NINE years na hindi gumawa ng anumang teleserye o pelikula ang aktor na si Victor Neri. Ngayon ay muli siyang nagbabalik via GMA-7’s afternoon teleseryeng “Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa.”
Huling teleserye pa ni Victor bago siya nangibang-bansa was “Bakekang” in 2007 kung saan nakasama niya si Sunshine Dizon.
“After I did ‘Bakekang,’ umalis na ako. I worked on a new career. I am a professional chef now and have my own restaurant called Saute along Tomas Morato in Quezon City.
“The reason I left showbiz for such a long time is because I wanted to try another life outside showbiz.
“I’ve been part of showbiz since 1992. Isa ako sa mga original ‘Ang TV’ kids ng ABS-CBN 2 with Claudine Barretto, Angelu de Leon, Camille Prats, Gio Alvarez, Partrick Garcia. and others.
“Then I was launched as one of the original Star Circle Batch One with Regine Tolentino and the late Rico Yan.
“I did almost everything noong artista ako. I became a singer and I came out with my own album. I was also a dancer when I became part of ASAP. I did drama and comedy films. I was launched as an action star. Nagpa-sexy pa ako nang konti. “Kumbaga, I did almost everything that an actor could do for his career.
“So after 16 years, I decided to find a new place for me. ’Yung hindi naman showbiz. And I was doing okay until I made a comeback in 2014 when I did the indie film ‘Separados.’
“In and out ako ng Pilipinas noon. But now, my business is done abroad and I am here for good,” kuwento pa niya.
Malaki na raw ang pinagkaiba ng showbiz ngayon compared to 25 years ago.
“First of all, siyempre, matanda na tayo, puro father roles na ang gagawin natin.
“The fans before were always present. Ngayon nasa social media na sila. Ang maganda, we can reach them now kahit saang bansa o probinsya pa sila.”
Victor studied culinary arts in Hong Kong, Beijing and graduated in Cordon Bleu in Bangkok, Thailand. He is married with two kids. (RUEL J. MENDOZA)