Cesar Montano

Acting

Cesar Montano

Born 1962-08-01 · Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines

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") 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.

Acting credits

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

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

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

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

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

Mabuhay Aloha Mabuhay poster
NR

Chronicles the Hawaii exile of the Marcoses in 1986 to the 2016 election of Duterte and 2022 election of Bongbong Marcos.

Mabuhay Aloha Mabuhay

Hitman poster
6.0

“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

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

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

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

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

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

Kokak poster
4.3

a film by Leroy Salvador.

Kokak

1989

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

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

Reef Hunters poster
10.0

Fredo is a fisherman who has endured more than his share of hardship in life; his wife and child both perished in a boating accident, and today Fredo approaches each trip to the sea with the angry determination of a man out for revenge.

Reef Hunters

1999

Working Girls poster
6.5

Women cope with various problems while earning a living in the city.

Working Girls

1984

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

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

Eh Kasi Bata poster
7.0

Eh, Kasi Bata is a 1992 Filipino science fiction comedy film directed by Efren Jarlego.

Eh Kasi Bata

1992

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

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

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

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

Behind the camera

Hitman poster
6.0

“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

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

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 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

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

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