Julius Erman "Empoy" Ramos Marquez (born July 3, 1981), also known mononymously as Empoy, is a Filipino actor, comedian and host. He is best known for playing the male lead in Kita Kita (2017), the highest-grossing Filipino independent film of all time. His performance earned him a nomination for the Gawad Urian for Best Actor.

After winning the Mr. Suave look-alike contest on Magandang Tanghali Bayan, he was awarded a minor role in the 2003 comedy film Mr. Suave. From 2003 to 2008, he had small roles in several films and television shows, where he was typecast as the comical sidekick. He also appeared in some independent films.

Marquez then appeared in TV5's Lokomoko (2008–2013), Tropa Mo Ko Unli (2013–2015), and played the titular superhero character in Kapitan Awesome (2012–2013). He also portrayed Chiz in the 2015 sitcom Mac & Chiz. In 2018, he had a supporting role in the television drama Since I Found You and also co-starred in the film Kusina Kings.

Life and career Julius Erman Ramos Marquez was born in Baliuag, Bulacan on July 3, 1981. He is the eldest among seven siblings, and his parents separated when he was in sixth grade. He earned his college degree in mass communication with the intention of becoming a DJ.

In 2003, Marquez won the Mr. Suave look-alike contest on ABS-CBN's Magandang Tanghali Bayan. Aside from the cash prize, he was also awarded a role in the film, which starred Vhong Navarro as the title character. He also became a co-host of MTB Ang Saya-Saya for a year.

Marquez was signed to Star Magic from 2003 to 2007, and moved to TV5 in 2008. During this time, he had small roles in several films and television shows where he was typecast as the comical sidekick. He also appeared in the independent films Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan (2005) and Carnivore (2008), both directed by Ato Bautista and starring Carlo Aquino.

In TV5, Marquez appeared in the sketch comedy show Lokomoko, which aired from 2008 to 2013 – the network's longest-running comedy show. He then played the titular superhero character in Kapitan Awesome (2012–2013), and became a cast member of Tropa Mo Ko Unli (2013–2015). He considers the 2015 sitcom Mac & Chiz as his "big break", where he co-starred as Chiz, alongside Derek Ramsay who played Mac.

In 2017, Marquez returned to ABS-CBN and became part of the sketch comedy show Banana Sundae. He also appeared in the suspense thriller film Bloody Crayons (2017) as Gerard, the "clown" of the group of friends who travel to a remote island to make a short film, until they get killed one by one by a masked individual.

Afterwards, Marquez co-starred in the romantic comedy film Kita Kita (2017), opposite to Alessandra de Rossi. He portrayed Tonyo, a plain-looking but kind-hearted OFW in Japan, who falls in love with a blind woman played by De Rossi. According to the film's co-producer Piolo Pascual, the role of Tonyo was "tailor-made" for Marquez. Against expectations, Kita Kita went on to become the highest-grossing Filipino independent film of all time, earning ₱300 million (approx. US$5.88 million) within three weeks of release. Due to the film's popularity, the entertainment media dubbed Marquez and De Rossi's pairing as "AlEmpoy". For his performance, he was nominated for the Gawad Urian for Best Actor. He also co-hosted the 41st Gawad Urian Awards ceremony with De Rossi and Butch Francisco.

In July 2017, Marquez opened Wayback 90's, a 1990s-themed restobar in his hometown, Baliuag, Bulacan.

In 2018, Marquez and De Rossi had supporting roles in the ABS-CBN series Since I Found You, which aired from April to August. That same year, in the comedy film Kusina Kings, Marquez and Zanjoe Marudo starred as a pair of chefs who attempt to save their restaurant by joining a reality show.

Beginning in 2019, Marquez appeared in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Domingo "Domengsu" Suarez, an aspiring actor who is mistakenly arrested in a drug raid and later becomes a police informant. Also in 2019, he was reunited with De Rossi in the music video for "Pag-ibig Sa Tabing-Dagat" by Orange and Lemons.

Marquez again co-starred with De Rossi in Walang KaParis, an Amazon Prime Video original film released in March 2023. The romantic drama is set in Paris and was directed by Kita Kita director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.

In 2024, he joined Susan Enriquez as the newest co-host of GTV's news magazine show iJuander.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Ref 2003 Mr. Suave Mr. Takatak 2005 Sa Aking Pagkakagising Mula Sa Kamulatan Kahoy 2008 My Only You Romnick One Night Only Gudo Carnivore --- Supahpapalicious Hercules 2009 Villa Estrella Otap Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry Go Round Ka-Bado 2010 Hating Kapatid Firecracker Buyer (as Empoy) I Do Counselor Cinco Denden Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!) William (Seven's Husband) Paano na Kaya Kwek-Kwek 2011 Enteng ng Ina Mo William 2014 Bride for Rent Javier Da Possessed Dado Balbitero 2017 Bloody Crayons Gerard Anderson Kita Kita Tonyo The Barker Coco 2018 Kusina Kings Benjie Perez 2020 Hayop Ka! (You Son of a Bitch!) Jerry (voice) 2023Walang KaParisJojo PendukoPendro Penduko Kidnap For RomanceFred FruitcakeDiego 2024My ZombabePong 2025Everyone Knows Every JuanBrother Felix

Television Year Title Role 2003 Magandang Tanghali Bayan Himself / Co-host 2005 Maynila Empoy Bora: Sons Of The Beach 2006 Super Inggo Petrang Kabayo 2007 Sineserye Presents: May Minamahal 2008 Kahit Isang Saglit Nestor 2008–2013 Lokomoko Himself 2010 Kokey @ Ako Bubot 2011 Star Confessions Presents: The Caloy Alde Story Teen Caloy Love Spell Presents Various Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum Epal 2012–2013 Kapitan Awesome Kapitan Awesome 2014 Tropa Mo Ko Unli Himself The Legal Wife Anjo One of the Boys Aga Silang Wattpad Presents: His Secretary Denver2015 Mac and Chiz Chiz Espinosa Happy Truck ng Bayan Himself / Host Happy Truck HAPPinas 2016 Carlo J. Caparas' Ang Panday Juro HAPPinas Happy Hour Himself / Host Wagas Juanito 2017 Goin' Bulilit Himself / Guest Banana Sundae Himself / Co-Host 2018 Since I Found You James Ribs 2019 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Jacket Dong Corpuz 2019–2020 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Domingo "Domengsu" Suarez 2020 Eat Bulaga! Himself / Guest Contestant 2021 Niña Niño Gardo 2022 Bubble Gang Himself / Various roles Jose & Maria's Bonggang VillaJohnnyFamily FeudHimself / ContestantHappy ToGetHerEmmanuel "Emman" ArturoRunning Man PhilippinesHimself/Guest runnerPepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang KuwentoPioAnong Meron Kay Abok? Abok2023Open 24/7Jerico2023–24Black RiderOscar "Oka" Santos2024–presentiJuanderHimself / Host2024Abot-Kamay na PangarapOscar "Oka" Sellblock May 4 EverLOL: Last One Laughing PhilippinesHimself / Contestant2025My Ilonggo GirlDante "Daboy" GalangIt's ShowtimeHimself / Guest PerformerRainbow RumbleHimself / Contestant

Awards and nominations +YearAward-giving bodyCategoryWorkResultRef2018Gawad UrianBest ActorKita Kita2018Guillermo Mendoza Box Office AwardsBreakthrough Movie Actor of the YearKita KitaBreakthrough Movie Love Team (with Alessandra de Rossi)Kita Kita

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