Jiro Manio admits financial needs one of the reasons he sold Gawad Urian trophy

Jiro Manio. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Boss Toyo Production

Jiro Manio said that aside from his desire to be included in Boss Toyo’s museum of Filipino celebrities’ memorabilia, his financial situation prompted him to sell his prestigious Gawad Urian trophy.

The former child star addressed the mixed reactions from the public after he sold his best actor trophy to social media personality Jayson Luzadas, popularly known as Boss Toyo, for P75,000.

“Na-imagine ko na maraming artista na nagbebenta sa kanya. May mga memorabilia na ilalagay niya do’n lahat [sa museum], mapapasama ako,” Manio explained during his exclusive interview with “TV Patrol” on Friday, Jan. 5.

(I thought to myself that a lot of celebrities had sold their prized possessions to him which he will display in his museum, and I would be one of them.)

“Makikita ko ‘yung trophy ko at maaalala ko na, ‘Uy, ako ‘yung pinakamahusay na aktor na nagbenta kay Boss Toyo ng trophy ko at nilagay niya sa museum niya,'” he added.

(I would see my trophy [in the museum] and I would be reminded that I am the best actor awardee who sold his trophy and got featured on Boss Toyo’s museum.)

Manio then admitted that he is also in need financially, expressing hope that the public would understand his situation.

“Nauunawaan din naman ako ng mga tao siguro kung bakit ko pinatago kay Boss Toyo ‘yung trophy. Siguro dala na rin ng hirap ng buhay,” he told the news outlet.

(Maybe the public understands why I decided to put the trophy under Boss Toyo’s care. [My decision] may also be prompted by my needs.)

“Siguro maiintindihan ako ng mga tao na kailangan ko rin, [na] may pangangailangan din ako,” he said. (I hope the public will understand that I need [the money], that I also have needs.)

Manio also addressed those who still look up to him as an inspiration, thanking them for their support.

Manio earned his Gawad Urian trophy for his performance in the 2003 film “Magnifico.” He also won the 2004 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Award for best child actor, and the 2004 Luna or Film Academy of the Philippines best actor award for the film.

Manio stayed in a drug rehabilitation center from 2011 until 2017. Two years after getting involved in a stabbing incident in 2020, Manio returned to the rehabilitation center to be a co-facilitator.