Victor talks about his ‘disappearing act’

After a two-year hiatus, Victor Neri now exudes a newfound confidence and dynamism, and moves with the cool, collected repose of a Zen monk who has finally found enlightenment.

But why did he just disappear from the scene back then, just when his career was on an upswing? He had just clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Filipinas during the 29th Metro Manila Film Festival last December 2003, and offers were pouring left and right. Surely, it must’ve been foolishly ironic to quit just when he was riding high on the crest of his winning streak.

But Victor knew better.

"I needed a new perspective," he explains. "After winning the award, I thought that it was time to stop and take a hard look at myself. The work was getting too predictable already. After all, I had achieved what I’ve worked for, and I just felt that it was high time to turn inward and maybe change myself."

"I think all actors should pause for a while and reassess themselves at one point or another," says the brawny moreno. "Once you’ve been recognized, what else is new? What more can you offer? That’s what really hit me hard, and the award was just the trigger."

The paradigm shift was sparked by his quest to broaden his intellectual horizons.

"Not many people know that I love to read and write," he discloses. "I went back to school and resumed my Literature course at University of Asia and the Pacific. That kept me grounded. If you’re always distracted by your showbiz activities, stagnation sets in, and it burns your brain."

"I actually grew a conscience," he chuckles.

His reawakening also led to the eventual purging of his flamboyant showbiz lifestyle. "I literally cut my showbiz ties," he adds. "From someone who’s used to splurging so much on a single night, I taught myself to subsist on a bare minimum."

It’s way too easy for showbiz denizens to lead such an ostentatious lifestyle, but leading a double life as a musician made it even much easier for Victor. "I play drums and bass, too," he proudly reveals. "I’ve done session work for Jeffrey Hidalgo and Roselle Nava."

"The point is, it’s not about the money," he stresses. "Money can, and will, eat you up, if you let it."

It was in those moments of solitude and self-reflection that Victor pondered on other possible avenues that might lead to his real "calling." From acting, he tried his hand at directing, taking an apprenticeship course from respected ABS-CBN bigwig Johnny Manahan. "It was a one-on-one session," Victor shares. "I’d sit in during his sets and watch. I went through the whole gamut – from production design to makeup. That was my training ground, and I’m forever grateful to direk Johnny for that wonderful opportunity."

"Working side by side with the producer, line producer and director gives you a clearer and broader perspective of the whole craft," he points out. "This awareness made me realize how much more I can do and contribute to the industry."

Armed with his newfound knowledge, Victor got off to a good start. The fledgling director eventually got his first crack at some TV shows. "I’m currently working on an indie film. I’m also starting to write now," he exclaims. "I write my own scripts. I do characters. I love to teach also. Literature is definitely a big help in my acting, since acting is just a basic understanding of life and words."

For now, he hasn’t hatched any grandiose schemes or noble visions yet. "Nothing groundbreaking, really," he shrugs. "I just want to direct the stories I like, just a chance to express myself. I’m basically here to entertain, not to teach anyone new lessons.

Maybe infuse new blood in the industry."

But his fans will be pleased to know that he will be very visible these days as he joins the star-studded cast of the ABS-CBN fantasy series, Panday where he plays Lizardo, the story’s main villain. He also joins the multi-cultural cast of The Inheritance, a Filipino-Canadian independent film about mythical underworld creatures. The other Filipino actors in the indie are Jaclyn Jose, Tirso Cruz III, Angel Aquino and Susan Africa.

Indeed, Victor has come a long way since his formative days when he started out as a member of the pilot batch of ABS-CBN’s Star Circle, as well as the youth-oriented comedy show, Ang TV.

After his first flick, Asero, he worked with the likes of Cesar Montano (Utol), Alma Moreno (Kapalit), Eddie Garcia and Ace Vergel (Masamang Ugat), Raymart Santiago (Iskalawag), Jestoni Alarcon (Amanos) and Rudy Fernandez (Birador).

His solo action starrers include Suspek and Ex-Con.

Having gone full circle, Victor isn’t about to say that the grass is greener on the other side. "I’m not about to give up my acting for my directorial chores," he clarifies.

"Through the looking glass, you just see things more objectively now, and focus and maturity somehow reflect in your acting."

Morsels of sage wisdom from a certified Zen master indeed.

Victor is being managed by Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit.