Onemig Bondoc was born on May 12, 1977. His real name is Juan Miguel Rivera Bondoc, a popular Filipino actor and television personality. His popularity began in the teen oriented TV show “TGIS (Thank God It’s Sabado),” and its sequel “Growing Up,” aired over GMA 7. Later, he transferred to ABS-CBN and made various television shows such as “Ngayong Nandito Ka,” opposite Kristine Hermosa. His parents were businessman Mariano Bondoc Jr. and Milo Rivera. Onemig has three siblings and he is the eldest among them. His dad was training him about their business when showbiz industry took and gave him the opportunity for an acting career. Onemig studied his elementary and high school at La Salle Greenhills. He pursued his remaining high school years at Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada.
Onemig Bondoc was managed by Louie Aguinaldo, who was also the one who discovered him. He was only 13 that time and the youngest to appear in a Close-up toothpaste commercial at 14 years old. That triggered his enty into commercial modeling and by the time he joined the movies, he has already appeared in almost seventeen TV and print commercials such as Jollibee, Ivory Shampoo, Eveready battery, Del Monte 202, Mister Donut and Oishi to name a few. In 1995, he was already a talent of Viva and GMA Network which produced TV shows such as “Ober Da Bakod,” and “Villa Quintana.” It was however in “TGIS” that he was given the big break and was noticed.
At age 17, he was already signing a nine-picture contract under Viva Films. In 1996, he appeared in the movie version “TGIS, Takot Ka Ba Sa Dilim? (Are You Afraid Of the Dark?) which was a blockbuster hit. Other movies soon followed through such as “Where D’Girls R,” “TGIS; The Movie,” and “Silaw,” in 1996 to 1997. Onemig also co-hosted in “Eat Bulaga,” a popular noontime show over GMA 7. In 1997, he was in the cast of “Tropang Trumpo.” He also co-starred in the movie “Dahil Ba Sa Kanya?,” with big stars Aga Muhlach and Mikee Cojuangco. In 1988, he was paired with Judy Ann Santos “I’m Sorry My Love,” together with Judy Ann Santos, in 1999 “Sumigaw Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo,” and his last movie under Viva Films “My Pledge Of Love,” once more with Judy Ann Santos.
When he was with ABS-CBN already, he signed a five-year contract and was managed by Star Magic and was immediately given his first project. He starred in an ABS-CBN drama anthology “Star Drama Theatre,” for a month. He was also cast in the Sunday variety show “ASAP” and “Labs Ko Si Babe,” together with love team Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin. Some differences occurred between him and Viva Films that he was not allowed to do a movie outside the company for a year. Therefore, he concentrated on his television career for the meantime.
In the year 2000, he made a movie with Antoinette Taus entitled ‘Tabi-Tabi Po,” under FLT Films, which was considered a flop. In 2001, Star Cinema offered him to star in “Trip,” which regained his popularity for being a big hit in the box-office. It was immediately followed up by “Jologs,” in 2002 and in 2003 “Buttercup” which were all blockbusters in movies and television respectively. His last television appearance was in the phenomenal hit “Marina” along with Claudine Barretto in 2004 over ABS-CBN.
Onemig had a short stint with IBC-13 and co-hosted ‘Chowtime Na,’ in 2005 over the network. It was in 2006 that he finally retired from showbiz industry and married a Filipina-French commercial model, Valerie Bariou. They were blessed with a daughter and they named her Armelle.
