Michael de Mesa

Michael de Mesa
Born
Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann

(1960-05-24) 24 May 1960
Manila, Philippines
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
Years active1978–present
Spouses
(m. 1978; ann. 2006)
    Julie Reyes
    (m. 2011)
    Children3, including Ryan and Geoff
    Parent(s)Eddie Mesa
    Rosemarie Gil
    RelativesMark Gil (brother) Cherie Gil (sister)

    Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈhil ˈaɪɡɛnmɐn]; born May 24, 1960), known professionally as Michael de Mesa (Tagalog pronunciation: [de ˈmɛsa]), is a Filipino actor and director.

    Early life

    Born as Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann[1] to performer Eddie Mesa and actress Rosemarie Gil, he and his siblings, Mark and Cherie, grew up steeped in the arts. He is the uncle of Gabby Eigenmann, Tim ″Sid Lucero″ Eigenmann, Max Eigenmann, and Andi Eigenmann. De Mesa is of Swiss, Spanish, and Filipino descent.[2][3]

    Career

    De Mesa began acting at age 16 in 1975 in Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi, and he remains active in film and television.

    His most notable roles include the titular role of Gardo Valiente in the afternoon drama Valiente and as Damian Valiente in its remake, Ravenum in Mulawin, and as Jaime in Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka?, where he co-starred with his son Geoff Eigenmann.

    From 2016 to 2022, he appeared as Pat. Ramil "Manager" D. Taduran in the ABS-CBN primetime series, Ang Probinsyano while serving as one of the series' directors.[4]

    Personal life

    De Mesa wed actress Gina Alajar in 1978. Their marriage lasted 23 years before they separated in 2001. Their marriage was annulled in 2006, but bore three children, all of whom are in show business: Ryan, Geoff, and AJ Eigenmann.[5][6] He married Julie Reyes in September 2011.[7] She is a dancer/choreographer from Hotlegs, Manila's premier jazz group.[8] He was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1999, but was cured of the disease in 2018.[9]

    Filmography

    Film

    As actor

    Year Title Role
    1982 Brother Ben Ben
    1983 Dugong Buhay Rafael de Lara
    1985 Grease Gun Brothers Buddy Corsican
    1986 Unfaithful Wife Crispin
    Halimaw Argonox
    1987 Anak ng Lupa Ariosto
    1988 Tumayo Ka't... Lumaban Jake
    1989 Babayaran Mo ng Dugo Nelson
    1990 Barumbado Cpl. Gonzales
    1991 Leon ng Maynila: P/Col. Romeo B. Maganto, WPD-MPFF Rico
    Takas sa Impierno Julius
    Hihintayin Kita sa Langit Milo Salvador
    Uubusin Ko ang Lahi Mo Frank Canonico
    Una Kang Naging Akin Ely
    Markang Bungo: The Bobby Ortega Story
    1992 Grease Gun Gang Victor Lim
    Kahit Buhay Ko Lt. Torres
    Jerry Marasigan, WPD
    Mahirap Maging Pogi Gabby
    Alyas Pogi 2 Banjo
    Boy Recto Alexander Aguila
    1993 Lt. Madarang: Iginuhit sa Dugo[10] Rodel
    1994 Tony Bagyo Bogart
    Three Who Dared[11]
    Nagkataon, Nagkatagpo
    The Maggie dela Riva Story: God... Why Me? Rogelio Canal
    1995 Batang-X Dr. Kwago
    Bangers Richard
    Muling Umawit ang Puso Diosdado Rivera
    1996 Neber 2-Geder Ricky
    Abot-kamay ang Pangarap Vic
    1997 Hawak Ko Buhay Mo Bakli Leeg
    1998 Gangland Director
    2004 Avatar Davinder Sandhu
    2005 Dubai Basi
    Mulawin: The Movie Ravenum
    2006 Nasaan si Francis? Policeman
    First Day High Coach Zantua
    2007 Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka Fairy Ko...The Beginning of the Legend Prinsipe Inok
    2008 Baler Fr. Candido Gómez Carreno
    2009 Litsonero Pinoy
    2012 D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! Mr. Lucio
    2013 On the Job Congressman Manrique
    10,000 Hours Dante Cristobal
    2016 Everything About Her Leo
    This Time Gino
    The Woman Who Left Rodrigo Trinidad
    Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend? Nap/Lexi
    2017 Bliss Talk show host
    Carlo J. Caparas' Ang Panday Eduardo Montemayor
    2019 Marineros: Men in the Middle of the Sea
    2020 Nightshift Dr. Alex
    Isa Pang Bahaghari Reynado "Rhey/Reynalda" Torrecampo
    2022 Labyu with an Accent Walter
    2024 Green Bones Superintendent Juanito Velasquez

    As director

    Year Title Notes
    1997 Calvento Files: The Movie Segment "Inay, May Momo!"

    Television / digital series

    Year Title Role
    1987 Squad 13
    1991 Cebu
    1992 Valiente Gardo Valiente
    1994 Bisperas ng Kasaysayan Dr. Juanito Morga[12]
    1999 Rio Del Mar Anton
    2001 Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol Tonito
    Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin Elmo
    2002 Bituin Salvador "Ador / Badong" Sandoval
    2004–2005 Mulawin Ravenum
    2007 Sana Maulit Muli Mang Andres / Mr.Destiny
    Lupin Minggoy Buang / Miguel Apacer
    2009 The Wedding Frank De Menes
    2012 Valiente Damian Valiente
    Kasalanan Bang Ibigin Ka? Jaime Montelibano
    2013 Indio Juancho Sanreal
    Kahit Nasaan Ka Man Ernest Gomez
    2014 Innamorata Lloyd Manansala
    2015 Once Upon a Kiss Enrique "King" Pelaez
    2015–2016 Destiny Rose Rosauro Armani Vitto
    2016 Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special: God Gave Me You Theo
    Sinungaling Mong Puso Moises Aguirre
    2016–2022 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Pat. Ramil "Manager" D. Taduran
    2017–2018 Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin Roman Dela Vega
    2018 Since I Found You Gary Corpuz
    2023 Almost Paradise Warden Zamora
    2024 Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis Luther Abueva
    Magpakailanman: Taylor Made Success: The John Mac Lane Coronel Story Rolly
    2024–2025 Forever Young Eduardo Malaque Sr.
    2025 FPJ's Batang Quiapo Rafael "Paeng" Benito

    As director

    Year Title Notes
    1994–1996 Maalaala Mo Kaya
    1997 Calvento Files: The Movie (segment "Inay, May Momo!")
    2000 Ika-13 Kapitulo
    2013–2016 Magpakailanman
    2016–2022 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano

    Awards and nominations

    Year Work Award Category Result Source
    1987 Unfaithful Wife 11th Gawad Urian Best Actor Won
    2013 10,000 Hours 39th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Nominated
    2020 Isa Pang Bahaghari 46th Metro Manila Film Festival Won [13]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ "Celebrities in the Movieworld (Selection)". Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
    2. ^ Eduvas, Ronjay (June 16, 2010). "Max Eigenmann - June 2010 FHM cover girl | Women". FHM.com.ph. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
    3. ^ Alex R. Castro (February 21, 2011). "VIEWS FROM THE PAMPANG: *238. THE GILS OF PORAC: Acting is All in the Family". Viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
    4. ^ Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (March 28, 2019). "Michael de Mesa becomes one of the directors of Ang Probinsyano". PEP. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
    5. ^ Ferriols, Des (October 18, 2008). "'Hot money' outflow hits $312 M in September - BSP | Headlines, News, The Philippine Star". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
    6. ^ "RP movie industry is not dead, just comatose | the Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
    7. ^ "Abante-Tonite Online | Showbiz". Abante-tonite.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
    8. ^ "Michael de Mesa reveals life in US". SunStar. Archived from the original on March 13, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
    9. ^ "Actor Michael de Mesa cured of hepatitis C". Rappler. May 26, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
    10. ^ "Grand Opening Today!". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. July 1, 1993. p. 21. This is a true story.
    11. ^ "TV special for meaningful Lenten break". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. March 30, 1994. p. 19. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
    12. ^ "Tonight, New Vision 9 Unfolds a Landmark Television Event!". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. September 19, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved June 3, 2024. The 1890s. A period of turmoil.
    13. ^ Cupin, Bea (December 27, 2020). "'Fan Girl' dominates MMFF 2020 Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler. Retrieved December 29, 2020.