He really wanted to be the next Bruce Lee of the Philippines thinking that there was already someone who carried that moniker.
The late Ramon Zamora, the comedian-actor was first given the title, the local version of the international sobriquet of the Hong Kong and Hollywood action star.
The pretender to the throne was still a kid at the time.
"Tagahanga na ako pareho nina Bruce Lee at Mang (a term of endearment to an older man) Ramon noon pa. Pareho ko silang paborito. Lagi kong pinapanood ang kanilang mga pelikula noon sa TV lalo na si Mang Ramon. Tuwang-tuwa ako pag nakikita ko sila sa TV dahil hindi pa ako puwedeng manood ng pelikula noon (I was already a fan of both of them. I liked them both. They were my favorites. I always watched their films or their appearances on TV, especially Mang Ramon. There were movies of Bruce that were shown on TV and Mang Ramon would guest in various local TV shows. I loved them both but as a small kid I was not allowed to see movies then)," recalled Vic Tiro.
"Nang nasa showbiz na ako at nag-aartista doon ko nakilala si Mang Ramon. Ang bait-bait niya. Sa mga action movies, napapanood na niya ang mga galaw ko. Kaya siya ang nagbansag sa akin ng Bruce of the Philippines pagkatapos niya (When I was already in showbiz, I met him. He was very kind. He was already seeing my movements in the movies. As a matter of fact, he was the one who called me Bruce Lee of the Philippines after him)," said Vic who is now a popular actor, writer, director, editor and producer.
Look at the past photos of Bruce Lee and you will see Tiro's resemblance to the late kung fu master onscreen.
The other veteran star who witnessed Vic's actions as an imitation of the Hong Kong superstar was Robin Padilla, now a senator of the land.
"Ganito 'yon. Nakilala ko si Senator Robin nang mapanood niya ako sa Facebook na nag-a-aksyon. Nagkakara-karate na ako. May nagsabi lang sa kanya na tingnan ako noon. Hindi pa siya senador noon (It's like this. He met me right after he saw me doing action stunts on Facebook. I was already doing karate at the time. Someone advised him to come and get a glance at me. He was not yet a senator at the time).
"Ipinatawag niya ako para tingnan dahil nga may mga action routine siya sa pelikula at telebisyon pero hindi naman ibig sabihin noon ay kukunin na niya akong fight director niya (He sent me over to take a look at my stunts because he had action routines in films and television shows but it didn't mean to say that he would hire me as his fight instructor).
"Totoo 'yan. Hindi nga ako makapaniwala na kaharap ko si Robin noon. Siya pa nga ang nagsabi na ang porma ko, (That's true. I really couldn't believe that I was face-to-face with him at the time. He was even the one who said that my presence reminded him of) Bruce Lee," recounted Vic chuckling.
At the moment, Tiro has wrapped a film titled "Ransom" which is slated to be streamed at Flicoola apps this June.
"Ako ang direktor at prodyuser ng action film na ito na pinagbibidahan nina Kris Ann Hernandez, Tony Leyba, Jay Martin at iba pa. Tungkol ito sa mga pulitikong dawit sa droga (I am the director and producer of this film that stars Kris Ann Hernandez, Tony Leyba, Jay Martin and others. This is about politicians who are involved in drugs)," Vic explained.
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