Cesar Montano

At the age of 60, award-winning actor Cesar Montano has revealed the "magic elixir" that bestows upon him an eternally youthful appearance.

During the media conference for his latest television series "Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan" held at Gateway in Araneta City recently, Cesar said that dwelling on nice memories keeps him looking so young.

"Maraming akong nice memories lalo na sa love. I always dwell on nice memories. Kasi yun ang nagpapabata sa atin at nagpapasaya sa atin. You don't dwell on gloomy past of your life," said Cesar. "Doon ka dapat sa mga bright places, sa mga sunshine-y places of your life."

(I have many nice memories, especially of love. I constantly immerse myself in beautiful memories. That's what makes us young and makes us happy. You don't dwell on the gloomy past of your life," said Cesar. "You should be there in the bright places, in the sunshine places of your life."

Then Cesar sang a portion of the popular song "You Are My Sunshine" to the delight of the guests at the screening of the five-day condensed version of the teleserye.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Every day there is sunshine. Iba-iba eh. It depends on how you will accept it and live your life with it. But it's good to be thankful always no matter what the situation is," the actor said.

(You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Every day there is sunshine. It's different. It depends on how you will accept it and live your life with it. But it's good to be thankful always no matter what the situation is.)

Cesar also addressed whether age is a relevant factor in a relationship.

"Siguro naman alam n'yo na. Dapat mas bata lang (ang partner). Tutoo yung sabi ni Suzette Ranillo, mas mabagal yung male gender mag-mature. mas mabilis ang mga babae mag-mature. Kaya sila bata palang ready na sila to be responsible and to commit. Ang mga lalaki, playing pa," he said.

(Maybe you already know. You should choose a younger partner. What Suzette Ranillo said is true. The male gender matures more slowly. Females mature faster. That's why females are ready to be responsible and committed. The boys are still playing.)

Cesar makes a triumphant comeback to television after a six-year hiatus, captivating audiences as he takes part in the highly-anticipated remake of a renowned love triangle drama that once graced the screen with showbiz icons Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, and Eddie Garcia. Cesar said that he accepted the project for personal reasons.

"This is a Marilou Diaz Abaya film. Alam n'yo naman ang pinagsamahan namin ni Marilou - Jose Rizal, Muro Ami, sobrang close namin ni Direk Marilou, our national artist. I cannot say no to this project. This is something very personal to me. It's a tribute to our late great director Marilou Diaz Abaya. It's a humbling experience for me, it's a great opportunity for me. I thank Viva and TV5 for trusting me with this project," he added.

Cesar admitted he had a hard time adjusting from the movies to television.

"Sa tutoo lang medyo nahirapan ako mag-adjust from film to TV. Ang galing ni Cristine Reyes. Mga dalawang balde yata ng luha ang naubos niya, isang week pa lang yan. Pero hindi naman siguro ako mahihirapan mag-adjust kung magagaling ang kasama ko sa pelikula man or serye. Nagpapasalamat ako at si Christine ang kasama ko rito na napaka-galing na aktes. and Marco Gumabao also," he said.

(Honestly, I had a bit of a hard time adjusting from film to TV. Cristine Reyes is great. I think she shed about two buckets of tears, it's only been a week. But maybe I won't have a hard time adjusting if my partner in the film or series is good. I'm thankful that Christine is in this project. She's a very good actor. And Marco Gumabao, too.)

Dreaming of getting married again

Cesar has openly acknowledged that he never anticipated becoming friends with his ex-wife, actress Sunshine Cruz.

At the same media conference, Cesar said he is thrilled to have rekindled his friendship with his ex-wife.

"Only God can do that. Nothing is impossible with God," said Cesar.

"I'm happy where we are right now. I am focused and head-on dito sa relasyon naming dalawa as friends. I'm happy and nakita ko rin siya na maligaya. Yun naman ang importante roon na masaya kayo. Masaya ka, masaya ang people around you, hindi nag-sa-suffer," he also said. 

Cesar and Sunshine have three daughters together: Angelina Isabelle, Samantha Angeline, and Angel Franceska.

On his three daughters, Cesar simply advised them to get a good job.

"Hindi ko sila pipilitin kung ano ang gusto nila at kung ano ang kanilang passion. Ang Diyos nagbibigay yan ng purpose sa bawa't tao. Yung purpose na yan may kalakip na talent, and they have to find it. I think they have found it," he said.

(I will not force them to do what they want and what their passion is. God gives each person a purpose. That purpose has a talent attached to it, and they have to find it. I think they have found it.)

Cesar added: "They're too young, and they have to finish their school first. All of them are in college. Honor student sila and sabi ko huwag ninyong sayangin yan."

On his kids having a boyfriend, Cesar said: I don't know. Meron isa pero parang hindi pa umaamin si Angeline eh. Hindi pa talaga sila formally nagpe-present ng kanilang boyfriend. But I trust my daughters. They have the mind of their own. Noong pinalaki ko sila, yun ang aking trabaho. Palakihin sila ng tama - God-fearing and righteous persons. Ngayon tapos na ako doon at hindi ko na dapat isipin yun."

Cesar said that he still wants to get married despite his age. Prior, Cesar and Sunshine got married in 2000. Their marriage was annulled in 2013.

"Sana! I'm a very hopeful person. Masarap ang kinakasal. It's not a bad idea lalo na kung single ka at wala kang ibang commitment. But we have to pray for it," said Cesar, when asked about his thoughts of getting married again.

(Hopefully! I'm a very hopeful person. Getting married is good. It's not a bad idea especially if you're single and have no other commitments. But we have to pray for it.)

Proud grandpa

Cesar said that he's a proud grandfather once again after his son actor Diego Loyzaga had a child.

During the press con, Cesar made a promise to spoil Diego's child when he met the baby.

"Sa picture pa lang. Naiwan yata abroad. Siya pa lang ang bumalik dito to make a film. Ngayon babalik siya uli doon. Hindi pa niya dinadala rito. Excited na nga akong makita sa personal," the veteran actor said.

(Just in the picture. I think the baby was left abroad. Diego just came back here to make a film. Now he's going back there. He hasn't brought the baby here yet. I'm excited to see the baby in person.)

On his advice to Diego now that he's a father, Cesar answered: "I trust Diego a lot that he will be a better and responsible father. Siya pa lang excited na kinukuwento niya sa akin. Ako mag-i-spoil dyan sabi ko." (I'm going to spoil the baby.) 

Cesar mentioned that he doesn't mind being called grandpa. As of June, Cesar has three grandchildren: two from eldest daughter Angela and one from son Diego. 

"Sabi ko pwede bang Kuya Buboy na lang? But it doesn't matter. Okay lang kahit ano. I'm a proud grandpa," he said. (I said, can you call me Kuya Buboy? But it doesn't matter. It's okay no matter what. I'm a proud grandpa.)

In June, Diego seemed to have revealed that he's a dad now after he shared a picture of himself carrying a baby. Diego is the son of Cesar and actress Teresa Loyzaga.

Diego, 28, said that having a child was the best birthday gift ever.

This highly anticipated remake by TV5, produced by Sari Sari Network Inc. in partnership with VIVA Entertainment, is led by no-less than this generation’s hottest stars and real-life couple, Cristine Reyes and Marco Gumabao who are no strangers to the Kapatid audience, having made their marks in previous TV5 productions ‘Encounter’ and ‘Di Na Muli’. Cesar adds depth and dimension to the story.

Kapatids will be hooked to the thrilling story of Helen, portrayed by Reyes, as she finds herself torn between two loves: Rod, her old flame (played by Gumabao), who mysteriously leaves her confused and heartbroken; and Cenon (portrayed by Montano), an older gentleman who will make her fall in love again. 

Plot twists of romance and redemption will leave viewers wondering and will root for their favorite characters. Ultimately, they will have to decide: whose love will triumph in the end?

TV5's revival of this classic drama is testament to the network’s dedication to serving quality entertainment content, further strengthening its afternoon program lineup. 

"Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan" begins July 25, Monday to Friday, 4:40 PM on TV5, with encore telecasts every day at 8PM on SARI SARI Channel, available on Cignal TV, SatLite Ch. 3, and Cignal Play.