018–2023 | Daddy's Gurl | Barak Otogan | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Ikigai: Buhay ng Buhay Ko | Tonio | GMA Network |
| 2022–present | Love, Bosleng and Tali | Himself | NET 25 |
| 2023–2024 | Open 24/7 | Elvis Zacharus "Boss Ez" Fontanilla | GMA Network |

## 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 | Won |
| 2009 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Comedy Box Office King | 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 | 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) | 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) | 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) | Won My Little Bossings |
| 2016 | 6th EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Film Actor of the Year for My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore | Won |