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Cesar Montano

Cesar Montano

Actor · Born August 1, 1962 (64) · 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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 1, 1962 (64)
From
Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines
Works as
Actor
Titles
5 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 35% in 30 days

What are Cesar Montano's films like?

Across their 5 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
28%
Survival
20%
Bonds
18%
Society
17%
Ideas
17%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 1 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 1 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 0 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 0 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 0 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 1 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Melancholic
3
Dread
2
Hopeful
2
Contemplative
1
Other
1

How their films linger

Thought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Cesar Montano's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 1 of their 5 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Cesar Montano's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 5 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Far Away Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as The Doctor

  • Selda Tres (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Motherland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • The Blood Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Director · Actor

  • Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 15 episodes · as Cenon Aurelio

  • Martyr or Murderer(2023)

    as Ferdinand Marcos

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Maid in Malacañang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

  • Kaibigan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · as Victor Soriano

  • Geisha of Death(2015)

    as Tony

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Kid Kulafu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Sardo

  • Violator(2014)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Ronda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Alamat ni China Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 79 episodes · as Conrad Alperos

  • Alfredo S. Lim: The Untold Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Screenplay · as Alfredo S. Lim

  • Never Say Goodbye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 63 episodes · as Javier Montecastro

  • El Presidente (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Andres Bonifacio

  • Biktima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Mark De La Cruz

  • Hitman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · Actor

  • Ilumina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 80 episodes · as Romano Sebastian

  • Urduja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Limhang (voice)

  • Palos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 63 episodes · as Fabio Cassimir / Palos / Eel

  • Paraiso: Three Stories of Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Rudy Abad

  • Asian Treasures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 118 episodes · as Pancho Pistolero

  • Ligalig (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Junior

  • The Great Raid(2005)

    as Guerilla Leader Juan Pajota

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Call of the River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Writer · as Duroy

  • Chavit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Chavit

  • New Moon(2001)

    as Ahmad

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Reaper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · as Miguel Marasigan

  • Alas Dose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Story · as Titus Varona

  • Baliktaran: Si Ace at si Daisy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Hostage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Story · as Jimmy Pizaro

  • Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return Of The Comeback (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Reef Hunters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Fredo

  • Bullet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • Type Kita… Walang Kokontra! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Victor Madrid

  • José Rizal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as José Rizal

  • Kasangga... Kahit Kailan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Bardo / Benjie

  • Sanggano (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Diego

  • Pusakal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Daniel

  • Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko Rin! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Mac

  • Bilang Na ang Araw Mo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Rafael

  • Utol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Jaime

  • Manalo, Matalo, Mahal Kita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Asero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Victor Asero

  • The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Narding Anzures

  • Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy - Mea Culpa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Silakbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Talahib at Rosas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Markadong Hudas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Daniel Braganza

  • The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre (Jesus Save Us!) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Leonardo Delos Reyes: Alyas Waway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Nards

  • Hanggang Saan Hanggang Kailan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Anselmo

  • Only You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Alfred

  • Borrowed Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mendez

  • Eh Kasi Bata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Glen

  • Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Hamil

  • Ganito Ba Ang Umibig? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Mainit... Masarap... parang Kaning Isusubo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Machete: Istatwang Buhay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Machete

  • Sagot ng Puso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Hindi Laruan Ang Puso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Ang Bukas ay Akin! (Langit ang Uusig) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Prego

  • Bihagin Ang Dalagang Ito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Kokak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Puso sa Puso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • The Graduates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Wrenched From Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Working Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Officemate

  • Broken Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • To Mama with Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Rainier's friend

  • Mabuhay Aloha Mabuhay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Ferdinand Marcos

Career shape

Star power in the 37th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles, 73 of them dated from 1983 to 2026.

Biggest box office

The Great Raid (2005)

$11M worldwide

Highest rated

The Great Raid (2005)

Midcredits 64th

Film career

  • 2005Screen debut· The Great Raid

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 64 only acting, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score39thDirecting8 of 74: 0 only directing, 8 with another roleWriting6 of 74: 0 only writing, 6 with another role

74 titles, 10 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 8 of them.

By decade

1980s9 · acting1990s30 · 30 acting · 1 crew2000s14 · 14 acting · 5 crew2010s13 · 13 acting · 3 crew2020s7 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Cesar Montano's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 39th percentile, the median of all 5; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 43rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 5 titles, by percentile

  • 50th to 74th2
  • 25th to 49th3

Shape of the crowd

2 of their 5 titles are Cult Classics.

  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

Martyr or Murderer (2023)

99th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Great Raid (2005)

Midcredits 64th · 62% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 20. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.