Cesar Montano

Acting

Cesar Montano

Born

1962-08-01 (64)

Place of birth

Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines

Known for

Acting

Credits

78 titles

Cesar Manhilot (born August 1, 1962), known professionally as Cesar Montano, is a Filipino actor, film producer, and film director. Montano started in show business as a commercial model. 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. One of his best-known roles is his portrayal of the titular patriot José Rizal in the film José Rizal (1998). He starred in the war film The Great Raid (2005), his first Hollywood film. Montano has won numerous acting awards in Panaghoy sa Suba ("The Call of the River"), José Rizal, Muro Ami ("Reef Hunters") an…

Known for

The Great Raid poster
6.5

As World War II rages, the elite Sixth Ranger Battalion is given a mission of heroic proportions: push 30 miles behind enemy lines and liberate over 500 American prisoners of war.

The Great Raid

2005

Asian Treasures poster
6.0

Asian Treasures is an action-adventure Philippine drama aired and produced by GMA Network starred by Angel Locsin and Robin Padilla, and was directed by Eric Quizon. This show is all about Asian History. It was the first Philippine drama shot in multiple countries such as Mongolia, Thailand and China. Its pilot episode, which garnered a 41.8% rating, aired on January 15, 2007. It was the most expensive TV series ever produced in the Philippine television costing more than 140 million pesos, roughly 3.1 million dollars, but is now outbeated by Amaya as the most expensive series ever.

Asian Treasures

2007

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas poster
NR

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas or Perfect Vengeance is a Filipino drama series to be broadcast by GMA Network starring Lovi Poe, Charee Pineda, Rocco Nacino, Solenn Heussaff and Cesar Montano. It is set to premiere on September 9, 2013 replacing Mundo Mo'y Akin on the network's primetime GMA Telebabad block and worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV on September 10, 2013.

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas

2013

Ilumina poster
6.0

Ilumina is a fantasy-themed Philippine drama series about witchcraft, demonic possession,and sorcery directed by Mark A. Reyes and distributed by GMA Network. It premiered on August 2, 2010. The Show is Mentioned On Bubble Gang's Sketch, Cheche Bureche alongside Luna Mystika

Ilumina

2010

Palos poster
NR

Palos is a Philippine primetime action and drama television series of ABS-CBN. The series debuted on January 28, 2008, as part of the network's Primetime Bida line-up. The series is loosely based on the classic Filipino comics and film character of the same name Palos, which means Eel in Tagalog. In the original comics, Palos was a professional thief who possessed acrobatic skills, and who was adept in the fighting arts.

Palos

2008

Never Say Goodbye poster
NR

Never Say Goodbye is a Philippine television drama broadcast on TV5. It started on February 11, 2013.

Never Say Goodbye

2013

Film credits

2020s · 6 titles

Maid in Malacañang poster
3.9

The untold story of the last 72 hours of the Marcoses inside Malacañang Palace before fleeing to Hawaii, during the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Maid in Malacañang

2022

The Blood Brothers poster
NR

The movie tells of Philippine history before Islam came in and is being told in the perspective of two brothers and how the education of the other drove a wedge between them but served as a catalyst to their cultural differences. According to Montano, this project was borne out of his most meaningful visit to the municipality of Upi in Maguindanao where he met Adamat.

The Blood Brothers

2024

A Far Away Life poster
8.0

In the Philippines: The coming-of-age story of Tess, a beautiful, hot-blooded Filipina who must choose between her true love and the welfare of her family. The film wends its way through country villages, lush jungle and idyllic, palm-lined beaches, featuring two stars of Philippine cinema, Cesar Montano and Joross Gamboa. An energized musical score celebrates the soulful BisRock artists of the Visayan Islands with more than 20 original songs.

A Far Away Life

2026

Motherland poster
NR

Motherland explores the tragic Mamasapano incident, resulted in mass casualties in southern Philippines.

Motherland

2024

Martyr or Murderer poster
2.0

A sequel to Maid in Malacañang. The film explores the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983, three years before the events of Maid in Malacañang, and how the Marcoses were accused of as those responsible for killing him.

Martyr or Murderer

2023

Selda Tres poster
NR

After a brief and wrongful incarceration, a law office messenger helps defend his former cellmates in court as a paralegal.

Selda Tres

2025

2010s · 9 titles

Entity poster
5.0

An agent partners with the heiress of a Japanese crime syndicate to put an end to the centuries-old curse that could be responsible for the spate of serial murders taking place in Manila.

Entity

2015

Biktima poster
NR

A female TV reporter, Alice is thought dead from an ambush in Southern Philippines. Just when her husband Mark moves on with his life, Alice is found alive.

Biktima

2012

El Presidente poster
6.5

The film begins with his capture by Philippine and US forces under Frederick Funston's command in 1901, then flashes back to 1886, when an old woman gives Aguinaldo and his childhood friend Candido Tirona cryptic prophecies. Ten years later, Aguinaldo is inducted into the Katipunan and later assumes leadership of its Cavite chapter while becoming mayor of Cavite El Viejo. When the trouble breaks out in Manila in late August 1896, Aguinaldo tries to assure the Spanish provincial government of non-interference and covertly marshals his forces despite a lack of weapons. Learning that the Spanish mostly put their forces in Manila, Aguinaldo finally mobilizes his troops and take the command of the Katipunan forces in Cavite

El Presidente

2012

Kid Kulafu poster
6.5

Before he became one of the world's greatest boxers, Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao was a young boy living a hand-to-mouth existence, trying to survive from one day to the next. When he discovers his natural talent for boxing, he embarks on a brutal and intense journey that takes him from the mountains of the Philippines to the streets of Manila, and must risk everything to become a champion - for himself, his family, and his country.

Kid Kulafu

2015

No artwork available
NR

Alfredo S. Lim has just been awarded as one of Manila's ten most outstanding policemen. The celebration has abruptly ended when one of his co-honorees is killed while trying to stop a robbery. Lim tracks down these criminals which ruffles the feathers of powerful people. His work takes a personal toll on his marriage and also puts his family in danger.

Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story

2013

Violator poster
4.0

Manila is besieged by the worst typhoon to hit the country. Talk of the world coming to an end hangs in the air. And five men find themselves stranded inside a police station with a prisoner who may o may not be the devil. It's going to be a long night.

Violator

2014

Hitman poster
6.7

“Hitman“ tells the story of Ben (played by Cesar), a man seeking revenge for the brutal death of his family committed by the very people who hired him to kill people. Along the way, he meets Gina (Sam Pinto) which compounds the situation and brings Ben to a crossroad. The story happens in just 48 hours with one scene vital to the next that viewers can’t afford to miss out on any one.

Hitman

2012

Kaibigan poster
NR

In an age rocked by drugs and a culture in danger of folding to worldly influences, rival high school basketball players clash on and off the basketball court because of different lifestyles/values. A tragic event transforms their rivalry into a bond as they discover the meaning of friendship, faith and the redemption that follows.

Kaibigan

2019

Alamat ni China Doll poster
8.0

A journalist investigates a woman with the name of China Doll. Soon, he discovers his knowledge of her turns out to be dangerous.

Alamat ni China Doll

2013

2000s · 11 titles

The Great Raid poster
6.5

As World War II rages, the elite Sixth Ranger Battalion is given a mission of heroic proportions: push 30 miles behind enemy lines and liberate over 500 American prisoners of war.

The Great Raid

2005

Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return Of The Comeback poster
8.8

A man (Janno Gibbs) meets the leader (Ramon Zamora) of a distant land threatened by imminent destruction.

Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return Of The Comeback

2000

People Power poster
7.0

Documentary to trace the origins of People Power in history, to determine how it has strengthened democratic institutions in the Philippines, and to see where it is headed, despite the distractions and corruptions we have been seeing these past two years.

People Power

2002

Baliktaran: Si Ace at si Daisy poster
4.0

This is about a man and a woman who are forced to marry each other except, their sexual identity causes them trouble because the man is gay and the woman is a lesbian. They struggle throughout their marriage until the end.

Baliktaran: Si Ace at si Daisy

2001

Paraiso: Three Stories of Hope poster
NR

Three uplifting stories of faith, compassion and courage provide the framework for this inspirational film. First, Jocelyn, a victim of the mudslides in Leyte, finds strength in the face of tragedy; next, a family's adoption of a neglected young boy brings healing; and in the final chapter, widower Rudy Abad decides to build a village in the Philippines in memory of his wife, who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Paraiso: Three Stories of Hope

2007

Ligalig poster
1.0

A series of murders takes place in the Metropolis in a span of three weeks, the latest of which happens on the night Junior, a taxi driver, makes love to a prostitute...

Ligalig

2006

Hostage poster
8.0

Jimmy Pizaras’ ultimate goal in life is to kill the drug lord Johnny Morales to avenge the death of his daughter Annie and cousin Congressman Santos. Jimmy devised several plans to execute his goal. But when his last plan failed, he then took his enemy’s daughter Mabel as a hostage. However, Jimmy learned that Mabel is just Johnny’s adoptive daughter, who was just used to project a better public image. Jimmy, still eager to pursue his vengeful goal, hid the child in a far-flung village. There, he met Gina.

Hostage

2001

New Moon poster
8.0

Ahmad belongs to the Bangsamoro people. While many of his kind are bent on fighting, thinking that Mindanao is only for the Muslims, Ahmad prefers to live a simple and peaceful life. He works as a doctor in Manila while his wife, Fatima, and his only son, Ibrahim, stay in Mindanao with his mother, Farida. Ahmad is shocked and devastated when Fatima breaks the confounding news. Ibrahim was killed by a stray bullet when vigilantes indiscriminately fire at their village. Ahmad goes back to where he came from Mindanao. Ibrahim’s death did not cause Ahmad to stop striving to live a peaceful life, much to the consternation of his brother, Musa. His brother takes an exactly opposite stand. Musa believes in waging a war against all the Kaafir (unbelievers) who may impede the Moro’s goal of independence. He even trains his young son, Rashid to a Muslim warrior’s life.

New Moon

2001

Urduja poster
5.5

Set in the 13th century, the film is a fictionalized tale of Princess Urduja, a legendary warrior princess of Pangasinan. The film is created by an all-Filipino group of animators and made using the traditional (hand-drawn) animation process.

Urduja

2008

Utang ng Ama poster
7.0

A 2003 Filipino comedy film starring Jinggoy Estrada, Joey Marquez, and Katya Santos.

Utang ng Ama

2003

The Call of the River poster
7.0

The film tells the story of a (somehow) love-triangle set in Bohol during World War II; though the main underlying themes deals with Filipino nationalism and the legacies of colonialism.

The Call of the River

2004

1990s · 25 titles

José Rizal poster
8.8

Accused of treason, Dr. Jose P. Rizal awaits trial and meets with his colonial government-appointed counsel, Luis Taviel de Andrade. The two build the case and arguments for the defense as significant events in the central figure's life prior to his incarceration unfold. Upon hearing Rizal's life story, Taviel begins to realize that the accused not just is innocent but exhibits in fact all the qualities of an extraordinary man. When the mock trial unreels, Taviel is all set to act as the prime advocate for his client as Rizal himself is about to give an earth-moving speech to defend his honor and address his countrymen. Meanwhile, the Spanish authorities have worked out the vast political machinery to ensure a guilty verdict. A revolution waits in the wings.

José Rizal

1998

Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin! poster
3.0

A government agent investigating a suspected terrorist is accused of having an affair by his wife. The false accusation leads to the end of their marriage for the sake of their son.

Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin!

1996

Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba poster
6.5

Sarah, an archaeologist and museum curator, is good at recovering and restoring treasures. One day, a very important treasure map is stolen from the museum, but the map is in Latin and the guys who seized it cannot read it.

Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba

1997

Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway poster
5.0

The life story of Waway, a notorious mad killer during the 1970s.

Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway

1993

The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part poster
8.0

Sharon Cuneta plays the biographical account of the murder case of Filipina movie actress Lilian Velez during the 1950's.

The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part

1995

Reef Hunters poster
10.0

After losing his family at sea, Fredo, a fisherman, seeks revenge by plundering the depths of the ocean. He commands a brutal muro-ami divers, pushing them to the brink as survival demands the sacrifice of innocence.

Reef Hunters

1999

Hindi Laruan Ang Puso poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

Hindi Laruan Ang Puso

1990

Do Re Mi poster
8.0

Three girls, divided by personalities, cultural backgrounds, and principles, have one thing in common: their love for music.

Do Re Mi

1996

Ganito Ba Ang Umibig? poster
NR

A 1991 Filipino drama film directed by Laurice Guillen.

Ganito Ba Ang Umibig?

1991

Machete: Istatwang Buhay poster
4.5

A machete-wielding sculpture mysteriously comes alive helps people, fulfills the sexual fantasies of its sculptress and goes back to being lifeless again.a machete-wielding sculpture mysteriously comes alive helps people, fulfills the sexual fantasies of its sculptress and goes back to being lifeless again.

Machete: Istatwang Buhay

1990

Manalo, Matalo, Mahal Kita poster
8.0

A winning lottery ticket leads to trouble and romance for an indebted man.

Manalo, Matalo, Mahal Kita

1995

Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa poster
9.0

No synopsis available yet.

Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa

1991

Markadong Hudas poster
7.0

Daniel Braganza is the leading assassin of a big crime syndicate, a killer totally bereft of a conscience, thereby earning the nickname of Markadong Hudas. Unknown to the underworld, Daniel is only doing his job to earn big amounts of money to save the life of his young daughter who is very sick and needs expensive care.

Markadong Hudas

1994

No artwork available
NR

An overdose of anesthesia damaged her brain during the delivery of her baby. Can a husband ever stand loving an infant wife?

Mainit... Masarap... parang Kaning Isusubo

1991

Bilang Na ang Araw Mo poster
9.0

Rafael (Cesar) and Martin (Rustom) are childhood friends who grew up in different sides of the law. Rafael became a hitman, while Martin became a defense lawyer.

Bilang Na ang Araw Mo

1996

Only You poster
8.0

A librarian's husband and mother-in-law turn out to be psychotically abusive. When the husband mistakenly thinks he has killed her, he dumps her in a river, where she is saved by a fisherman. Desperate for money and in need of help to take revenge on her husband, she hooks up with a bank robber whom she falls in love with. Together, they return to her husband's home and kill him.

Only You

1993

Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan poster
7.0

On the death of their father, the heiress, Dina, sent her illegitimate sisters Ester and Jocelyn out of her vast hacienda and even deprived them from what is rightfully theirs. A few years later, the hardworking and determined Alice returned, ready to turn the tables on her wicked sister.

Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan

1993

Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy - Mea Culpa poster
6.5

She was a popular actress during the 1960s who starred with Jack Nicholson in “Back Door To Hell”. Unfortunately, she meets a man in a billiard hall who kidnapped her twice.

Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy - Mea Culpa

1995

The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!) poster
7.0

Possessed by an evil spirit lurked into his soul Winifredo (Cesar Montano) brought misery and affliction to his once happy and contented family life. Cecilia (Dawn Zulueta) tried to save his husband from committing murder but it was too late the jungle bolo seemed to have ruled his being thus a bloody and gory ending. It was thought that the spirit lives in the bolo with its dark past used in hacking the victims.

The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!)

1994

Asero poster
7.5

Childhood friends Victor and Narding built their friendship in the street. At a very young age, they were partners performing dangerous activities. However, Narding heeds his foster parents’ request for him to enter the seminary to become a priest. Victor is left alone without any parental support. Later on, he grows up to be a criminal. His wayward ways eventually got him imprisoned. Meanwhile, Narding became a good priest. He visits his old friend Victor in the prison and supported him until he finished his term. Narding accompanies Victor to their hometown where Narding works as a parish priest. Albeit their friendship has rekindled, Victor and Narding argue because of their different ways of raising homeless kids. Victor trains them the rough and dangerous ways, while Narding wants them to settle everything in a peaceful manner.

Asero

1995

Utol poster
6.5

Jaime quits a syndicate led by Don Jose, gets imprisoned, and reunites with his brother Joey who takes his place as the new leader of Don Jose's henchmen.

Utol

1996

Borrowed Face poster
8.5

Alicia is an unattractive woman who is transformed into a beauty by a plastic surgeon. She soon realizes that beauty is not all that matters in this world.

Borrowed Face

1992

Talahib at Rosas poster
4.7

An heiress is abducted by rebels in the United States. Jacob, an experienced tracker serving his time in prison, is hired for the rescue mission in exchange for his freedom.

Talahib at Rosas

1994

Type Kita… Walang Kokontra! poster
6.5

Isabel Torres went to the Philippines to meet her Filipino penpal Primo. Primo, on the other hand, asked his cop cousin Victor to pretend to be him for he lacks enough confidence to woo his foreign lover. Victor, who is very much focused on doing his job perfectly, thoughtlessly granted his cousin’s request. However, as Victor gets to spend time with Isabel, he finds himself diverting his concerns in finding out if Isabel is the right woman for him. Isabel, on the other hand, couldn’t help but fall in love with Victor too. Primo got jealous with the blooming romance of his cousin and penpal, who is associated to Vernon, a drug lord who is plotting something against Victor.

Type Kita… Walang Kokontra!

1999

Kasangga... Kahit Kailan poster
10.0

A man and a woman rule the streets with their somewhat extraordinary skills. One is a hustler and the other is a thief. One day they are yanked out from their happy world of petty crimes.

Kasangga... Kahit Kailan

1998

1980s · 9 titles

Series credits

Asian Treasures poster
6.0

Asian Treasures is an action-adventure Philippine drama aired and produced by GMA Network starred by Angel Locsin and Robin Padilla, and was directed by Eric Quizon. This show is all about Asian History. It was the first Philippine drama shot in multiple countries such as Mongolia, Thailand and China. Its pilot episode, which garnered a 41.8% rating, aired on January 15, 2007. It was the most expensive TV series ever produced in the Philippine television costing more than 140 million pesos, roughly 3.1 million dollars, but is now outbeated by Amaya as the most expensive series ever.

Asian Treasures

2007

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas poster
NR

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas or Perfect Vengeance is a Filipino drama series to be broadcast by GMA Network starring Lovi Poe, Charee Pineda, Rocco Nacino, Solenn Heussaff and Cesar Montano. It is set to premiere on September 9, 2013 replacing Mundo Mo'y Akin on the network's primetime GMA Telebabad block and worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV on September 10, 2013.

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas

2013

Ilumina poster
6.0

Ilumina is a fantasy-themed Philippine drama series about witchcraft, demonic possession,and sorcery directed by Mark A. Reyes and distributed by GMA Network. It premiered on August 2, 2010. The Show is Mentioned On Bubble Gang's Sketch, Cheche Bureche alongside Luna Mystika

Ilumina

2010

Palos poster
NR

Palos is a Philippine primetime action and drama television series of ABS-CBN. The series debuted on January 28, 2008, as part of the network's Primetime Bida line-up. The series is loosely based on the classic Filipino comics and film character of the same name Palos, which means Eel in Tagalog. In the original comics, Palos was a professional thief who possessed acrobatic skills, and who was adept in the fighting arts.

Palos

2008

Never Say Goodbye poster
NR

Never Say Goodbye is a Philippine television drama broadcast on TV5. It started on February 11, 2013.

Never Say Goodbye

2013

Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan poster
NR

Prime actress Cristine Reyes and Marco Gumabao team up with the award-winning Cesar Montano in the series remake of a classic film written by Carlo J. Caparas. Fate brings past lovers Helen and Rod closer resulting to a forbidden love affair.

Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan

2023

Behind the camera

The Blood Brothers poster
NR

The movie tells of Philippine history before Islam came in and is being told in the perspective of two brothers and how the education of the other drove a wedge between them but served as a catalyst to their cultural differences. According to Montano, this project was borne out of his most meaningful visit to the municipality of Upi in Maguindanao where he met Adamat.

The Blood Brothers

2024

Ligalig poster
1.0

A series of murders takes place in the Metropolis in a span of three weeks, the latest of which happens on the night Junior, a taxi driver, makes love to a prostitute...

Ligalig

2006

Ligalig poster
1.0

A series of murders takes place in the Metropolis in a span of three weeks, the latest of which happens on the night Junior, a taxi driver, makes love to a prostitute...

Ligalig

2006

No artwork available
NR

Alfredo S. Lim has just been awarded as one of Manila's ten most outstanding policemen. The celebration has abruptly ended when one of his co-honorees is killed while trying to stop a robbery. Lim tracks down these criminals which ruffles the feathers of powerful people. His work takes a personal toll on his marriage and also puts his family in danger.

Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story

2013

No artwork available
NR

Alfredo S. Lim has just been awarded as one of Manila's ten most outstanding policemen. The celebration has abruptly ended when one of his co-honorees is killed while trying to stop a robbery. Lim tracks down these criminals which ruffles the feathers of powerful people. His work takes a personal toll on his marriage and also puts his family in danger.

Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story

2013

Hitman poster
6.7

“Hitman“ tells the story of Ben (played by Cesar), a man seeking revenge for the brutal death of his family committed by the very people who hired him to kill people. Along the way, he meets Gina (Sam Pinto) which compounds the situation and brings Ben to a crossroad. The story happens in just 48 hours with one scene vital to the next that viewers can’t afford to miss out on any one.

Hitman

2012

Kaibigan poster
NR

In an age rocked by drugs and a culture in danger of folding to worldly influences, rival high school basketball players clash on and off the basketball court because of different lifestyles/values. A tragic event transforms their rivalry into a bond as they discover the meaning of friendship, faith and the redemption that follows.

Kaibigan

2019

The Call of the River poster
7.0

The film tells the story of a (somehow) love-triangle set in Bohol during World War II; though the main underlying themes deals with Filipino nationalism and the legacies of colonialism.

The Call of the River

2004

The Call of the River poster
7.0

The film tells the story of a (somehow) love-triangle set in Bohol during World War II; though the main underlying themes deals with Filipino nationalism and the legacies of colonialism.

The Call of the River

2004

Bullet poster
4.3

Bullet, a skilled marksman, accidentally films gangsters beating up a kidnap victim. He and his cousins witness a gangland murder, putting them in danger.

Bullet

1999

Bullet poster
4.3

Bullet, a skilled marksman, accidentally films gangsters beating up a kidnap victim. He and his cousins witness a gangland murder, putting them in danger.

Bullet

1999

The Reaper poster
6.0

A group of prisoners was secretly commissioned by Gen. Torre to fight those who intend to destabilize the government. And after successfully ridding the system of scalawags, they were promised that their records will be cleared as well as reinstatement in the police service. After the media questioned the existence of the group, the general decides to get rid of them by execution. The group found out about this and decided to fight back.

The Reaper

2001