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.

Filmography

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

Appearances as themselves (4)

• 2008Half Blood Samurai — Self
• 2003Utang ng Ama — Self
• 2002People Power — Himself
• 1996Do Re Mi — Himself