BREAKING TRADITION. VIC SOTTO STARS IN FIRST DRAMA PROJECT 'THE KINGDOM'

VIC SOTTO HAS DECIDED TO take the drama route for his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) comeback with "The Kingdom."

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

The veteran actor and TV host, best-known for fantasy-comedy roles like Enteng Kabisote, agreed to tackle a drama project for the first time because it presents an intriguing "what if" scenario: What if the Philippines was never colonized and instead became a monarchy?

According to the synopsis, Vic portrays Lakan Makisig, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kalayaan. He faces a dilemma over who among his three children -- Magat Bagwis (Sid Lucero), Dayang Matimyas (Cristine Reyes) and Dayang Lualhati (Sue Ramirez) -- should succeed him. Meanwhile, an outcast named Sulo, played by Piolo Pascual, saves Dayang Lualhati from an abduction.

As they journey back to the palace, Lualhati starts to see the flaws in her father's rule and tries to seek change. However, upon their return, Sulo faces accusations that endanger his life, forcing him to make a bold move that could alter the kingdom's future.

Opening on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, the family drama is helmed by Michael B. Tuviera and produced by APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures and Vic's own MZet Television Productions.

"First of all, I like the concept," Vic shared in an exclusive interview with The STAR. "Direk Mike called me up, asking me if I was interested in going back and making a film for the MMFF. I asked, 'Do you have a concept?' And then he told me about this concept and right there and then, nagustuhan ko siya.

"He told me, 'This is a serious movie, no comedy, ni katiting (not even a tiny bit).' All the more, I said yes."

Vic further explained what drew him to the project: "If we were not colonized by the Spaniards, by the Americans, there is a big possibility na ganun tayo ngayon, a monarchy where there's a king, there's a kingdom. So, it's a big 'what if.'