Edu Manzano

Eduardo "Edu" Barrios Manzano (ˈʔɛdu manˈsanɔ; born September 14, 1955) is a Filipino actor, television presenter, and politician. He hosted the game shows The Weakest Link, Pilipinas, Game KNB?, 1 vs. 100, Asar Talo Lahat Panalo!, and Game 'N Go.

Early life

Manzano was born on September 14, 1955, in San Francisco, California, United States to Hispanofilipino parents hails from Visayas.

Manzano studied at St. Paul University Manila and at De La Salle University in Manila.^[4] He also played for De La Salle Green Archers' Judo and basketball teams.^[5] He was coached by Joaqui Trillo while La Salle still at the NCAA.^[6]

Acting career

Manzano moved to the Philippines to pursue a full-time career with the local film industry. He was president of the actors’ group Katipunan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino in the 1990s.

He was part of ABS-CBN's roster of contract actors until he took leave to run for Vice President of the Philippines in the 2010 general elections. After losing in the elections, he elected to transition from show business to current affairs programs, and soon after, signed a contract and returned to GMA Network.^[7][8]

In 2010, he hosted the pre-noontime game show Asar Talo Lahat Panalo!.

In 2011, he hosted Family Feud: The Showdown Edition. Manzano later defected to TV5 for a new TV show called Game 'N Go. In 2012, he joined the morning show called Good Morning Club.

In June 2017, Manzano returned to GMA Network to appear in Celebrity Bluff as a Master Bluffer.^[9]

In 2018, he returned to ABS-CBN for a role in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.^[10]

Sporting career

Aside from acting and political career, Manzano was once appointed as the executive vice-president of the Philippine Amateur Judo Association, and as an executive board member of the Philippine Olympic Committee.^[11]

Political career

Manzano entered politics in 1998 when he ran for Vice Mayor of Makati as a Liberal. He garnered a majority of votes in the election, but his proclamation was suspended due to a case filed which alleged that he was not a Filipino citizen because he was born in the United States.^[12] The Supreme Court (Mercado v. Manzano) eventually ruled that he was indeed a Filipino citizen, clearing the way for his proclamation as Vice-Mayor. Following a three-year term, he lost his bid for campaign for Mayor of Makati in 2001 to Jejomar Binay.^[13]

In February 2004, Manzano became the first chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB), a government agency tasked with combating optical media piracy. He resigned from the position in August 2009.

Manzano ran as the Lakas–Kampi's candidate for Vice-president in the May 2010 election as the running mate of presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro.^[14] He lost again to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, placing fifth.^[13][15]

In 2016, Manzano ran for a seat in the Senate, as part of the Partido Galing at Puso coalition of presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe.^[16] He lost, finishing 21st overall.^[17]

In 2019, Manzano ran for Representative of San Juan under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.^[18] However, he was disqualified by the COMELEC due to concerns regarding his citizenship.^[19]

In 2022, Manzano supported Leni Robredo's campaign and some of its senatorial slate members,^[15][20] but blasted his former rival Jejomar Binay, who was also a member of the slate,^[13][15] and supported his friend and former running-mate Gilbert Teodoro's senatorial campaign.^[21]

Personal life

In 1980, Manzano married actress Vilma Santos. The marriage lasted until 1982 and produced one son, Luis Manzano,^[22] who followed his parents into the entertainment industry as a television host and actor. In 1989, he married actress Maricel Soriano; however, the marriage was annulled in 1991.^[23]

Manzano was in a long-term relationship with former model Rina Samson, with whom he has two children: a daughter, Addie, and a son, Enzo.^[24][25][26] He later had a high-profile relationship with television news anchor Pinky Webb, which ended in 2009 prior to his vice-presidential campaign.^[27] Between 2021 and 2023, he was romantically linked to actress Cherry Pie Picache.^[28]

In March 2026, Manzano confirmed he is in a relationship with Ann Cuisia, a tech entrepreneur and the founder of a blockchain technology firm.^[1]

Outside of his older children, Manzano has a son, Diego Aspiras (born 2004), from a previous relationship with celebrity chef Reggie Aspiras.^[24] Diego is a professional footballer who played for the Spanish club Barcelona City FC.^[29]

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

• Edu Manzano: Dancer of the Universe (Universal Records, 2008)^[36]
• World's Greatest Dance Steps^[37] (Universal Records, 2007)

Awards and nominations

References

1. ^ "Edu Manzano finds new love in tech CEO Ann Cuisia". abs-cbn.com. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
2. ^ Cojuangco, Tingting (January 24, 2010). "Noynoy, Gibo, Edu: All in the family". The Philippine Star
3. ^ Horacio "Ducky" Paredes (November 19, 2009). "Getting to Know Edu Manzano". Malaya. Archived from the original on February 20, 2010.
4. ^ "WASAK EP 032 EDU MANZANO". TV5. August 3, 2013.
5. ^ Tomada, Nathalie (April 17, 2023). "Edu Manzano recalls father’s influence on receiving Lasallian Achievement award". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
6. ^ One News PH (2025-11-07). Edu Manzano on corruption, second chances, and why he loves being the ‘kontrabida’ | The Men’s Room. Retrieved 2026-03-18. – via YouTube.
7. ^ "Edu Manzano says he's leaving showbiz for good". ABS-CBN News Online. 2010-03-23. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
8. ^ "PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal): Showbiz and Beyond". Philippine Entertainment Portal
9. ^ Manzano Returned to GMA Network.
10. ^ "WATCH: Edu Manzano, labis ang pasasalamat sa "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano"". ent.abs-cbn.com. March 28, 2019.
11. ^ "Edu to IOC Congress". The Philippine Star. May 15, 2000. Archived September 1, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
12. ^ "Mercado vs Manzano : 135083 : May 26, 1999 : J. Mendoza : En Banc". Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
13. ^ "WATCH | 'Ampalaya pa more': Nancy Binay slams Edu Manzano for tweets vs dad Jojo - POLITIKO". politiko.com.ph. 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
14. ^ Katherine Evangelista, Miko L. Morelos (2009-11-13). "Game show host Edu Manzano is Lakas bet for vice president". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
15. ^ "'Binay is a no-no': Edu Manzano not voting for ex-VP Jojo over corruption allegations - POLITIKO". politiko.com.ph. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
16. ^ Ager, Maila (October 27, 2015). "Lacson: Poe dropped me from slate in favor of Edu Manzano". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived June 1, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
17. ^ "Halalan 2016 - Partial and Unofficial Results". ABS-CBN News. Archived September 29, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
18. ^ Talabong, Rambo (May 9, 2019). "Edu Manzano stands his ground: San Juan can still vote for me". Rappler. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
19. ^ "Comelec disqualifies Edu Manzano over citizenship". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
20. ^ "Kahit nakakulong! Celebs express support for Leila's reelection bid - POLITIKO". politiko.com.ph. 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
21. ^ "Gibo Teodoro will make a good senator – Edu Manzano - POLITIKO". politiko.com.ph. 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
22. ^ Severo, Jan Milo. "Vilma Santos recalls telling 'Lucky' about failed marriage with Edu Manzano". The Philippine Star
23. ^ Miralles, Nitz. "Maricel, inaming pinaghandaan ang reunion nila ni Edu". Pilipino Star Ngayon
24. ^ Miralles, Nitz (21 May 2024). "Edu, may nilabas na ibang anak!" [Edu, revealed another child!] (in Filipino). Pang Masa. The Philippine Star. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
25. ^ Hilario, Abbygael. "LOOK: Edu Manzano's daughter Addie is now married". gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
26. ^ Pasajol, Anne (2025-05-22). "Edu Manzano proud dad as son Enzo graduates with master’s degree in New York". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
27. ^ "Edu confirms breakup". The Philippine Star
28. ^ Severo, Jan Milo. "'We will always love each other': Cherry Pie Picache confirms breakup with Edu Manzano". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
29. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (2 October 2024). "Meet Diego Aspiras: the football star and son of Edu Manzano". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
30. ^ Padayhag, Michelle Joy L. (21 October 2018). "'Barangay 143' is all about basketball and Filipino culture". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
31. ^ "Sipalay resort featured in new 'EIC On The Move' episode". Manila Standard. August 15, 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
32. ^ "Edu Manzano joins Raul Manzano in Pampanga episodeof [sic] 'EIC on the Move'". Manila Standard. September 11, 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
33. ^ Lacsamana, Brontë H. (November 25, 2025). "Call My Manager to honor Philippine cinema, showbiz". BusinessWorld. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
34. ^ Gabinete, Jojo (January 12, 2022). "Angel Locsin, Edu Manzano to star in Call My Agent! Philippines" (in Filipino, English). PEP.ph. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
35. ^ Calanog, Dale (August 23, 2023). "Erik Matti-helmed series about show biz industry wraps up filming". Inquirer.net. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
36. ^ Lo, Ricky (17 September 2008). "Edu not running in 2010 but will support MVP". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
37. ^ Lema, Karen (8 February 2008). "At work, at play, the Philippines grooves to Papaya beat". Reuters. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
38. ^ Jocelyn Dimaculangan (March 15, 2007). "2nd MYX Music Awards to take place tonight, March 15". PEP. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
39. ^ "MTRCB hands out its first TV Awards; Michael V and Bea Alonzo win acting trophies". Philippine Entertainment Portal. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
40. ^ "LOOK: These personalities get star in Eastwood Walk of Fame". ABS-CBN News. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

External links

• Edu Manzano at IMDb