Cesar Montano

Cesar Manhilot[2] (born August 1, 1962), better known by his screen name Cesar Montano (Tagalog pronunciation: [mɔnˈtanɔ]), is a Filipino actor, film producer and film director.

Cesar Montano
Montano in 2017 as COO of the Tourism Promotions Board
Born
Cesar Manhilot

(1962-08-01) August 1, 1962
OccupationActor, film producer, film director
Years active1981–present
Spouse(s)
  • Marilyn Polinga
    (d. 1992)
  • (m. 2000; ann. 2013)
Children6 (including Diego) [1]

Montano started in show business as a commercial model.[3] 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 starred in war film The Great Raid (2005), his first Hollywood movie.

Montano has won numerous acting awards in 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.

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. Montano also lost the 2010 Gubernatorial race in his home province of Bohol.

On July 13, 2010, Montano officially became a contract artist of GMA Network after signing a two-year exclusive contract with the said network.[4] In 2012, he left GMA 7 for TV5's Artista Academy.

In 2016, Montano was running as the 2nd nominee of Aangat Tayo party-list in the 2016 national elections, but subsequently lost. In the same year, he was appointed by Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo as the Chief Operation Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.[5]

Biography and career

Montano, known by his nickname Buboy, was born and raised in Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines. His paternal side traces its roots to the Manhilots of Baclayon, a town in Bohol.

Early work

Montano acted in stage productions at the University of the Philippines. He worked as a stuntman early in his career.[6]

Montano's first action movie, directed by Toto Natividad, is Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway (1993). The two latter collaborated on such movies as Utol (1996), Biláng na ang Araw mo (1996), Pusakal (1997), Sanggano (1997), Kasangga Kahit Kelan (1998), Warfreak (1998), and Type Kita Walang Kokontra (1999).

He played national hero José Rizal in the historical biopic José Rizal in 1998. In 1999 film Muro Ami, he played Fredo, the boss of child laborers in the illegal fishing industry.[7] The film won thirteen awards at the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival.[7]

Directing

Montano produced, directed and starred in the 2004 film Panaghoy sa Suba. 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. The film is set during World War II, and the story takes place mostly along the Loboc River in Bohol.[8] The film was Montano's directorial debut. It was filmed mostly in the Visayan language with an almost exclusively Visayan cast.[9] t 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.[10] The CEB described the film as "a poetic, sometimes even magical, current of silent struggle and survival."[10]

The Call of the River won multiple awards. It collected Second Best Picture (to Mano Po III: My Love), Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Score and the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, 2004;[11] and Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress at Gawad Suri Awards, Manila, 2005.[12]

Panaghoy sa Suba, which garnered 16 awards and 11 nominations including 5 from the Metro Manila Film Festival, was also given an endorsement by the UNESCO.[9] It was named Best Picture at the International Festival of Independent Films held in Brussels, Belgium. Montano was also chosen Best Director.[13] In addition, Montano also won Best Actor in Panaghoy sa Suba in the Golden Screen Awards.[14]

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.[15][16] 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.[16]

Hollywood

In 2002, 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 as well as an extensive open call audition and series of callbacks in Manila. He played Juan Pajota in the Miramax Film set in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines in 1945 during World War II. The film was shot mostly in Australia and partly in China.[17]

Montano was cast in another U.S. film, Another Deep Breath, scheduled to start shooting in the San Francisco Bay Area in March 2005.[18] Funding was never secured so the production never started shooting.

Music career

On 1 January 2000, Montano released his first music solo album entitled "Subok Lang" (Just Try) under Star Records.[19] On nine of the album's ten songs he is accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. 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. Subok lang went on to become Platinum record.[20]

Political career

Cesar Montano ran for a senate position under the Lakas Partylist in the 2007 elections and lost.[21] On May 19, 2009, he was appointed by then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as her Presidential Special Envoy for Film and Digital Cinema, a newly created position accorded ambassador rank and given diplomatic status by the Department of Foreign Affairs.[22][23] He then again attempted to be involved in politics on October 13, 2009, when he filed his candidacy for governor in his home province Bohol. He lost the 2010 local election for the governor position.[24]

Personal life

Cesar Montano and wife Sunshine Cruz' 2.5-hectare rest house in Pandi, Bulacan..
Façade..

Montano is fluent in both Tagalog and Cebuano, and speaks his ancestral Boholano dialect. He is the fifth of seven children born to a lawyer father and mother that belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Montano describes his father as a strict disciplinarian, and his mother imposing her religion's prohibitions against pork and movies.[20] He attended Santa Ana Elementary School and Mariano Marcos Memorial High School, finishing Mass Communication at Lyceum of the Philippines University in Intramuros, Manila.

Montano was first married to Marilyn Polinga, a fellow Boholano he met at a local Seventh-day Adventist church. Montano then worshipped at the Bread of Life Ministries International evangelical church in Quezon City, before becoming a congregant at Christ's Commission Fellowship in Mandaluyong together with his second wife, Sunshine Cruz, and his children. Polinga, with whom he had two children, died in 1993. Their second child, Christian Angelo Manhilot, died at the age of 23 on March 26, 2010, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at their house in Quezon City.[25]

His son with actress Teresa Loyzaga, Carlos Diego Loyzaga, lived with his mother in Australia, and has returned to the Philippines as an exclusive contract actor with ABS-CBN.[26][27][28]

Montano married Sunshine Cruz on September 14, 2000, in a Christian wedding.[29] They have three daughters, Angeline Isabelle, Samantha Angeline and Angel Francheska[30] He filed for annulment of marriage with Cruz, which was finally granted on August 26, 2013. Aside from his farm in Pandi, Bulacan,[31][32] Montano also owns an Italian restaurant located in Quezon City.[33]

Cesar Montano has rejoined the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[34][35][36]

Filmography

YearTitleMain RoleNotes
2017Carlo J. Caparas Ang PandayPolice C/Supt. Erwin RiveraCCM Film Productions, Viva Films & Star Cinema Films
2016FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoPS/Insp. Hector MercurioABS-CBN
2016Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?Leo CabreraTV5
2015NilalangTony(Haunted Tower Pictures, WeLovePost, Parallax Studios & Viva Films)
2015Kid KulafuSardo(Ten17P)
2014ASOP Music FestivalHimselfComposer (UNTV News and Rescue)
2014The Ryzza Mae ShowHimselfGuest (GMA Network)
2013Akin Pa Rin Ang BukasConrad AlperosGMA Network
2013Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold StoriesAlfredo S. LimCM Films Productions and Viva Films
2013Never Say GoodbyeJavier MontecastroTV5
2012El PresidenteAndres Bonifacio y de CastroVIVA Films, CMB Film, Scenema Concept Int.
2012BiktimaMark de la CruzAlba Productions and Star Cinema
2012Gandang Gabi, Vice!GuestABS-CBN
2012HitmanBenViva Films & CM Films (Cesar Montano's Comeback Action Movie)
2012Artista AcademyHimself/HostTV5
2011Andres de SayaAndres Taguyod(GMA Network)
2010Puso ng Pasko: Artista ChallengeChallenger(GMA Network)
2010IluminaRomano Sebastian(GMA Network)
2010Hole in The WallGuest Host(GMA Network)
2009WowoweeHimselfGuest Co-Host (ABS-CBN)
2008–2010The Singing BeeHostHost (ABS-CBN)
2008PalosFabio Cassimir / PalosMain Role (ABS-CBN)
2008Pinoy Mano-Mano: The Celebrity Boxing ChallengeHimselfhost (ABS-CBN)
2008UrdujaLimhang (voice only)APT Entertainment, Seventoon and Imaginary Friends
2007Asian TreasuresPancho Pistoleroguest cast (GMA Network)
2006LigaligMMFF Entry
2006The Rootcutterpre-production
2006Batang MaynilaDirector
2006Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin: A Mega cClebrationHimselfperformer
2005DagohoyDagohoy/Jeremiah Roxas
2005Balangiga Massacre
2005The Great RaidGuerilla Leader Captain Juan PajotaMiramax Films
200430th Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines Awards NightHimself-awardeeTV
2004Panaghoy sa Suba (The Call of the River)Duroyactor, director, producer
2003Chavit Singson StoryChavit Singson
2003Bida si Mister, Bida si MisisBuboy Magtanggol / Sean Serrano
2002KapalaranHimselfTV series
2002Lakas Sambayanan (People Power)[37]Documentary
2001Bagong Buwan (aka New Moon)Ahmad Ibn Ismael
2001Mananabas: Mga ligaw na talahib (aka The Reaper)Writer
2001Alas doseTitus(Viva Films) Directed by: Augusto Salvador and Cesar Montano
2001Larawan(TV Mini Series) GMA Network
2001Baliktaran: Si Ace at si AngeliqueCameo
2001HostageJimmy PizarroActor, writer
1999Muro Ami (aka Reef Hunters)Fredo
1999BulletBulletactor, line producer (Viva films)
1999Type kita, walang kokontraVictorStar Cinema with John Regala and Dayanara Torres, directed by Toto Natividad (Released Date: 27 January 1999)
1999Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni MisisBuboy MagtanggolTV series with Maricel Soriano (ABS-CBN)
1998José RizalJosé Rizal
1998Warfreak: Walang sinasanto, walang pinapatawad (Warfreak)Jack LlamasNeo Films (Released Date: 25 November 1998) (Directed by: Augusto Salvador and Toto Natividad)
1998Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang probinsyanong waisCameo
1998Kasangga Kahit KailanBardo Santa Mesa/Benjie BorresNeo Films (Released Date: 22 July 1998) (Directed by: Toto Natividad)
1997SangganoDiegoMega Vision Films (Release Date: 26 November 1997) (Directed by: Toto Natividad)
1997Wala nang iibigin paDanielViva Films (Directed by: Toto Natividad)
1997KadreRuben TorresPremiere Productions (Released Date: 22 October 1997)
1997PusakalKing RustiaSolar Films (Released Date: 4 June 1997)
1997Batas ko'y balaGuillerMega Vision Films (Released Date: 11 September 1996)
1996Bilang na ang araw moRaphael VillegasNeo Films (Released Date: 12 June 1996) (Directed by: Toto Natividad)
1996Kung kaya mo, kaya ko rinMac
1996UtolJaime CorderoStar Cinema Productions Inc. (Released Date: 24 April 1996)
1995The Lilian Velez StoryNarding Anzures
1995SilakboAndy
1995AseroVictor Asero
1995Manalo, matalo, mahal kitaJack
1994Talahib at RosasJacob
1994The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!)Winifredo MasagcaViva Films
1993Markadong HudasDaniel Braganza
1993Alyas WawayLeonardo "Waway" delos ReyesMoviestars Production (Released Date: 13 October 1993) (Directed by: Toto Natividad)
1993Ikaw langAlfredMoviestars Production (Released Date: 25 August 1993)
1992Eh! Kasi BataGlen
1992Sumayaw Ka SalomeLeo
1992Hiram na MukhaJulio
1991Kapag nag-abot ang langit at lupaHamil
1991Ganito Ba Ang Umibig?Armand
1991Mainit, masarap ... parang kaning isusubo
1990Hindi Laruan ang PusoMark
1990Machete: Istatwang buhayMachete
1989Ako ang batas: General KaringalLt. Reyes
1989Sagot ng PusoEfren
1989Kasalanan ang buhayin kaJimie
1989Bihagin ang dalagang itoHector
1989KokakRalph Palomeno
1989Lihim ng Golden BuddhaNo
1989Ang bukas ay akinPredo
1988Puso sa pusoNoel
1985Hinugot Sa LangitCesar
1984Working GirlsOffice Bully tormenting the character portrayed by Rio Locsin
1983Broken MarriageRalph Palomeno
1982Relasyon
1982Ang Tapang Para sa Lahat!Young Alex
1982Annabelle Huggins Story
1981Waway[20]Waway
1981Agos [20]with Gretchen Barreto
1980Regal Shocker[20]
1980Itak[20]
1979The Maricel Soriano Drama Special[20]

Discography

Albums and singles

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)

Awards

Year Award Given Body Category Work Result
1989 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Ang Bukas ay Akin Won
1998 Best Actor Jose Rizal[38] Won
2001 Bagong Buwan Won
2004 Best Director Panaghoy sa Suba [38][39] Won
2004 Film Academy of the Philippines Awards (FAP) Won
Gawad Urian Awards Best Actor Won
Best Director Won
Brussels International Film Festival Best Actor Won
2006 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor Ligalig Won
2012 Best Supporting Actor El Presidente Won

References

  1. "Diego Loyzaga goes after dad Cesar Montano on social media". ABS-CBN News.
  2. "Cesar Montano's son commits suicide". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  3. Biography Archived February 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine www.tv.com Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  4. "Transfer to GMA7". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010.
  5. "Cesar Montano to head Tourism Promotions Board". ABS-CBN News. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  6. "Cesar Montano: Biography". TV.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  7. Muro Ami www.geocities.com Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  8. "Cesar Montano's not-so-impossible dream". www.newsflash.org. Archived from the original on 1 January 2006.
  9. Panaghoy sa Suba, Thefreeman.com, Retrieved 30 November 2006. Archived November 30, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "A-rating for 'Panaghoy sa Suba'". www.inq7.net. Archived from the original on 12 November 2005.
  11. And the winners are... Archived 2008-02-04 at the Wayback Machine www.abs-cbn.com Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  12. The Call of the River Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine www.cinemaya.net Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  13. Two Pinoy films triumph at international film fests Archived 2006-04-26 at the Wayback Machine www.abs-cbnnews.com Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  14. Congrats sa mga Winners ng Golden Screen Awards Archived 2008-02-04 at the Wayback Machine www.abs-cbn.com Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  15. Panagahoy sa Suba (Call of the river) to Cannes Filmfest Archived 2006-12-14 at the Wayback Machine, Newsflash.org, Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  16. Cesar Montano’s Panaghoy... to screen in Cannes filmfest, Filipinoreporter.com, Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  17. The Great Raid, IMDb.com, Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  18. Cesar Montano to star in another Hollywood movie www.inq7.net Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  19. Subok lang Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  20. From Hunk to hero to hollywood, Inq7.net, Retrieved 30 November 2006.
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. Chiu, Rey Anthony (5 June 2009). "PGMA names Montano envoy for film, camera". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  23. Sy, Marvin (4 June 2009). "Cesar Montano named special film envoy". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  24. "Archived copy". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2016-03-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "Cesar Montano's son commits suicide". ABS-CBN News.
  26. Franco, Bernie (2011-03-09). "Showbiz newbie Carlos Diego Loyzaga joins 'Mara Clara'". Push.com.ph. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
  27. "Cesar Montano's son signs contract with ABS-CBN". ABS-CBN News. 13 March 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  28. Rowena Joy A. Sanchez (13 March 2011). "Cesar Montano's son ventures into showbiz". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  29. "Archived copy". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-11-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-01-13. Retrieved 2019-11-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. "Bulacan Farm Article 1". Archived from the original on August 9, 2010.
  32. "Agribusinessweek". Ww5.agribusinessweek.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015.
  33. "Bellisimo Restaurant" Archived August 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  34. "Cesar Montano Converted into SDA". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  35. "Cesar Montano Conversion Story". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  36. "Cesar Montano testimony during Hope Baybay 2014". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  37. "Lakas Sambayanan: People Power (1 of 10)" via www.youtube.com.
  38. Regal Films Retrieved 29 January 2007.
  39. Cesar Montano wins film award in Brussels Archived 2016-01-13 at the Wayback Machine www.boholchronicle.com Retrieved 29 November 2006.
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