Jiro Manio (born May 9, 1992) is a Filipino actor. He is best known for his portrayal of the title character in the drama film Magnifico (2003), for which he won the Gawad Urian for Best Actor at age 12, making him the youngest-ever winner in that category. For that same film, he also won the PMPC Star Award for Movie Actor of the Year, FAP Award for Best Actor, and FAMAS Award for Best Child Actor—thus winning the Philippine movie grand slam. Earlier, he won the Best Child Performer award in the 2001 Metro Manila Film Festival for his role in Marilou Diaz-Abaya's Bagong Buwan (2001). He also received acting award nominations for his performances in Mila (2001) and Foster Child (2007). Manio also appeared in the comedy film Ang Tanging Ina (2003) and its sequels, the fantasy television series Spirits (2004–05), and the gay-themed comedy Manay Po (2006) and its sequel.

Starting in his late teens, Manio's personal life has been mired with controversies including drug abuse and an arrest for alleged frustrated homicide.

Early life and education

Manio was born to a Filipino mother Joylene Santos Manio (died August 8, 2006) and Japanese father . He was raised by his grandfather and had a younger brother named Anjo Santos.

Manio attended grade school at Holy Child Parochial School in San Juan, Metro Manila (now Saint John the Baptist Catholic School) and graduated from high school in 2012 through the Philippines Department of Education's (DepEd) home study program at Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries (RESPCI) in Pasig. He planned to study Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) in culinary studies at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Malate district of Manila.

Career

He starred in the digital film Tambolista for Cinema One network and in Ang Tanging Ina Niyong Lahat with Ai-Ai delas Alas. In 2004, he won the Best Actor at the Gawad Urian and the Best Child Actor award at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awardss (FAMAS) for the movie Magnifico.

He was a member of ABS-CBN's talent management agency Star Magic from 1999 until his termination in June 2009 due to unprofessional behavior.

In 2010, he transferred to GMA Network and appeared on that network's show Pilyang Kerubin, top billed by Barbie Forteza.

Personal life

Substance abuse

Manio later became a drug addict. He fathered two daughters out of wedlock with a longtime partner.

On May 18, 2011, the news programme TV Patrol reported that Manio underwent rehabilitation treatment for drug addiction. With the encouragement of his foster father, Andrew, and his manager, Magnifico director Maryo J. delos Reyes, he committed himself to the Home Care rehabilitation center, where he underwent therapy for almost a year. After the initial phase of his rehabilitation, Home Care allowed him to finish his senior year of high school.

On June 30, 2015, Manio was spotted wandering around Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. Manio, who was scavenging for food and living off the kindness of airport staff, had apparently run away and gone missing from Cainta four days before, following a supposed altercation with relatives.

On July 1, 2015, four days after wandering around NAIA, he was finally brought home by his half brother, Anjo Santos, after Manio's relative saw his picture that appeared on different social networking sites.

Comedian Ai-Ai delas Alas and other artists offered Manio their help to get his life back on the right track, but he refused it.

When he was asked by reporters if he is still open to new projects in the near future, Manio refused to continue his work as an actor.

In January 2016, Manio was released from a rehabilitation center after months of treatment but returned to in February due to his chronic health condition.

Frustrated homicide case

On the evening of January 17, 2020, Manio was arrested after allegedly stabbing a man during a fight in Marikina. The complainant, 25-year-old Zeus Doctolero, filed a police report claiming that Manio attacked him unprovoked while he was walking to a friend's house. A fistfight ensued between the two, during which Manio allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and stabbed Doctolero at least three times until the latter managed to get hold of the knife. Doctolero was treated at the hospital for wounds sustained on his upper back and head. However, some witnesses countered Doctolero's report, claiming that Doctolero, who was allegedly drunk at the time, used a motorcycle helmet to attack Manio first, and that Manio held a spoon instead of a knife. However, police did not receive any formal reports that described Doctolero as the initiator of the fight. Manio's partner said they were planning to sue Doctolero. Manio was charged with frustrated homicide and underwent inquest proceedings the next day.

Selling of Gawad Urian Trophy

In January 2024, Manio appeared on Pinoy Pawnstars, where he offered to sell his Gawad Urian trophy to the show's host, Boss Toyo. The trophy, which he had won for his performance in Magnifico, was initially priced at ₱500,000. Boss Toyo countered with an offer of ₱50,000, and after negotiations, the two agreed on a final price of ₱75,000.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Official website