Check Out Topher Vibar’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Topher Vibar.

Hi Topher, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi VoyageLA! I go by Topher Vibar. I’m a first-generation Filipino-American and was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. My first grasp on my identity was doing martial arts at the age of three years old. My parents put me into Taekwondo because they thought it would be beneficial for my development. As a naturally shy and quiet kid, training helped me learn a great deal of discipline, loyalty, and respect. My training consisted primarily of the principles of the ITF (International Taekwon-do Federation) style which is focused on self-defense; despite this instillment of protection at such a young age, I was constantly bullied. When I first stepped into a private, Christian pre-school, I was picked on by kids who were older and much larger than I was.

As a result, I became very passive. I didn’t realize how much bullying — whether verbal or physical — had an effect on me until I was in junior high. Due to this, I did certain things to evade being bullied, like choosing to play the bass guitar in band class. Kids were obnoxious about playing brass instruments, so I chose an instrument that shielded me from being further criticized by my peers, which led to only deepening my passivity. That’s the surface of being bullied, a lot of what I went through was nitpicking at the way I looked, dressed, culture, and my overall presence based on how others picked me apart. I started questioning a lot of my martial arts training because I was letting these situations take control of me, and didn’t have the right lessons to defend myself. My doubts were left unanswered as I eventually stopped Taekwondo at around thirteen after having four different teachers, due to my school closing down. Though I’m considered a first dan, I never officially received my black belt. My story with classical martial arts didn’t have closure at the time, every teacher taught and emphasized something differently, instead of adapting to the student. As much as I respect and learned a lot from traditional and uniformed training, it didn’t necessarily help me develop real confidence.

Upon arriving in high school I started feeling lost and felt a lack of planning and direction. It wasn’t until I found acting. My mom and sister forced me to take headshots for a background acting talent agency, though I was reluctant in doing so. After a couple of weeks, I was called to work on Nickelodeon’s iCarly. The day before the shoot, I fractured my wrist. I hid this from my family and worked the episode before seeking proper medical attention to not miss out on this huge opportunity. Through withstanding literal pain, the passion and drive I have for creating, acting, and filmmaking sparked. I dabbled in video production prior to acting and thought I had more interest in being behind the camera. After that first gig, I ended up working as a regular extra on the last two seasons of iCarly and Victorious. Working enhanced my high school experience because I wasn’t physically at school and had time for independent studying. Fast forward into college, I spent a lot of time figuring myself out. I went back to playing bass while jamming and recording music as an outlet. Everything came full circle when I fell back into martial arts again after taking a kickboxing class. My grades were slipping so I had to petition back into being a student, but my refound and redemptive discipline allowed me to stay focused. I became obsessed with fitness and was eventually trained into Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do by Sifu Mike Rivas. I keep this training alive for self-defense and it continues to guide my lifestyle as a martial artist. As for my pursuit in acting, my acting training came from a theater background and competing in Forensics (Speech and Debate). I played wildcard characters that helped establish the type of work that I’m aiming for. I continue to be in the pursuit of growing and solidifying myself as an actor.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My path isn’t exactly linear. Whether it’s being aware of the privileges you’re given or learning from your own or others’ experiences, you have to stay grounded through it all. I have my highs and lows with consistency. Moments where I think I’m progressing or doing something right; then the opposite, not feeling enough, or having self-doubts. I’ve learned that moving diligently has helped me overcome these obstacles. There are a lot of sacrifices being made, but it’s worth it when you align with your goals.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in being a martial artist first and foremost, however, I do my best to tie filmmaking and music production into my work. On my off time, I enjoy creating instrumentals and filming myself training to improve on my craft. I’m very inspired by action and thriller films, and I hope to one day be cast in a project similar to the likes of Batman, The Matrix, The Warriors, and The Crow.

Any big plans?
I’m still searching for the right team. I’m hoping to close my chapter of independently searching for opportunities and facing reoccurring struggles. I’m committed to telling stories and continue to be a Jeet Kune Do practitioner.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tophervibar/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Lwm2xNgU9R-gfsyE2giZg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ki77atophu
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10944327/

Image Credits
Julianna Rodriguez, Topher Vibar