Cast & creator
Cesar Montano
Best known for Asian Treasures, Ilumina, The Great Raid
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.
88
film credits
6
television credits
79
1983–2026 · acting roles
6.5
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (94)
Showing 94 of 94 credits
Asian Treasures
Pancho Pistolero
2007
Ilumina
Romano Sebastian
2010
The Great Raid
Guerilla Leader Juan Pajota
2005
Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas
Conrad Alperos
2013
Palos
Fabio Cassimir / Palos / Eel
2008
Never Say Goodbye
Javier Montecastro
2013
Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan
Cenon Aurelio
2023
Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return Of The Comeback
2000
People Power
Himself
2002
Biktima
Mark De La Cruz
2012
Markadong Hudas
Daniel Braganza
1994
A Far Away Life
The Doctor
2026
Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba
Daniel
1997
Do Re Mi
Himself
1996
Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin!
Mac
1996
Maid in Malacañang
President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
2022
Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway
Nards
1993
Working Girls
Officemate
1984
Paraiso: Three Stories of Hope
Rudy Abad
2007
José Rizal
José Rizal
1998
Ganito Ba Ang Umibig?
1991
Entity
Tony
2015
Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy - Mea Culpa
1995
Ligalig
Junior
2006Ligalig
Screenplay
2006Ligalig
Story
2006Ligalig
Director
2006
Manalo, Matalo, Mahal Kita
1995
Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa
Hamil
1991
Baliktaran: Si Ace at si Daisy
2001
The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part
Narding Anzures
1995
Isla
1985
El Presidente
Andres Bonifacio
2012
Type Kita… Walang Kokontra!
Victor Madrid
1999
Kid Kulafu
Sardo
2015
Alamat ni China Doll
2013
To Mama with Love
Rainier's friend
1983Mainit... Masarap... parang Kaning Isusubo
1991
Wrenched From Heaven
1985
The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!)
1994
Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan
Anselmo
1993Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story
Alfredo S. Lim
2013Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story
Director
2013Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story
Screenplay
2013
Bilang Na ang Araw Mo
Rafael
1996
Machete: Istatwang Buhay
Machete
1990Ang Bukas ay Akin! (Langit ang Uusig)
Prego
1989
Martyr or Murderer
Ferdinand Marcos
2023
Hindi Laruan Ang Puso
1990
Bihagin Ang Dalagang Ito
1989
Utang ng Ama
Self
2003
Eh Kasi Bata
Glen
1992
New Moon
Ahmad
2001
Urduja
Limhang (voice)
2008
Hitman
2012Hitman
Director
2012
Violator
2014
Reef Hunters
Fredo
1999
The Graduates
1986
The Blood Brothers
2024The Blood Brothers
Director
2024
Hostage
Jimmy Pizaro
2001Hostage
Story
2001
Kaibigan
Victor Soriano
2019Kaibigan
Director
2019
Utol
Jaime
1996Chavit
Chavit
2003
The Call of the River
Duroy
2004The Call of the River
Director
2004The Call of the River
Writer
2004
Asero
Victor Asero
1995
Ronda
2014
Half Blood Samurai
Self
2008
Motherland
2024
Kokak
1989
Selda Tres
2025
Sanggano
Diego
1997
Broken Marriage
1983
Bullet
1999Bullet
Writer
1999Bullet
Director
1999
Borrowed Face
Mendez
1992
Only You
Alfred
1993
Sagot ng Puso
1990
Silakbo
1995
Puso sa Puso
1988
Pusakal
1997
Alas Dose
Titus Varona
2001Alas Dose
Story
2001
Talahib at Rosas
1994
Mabuhay Aloha Mabuhay
Ferdinand Marcos
Kasangga... Kahit Kailan
Bardo / Benjie
1998
The Reaper
Miguel Marasigan
2001The Reaper
Director
2001