Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Vibar.
Valerie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Okay, so, I’m originally from Dallas. In 2012, because my parents were divorcing and so much was happening in the family, my father sent me back to the Philippines, my family’s home country, where I became a depressed alcoholic.
In 2017, I started having dreams where I kept hearing a voice telling me to go back to the US and do comedy. And, without questioning my sanity, I did that. I went back to the US in May 2018 and lived with my sister in LA. Two months later, she left me. Alone and with no one and no money, I worked three jobs. On top of that, I was doing comedy at night.
I was discovered by a professional comic, Richard Weiss, on my first open mic, and he brought me around the comedy scene in LA. I booked my first gig after one month of doing comedy, and it was because of his help. Since then, I’ve been booking gigs consistently. I started producing my own comedy/music show after 5 months in the comedy scene.
In October 2018, I dreamt of my great grandfather who I never met. He told me, “continue my work.” My great-grandfather was a politician in the Philippines, and he was loved as he was a champion for the people, specifically the poor. When I had that dream, I knew what he wanted me to do. And I knew that it was him who was telling me to go back to the US and do comedy because it was my way into Hollywood and towards my mission of changing the Philippines for the better. The Philippines, just a small background, is a third world country where human lives aren’t valued.
Anyways, my direction was defined after having that dream.
In November 2018, I went back to acting (I used to be an actress in the Philippines). I booked six acting projects in that month alone. December 2018, I was already being invited to Hollywood parties. January 2019, I started writing comedy sketches and booked my first TV gig. February 2019, I was in this YouTube video that has over 800,00 views. March 2019, I’ve been offered a place to exhibit my art – my exhibit will go live in November this year. I’m also doing the concept art for this graphic novel, and I’m currently making music – I’m also a singer and a classically trained pianist – with someone who has worked with big names in the business. I’m always at different events, too, where I’m constantly expanding. And I still have two different side jobs on the side – I know it’s a lot, but I’m just happy I managed to get rid of one of my jobs.
It’s hard to juggle everything – comedy, acting, singing, painting, writing, playing the piano – I have to schedule my sleep. But I am thankful – unbelievably thankful. You see, I came here with nothing. I knew nothing about Hollywood and no one in LA. There were times when I spent days crying because I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. Nonetheless, I survived because of my friends. They believe in me, and they believe in my dream of bringing change to the Philippines. Sometimes, I even think that they’re crazy to think that I can conquer this industry, but crazy is good. Crazy people change this world, and that’s what I want to do.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been an easy path? Hell no!
When I went back to the Philippines in 2012, I was in such a dark place. My parents just divorced, and I felt as if my whole family was against me. I wanted nothing but to die. I was paranoid of everyone. Every time I would see my aunt and uncle, I wanted to break down and cry because I felt as if they were going to go against me at any moment. Whenever I’d see my grandmother, I also wanted to break down and cry because she has dementia. She raised me, and just knowing that my pillar of strength was gone and dying made me want to jump off the building. Plus, since I didn’t finish my education, I couldn’t get a good job in Manila, the Philippine capital.
When I did start working in the Philippines, Filipinos don’t exactly like me. I was too Americanized, they said. I had to learn how to be Filipino – meek and shy and always self-conscious. One time at work, I was called out because I was wearing a skirt. My friend specifically told me, “you’re too fat to be in a skirt. Wear something else because people are talking about you.” Someone also told me, “the reason why they don’t like you is because you enter the room with your head held high. Learn to be ashamed of yourself. They’ll like you better.” It’s difficult to explain how their mentality is. The Filipinos are such a fun loving and family-oriented crowd, but internal racism and crab mentality is just too strong over there. And it’s hard to ignore those issues and be happy because it was them versus me. I was so lonely, and the only time I felt relief was when I was drinking.
When I came back to the US, my journey in Hollywood, honestly, has been relatively easy (but still hard) compared to most who want the same goal as me because I have been blessed to have my friends who do nothing but open doors for me – I’m lucky, so lucky. The biggest struggle, honestly, is money. I have opportunities coming in nonstop, but, since I’m still relatively new here, those projects don’t always pay – especially in comedy. Or those projects haven’t taken off the ground yet, like my exhibit, that there’s still a lot more investing that I need to do. That’s why I’m keeping my two jobs despite the exhaustion and lack of sleep. I need a stable flow of income.
Please tell us about Valerie Vibar.
I am a stand-up comic, actress, writer, painter, singer, and pianist. Among all that I do, I am most known to be a stand-up comic.
What sets me apart from all the artists in LA is my passion for the people. I have multiple talents, but that’s not what I want people to see. I want them to see me fighting for a country that has forgotten their value as human beings. People here in the US are fighting for their rights. In the Philippines and other countries, we have no rights to fight for.
I am here for my people and not for myself. I will change my country through whatever means possible. I am also aware that the Philippines will not like me because I will put our issues on the table as I’m tired of seeing my people suffer. They may say that they’re happy but go to Manila. Thousands of students being crammed into just ten or so classrooms. Blind elderly selling candy in the streets. People living in garbage. The media constantly ridiculing and treating dark skinned people horribly. Change must come to my country. That’s what I’m fighting for.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I do not have a specific favorite memory, but I do love the memories I have of being with my siblings. I’m the eldest of four, so I’m rather protective of them. I may not say that directly to them, but I am.
Contact Info:
- Email: valerievibar@gmail.com
- Instagram: @valerie.vibar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vibarvalerie
- Other: https://valerievibar.wordpress.com/
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