As he has recently released his new record “Goin’ Standard”, which is a compilation of some of the songs that became part of his life and showbiz journey, as well as his long-running show Goin’ Bulilit is making a comeback, Direk Bobot Mortiz fondly reminisces about his colorful showbiz career, challenges in life, and journey as “The Father of Philippine TV’s Biggest Stars” in this exclusive interview with Bernadette Sembrano.

Their conversation commenced with his beginnings in the local entertainment industry as a singer. Fresh from winning the iconic singing competition “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” he was hired by TV director Tony Santos Sr. to be part of the musical variety show “Oras ng Ligaya” and was paired with Nora Aunor, who, like him, was also a champion of the said competition. They became a popular loveteam, with Tirso Cruz III being their third wheel subsequently.

The love triangle resulted to a “war” among the throngs of fans who were divided into “Guy and Bobot” and “Guy and Pip” shippers. But that eventually stopped when Nora and Tirso became a couple, which pushed Bobot out of the picture.

So, he decided to return to singing, through which he met Vilma Santos with whom he instantly got smitten and had a romantic relationship with after being an onscreen tandem. The Vi and Bot pair was born were given a slew of projects together, as well as pitted against “Guy and Pip”. He and Vilma split up and was removed from the program they both used to host.

His romance with Vilma might have ended, but little he did know that it would be the beginning of something beautiful and eternal for him – his journey with wife Millette Santos, whom he met on the set of his show “People” when her sister, ABS-CBN executive and FPJ’s Batang Quiapo star Charo Santos-Concio, brought her in one of their taping days.