Chiqui Hollmann recounts how Vic Sotto ‘denied’ their relationship

Chiqui Hollmann and Vic Sotto. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Julius babao UNPLUGGED; Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto

Chiqui Hollmann could not help but laugh as she recalled how her brief relationship with Vic Sotto started, and ended after the latter “denied” they were dating.

During an interview for broadcaster Julius Babao’s vlog on Thursday, Feb. 1, Hollmann, who was among the pioneer hosts of “Eat Bulaga,” looked back on how she juggled her hosting stint in the noontime show and her job at a department store company.

“On the how many-th month, sabi ko hindi ko na kaya. Pagod na ako kasi minsan [may] dance number tapos magpa-practice pa ako,” she said, noting how she eventually decided to continue her hosting gig as she still did not know what field she wanted to pursue at the time.

([After how many-months], I couldn’t go on anymore. I was so tired because there were times when I had to rehearse for a dance number [on top of my hosting duties].)

“Tapos minsan, ‘yung buhay mo, wala namang kwento [pero] gagawan pala ng kwento para kunwari mapag-usapan ka,” she disclosed.

(There were also times when they would make stories about you just so people would talk about you.)

Babao then asked Hollmann to expound on her statement, further inquiring if she was talking about her then-rumored relationship with Vic.

“Uy, totoo naman ‘yon (That was true),” Hollmann clarified. When asked if Vic was indeed her “boyfriend” at the time, she said, laughing, “Lahat naman kami.” ([Not just me], but all of us.)

Hollmann said she couldn’t recall receiving gifts from Vic during their courtship stage, but that she remembered them being together most of the time.

“What you’re not aware of is ‘yang grupong ‘yan, ‘yan na,” she spoke of Vic, Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon—collectively known as TVJ—with the late comedian Ritchie D’ Horsie. “After work, kakain kaming lahat sa canteen; magkakasama lang.”

(What you’re not aware of is that group has been that way ever since. Before, after work, we would all eat together at the canteen.)

“And those guys, they’re shy. Hindi naman sila ‘yung akala mo nagpapatawa d’yan. Pagtingin mo, nakaupo lang [sila], seryoso,” she added. (They were not always trying to make people laugh. They would just sit at the corner and were even serious.)

Hollmann and Vic’s relationship only lasted for months. When asked how they broke up, Hollmann answered, “Dinenay. Sabi niya, ‘That’s not true.’ I heard it somewhere.” (He denied it. He said, “That’s not true.” I heard it somewhere.)

“Pero you know what, sabi ko (I said), ‘It’s alright. Cool,'” she recounted. “It’s okay. I’ll go date someone else.”

Hollmann then clarified that she did not leave “Eat Bulaga” because of the breakup but because she was not being paid for months.

She added that despite their past, she’s happy for Vic and for his wife, TV host Pauleen Luna, who is also a close friend of Hollmann’s daughter Chia.

Hollmann also sent her congratulatory greetings to Vic and Luna who earlier welcomed their second child Thia Marceline.

Hollmann was part of “Eat Bulaga” for a few years before she transferred to its competitor, the noontime show “Student Canteen.” She reportedly left show business in 1988.