Cesar Manhilot,[1] known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.
He started in show business as a stuntman.[2] He played roles in numerous B movies. He then played major roles in several action movies and a brief television career playing the lead role in the television sitcom Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis.
His breakout role is his portrayal of José Rizal, the Philippine National Hero in the film José Rizal. The film is unprecedented as it portrays Philippine society during Spanish colonization of the Philippines and its relevance up to the present day.
He has won numerous acting awards, such as Hollywood's The Great Raid, Panaghoy sa Suba (The Call of the River), José Rizal, Muro Ami (Reef Hunters) and Bagong Buwan (New Moon).
Aside from acting, Montano also embarked on a singing career, with the release of his music album Subok lang or Just try in 2000. He has also ventured into film production as well as directing, with Panaghoy sa Suba as his directorial film debut.
After his first Hollywood movie The Great Raid with Benjamin Bratt, he was cast in another Hollywood movie Another Deep Breath'.
In May 2007, he unsuccessfully ran for senate under the coalition Team Unity (TU). GMA news reported that he lost about P40 million worth of endorsement for running in public office.[citation needed]
On July 13, 2010 Montano officially became a contract artist of GMA Network after signing a two-year exclusive contract with the said network.[3]
In 2012, he left GMA 7 to continue doing planned programs for Home Network ABS-CBN
Montano, known by his nickname Buboy, was born and raised in Sta. Ana, Manila, Philippines, but traces his roots to the Manhilots of Baclayon, in the island province of Bohol in Central Visayas, Philippines.
Montano started acting in his senior year in college in 1984 and took acting workshops with Joel Lamangan and Imee Marcos. He landed the role of elevator boy in "Estremenggoles." TV and movie roles followed: "Agos" with Gretchen Barretto, the Pinoy Thriller, "Regal Shocker", and the "Maricel Soriano Drama Special".
Montano acted in Dulaang University of the Philippines stage productions. He was an active member of UP Playwright under the direction of Tony Mabesa.[4]
His first movie careers were as a stuntman.[citation needed] In his early career, he played major roles in several action movies like "Sanggano" and the TV role of Buboy Magtanggol in the sitcom Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis.
He played the role of José Rizal in the film José Rizal in 1998. In 1999, he played the role of Fredo, the ruthless captain of 150 muro ami divers in Muro Ami, a film that depicts one of the worst forms of child labor in the illegal fishing industry.[5] The film won thirteen awards at the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival.[5][unreliable source?]
He starred in various film genres such as drama, comedy and action. He appeared in various films under the character name "Ralph Palomeno", a total of 14 roles.
Cesar Montano produced, directed and starred in the 2004 film Panaghoy sa Suba or The Call of the River. It features Filipino actors Juliana Palermo, Jackie Woo, Philip Anthony, Caridad Sanchez, Joel Torre, Daria Ramirez, Ronnie Lazaro, Suzette Ranillo, Rommel Montano, Dr. Warfe Engracia, Ramon Villanueva, Chelo Espina, Flora Gasser, Disi Alba and Rebecca Lusterio.[4]
It is an epic story set during the American Occupation (1898–1942) and the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), shot amidst the virgin splendor of the island province of Bohol, Philippines mostly along and around the Loboc River which plays a significant role in the story.[6] It is a mixture of action, drama, romance, and history.
The film is Cesar Montano's directorial debut with an almost entirely Visayan cast, and perhaps the biggest film ever to be shot in its entirety in the Visayas. The film, intended for both national and international exhibition, boldly used Visayan as the main language [7] with English subtitles for the convenience of non-Visyans.
It was given an "A" rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board or CEB of the Film Development Council of the Philippines and was CM Films' entry to the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival.[8] The CEB described Cesar Montano's direction as "meticulous but light-handed." It turned "a somewhat rambling and slow screenplay into a poetic, sometimes even magical, current of silent struggle and survival."[8]
The Call of the River won multiple awards. It has bagged Second Best Picture (to Mano Po 3), Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Score, Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, 2004;[9] and Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress at Gawad Suri Awards, Manila, 2005.[10]
Panaghoy sa Suba, which garnered 16 awards and 11 nominations [4] including 5 from the Metro Manila Film Festival, was also given an endorsement by the UNESCO.[7] It was named Best Picture at the International Festival of Independent Films held in Brussels, Belgium. Montano was also chosen Best Director.[11] In addition, Montano also won Best Actor in Panaghoy sa Suba in the Golden Screen Awards.[12]
Panaghoy sa Suba was invited as an exhibition in the Tous les cinémas du Monde (Movies of the World) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005.[13][14] It has also been invited for exhibition in other international film festivals in Berlin, Toronto, Tokyo, Korea and in the Czech Republic’s Karlo Vary Film Festival.[14]
Montano The Action Star Was He is Started Action Movie From Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway (1993) Until Mananabas (2001) 8 Years Contract of Cesar Montano's Action Movie.
In 2005, American film director and screenwriter John Dahl cast Montano in The Great Raid after taking notice of Montano's performance in the movie Muro Ami. He played Juan Pajota in the Miramax Film set in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines in 1945 towards the end of WWII.[15] The director was impressed with the bald look Cesar sported in "Muro Ami". In addition, his intense performance in Marilou Diaz-Abaya's film was a determining factor for his being chosen to play Captain Pajota.[16] Only a few Filipino actors have penetrated the international film scene and enjoyed equal exposure with foreign stars.
Montano was cast in another U.S. film, Another Deep Breath, scheduled to start shooting in the San Francisco Bay Area in March 2005.[17] Funding was never secured so the production never started shooting.
On 1 January 2000, Montano released his first music solo album entitled Subok Lang (Just Try) under Star Records.[18] While being famous as a Philippine action movie star, he is also known for singing acoustic ballads. Nine of the album's ten songs is accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, giving a quiet, mellow ambiance. He sings a duet on the second version Kailan Ko Lang Sinabi (When I Just Told You) with his wife, Sunshine Cruz, who is also a Filipino actress and recording artist. The spirited Ikaw Lang (Only You) is the only song to use other instruments besides the acoustic guitar, and drums and bass are also heard. Subok lang went on to become Platinum record.[19]
On 19 May 2005, Cesar Montano was sworn in as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO Philippine commissioner for culture and the arts.[20] This came as a surprise to most Filipinos because he is better known for his award-winning roles in critically acclaimed movies Rizal, Muro Ami than his principles and beliefs. Little is known of his tireless and thankless efforts to "promote" his home province, Bohol, where he and his family always spend Christmas. Whenever he can, Montano makes sure to put in a good word about this little paradise in central Philippines that there's hardly a Filipino who doesn't know yet of his Boholano heritage.[20] His vocal support for Bohol and the preservation of its heritage and environment, he says, may have earned him the nomination to the UNESCO.[20] But he did not seek the honor. Montano believes there is something to be proud of in every part of the country-the lovely landscape or delicacies or exotic catch from the sea. According the him:
| “ |
Kahit hindi nila ako gawing ambassador, promoting Bohol is my heart's desire. With my appointment, makakatulong ako para makahanap ng sponsors for our projects from the products that I endorse. |
” |
Born and raised in Manila, Montano says he learned the importance of heritage preservation early on. He saw how people slowly forgot over the years the value of safeguarding tradition, culture, arts and heritage-the backbone Filipinos need to be able to stand proudly. To foster national pride, Montano believes parents must instill this value in their children. Character is first molded at home.[20]
On Friday, 16 February 2007, Philippine Daily Inquirer in its Breaking News Section, bore the article title "Petilla out of TEAM Unity, actor Cesar Montano in". It wrote how Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, spokesman for the administration's TEAM Unity, confirmed that Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla is pulling out of the administration's TEAM Unity senatorial lineup and will be replaced by actor Cesar Montano.[21]
The article further explained that in a text message to INQUIRER.net, Durano said Montano was chosen by Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and by TEAM Unity itself.[21] Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said Montano was endorsed by Petilla himself because the actor was also a Visayan. Claudio said in a text message:[21]
| “ |
Visayan for Visayan, youth for youth, substance for substance |
” |
On 13 October 2009, he filed his candidacy for Governor in his home province Bohol. He lost the 2010 local election for the Governor position.[22]
After years of portraying Jose Rizal from GMA Films, he returned to GMA Network and signed one-year exclusive contract in 2010. His first TV series in the said network was Ilumina. He then starred with his wife in Puso ng Pasko: Artista Challenge. His current TV project is Andres de Saya with his new leading lady, Iza Calzado, this is his first sitcom under GMA Network.
He is the fifth of seven children born to a lawyer father and Seventh-day Adventist mother. Montano says discipline was the hallmark of his childhood: he describes his father as a strict disciplinarian, and his mother imposing the religious prohibitions of "no pork" and "no movies".[19]
Montano went to the Sta. Ana Elementary School, Mariano Marcos Memorial High School and finished Engineering at Lyceum of the Philippines University in Intramuros, Manila. An average student, he was good at drawing and would have become a painter, if not a singer, if he hadn't become an actor.
Montano was first married to Marilyn Polinga, a fellow Boholano he met at a local Seventh-day Adventist Church, but Montano attented before at the Bread of Life Ministries International, evangelical church in Quezon City, and now in Christ's Commission Fellowship in Mandaluyong City, together with his wife, Sunshine Cruz and his children. Their two children, Angela and Angelo, grew up with her when they separated as a couple. When she died of a brain tumor in 1993, the children moved back in with him. His other son, Carlos Diego, lives with his mother, Filipino actress Teresa Loyzaga, in Australia, and has recently signed to a three-year exclusive contract with the Philippines TV network, ABS-CBN.[23][24][25]
Montano married Philippine actress Sunshine Cruz on September 14, 2000 in a set of Christian wedding.[26] They have three daughters, Angeline Isabelle, Samantha Angeline and Angel Francheska[20]
His second child from first wife, Christian Angelo Manhilot, died at the age of 23 on March 26, 2010 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at their residence in Quezon City.[27]
Aside from his Bulacan farm,[28][29] he also owns an Italian restaurant located in Quezon City.[30]
| Year |
Title |
Main Role |
Notes |
| 2012 |
Gandang Gabi, Vice! |
Guest |
ABS-CBN |
| 2012 |
Hitman |
Ben |
Viva Films & CM Films |
| 2011 |
Biktima |
Mark de la Cruz |
Alba Productions |
| 2011 |
Andres de Saya |
Andres Taguyod |
(GMA Network) |
| 2010 |
Puso ng Pasko: Artista Challenge |
Challenger |
(GMA Network) |
| 2010 |
Ilumina |
Romano Sebastian |
(GMA Network) |
| 2010 |
Hole in The Wall |
Guest Host |
(GMA Network) |
| 2009 |
Wowowee |
Himself |
Guest Co-Host (ABS-CBN) |
| 2008–2010 |
The Singing Bee |
Himself |
Host (ABS-CBN) |
| 2008 |
Palos |
Fabio Cassimir / Palos |
Main Role (ABS-CBN) |
| 2008 |
Pinoy Mano-Mano The Celebrity Boxing Challenge |
Himself |
host (ABS-CBN) |
| 2007 |
Asian Treasures |
Pancho Pistolero |
guest cast (GMA Network) |
| 2006 |
Ligalig |
MMFF Entry |
|
| 2006 |
The Rootcutter |
tugshk |
pre-production |
| 2006 |
Batang Maynila |
Ralph Clinton Palomeno |
Director |
| 2006 |
Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin: a mega celebration |
Himself |
performer |
| 2005 |
Dagohoy |
Dagohoy / Jeremiah Roxas |
|
| 2005 |
Balangiga Massacre |
Ralph Palomeno |
|
| 2005 |
The Great Raid |
Guerilla Leader Captain Juan Pajota |
Miramax Films |
| 2004 |
30th Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines Awards Night |
Himself-awardee |
TV |
| 2004 |
Panaghoy sa Suba (The Call of the River) |
Duroy |
actor, director, producer |
| 2003 |
Chavit Singson Story |
Chavit Singson |
|
| 2003 |
Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis |
Buboy Magtanggol / Sean Serrano |
|
| 2002 |
Kapalaran |
Himself |
TV series |
| 2001 |
Lakas Sambayanan (People Power) |
No data |
|
| 2001 |
Bagong Buwan (aka New Moon) |
Ahmad Ibn Ismael |
|
| 2001 |
Mananabas: Mga ligaw na talahib (aka The Reaper) |
No data |
Writer |
| 2001 |
Alas dose |
Titus |
|
| 2001 |
Larawan |
???? |
(TV Mini Series) GMA Network |
| 2001 |
Baliktaran: Si Ace at si Angelique |
Cameo |
|
| 2001 |
Hostage |
Jimmy Pizarro |
Actor, Writer |
| 1999 |
Muro Ami (aka Reef Hunters) |
Fredo |
|
| 1999 |
Bullet |
Bullet |
actor, line producer (Viva films) |
| 1999 |
Type kita, walang kokontra |
Victor |
Star Cinema with John Regala and Dayanara Torres, directed by Toto Natividad |
| 1999 |
Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis |
Buboy Magtanggol |
TV series with Maricel Soriano (ABS-CBN) |
| 1998 |
José Rizal |
José Rizal |
|
| 1998 |
Warfreak: Walang sinasanto, walang pinapatawad (Warfreak) |
Jack Llamas |
Viva Films (Released Date: 25 November 1998) |
| 1998 |
Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang probinsyanong wais |
Cameo |
|
| 1998 |
Kasangga Kahit Kailan |
Bardo Santa Mesa/Benjie Borres |
Neo Films (Released Date: 22 July 1998) |
| 1997 |
Sanggano |
Diego |
|
| 1997 |
Wala nang iibigin pa |
Daniel |
|
| 1997 |
Kadre |
Ruben Torres |
|
| 1997 |
Pusakal |
Banjo |
Solar Films (Released Date: 4 June 1997) |
| 1997 |
Batas ko'y bala |
Guiller |
Mega Vision Films (Released Date: 11 September 1996) |
| 1996 |
Bilang na ang araw mo |
Raphael Villegas |
Neo Films (Released Date: 12 June 1996) |
| 1996 |
Kung kaya mo, kaya ko rin |
Mac |
|
| 1996 |
Utol |
Jaime Cordero |
|
| 1995 |
The Lilian Velez Story |
Narding Anzures |
|
| 1995 |
Silakbo |
Andy |
|
| 1995 |
Asero |
Victor |
|
| 1995 |
Manalo, matalo, mahal kita |
Jack |
|
| 1994 |
Talahib at Rosas |
Jacob |
|
| 1993 |
Antipolo Massacre |
Winifredo Masagca |
|
| 1993 |
Markadong Hudas |
Daniel Braganza |
|
| 1993 |
Alyas Waway |
Leonardo delos Reyes/Waway |
Moviestars Production (Released Date: 13 October 1993) |
| 1993 |
Ikaw lang |
Alfred |
Moviestars Production (Released Date: 25 August 1993) |
| 1992 |
Eh! Kasi Bata |
Glen |
|
| 1992 |
Sumayaw Ka Salome |
Anton |
|
| 1992 |
Hiram na Mukha |
Julio |
|
| 1991 |
Kapag nag-abot ang langit at lupa |
Hamil |
|
| 1991 |
Ganito Ba Ang Umibig? |
Armand |
|
| 1991 |
Mainit, masarap... parang kaning isusubo |
|
| 1990 |
Hindi Laruan ang Puso |
Mark |
|
| 1990 |
Machete: Istatwang buhay |
Machete |
|
| 1989 |
Ako ang batas: General Karingal |
Lt. Reyes |
|
| 1989 |
Sagot ng Puso |
Efren |
|
| 1989 |
Kasalanan ang buhayin ka |
Jimie |
|
| 1989 |
Bihagin ang dalagang ito |
Hector |
|
| 1989 |
Kokak |
Ralph Palomeno |
|
| 1989 |
Lihim ng Golden Buddha |
No data |
|
| 1989 |
Ang bukas ay akin |
Predo |
|
| 1988 |
Puso sa puso |
Noel |
|
| 1983 |
Broken Marriage |
Ralph Palomeno |
|
| 1982 |
Relasyon |
Ralph Palomeno |
|
| 1982 |
Ang Tapang Para sa Lahat! |
Young Alex |
| 1982 |
Annabelle Huggins Story |
Ralph Palomeno |
|
| 1981 |
Waway[19] |
Waway |
|
| 1981 |
Agos [19] |
No data |
with Gretchen Barreto |
| 1980 |
Regal Shocker[19] |
No data |
|
| Itak[19] |
No data |
|
| 1979 |
The Maricel Soriano Drama Special[19] |
No data |
|
[4]
| Album information |
Subok lang (Just try)
- Released: 1 January 2000 (Philippines) Star Records
- Chart positions:
- RIAA certification: Platinum
- P.I. Sales:
- Worldwide sales:
- Singles:
- 2000: "Sana Dumating Ka Na" (I Hope You Come Soon)
- 2000: "Sa Pagpatak NG Ulan" (When the Rain Drops)
- 2000: "Kailan Ko Lang Sinabi" (When I Just Told You)
- 2000: "All My Life"
- 2000: "Ikaw Lang "(Only You)
- 2000: "Subok Lang" (Just Try)
- 2000: "Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin" (Even If You Leave Me)
- 2000: "Magic of Love"
- 2000: "Kailan Ko Lang Sinabi" (When I Just Told You)
- 2000: "Ikaw Pa Rin" (Still You)
|
| Persondata |
| Name |
Montano, Cesar |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
|
| Date of birth |
1 August 1962 |
| Place of birth |
Manila, Philippines |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
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