Jay Manalo

Juan Rodelino Ranillo Manalo (born January 30, 1976) better known as his stage name Jay Manalo, is a former Filipino actor of Filipino-Vietnamese descent. Although born in Saigon, Vietnam, he was raised in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. --- His film debut was through the action movie Brat Pack in 1994 which starred Gary Estrada. He became a lead in his second film, Paracale Gang, which was released in 1996 and followed by the movie Urban Rangers. That same year, he did a switch from action to sexy roles when he starred in the movie Gayuma opposite Amanda Page. Possessing boyish looks and an oozing sex appeal, he became a staple of sexy movies in the Philippines, with the film Totoy Mola pushing him to sexy stardom. His character in that movie was that of a naive man endowed with a very huge, horse-like penis. After Totoy Mola, he played lead in "bold flicks" like Kool Ka Lang, Kaliwat Kanan, Sakit sa Katawan, Bayad Puri, Bawal na Halik and Balahibong Pusa. By the turn of the century, his roles had become more serious and dramatic. His recent performances have been well received by movie critics, and he has won a number of acting awards in the Philippines. Some of his noticeable portrayals are in the films Prosti, Bayaran, Ang Huling Birhen sa Lupa, Hubog, Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita and Mano Po 3. He ventured into other film genres, having starred recently in comedies such as I Will Survive and Ako Legal Wife and in fantasy/horror films such as Gagamboy, Feng Shui, and his latest film Barang. Jay Manalo has been part of the cast of soap operas. His TV career started with the top-rated soap in 1997, Mula Sa Puso, (ABS-CBN) which starred Claudine Barretto. He followed it up with other appearances in soaps like Pangako sa 'Yo (ABS-CBN) and Kung Mawawala Ka (GMA Network). His breakthrough role in television is his portrayal in the soap opera, Vietnam Rose in ABS-CBN in 2005. He plays Miguel, a Vietnamese businessman who was Carina's (played by Maricel Soriano) first love. Though the performances of the cast were well-cited by critics, the ratings were disappointing. --- At the age of 34, he has 10 children, by 6 women. Jhay, 17; Charmaine Joy,17 ; Jaeandra Maree, 16; Jaerianne Toni, 12; Ashley Nicolette, 12; Jayenne Therese, 11; Adrienne Riona Jaenylla, 7; Ann Jaenaisha Raine; and Raiko Jaego Almighty, 4. He married Raizza, mother of Adrienne, Ann and Raiko on January 2001. His father is a Filipino musician based in Vietnam during the war and there he met Jay's mother who is Vietnamese. After Jay was born they moved to Manila and, by the time he was five, his father stole him from his mother; she was reunited with him in 1995. His mother married a US Navy serviceman and his father continued in his music.