Young actor in awe of Lolo Vic Silayan, whom he never met

For show-biz neophyte Victor Silayan, acting is self-discovery. Toughened up by years of mixed martial arts training, he never got fully in touch with his vulnerable side. “I seldom cry,” he told the Inquirer.

But playing Warren in TV5’s coming drama series “Three Sisters,” the 20-year-old had to learn to bare his emotions on cue. Which was why he underwent a three-session workshop, which he found “very promising.”

Silayan explained, “Marunong pala akong umarte at kaya ko ring umiyak. I learned so many things and I enjoyed the process. Now, I feel I have the right weapons to take on the challenge.”

Victor, grandson of late stage-film great Vic Silayan and nephew of the late beauty queen-actress Chat Silayan, said continuing his family’s “modest legacy” is not so much a pressure as an opportunity.

“And I feel honored,” Victor said.

He never met his famous grandfather, who died of a heart attack on Aug. 30, 1987. One thing he knew, though, was that Vic didn’t want his children to enter show biz. “But I was curious,” Victor said, “so here I am.”

After watching Vic in Mike de Leon’s critically acclaimed film “Kisapmata,” Victor knew he had a long way to go.

“Lolo Vic being a 10, I think I’m just a four,” he said. “He’s a great actor. He seems really strict and disciplined with what he does. Meron siyang angas at may pagka-bossy, which I also see in myself.”

Forget the glamour

Aside from acting, Victor, an Economics and Applied Corporate Management student at De La Salle University, is into mixed martial arts (Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Judo), painting, sculpting, photography and music. He said these help build his character.

He was a member of the Muay Thai varsity team, did a few TV commercials before becoming a Bench underwear model. He made it to the final casting of the GMA-7 series “Amaya,” which he turned down in favor of his studies. The role (Lumad) went to Mikael Daez.

“A jack of all trades, master of none,” he said, laughing. “But I hope I can master acting.”

He insists he’s not after glitz and glamour. “Forget about the fame, the fans, and the pictures. I’m focused on acting—the art itself.”