Virgilio "Jhong" Viernes Hilario Jr. (born August 11, 1976) is a Filipino actor, dancer, television host, and politician. He is a member of the Filipino dance group Streetboys. He served as a councilor of Makati from its 1st district from 2016 to 2025. He is widely known for his antagonistic roles in television, such as Gary David in the 2010 remake of Mara Clara and as Homer "Alakdan" Adlawan in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2017–2019). He has co-hosted ABS-CBN's noontime variety show It's Showtime since 2012.
Early life and education Virgilio Viernes Hilario Jr. was born on August 11, 1976, in Asingan, Pangasinan. He attended primary school at Bangkal Elementary School II in Makati and secondary school at South Eastern College in Pasay from 1991 to 1995. He availed a high school home study program from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports in 1996. In 2023, he graduated magna cum laude from the Arellano University, earning a degree in political science. In 2024, he finished his master's degree in public administration with highest merits from World Citi Colleges.
Career Film and television Hilario started his career in 1993 as a member of the dance group Streetboys. He made his debut as an actor in 1996.
As an actor, Hilario has acted in movies such as Muro Ami, released in 1999, in which he portrayed Butong; D' Anothers (2005), and Dekada '70 (2002).Jhong Hilario, people.theiapolis.com
In 2012, Hilario is part of ABS-CBN's noontime show It's Showtime, starting as a judge until he became one of the hosts of the program.
In 2017, he was cast in the series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Homer "Alakdan" Adlawan, one of his best known roles. In 2019, he left the series to focus on his re-election bid for Makati councilor during the 2019 midterm elections.
In 2021, Hilario was chosen as one of the contestants of the third season of Your Face Sounds Familiar. However, after six weeks, including a win in the first two weeks, Hilario withdrew from the competition for the safety of his family. He was later named as a co-host of the show's fourth season, which ran from 2025 to 2026.
In It's Showtime'''s Magpasikat 2023, he won the grand prize of with his team alongside Kim Chiu and Ion Perez. The prize money was subsequently donated to their chosen charity.
In 2025, Hilario appeared on an episode of the second season of Rainbow Rumble on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z and All TV, all of which also airing It's Showtime with GMA Network, where he won the total prize of .
Politics
Hilario decided to run for councilor in the 1st district of Makati under United Nationalist Alliance and Abby Binay's ticket in 2016. In an interview, Hilario credited his father, Virgilio Sr., who has served as acting vice mayor of Makati in 2015 and a councilor from 2007 to 2016 and again since 2025, as his main inspiration to run for the council seat. He was re-elected in 2019 and in 2022, which was under Makatizens United Party. He was the top vote getter on all the aforementioned elections. He stepped down upon being term-limited in 2025.
Personal life Hilario married British dresser Michelle Westgate on October 11, 2005, in a civil ceremony officiated by then-Makati mayor Jejomar Binay. They met while working at a West End production of Miss Saigon in London, where Hilario joined the cast ensemble. Hilario and Westgate separated in June 2011. They eventually filed for divorce in England since divorce is not recognized in the Philippines. A Makati court recognized their foreign divorce in July 2024.
In 2014, Hilario revealed that he had been dating Maia Azores since 2011. The two had met on the set of Mara Clara'' in 2010, where Azores was completing her on-the-job training. They have a daughter who was born in March 2021.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes1999–2001 Rio Del Mar Rodel MaynilaVarious roles2000–2001 GMA Telesine Specials Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: Wedding Cake 2002–2003 Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay Ivan 2003–2004 Basta't Kasama Kita 2004 Spirits Kuya Dong Maalaala Mo Kaya Apl.de.ap Episode: Jacket2006 U Can Dance Himself Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Ka EdgarMaalaala Mo Kaya Big Boy Episode: Rugby2007 Joel Episode: Rehas Rex Ferrer Episode: Tren Rounin Venom 2008 Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Himself Kung Fu Kids Kevin Marilao 2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya Romualdo "Lolong" Rubi Episode: Medal for Valor2010 Showtime Himself Judge; voluntarily exited after 30 weeks Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo Jason / Agustin Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla: Tonyong Bayawak Nitoy Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010 Himself Guest judge 2010–2011 Emil Cruz Jr.'s Mara Clara Gary DavidMain Role / Antagonist2011 ASAPHimself You Got It 2 Gandang Gabi, Vice! Guest Happy Yipee Yehey! "Waka Waka guest host with John Prats" Maalaala Mo Kaya Sumalde Episode: Bisikleta It's Showtime Himself Judge The Price Is Right With Dimples Romana Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig Alex 2012–present It's Showtime Himself Host2013 Juan dela Cruz Poldo Special Guest / Antagonist My Little Juan Little Champ Lucas Caballero / Leon del Torro Jr. Main Role / Anti-Hero Gandang Gabi, Vice! Himself Guest 2014 Ipaglaban Mo! Erwin Episode: Ako ang Biktima2015 Matanglawin Himself Cameo Walang Iwanan Kamlon Bautista Supporting Role / Antagonist / Anti-Hero2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya Agustin "Isong" Batucan Episode: Sto. Niño Ipaglaban Mo! Ely Episode: Hinala 2017–2019 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Homer "Alakdan" Adlawan Main Role / Antagonist 2019 Ipaglaban Mo! Tony Episode: Kalaguyo 2021 Your Face Sounds Familiar Himself Season 3, performer / contestant2022 PIEnalo: Pera o Bayong Guest co-host PIEnalo: Palong Follow Featured celebrity content creator The Chosen One Actor-Mentor2024Family Feud (Philippine game show)HimselfCelebrity Contestant / Guest 2023–2026FPJ's Batang Quiapoyoung Don Gustavo Guerrero Supporting role / Guest / Antagonist 2025Rainbow RumbleHimselfContestant 2025–2026Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 4)Host2026SigaboDjango Machica Antagonist
Movies Year Title Character/Role 1996 Istokwa Nestor 1998 Sa Pusod ng Dagat Luis José Rizal Prisoner servant 1999 Muro Ami Botong 2000 Spirit Warriors Buboy 2001 Sa Huling Paghihintay La Vida Rosa Boy Kulet Bagong Buwan Jason 2002 Dekada '70 Willy 2003 Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut Buboy 2004 Kulimlim Ex-convict2005 Nasaan Ka Man Nardo D' Anothers Gorio 2006 Sukob Erning 2008 Caregiver Joseph Iskul Bukol 20 Years After (Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure) Fernando2009 Kinatay Abyong Astig (Mga Batang Kalye) Lola Bebong 2010 Noy Adik 1 Emir Boyong2011 Segunda Mano Dindo 2012 The Healing Dario 2013 Boy Golden Guido Perez 2016 The Super Parental Guardians Val Santos2017 Mang Kepweng Returns Vladimir The Ghost Bride Cameo Ang Panday Sword guard 2019 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon! Rigor 2024 And the Breadwinner Is... Biboy Salvador
Accolades Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2000 48th FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting ActorMuro-Ami 23rd Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor 16th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Best Supporting Actor 10th Young Critics Circle Awards Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role 2004 18th PMPC Star Awards Best Single Performance by an Actor Maalaala Mo Kaya: Yellow Baby 2006 20th PMPC Star Awards Best Single Performance by an Actor Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bangka 2007 21st PMPC Star Awards Best Single Performance by an Actor Maalaala Mo Kaya: Piso 2011 60th FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actor Segunda Mano 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama ActorMara Clara 2012 Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 26th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Reality and Game Show Host It's Showtime 2014 37th Gawad Urian Awards for Best Actor Best ActorBadil 11th Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 24th Young Critics Circle Awards Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role 2017 31st PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Drama Supporting Actor of the YearAng Probinsyano 2018 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television 8th EdukCircle Awards Best Supporting Actor (TV Series) 2019 Golden Laurel Lyceans' Choice Media Awards Best Television Supporting Actor 3rd Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS) Best Male Performance in a Supporting Role 2020 4th Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS) Best Single Performance by an Actor Ipaglaban Mo: Kalaguyo 2022 Jeepney TV Fan Favorite Awards Favorite Musical/Variety Show Host It's Showtime 2024Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor And the Breadwinner Is...
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