Romeo Nicolas Sarmenta Tejedor (born April 28, 1972), known professionally as Romnick Sarmenta, is a Filipino actor, film producer and professor. Noted for his performances in a range of genres across film and television, he began his career as a child actor debuting in the series Gulong ng Palad. With a career spanning nearly five decades, his accolades include Best Actor wins from the Asian Television Award, a Gawad Urian and Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, in addition to numerous nominations from the FAMAS Awards and Young Critics Circle.
Romnick Sarmenta | |
|---|---|
 Sarmenta in 2023 | |
| Born | Romeo Nicolas Sarmenta Tejedor April 28, 1972 Quezon City, Philippines |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse | Barbara Ruaro |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Charm Reyes (sibling), Ava Cabalza (sibling), Jary Ishii (sibling), Ash Tejedor (sibling) Michael Sarmenta (sibling) |
Career
editLate '70s to early '80s: career beginnings and child star era
editAt the early age of four, Sarmenta began his acting career by portraying Peping, the young kid, in the enduring drama series and groundbreaking telenovela Gulong ng Palad (1977–1983). For this role, he received a nomination for Best Child Actor at the 1978 FAMAS Awards.
He debuted as one of the performers on the variety show That's Entertainment, presented by the late Master Showman German "Kuya Germs" Moreno, just three years after his first TV employment. His debut acting role was in the movie Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig, which also starred Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, and Romeo Velasquez.
He was also chosen to play Ding, Darna's steadfast sidekick, in Rio Locsin's 1979 Darna movie.[1]
1980s: Career prime and popularity
editSarmenta was coupled with a variety of leading ladies throughout the height of his career, including Jennifer Sevilla, Sheryl Cruz, and Harlene Bautista. But his loveteam with Sheryl Cruz resonated the most among fans and viewers. Puso sa Puso (1988), Langit at Lupa (1988), and Pardina at ang mga Duwende (1989) were three of their projects together.
1990s
editWith the help of violent fist and gun battles and demanding stunts in the movies, Romnick became a well-known action star. In addition, he acted in historical dramas such as Tirad Pass: The Story of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (1997), in which he played the lead role, and Damong Ligaw (1997), a movie version of Ceres Alabado's novel KangKong 1896, in which he played a farm child who became a Kapipunero. In the Gil Portes drama film Miguel/Michelle from 1998, Sarmenta also played a gay character.
2020s
editIn 2022, he played the father of Daniel Padilla's character on 2 Good 2 Be True.[2] He then played another gay character in the film About Us But Not About Us.[3] In 2024, he played the journalist character on a sequel to Senior High, High Street.[4]
Personal life
editSarmenta is previously married to actress Harlene Bautista. They have five children.[5] Now he is married to Barbara Ruaro[6] and they have 1 child together.[7]
He is an avid cyclist. He is an active member of Elim, a Catholic Christian community, where he serves and is actively involved in missionary works of the community.
Filmography
editFilm
edit- Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig (1978)
- The Jess Lapid Story (1978)
- Batang Salabusab (1979)
- Bira, Darna, Bira! (1979) (as Romnick) - Ding
- Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala (1980)
- Diablo Sagrado (1980)
- Lukso ng Dugo (1981)
- My Darling Princess (1983) - Michael
- Pieta, Ikalawang Aklat (1984) - Young Noel
- Condemned (1984)
- Halimaw sa Banga (1986)
- Takot Ako, Eh! (1987) - Romeo
- Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak (1987)
- Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay (1987) - Roy
- Leroy Leroy Sinta (1988)
- Rock-a-Bye Baby: Tatlo Ang Daddy (1988) - Joey
- Puso sa Puso (1988) - Daniel
- Guhit ng Palad (1988)
- Langit at Lupa (1988)
- One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor (1988)
- Pardina at ang Mga Duwende (1989) - Dino
- Everlasting Love (1989) - Ricardo
- First Lesson (1989)
- Sagot ng Puso (1990) - Mando
- Mundo Man Ay Magunaw (1990) - Archie
- Beautiful Girl (1990)
- Naughty Boys (1990)
- Kapag Nag-abot ang Langit at Lupa (1991)
- Ubos Na ang Luha Ko (1991)
- Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo (1991)
- Tukso Layuan Mo Ako (1991) - Daniel
- Takbo... Talon... Tili!!! (1992)
- Sa Aking Puso: The Marcos 'Bong' Manalang Story (1992) - Bong Manalang
- Sonny Boy, Public Enemy Number 1 of Cebu City (1992) - Sonny Boy
- Alyas Stella Magtanggol (1992)
- Eh, Kasi Bata (1992)
- Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa (1993)
- Mario Sandoval (1993)
- Ging Gang Goody Giddiyap (1994) - Bong
- Bawal Na Gamot (1994)
- Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty (1994)
- Bawal Na Gamot 2 (1995)
- Ka Hector (1995)
- Kahit Harangan ng Bala (1995) - Bobbit Zaragosa
- The Bocaue Pagoda Tragedy (1995)
- Sariwa (1996) - Luisito
- Tirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (1996) - Gregorio del Pilar
- Damong Ligaw (1997) - Florante
- Ang Pulubi at ang Prinsesa (1997) - Baldo
- Miguel/Michelle (1998) - Miguel/Michelle de la Cruz
- Berdugo (1998) - Joselito
- Umaaraw, Umuulan (2006)
- Prinsesa (2007)
- Hustisya (2014)
- Kung Paano Hinihintay Ang Dapithapon (2018)
- Clarita (2019)
- Yours Truly, Shirley (2019)
- Write About Love (2019)
- About Us But Not About Us (2022) – Ericson
Television/Digital
edit| Year | Title | Character/Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977–1985 | Gulong ng Palad | Peping | BBC/City2/RPN |
| 1986 | That's Entertainment | GMA Network | |
| 1987–1993 | Young Love, Sweet Love | RPN | |
| 1991 | Bistek | IBC | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Rubber Shoes | ABS-CBN | ||
| 1993 | Petabisyon[8] | ABC | |
| 1993–2001 | Star Drama Presents | Nico | ABS-CBN |
| 1997–1998 | Esperanza | Emil | |
| 1997 | Star Drama Presents: Angelika: Best Friend | ||
| 1999–2001 | Maynila | GMA Network | |
| 2001 | Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka | Chandro | ABS-CBN |
| 2002 | Bituin | Peping | |
| 2004 | Mulawin | Habagat | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Now and Forever: Ganti | Henry | |
| Mahiwagang Baul: Si Han at si Genie | Han | ||
| Encantadia | Avilan | ||
| 2006 | Daisy Siete | Julian | |
| Bakekang | Francis | ||
| 2007 | Impostora | Henry Carreon | |
| 2008 | Daisy Siete: Vaklushii | Ramil | |
| 2008–2009 | Luna Mystika | Dominic | |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Pedicab | Tobias | ABS-CBN |
| Your Song Presents: Boystown | Daniel | ||
| All My Life | Efren Estrella | GMA Network | |
| 2010 | First Time | Marcel Luna | |
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Internet Shop | Boy | ABS-CBN |
| Magic Palayok | Richard "James" Cruz | GMA Network | |
| Iglot | Father Ruben | ||
| 2013 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Alberto Samartino | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | La Luna Sangre | Antonio "Tonio" Torralba | |
| 2018–2019 | Halik | Mauricio "Mauro" Montefalco | |
| 2019–2020 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Juan Morcilla / Mark Quiambao / Lemuel Pineda | |
| 2019 | Bagman | Ricardo Matias | iWant |
| Taiwan That You Love | Eduardo | ||
| 2021 | Love Beneath The Stars | Ben Cruz | |
| 2022 | 2 Good 2 Be True | Frederico "Fred" Borja | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2023 | Teen Clash | Rico David | iWantTFC |
| Unbreak My Heart | Mario Isidro | GMA Network | |
| 2024 | What's Wrong with Secretary Kim | Felix Liwanag | Viu |
| High Street | Dante T. Eballa | Kapamilya Channel | |
| Maka | Victor "V" Felipe | GMA Network |
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Film | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Office Entertainment Awards | 1989 | Popular Teenage King of Philippine Movies | Won | [9] | |
| FAMAS Awards | 1979 | Best Child Actor | Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig | Nominated | |
| 1985 | Ikalawang Aklat | Nominated | |||
| 1993 | Best Actor | Sa Aking Puso: The Marcos 'Bong' Manalang Story | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | Miguel/Michelle | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | Best Supporting Actor | Hustisya | Nominated | ||
| Metro Manila Film Festival | 2023 | Best Supporting Actor | Becky and Badette | Nominated | |
| Metro Manila Summer Film Festival | 2022 | Best Actor | About Us But Not About Us | Won | [10] |
| Gawad Urian Awards | 1995 | Best Supporting Actor | Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty | Nominated | |
| 1998 | Best Actor | Damong ligaw | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | Miguel/Michelle | Nominated | |||
| 2008 | Princesa | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | Best Supporting Actor | Kung Paano Hinihintay Ang Dapithapon | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | Best Actor | About Us But Not About Us | Won | ||
| Golden Screen Awards | 2008 | Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role (Drama) | Princesa | Nominated | |
| Young Critics Circle Awards | 1998 | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Damong Ligaw | Nominated | |
| Asian Television Awards | 1999 | Best Actor | Miguel/Michelle | Won |
References
edit- ^ "How Romnick Sarmenta became a riveting actor through the years | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Bardinas, Mary Ann (October 21, 2022). "Romnick enumerates why he loves working on "2 Good 2 Be True"". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ "Romnick Sarmenta on playing gay roles: 'It's best if you have open heart, open mind to everyone'". GMA News Online. April 20, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ dela Cruz, Liezel (March 26, 2024). "Cast members express excitement, expectations as High Street takes shape". ABS-CBNnews.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ "Romnick Sarmenta, Harlene Bautista announce separation". Rappler. October 5, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Siazon, Rachelle (June 19, 2020). "Romnick Sarmenta opens up about new romance, respect for Harlene Bautista". PEP.ph. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Romnick Sarmenta, girlfriend Barbara Ruaro welcome baby". ABS-CBN News. February 15, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Romnick and Carmina: New Peta Stars". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 31, 1992. p. 18. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ People are talking about... Manila Standard. April 17, 1989. p. 17.
- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (June 9, 2024). "Charlie Dizon, Romnick Sarmenta win top acting plums at Gawad Urian 2024". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 9, 2024.