Multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director, Cesar Montano is Cesar Manhilot in real life. His birthdate is August 1, 1962. He was born and raised in Sta. Ana, Manila. “Buboy”, as he is fondly called by family and friends traces his ancestral roots in Bohol, particularly to the Manhilots of Baclayon. He is the fifth among seven children. His father is a lawyer and mom is a Sevent-Day Adventist. His younger brother, Rommel Montano is also an actor and his sister Mercedes is a teacher in Italy. Cesar spent his elementary years at Sta. Ana Elementary School and finished high school at Mariano Marcos High School. He took up and finished Industrial Engineering at the Lyceum University.
He was first married to Marilyn Polinga, a fellow Boholano whom he had two kids, Angelo and Angela. They got separated and the two kids lived with his wife. Not long after Marilyn died of brain tumor in 1993, their children moved in with Cesar. But in 2003, his son Angelo (from his first wife) reportedly committed suicide and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.
He also got into a relationship with actress Teresa Loyzaga (sister of actress Bing Loyzaga) and has a son with her named Carlos Diego. He is married to actress Sunshine Cruz (but is presently reported being separated to each other). Cesar and Sunshine have three daughters: Angeline Isabelle, Samantha Angeline, and Angel Francheska.
Cesar Montano is a known nature lover and an entrepreneur. He owns a farm in Bulacan and a restaurant that specializes in Italian cuisine located in Quezon City. And aside from acting and directing, he is also a professional singer. He was able to release an album entitled “Subok Lang” under Star Records. He also ran for senate in 2007 and lost. In 2010 election, he lost again – this time he ran as governor for his province, Bohol.
Though not that lucky in politics, Cesar is one remarkable actor of the Philippine Cinema. He was paired then with Diamond star Maricel Soriano in a TV series Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis. He also starred in numerous films with different genres (action, drama, and comedy). His portrayal of Jose Rizal (Philippines’ National Hero) was his breakout role. He won numerous acting awards for the movies Panaghoy sa Suba (which marked as his debut in directing), Jose Rizal, Muro Ami (which won thirteen awards at the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival), and Bagong Buwan. He was also one of the casts of the Hollywood film,’ The Great Raid’ with Benjamin Bratt. Other notable films that he took part in include Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Stories, El Presidente, Ligalig, Antipolo Massacre, The Chavit Singson Story, Bullet, Type Kita Walang Kokontra, Sanggano, Kung Kaya Mo Kaya Ko Rin, Utol, Asero, Alyas Waway, Machete, The Lilian Velez Story, Kokak, and many more.
Cesar Montano was also visible on TV’s Kaya ni Mister Kaya ni Misis, Larawan, Kapalaran, Palos, Andres de Saya, and the latest TV5 drama series, Never Say Goodbye. He also hosted the shows Singing Bee, Pinoy Mano-Mano: The Celebrity Boxing Challenge, and the reality talent search of TV5, Artista Academy.
