Edu Manzano

Liberal (1997–2001) Independent (2015–2018)

Eduardo "Edu"** Barrios Manzano** (; 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

Eduardo Barrios Manzano was born on September 14, 1955, in San Francisco, California, United States to Hispanofilipino parents.

Manzano studied at St. Paul University Manila and at De La Salle University in Manila.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5ooJ0ESvAg|title=WASAK EP 032 EDU MANZANO

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 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.

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. He lost again to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, placing fifth.

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. He lost, finishing 21st overall.

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

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

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

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

Personal life

Manzano has three sons and a daughter. Manzano was married to actress Vilma Santos from 1980 to 1982. They have a son named Luis, a TV host and actor.

He was married to Maricel Soriano in 1989, but their marriage was subsequently annulled in 1991.

He had a relationship with TV news anchor Pinky Webb but they broke up in 2009, before Manzano ran for vice president. From 2021 until 2023, he was in a relationship with actress Cherry Pie Picache.

Manzano's son Diego Aspiras (born 2004) is a footballer who plays for Spanish club Barcelona City FC. Diego is Manzano's son with celebrity chef Reggie Aspiras.

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Horacio "Ducky" Paredes. (November 19, 2009). "Getting to Know Edu Manzano". Malaya.
2. (2010-03-23). "Edu Manzano says he's leaving showbiz for good". ABS-CBN News Online.
3. "PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal): Showbiz and Beyond". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
4. Manzano Returned to [[GMA Network]].
5. (March 28, 2019). "WATCH: Edu Manzano, labis ang pasasalamat sa "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano"".
6. (May 15, 2000). "Edu to IOC Congress". [[The Philippine Star]].
7. "Mercado vs Manzano : 135083 : May 26, 1999 : J. Mendoza : En Banc".
8. Katherine Evangelista, Miko L. Morelos. (2009-11-13). "Game show host Edu Manzano is Lakas bet for vice president". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
9. (2022-02-08). "'Binay is a no-no': Edu Manzano not voting for ex-VP Jojo over corruption allegations - POLITIKO".
10. Ager, Maila. (October 27, 2015). "Lacson: Poe dropped me from slate in favor of Edu Manzano". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
11. "Halalan 2016 - Partial and Unofficial Results".
12. Talabong, Rambo. (May 9, 2019). "Edu Manzano stands his ground: San Juan can still vote for me".
13. "Comelec disqualifies Edu Manzano over citizenship".
14. (2022-03-20). "Kahit nakakulong! Celebs express support for Leila's reelection bid - POLITIKO".
15. (2022-02-10). "WATCH {{!}} 'Ampalaya pa more': Nancy Binay slams Edu Manzano for tweets vs dad Jojo - POLITIKO".
16. (2022-02-15). "Gibo Teodoro will make a good senator – Edu Manzano - POLITIKO".
17. Padayhag, Michelle Joy L.. (21 October 2018). "'Barangay 143' is all about basketball and Filipino culture". INQUIRER.net.
18. (August 15, 2025). "Sipalay resort featured in new 'EIC On The Move' episode". [[Manila Standard]].
19. (September 11, 2025). "Edu Manzano joins Raul Manzano in Pampanga episodeof [sic] 'EIC on the Move'". [[Manila Standard]].
20. Lacsamana, Brontë H.. (November 25, 2025). "''Call My Manager'' to honor Philippine cinema, showbiz". [[BusinessWorld]].
21. Gabinete, Jojo. (January 12, 2022). "Angel Locsin, Edu Manzano to star in Call My Agent! Philippines". [[Philippine Entertainment Portal.
22. Calanog, Dale. (August 23, 2023). "Erik Matti-helmed series about show biz industry wraps up filming". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer.
23. (17 September 2008). "Edu not running in 2010 but will support MVP". Philstar.com.
24. (8 February 2008). "At work, at play, the Philippines grooves to Papaya beat". Reuters.
25. (21 May 2024). "Edu, may nilabas na ibang anak!". The Philippine Star.
26. Severo, Jan Milo. "Vilma Santos recalls telling 'Lucky' about failed marriage with Edu Manzano". [[The Philippine Star]].
27. Miralles, Nitz. "Maricel, inaming pinaghandaan ang reunion nila ni Edu". [[The Philippine Star.
28. "Edu confirms breakup". [[The Philippine Star]].
29. Severo, Jan Milo. "'We will always love each other': Cherry Pie Picache confirms breakup with Edu Manzano".
30. (2 October 2024). "Meet Diego Aspiras: the football star and son of Edu Manzano". Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc..
31. Jocelyn Dimaculangan. (March 15, 2007). "2nd MYX Music Awards to take place tonight, March 15". PEP.
32. (13 January 2020). "LOOK: These personalities get star in Eastwood Walk of Fame". ABS-CBN News.