Rowell Joseph Legaspi Santiago (born November 11, 1963) is a Filipino actor, film director and producer.
Early life and education Santiago is born on November 11,1963 to Pablo P. Santiago, director and producer and Cielito Legaspi, former actress. He is the second child among of six siblings including Randy Santiago, Raymart Santiago, Rieley "Jun-Jun" Pablo Santiago, Rhea Santiago and Resciel Santiago.
He studied marketing in De La Salle University.
Career Santiago started his acting career in supporting roles in his father, Pablo Santiago directed movies Bato sa Buhangin (1976) and Kumander Ulopong (1978) which starred action-star Fernando Poe Jr.
In the 1980s, he appeared in movies Cross My Heart (1982) and Friends in love (1983) with actress Sharon Cuneta. After five years, they were reunited in movies 3 Mukha ng Pag-ibig (1988), Oras-oras, Araw-araw (1989) and Biktima (1990). Santiago continued working with Sharon Cuneta as one of the directors in the variety show The Sharon Cuneta Show (1998-2004).
He took a decade-long hiatus from acting, and worked behind camera as a director. On television, Santiago was offered roles in the television series Lobo (2008) and Lovers in Paris (2009), but turned it down. He was offered the role of President Juan Policarpio in the series Tanging Yaman (2010), but took some time to accept it.
In 2017, he was offered a role in the book 2 of the action television series Ang Probinsyano but turned it down, the role changed and the character was scratched. The following year, the show producers offered him the role of the President with a complete Presidential cast with First Lady, played by Dawn Zulueta and Vice President Edu Manzano. He became interested and accepted the role of President Oscar Hidalgo in the television series Ang Probinsyano (2018-2022).
Personal life Santiago previously dated actress Sharon Cuneta.
Filmography Films Year Title RoleNotes2020 MagiklandTito220193pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!Ernesto Guillermo2013It Takes a Man and a WomanArt Montenegro2009You Changed My LifeArt Montenegro2008A Very Special LoveArt Montenegro2001Luv TextRyanDirector1994ForeverDirector1990The Return of Johnny Tanggo Laff-inApprenticeBiktimaAtty. Dave PascualPaikot-ikotDirector1989Oras-oras, Araw-araw1988Lord, Bakit Ako Pa?ManuelBabaeng HampaslupaMario3 Mukha ng Pag-ibigLouie (segment "Ang Silid")1987Operation: Get Victor Corpuz, the Rebel SoldierFeliciano Luces: Alyas Kumander Toothpick, MindanaoProducer1985I Can't Stop Loving YouChris VillenaDoctor, Doctor We Are SickHinugot sa LangitBobbyMuling Buksan ang PusoArisUlo ng GapoRoland1984Ang Panday IVAng Batang YagitJohnny Rambotang-go Part III1983Friends in loveJR1982Dear GodPag-ibig NaJust Say You Love MeCross My Heart1978Kumander Ulopong1976Bato sa Buhangin
Television Drama series Year Title RoleNotes2026 Someone, SomedayEnrico Dominguez2025 LolongManuel2023–2024Can't Buy Me Love Wilson Chavez Tiu2022Start-Up PH2018–2022FPJ'S Ang ProbinsyanoPresident Oscar Hidalgo / Mariano Patag 2015–2016 You're My HomeMike Macaraig2010Tanging YamanJuan Policarpio1991–1995Maalaala Mo Kaya6 Episodes1982–1983OK Sha!
Television shows Year Title RoleNotes2006Star Magic PresentsDirector1 Episode2011–2013Pinoy ExplorerDirector1998–2004The Sharon Cuneta ShowDirector
Music video Year TitleNotes2023ABS-CBN Christmas Special ID 2023:Pasko ang Pinakamagandang KwentoDirector
References
External links IMDb: Rowell Santiago