Vic Sotto

Marvic Valentin "Vic" Castelo Sotto (born April 28, 1954), popularly known as Bossing, is a Filipino actor, comedian, television presenter, and producer. Active in Philippine film and television since the 1970s, he is known for his comedic roles in sitcoms and films. He is also one of the original hosts of Eat Bulaga!, alongside 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, contributing to hit songs such as "Ikaw ang Aking Mahal", "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko", "Magsayawan", and “Rock Baby Rock". He later formed the trio TVJ with his brother Tito and Joey de Leon; the group starred in the long-running sitcom Iskul Bukol (1978–1988). Since 1979, Sotto has hosted the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga! He is also a co-founder of TVJ Productions, which continued producing Eat Bulaga! after departing from the original production company, TAPE Inc..

Sotto has appeared in several sitcoms, including Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! (1987–1997), Daddy Di Do Du (2001–2007), Ful Haus (2007–2009), Vampire ang Daddy Ko (2013–2016), Hay, Bahay! (2016–2017), Daddy's Gurl (2018–2023), and Open 24/7 (2023–2024). In film, he portrayed the title role in the Enteng Kabisote series (1991–2016). 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 hosted television programs such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (2009–2015), and Bossing & Ai (2017–2018).

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: 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.

Sotto lived for many years in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. In 2017, he was honored as Ang Natatanging Anak ng Kabanatuan (ANAK) by the city government during the annual Banatu Festival, in recognition of his contributions to the Philippine entertainment industry. The award held special significance for Sotto, who stated in his speech that he spent half of his life in Cabanatuan.

Career Before gaining recognition in the 1970s, Sotto began as a singer and guitarist at Vicor Music Corporation, where his brother Tito Sotto also worked. His debut solo album with the label was successful. He later formed VST & Company with his brothers Tito and Val, which produced dance hits such as "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko" and "Rock, Baby, Rock" (1978). He later joined the gag show OK Lang on IBC 13, where he formed a trio with his brother Tito and comedian Joey de Leon, known as TVJ. The group subsequently rose to prominence on the GMA Network variety shows Discorama (1975–1977) and Student Canteen (1975–1986) and gained their largest television following through the hit sitcom Iskul Bukol (1978–1988). This success led to their selection as hosts of Eat Bulaga! (1979–present), the longest-running noontime variety show on Philippine television.

Other ventures Sotto is a product endorser. In 2024, he was the first and only official brand ambassador of PlayTime PH, a licensed online gambling corporation. Sotto also produced films and television programs under his production company, M-Zet Productions. These include Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! (1987–1997), 1 for 3 (1997–2001), Daddy Di Do Du (2001–2007), Ful Haus (2007–2009), Vampire ang Daddy Ko (2013–2016), Hay, Bahay! (2016–2017), Daddy’s Gurl (2018–2023), and Open 24/7 (2023–2024).

Personal life Sotto married Dina Bonnevie in 1982, and they had two children: Danica (born 1983) and Oyo (born 1984). The couple separated in 1986, and their marriage was annulled in 1992. Actress Coney Reyes joined Eat Bulaga! in 1982–1991 as a replacement for Chiqui Hollmann. During her tenure, she had a relationship with Sotto, and they had a son, politician Vico Sotto (b. 1989). Angela Luz was a former leading lady of Sotto in the television series Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!; they began a relationship after his separation from Coney Reyes. Luz later gave birth to Vic Sotto's fourth child, Paulina. Sotto had a relationship with fellow Eat Bulaga! co-host Pia Guanio in the 2000s.

He later married actress Pauleen Luna, also an Eat Bulaga! co-host. They have a 34-year age gap. The couple wed 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:

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 1979 Swing It Baby Vic Rock Baby Rock Mang Kepweng Tres Dwendes Mamang Sorbetero Ariston 1980 Ako, Ikaw...Magkaagaw Greggy Mr. One-Two-Three Toto Iskul Bukol Vic Ungasis 1981 Age Doesn't Matter Enteng Palpak Connection Jaworsky Mr. One-Two-Three Part 2 Toto Bilibid Gays Vic D'Gradwets Maverick Mag-toning Muna Tayo Vic Iskul Bukol Vic Ungasis Tartan Tartan 1982 Si Ako at... Tres Muskiteros! Poldong Muskitero Tatlo Silang Tatay Ko Eastwood 1983 Buhay Misis Ilyo 1984 Goodah Renato Give Me Five! Michael Naku Ha! Toribio 1985 Ride on Baby Paul Super Wan-tu-tri Gaspar Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick Ricky I Have Three Hands Jovito 'Bitoy' Agatep Mama Said Papa Said I Love You Bogs Ma'am May We Go Out Chip Soriano 1986 Working Boys Bert Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig Eddie Send in the Clowns Ricky 1987 Forward March Omeng The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie Vic Ungasis Shoot That Ball Manoy Ready!.. Aim!.. Fire!.. Sugar Ray 1988 Fly Me to the Moon Galileo Wake Up Little Susie Napoleon Timawa Good Morning, Titser Pedro Smith & Wesson Jessie Wesson 1989 Si Malakas at si Maganda Oyo / Malakas 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 Dilis1991 Onyong Majikero Onyong Rocky Plus V Rocky Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: The Movie Enteng Kabisote1992 Ano Ba Yan? Victor Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: Part 2 Enteng Kabisote Boy Anghel: Utak Pulburon Boy Anghel Sam & Miguel (Your Basura, No Problema) Sam Ang Tange Kong Pag-ibig Restituto Roso 1993 Ano Ba 'Yan 2 Victor Dimasupil Ang Kuya Kong Siga Johnny 1994 Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling Victor "Toryo" Dimasupil Tunay na Magkaibigan, Walang Iwanan... Peksman! Estong 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 Lab en Kisses Lab 1997 Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy Victor "Labandero" Vasquez Enteng en Mokong: Kaming mga Mababaw ang Kaligayahan Andrew 1998 D'Sisters: Nuns of the Above Victor Dimasupil / Sister Victoria 1999 Basta't Ikaw... Nanginginig Pa Enteng 2000 Bakit Ba Ganyan? (Ewan Ko Nga Ba, Darling) Ricky Belo 2003 Lastikman Larry / Lastikman Fantastic Man Fredo / Fantastic Man 2004 Enteng Kabisote: OK Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend Enteng Kabisote 2005 Perfect: Eat Bulaga Special Himself Ispiritista: Itay, May Moomoo! Victor The GMA All-Star Special Himself Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko... The Legend Continues! Enteng Kabisote 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 Scaregivers Specialist Doctor Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After Vic Ungasis 2009 Love on Line (LOL) Samson Alumpihit Jr. Ang Darling Kong Aswang Victor Lagman 2010 Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote Enteng Kabisote2011 Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! Angelo Racela Enteng ng Ina Mo Enteng Kabisote 2012 D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! Bossing Chairman Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako Enteng Kabisote 2013 My Little Bossings Torky Villanueva 2014 My Big Bossing's Adventures Bossing / Vince / Torius 2015 My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore Vito Carillo 2016 Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers Enteng Kabisote 2017 Meant to Beh Ronaldo Balatbat 2018 Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles Perfecto "Popoy / Pops" Fernandez 2019 Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity Don Robert Fortun 2024 The Kingdom Lakan Makisig Nandula2026The Greatest ShowdownKingston

Television

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result — Guillermo Mendoza's Entertainment Awards Five-time Box-Office King 1986–1990, 1992, 1996, 2001, 2003, and 2004 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Actor in a Comedy Series Okay Ka Fairy KoDaddy Di Do Du (GMA) 1989–1990, 1992, 1995, 1997–1998, 2000, 2003, and 2008 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Male Variety Show Host Eat Bulaga! (GMA) 2006–2007, and 2009 Enpress Best Male Variety Host Eat Bulaga! (GMA) 2007 Guillermo Mendoza's Entertainment Awards Comedy Box Office King 2008 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards All Time Box-Office King Special Award 2009 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Comedy Box Office King (with Dolphy for Dobol Trobol) 2009 35th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Festival Actor for Ang Darling Kong Aswang 2010 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Comedy Box Office King 2010 GME Comedy Box Office King 2010 Eastwood City Walk Of Fame Celebrity Inductee 2010–2011 PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Game Show Host Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (TV5) 2011–2012 NSSUU Best Variety Game Show Host Eat Bulaga! (GMA) 2011 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Box-Office Kings (with Bong Revilla) Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote 2011 37th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Festival Actor for Enteng Ng Ina Mo 2012 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment AwardsBox-Office Tandem (with Ai Ai delas Alas) Enteng Ng Ina Mo 2013 Reader's Digest Most Trusted TV Host for Entertainment and Variety Eat Bulaga! (GMA) 2013 Yahoo! Philippines OMG! Awards Favorite Male TV Host of the Year Eat Bulaga! (GMA) 2013 39th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Festival Actor for My Little Bossings 2014 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Phenomenal Stars (with Vice Ganda) My Little Bossings 2016 6th EdukCircle Awards Most Influential Film Actor of the Year for My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore