Who is Jiro Manio?

Jiro Manio in a scene from Magnifico.

A seasoned child actor whose career was marred with drug addiction, 23-year-old Jiro Manio was recently found by reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, which he considers now as his second home. He is said to be living through the contributions from airport employees.

Here are some facts about the former child star.

1.    Jiro Manio won his first acting award at age nine.

Born to Japanese father Yusuke Katakura and Filipina mother Joylene Santos, Jiro Manio was introduced in the movie “Gimik: The Reunion.” He then won as Best Child Performer in the 2001 Metro Manila Film Festival for his role in the movie, “Bagong Buwan.”

2.    He rose to fame after starring in the movie “Magnifico.”

Manio’s biggest claim to fame is playing the lead role in the movie “Magnifico” where he won Best Actor in the FAP and Gawad Urian awards, Best Child Actor in the FAMAS awards, and nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Gawad Urian. He was also part of the successful comedy film series “Tanging Ina” where he played the role of “Shammy.”

3.    At age 15, he fathered his first child.

Manio made the headlines not only because of his acting accolades but also because he became a young father at age 15. He revealed that he had his first daughter with his non-showbiz girlfriend four years his senior.  He initially denied the rumors but was forced to admit it when he was 18-years-old. Now, he has two daughters, Sisha Calliope and Mishka Caxiopeia.

Jiro Manio.

4.    He was ousted in a teleserye project due to “unprofessional behavior.”

Manio was a Star Magic talent from 2001 to 2009. However, he was dropped from the list of talents from the network because of his “unprofessional and irresponsible behavior,” according to a 2009 statement from then ABS-CBN Corporate Communication Head Bong Osorio.  Manio was then working for the teleserye “Tayong Dalawa” which starred Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca.

5.    In 2011, he voluntarily entered drug rehabilitation.

More than a year after being kicked out of his teleserye project, in March 2011, he entered a rehabilitation center to treat his drug addiction. In a PEP.PH report, the actor said that he subjected himself to rehabilitation because of his children.
He went out of drug rehabilitation a year later, along with the achievement of graduating from high school at Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottages Industries (REPSCI).

6.    His last television appearance was in a 2013 reality show.

Years after shunning the limelight, Manio reappeared in the second season of 2013 reality show “I Dare You.” In the said show, Manio tried his hand at mixed martial arts. His challenge: to train for 23 days as a mixed martial artist and win an amateur fight. The prize: scholarships for his two children. AJH

RELATED STORY

Multi-awarded actor Jiro Manio now roaming NAIA for food, clothes