Bossing Vic named Outstanding Cabanatueño

MANILA, Philippines - Vic Sotto (photo) has been conferred the Ang Natatanging Anak ng Kabanatuan (ANAK) by the city government of Cabanatuan City for his exploits in the movie industry.

Vic, Marvic in real life, was handed the award during the third Banatu Festival highlighting the 67th foundation anniversary of the city as a component city at the Harvest Hotel recently.

Vic, younger brother of Sen. Vicente Sotto III and who forms part of the popular triumvirate in the long-running noontime variety show Eat, Bulaga!, was cited by the committee on awards for being an “extraordinary Filipino in various fields” as singer, composer, comedian, TV host, program presenter, Box-Office King, actor-performer of 94 comedy films and for being named Most Trusted TV Host by the Reader’s Digest.

During the actor’s speech, he said that the recognition is special to their family. “We have received different awards already but this is special because I spend half of my life in this city,” he said, accompanied by his wife Pauleen Luna, Sen. Tito and Maru Sotto.

Vic’s fellow Eat, Bulaga! mainstay, Paolo Ballesteros, also received the award along with eight others.

Paolo, grandson of renowned painter and portraitist Fernando Amorsolo, was cited for being hailed as Best Actor in the Metro Manila Film Festival and the Tokyo International Film Festival and for being a recipient of the Outstanding Performance Award of the International Film Festival in India.

The ANAK award is given to nominees born in the city or elsewhere, of Cabanatueño parents provided the nominee resided or studied in the city during his childhood days.