MANILA, Philippines - “We have a new star! May pinagmanahan sa pag-arte, educated na malakas pa ang charisma.”
That’s what Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde said after she signed up Victor Silayan (photos) as her newest Regal Baby.
Discovered by Neil de Guia (leftmost in photo with Victor and Mother Lily, bottom) during the recent Philippine Fashion Week where he was taking pictures but not modeling, Victor is the grandson of Vic Silayan and the nephew of Chat Silayan. A Bench underwear model, Jose Mari Victor Silayan (his full name) is 20 and stands 5’10”. He’s a varsity Muay Thai player at La Salle where he’s an Economics and Applied Corporate Management sophomore. He finished high school at La Salle Zobel.
He’s the guy doing kung fu in the Lucky Me Pancit Chowmien TV commercial.
It’s a pity that Victor wasn’t able to spend time with his Lolo Vic; he was a toddler when his Lolo Vic died. “Pero inabutan ko si Tita Chat. Of course, I’m aware of what they say that my Lolo Vic is a legend. One of these days, I will look for a copy of his movie Kisapmata (directed by Mike de Leon) and watch it. That’s one of his classic movies daw, including Badjao.”