Profile

    A professional actor in varied domain: theater, movies and television. Throughout his career, which he began in 1977, he has received several nominations: 9 for Best Supporting Actor and 2 for Best Actor (“Ebolusyon” in 2005 and “Boatman” in 1984). His films did not only receive recognition in the Philippines but were also exhibited and nominated for awards in international film festivals like in Cannes, Berlin and Hongkong. The short film, “Anino” (“Shadow”), where he played the principal role received the Palme d’Or in Cannes Film Festival 2000. He is currently working on a saga, “Heremias”, under the direction of the renowned Lav Diaz, and which was shown for exhibition in the recent 23rd Turin Film Festival. He has also performed in several foreign films (French, Japanese and American) shot both in the Philippines and abroad.

    His versatility in acting extends to stage production. He has worked as Artistic Director (“Hiblang Abo”, 2004-05) and as Production Assistant (in an adaptation of “Fiddler on the Roof” and in “Boses”). His Art direction in “Manila by Night/City after Dark” won the Best Production Design Award in 1981. He also co-directed an improvisational play entitled “Pugakhang” in 1979. He has also toured nationwide with his several plays including “Hiblang Abo” which he co-produced.

    In Television, he has appeared in various soap operas among of which is “Kamada”, winner Dove Awards in 1997, and “Ann Luna” where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1990.

    His talent for self-expression attenuates to photography. A self-taught photographer, he has had a number of photo exhibits in Manila. In January 2005, he launched a photo exhibit in Cáceres, Spain in the Museo de la Cárcel Real entitled “Manila en las palmas de la luz”. The exhibit lasted for 2 months with great success. On October 2006,  works exhibited in  Museo Perez Commendador – Leroux  to coinside with the 20th  anniversary celebration of the Museum.

    In 1982-83, he taught and acted as moderator in workshops in the two leading universities in the Philippines (De La Salle and Ateneo de Manila). He has also been involved in a number of humanitarian projects in the Philippines.

    The recent Gawad ng Urian 2009 has awarded the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of a troubled father in the movie Yanggaw which also won several awards from Best film to Best Director in other local award giving bodies.