Volleyball superstar John Vic De Guzman officially joins GMA Artist Center

After lording it over in the volleyball court, athlete-turned-actor John Vic De Guzman is ready for the next chapter in his career as he joins GMA Artist Center.

New GMA Artist Center talent John Vic De Guzman / Source: johnvicdeguzman (IG)

Dubbed as the Face of Philippine Volleyball, John Vic De Guzman looks forward to his new journey as a Kapuso.

In his exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, prior to the announcement of him joining GMA-7, John expressed his excitement in this new milestone in his young career.

“Siyempre unang-una, sobrang excited 'tsaka hindi ako makapaniwala. Siyempre, isa ito sa ma-achieve sa life ko, e, bago mag-retire sa volleyball,” said John Vic, who hails from Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

John added that further hone his craft under GMA Artist Center.

“Sobrang happy ako dahil magkakaroon ako ng chance na ma-improve pa 'yung acting skills ko at maipakita na 'yung talent ko not just for sports," the 23-year-old celebrity athlete said.

When asked what projects he would like to pursue, the newbie Kapuso immediately replied, "Ever since po tinatanong ako ng directors, for me, anything na puwede ibigay sa akin na role tatanggapin ko naman.

“Siyempre, lahat naman part 'yan ng process. Kumbaga kahit sa volleyball kailangan mag-training ka, mag-workshop ka.

"So, kung ano man 'yung maibigay sa akin, bibigyan naman ako ng time para ma-improve 'yun at mapag-aralan 'yung mga dapat kong gawin.”

Late bloomer

John Vic is one of the most recognizable faces in Philippine volleyball. He is also considered a legend to his alma mater College of Saint Benilde for helping his school captured its first-ever men's volleyball title in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

However, many did not know that he was a late bloomer in the sport.

In fact, he used to be a taekwondo player who shifted to badminton before pursuing volleyball during his college days.

John told GMANetwork.com, “Noong bata kasi kami, tatlo kaming magkakapatid, 'yung sister ko tsaka 'yung panganay kong kapatid, 'yung kuya, taekwondo players.

“And then, after namin mag-taekwondo, nag-quit 'yung kuya ko bago siya mag-college.

"I shifted sa badminton, so nirepresent ko 'yung Batangas province, right after ako grumaduate ng high school.

"Since 'yung sister ko is a volleyball player also, doon ako nag-i-start mag-volleyball kung saan nag-college 'yung sister ko bago ako mag-transfer sa Manila.”

It was surprising that even though John Vic was relatively a newbie in volleyball, he excelled right away because in the 89th Season of the NCAA, he bagged the recognition of Rookie of the Year and Best Spiker already.

He admitted that shifting to a new sport was never easy, so he needed to exert extra effort and trust the process to improve his skills as a volleyball player.

John was hit by a wave of nostalgia remembering what he went through in the College of Saint. Benilde.

“Well, sa una, mahirapa naman, e. Sabi nga nila, walang madali lagi pag nag-enter ka ng isang bagay na hindi mo sobrang kabisado.

"So, hard work lang talaga 'tsaka patience lang talaga puhunan 'pag nag-i-start ka sa isang bagay.

“And masaya ako kasi lahat ng paghihirap ko na ginawa ko at binuhos ko sa training and practices nagbunga siya.

"So, kahit first year college lang ako nag-start mag-volleyball, hindi naging sobrang mahirap para sa akin dahil talagang pinush ko 'yung sarili ko na maabot [yung gusto ko] at inisip ko na kaya ko lahat gawin sa volleyball.”

After a stellar college career, John Vic De Guzman took on a whole different challenge being a member of the Philippine Men's volleyball team.

As the captain of the men's squad, he was instrumental in the fairytale run of the national team in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, where the country ended its medal drought by capturing the silver medal.

The newbie Kapuso couldn't help but smile talking about this achievement, “Kasi, hindi namin ine-expect lahat ng nangyari sa amin noong nag-training kami sa Japan, nag-compete kami sa Thailand.

“Hindi ganun kataas 'yung level ng men's volleyball team, pero pag balik namin dito lahat ng hard work na ibinigay namin sa training at practices nagbunga, so talagang.”

He also mentioned that the most memorable moment for him during the SEA Games in Manila was their semi-final match against reigning champion Thailand.

“Ang pinaka-hindi ko din malilimutan 'yung fourth set sa Thailand dahil last point na sila 24-21.

"And then, kung makikita mo 'yung sa stadium sumusuport sila, pero makikita mo sila yung iba umuuwi na.”

“'Tapos akala nila wala ng chance, matatalo kami isang point na lang.

"So, ayun nag-tiwala lang kami and then noong nanalo kami ng fourth set nagtuluy-tuloy and nanalo kami against the defending champions for how many years.”

Aside from volleyball, John Vic De Guzman has been a host and sport analyst as well.

He was also part of horror-flick Seklusyon in the 2016 Merto Manila Film Festival directed by Direk Erik Matti and appeared in the Regal Films movie Wild and Free, starring Sanya Lopez and Derrick Monasterio, in 2018.

He is also the newest celebrity ambassador of the local clothing brand Bench.

John Vic De Guzman namahagi ng mga damit ngayong Fathers Day