I’m Kuya Manzano, a Spanish-Filipino actor, singer, host, director and producer. I’ve been performing since 1998.
It all started in Spain. I sang in around 30 zarzuelas and operas in major theatres across Spain and Portugal, did musical theatre like Man of La Mancha and Peter Pan, and hosted TV programs for Zarzueleros.com, Debates de VTV and Carabanshow. Work also took me to China for four months at the Universal Expo Shanghai, and to Holland and Portugal.
Since 2011 the Philippines has been home. On stage I’ve played Ibarra in Noli me tangere (Dulaang UP), Spanish General Ramon Blanco in Miong (Repertory Philippines), General MacArthur in Sindak 1941 and Kublai Khan in Marco Polo at the CCP. On screen: GomBurZa, Heneral Luna, Sisa, Lav Diaz’s Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, and series like He’s Into Her, Can’t Buy Me Love, Bad Genius and I Love You Since 1892. You may also have seen me in commercials for Tide, Sun Life, Chevrolet and Strepsils.
Behind the camera I write, direct and produce. My feature film Changing Direction was an official selection at film festivals in Ecuador and Spain, and I’ve directed and produced shows at iChill Theater Cafe in Manila. I also train people in storytelling.
I give truth and passion to every performance. Let’s make something good together.