Romeo John Gonzales Arcilla (born June 24, 1966) is a Filipino film and television actor who has portrayed roles including Antonio Luna in Heneral Luna, Hagorn in Encantadia, Carlos Fiero in Dirty Linen, President Eleazar Sagrado in Pamilya Sagrado, and Renato Hipolito in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.
In 2021, he was awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in On the Job: The Missing 8, making him the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actor to receive the award. He also received the Best Actor award at the Gawad Urian Awards in 2022 for the same role.
Early life and education Romeo John Gonzales Arcilla was born on June 24, 1966 in Manila, Philippines, and is related to former President Manuel L. Quezon. Arcilla and his family moved to his mother's hometown of Baler, Aurora in 1972 after the martial law declaration in the Philippines. He began to show an interest in acting at the age of seven.
Arcilla was a member of the community-based Philippine Educational Theater Association – Metropolitan Teen Theater League (PETA-MTTL). In 1986, he graduated from Saint Joseph's College of Quezon City (SJCQC). He was also an acting scholar of the Actors Workshop Foundation under Laurice Guillen, Johnny Delgado, and Leo Martinez from 1987 to 1990.
Career
1988–1996: theatre debut and early television work
Arcilla was a member of Dulang University in the Philippines from 1988 to 1989 and was trained by stage director and National Artist for Theatre Tony Mabesa. From 1989 to 1990, Arcilla worked as a casting director for Foote, Cone & Belding.
From 1991 to 1997, Arcilla was a resident actor and senior member of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actor Company, the resident theatre of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. At the Cultural Center, he played lead roles in productions including Orosman and Zafira, Walang Sugat, and Ryan Cayabyab’s Rizal musical trilogy: El filibusterismo (1993), Noli Me Tángere (1995), and Illustrado (1996). Arcilla was also part of the main cast of Rama at Sita, a 1999 Filipino musical adapted from the Indian epic Ramayana. In 2000, he appeared with Repertory Philippines as Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Arcilla also appeared in television commercials for brands including Tide, Gold Eagle, the National Steel Corporation, and the Development Bank of the Philippines. He appeared in a 1994 commercial for Pure Foods with the slogan "" ("Just coffee, dear"), which lead to more opportunities in narrative television. In 1987, he appeared in television programs including the variety show Goin' Bananas and the drama anthologies Lovingly Yours, Helen and Star Drama Theatre Presents.
From 1992 on, he acted in a number of films, including Mulanay (1996). In 1997, he appeared in Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin.
1997–2009: career expansion and recognition
From 1998 to 2005, Arcilla played supporting roles in film and television, including Pangako sa 'Yo (2000), Basta't Kasama Kita (2003), and Sugo (2005). He starred in the film adaptation of Tony Perez's play Sa North Diversion Road with Irma Adlawan.
2010s
In 2010, Arcilla starred in Halaw, and afterwards returned to television in Magkaribal.
In 2012, Arcilla had a cameo in The Bourne Legacy as a head security guard. In 2013, Arcilla appeared in Metro Manila, which was selected as the British entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards.
In 2015, he portrayed General Antonio Luna in Heneral Luna; for the role he studied Luna's temperament and vulnerabilities. The film was reported as the highest‑grossing Filipino historical film at the time. He later reprised and parodied the role in television commercials.
In 2016, Arcilla appeared in Mikhail Red’s Birdshot as police officer Mendoza.
From 2017 to 2022, Arcilla played Renato "Buwitre" Hipolito, a government official and antagonist in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. In 2019, he appeared in the comedy film The Panti Sisters and in the Filipino adaptation of Miracle in Cell No. 7.
2020s
In 2020, Arcilla portrayed Fernando Suarez in Suarez: The Healing Priest, and in 2021 was in On the Job: The Missing 8. Arcilla won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice international Film Festival for his performance in On the Job: The Missing 8 (2021).
He also appeared in Big Night! and A Hard Day, both selected for the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival. In A Hard Day, he played the villain Lieutenant Ace "Alas" Franco. In 2023, Arcilla played Carlos Fiero in Dirty Linen and later appeared in Jun Lana’s film Ten Little Mistresses.
In September 2023, Arcilla became host of the TV5 game show SpinGo. In 2024, he appeared in Fuchsia Libre from Mavx Productions, playing the father of a gay wrestler.
Political career He ran for city councilor in the 1st district of Parañaque in 2010, but lost.
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleSource 1989OrapronobisPhotojournalist1992BayaniMariano Noriel1993SakayGen. Leon Villafuerte1995Sa'yo LamangHector1996MulanayLino1997Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa AkinPolding1999Batang ProMilet's fatherBurger BoysSir. Fernando AyalaEkis: Walang TatakasGeorge2000Ang Babaeng PutikLt. RamilAninoMan in blackShort filmBiyaheng LangitBertoGusto Ko Nang Lumigaya2001TripJoboy and Celine's Dad2002Sana Totoo NaCarloDiskarteInsp. John GomezForevermoreRonaldo2003Ligaya...Katumbas ng Buhay2004Now That I Have YouOscar Morelos2005Sa North Diversion Road Man2006CompoundVirgilio delos ReyesShort film2007A Love StorySteve2008Ay Ayeng2009Villa EstrellaDaveHimpapawid (Manila Skies)Crispin2010Halaw (Ways of the Sea)HernandAmigoNenongPetrang KabayoPoldo2011ThelmaAldo MolinoNo Other WomanMario dela CostaHuling Araw ng Pagsisilbi (Short film)Short film2012The Bourne LegacyJosephCameoLilet Never HappenedJamesEl PresidenteMariano Trías2013Metro ManilaDouglas Ong2014Muslim Magnum .357: To Serve and ProtectCol. Jose Ramos2015Heneral LunaGen. Antonio LunaPamanhikanRaynaldo Hernandez Sr.2016BirdshotMendozaSupotItoy2019Second ComingPriestKuwaresmaArturo FajardoThe Panti SistersDon Emilio y PantiMiracle in Cell No. 7Johnny San Juan2020Suarez: The Healing PriestFernando Suarez2021On the Job: The Missing 8Narciso "Sisoy" SalasBig Night!Donato RapidoA Hard DayLieutenant Ace "Alas" Franco2022RerouteGemo2023Ten Little MistressesValentin Esposo / Constantin EsposoPendukoApo Tisot2024Fuchsia LibreDanilo Malvar2025BilyaristaItoy
Television / digital series
Year Title Role Source 1989–1992 That's Entertainment Himself / Co-host / Performer 1992–1994, 1995–1997 Valiente Froilan / Benjie1995–2015Maalaala Mo KayaFidel Chavez / Benny / Tatay / Papa1996BayaniMarcelo H. del Pilar1999G-mikCesar Rivera2000–2002Pangako Sa 'YoSimon Barcial2003–2004Basta't Kasama KitaGodofredo "Prince" GonzalesButtercupOrly2004–2005SCQ Reload: OK Ako!Dennis Roxas2005–2017MagpakailanmanMang Ente / Tatay Ador / Berto / Manny / Ricardo / Hector / Chito / Sergio2005–2006SugoRomeo2006–2007Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro PendukoMang Tony2006–2008Abt Ur LuvRamon Brondial2007Pangarap na BituinBenedict TuazonSineserye Presents: May MinamahalRonald TagleMga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang: The Palace of the DwarvesLard2007–2008Boys Nxt DoorBuboy's father2008Carlo J. Caparas' GagambinoAlejandro BayaniI Am KCHimself2009–2010Sana Ngayong PaskoKingMay Bukas PaEduardo2010MagkaribalHermes AgustinHabang May BuhayManuel Corpuz2011Pablo S. Gomez's MacheteAlfonsoPepito ManalotoLuisPrecious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana PoVino Dela Paz2011–2012WansapanataymFidel Sandoval / Tatay / Daddy2011Mula sa PusoDon Fernando Pereira Sr.2012My BelovedRomeo QuijanoPrecious Hearts Romances Presents: Lumayo Ka Man Sa AkinJuanito FalconPrecious Hearts Romances Presents: HiyasDonato Salvador2012–2013A Beautiful AffairLeopoldo "Epong" Riego2013Be Careful with My HeartWedding PriestApoy sa DagatOdessa's fatherOne Day, Isang ArawEduardoGenesisFredirico "Fred" de Guzman2014 Pure LovePeter Santos2015Oh My G!Joe "Daddy-Ninong" Luna2016The Story of UsDanillo "Danny" ManaloThat's My AmboyJoselito "Lito" Tapang2016–2017EncantadiaHagorn2017–2022FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoRenato "Buwitre" Hipolito2018Barangay 143Coach B (Roberto "Bobby" Sebastián Sr.)2019Ipaglaban Mo: GayumaPedring2020Bangon Talentadong PinoyHimself2022How to Move On in 30 DaysMon (Jen's father)It's ShowtimeHimself / Hurado (guest judge)2023Dirty LinenCarlos FieroASAPHimself / Co-host / PerformerSpinGoHost2024Pamilya SagradoSen. Eleazar "Elias" Sagrado2025 Lolong: Bayani ng Bayan Julio FigueroaSins of the FatherMike Trinidad 2025–2026The AlibiArthur CabreraEncantadia Chronicles: Sang'greHagorn
Awards and nominations Arcilla has received awards and nominations in the Philippines and internationally. In 2013, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the British Independent Film Awards for Metro Manila. In 2016, he received a Best Actor nomination at the Asian Film Awards for Heneral Luna.
In 2017, Arcilla received a Best Supporting Actor Craft Award from the First Run Festival for the short film Supot. In 2021, he received the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival for On the Job: The Missing 8.
Arcilla received the Best Supporting Actor award from the Gawad Urian in 1997 for Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin. Director Jerrold Tarog cast Arcilla in the leading role of Heneral Luna after seeing his performances in Anino and Metro Manila.
Arcilla was awarded the (Aurora's Honor) by his home province in 2005 for his work in theatre, film, and television. In 2009, he received an Outstanding Citizen Award from the municipality of San Luis, Aurora for achievements in the performing arts.
For performance in film and television Year Award-giving Body Category Work Result 1996 Manila Film Festival Best Actor Mulanay 1997 Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting Actor Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin 2006 Golden Screen Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Drama) On The North Diversion Road 2007 Golden Screen Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Drama)Compound Star Awards for Movies Movie Actor of the Year 2009 Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting Actor Manila Skies 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival Best Actor (New Breed) Halaw 2011 25th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Single Performance by an Actor Maalaala Mo Kaya – "Cross" episode 2013 16th British Independent Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Metro Manila 2016 2016 Platinum Stallion Media Awards Best Film ActorHeneral Luna 14th Gawad Tanglaw Awards Gantimpalang Dr. Jaime G. AngPresidential Jury Award for Film Highest Merit on Film Performance 10th Asian Film Awards Best Actor 34th Film Academy of the Philippines AwardsBest Actor MEDIA WORKS Commexcel Student Choice Awards of San Juan De LetranActor of the Year Pangasinan Government URDUJA Film FestivalBest ActorHeneral Luna 2017Craft Award from the 2017 First Run Festival held in New YorkBest Supporting ActorSupot 2020 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor in a Leading Role Suarez: The Healing Priest 2021 78th Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup for Best Actor On the Job: The Missing 8 Lion HearTVRoyal Lion AwardsOn the Job: The Missing 8 GEMS (Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students)6th GEMS Awards