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Mat Ranillo III
Mat Ranillo III
Mat Ranillo III
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Matias Archibald Ranillo III (born October 5, 1956), also known by his screen name Mat Ranillo III, is a Filipino-born American actor.

Key Information

Personal life

[edit]

Matias Archibald Ranillo III[1] is the second of seven children and the first son of actors Mat Ranillo Jr. and Gloria Sevilla. He has 6 siblings including; actress Suzette Ranillo and musician Dandin Ranillo. He attended Lourdes School in Quezon City and spent his high school years between St. Vincent School in Dipolog and San Sebastian College. He studied Customs Administration in San Beda College, where he also played for the basketball team.[1]

After years away from showbusiness, Ranillo was implicated in the Pork Barrel Scam.[2]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Source
1977 Mga Bulaklak ng Teatro Manila
Mariposang Dagat
Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping?
Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon
Masarap, Masakit... ang Umibig
Sa Piling ng Mga Sugapa
Walang Katapusang Tag-araw
1978 Isang Ama, Dalawang Ina
Pag-ibig... Magkano Ka?
Ligaya ang Kasawian Ko
ABC ng Pag-ibig (Teen-age Love)
Isang Gabi sa Iyo... Isang Gabi sa Akin
Kampus?
Dyesebel David / Maro
Lagi Na Lamang Ba Akong Babae?
Baby Doll
Rubia Servios
1979 Annie Batungbakal
Salawahan
1980 Ako, Ikaw... Magkaagaw
Darling, Buntis Ka Na Naman!
Girlfriend
Barkada
Basag
1981 Lukso ng Dugo
1982 Palengke Queen
1988 Kumander Bawang: Kalaban ng Mga Aswang Conde Regalado
Lorenzo Ruiz: The Saint... A Filipino Lorenzo Ruiz [3]
1989 3 Mukha ng Pag-ibig Roman "Katumbas ng Kahapon" segment
1991 Matud Nila
Huwag Mong Salingin ang Sugat Ko (The Buena Vista Story) Fr. Michael
1993 Ako ang Katarungan: Lt. Napoleon M. Guevarra
Pusoy Dos
1994 The Elsa Castillo Story: Chop-Chop Lady
Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Alex
Macario Durano
Iukit Mo sa Bala Vice Mayor Mario Ocampo
1995 P're Hanggang sa Huli De Joya
Sarah... Ang Munting Prinsesa Capt. Crewe [4]
Anabelle Huggins Story: Ruben Ablaza Tragedy - Mea Culpa Rannie
1996 Kristo Jesus Christ Credited as Matt Ranillo III [3]
1998 Ama Namin Capt. Victor Santos
2002 Jologs Mr. Morales
2009 Ang Panday

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Source
1991 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Komiks" [5]
1994 Star Drama Theater: Carmina Episode: "Hampas sa Alon"
1995 Ipaglaban Mo! Caloy Episode: "Nasa Tao ang Gawa" [6]
1996–1997 Anna Karenina Raul
1997 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Gitara"
Episode: "Blueprint"
Episode: "Puting Panyo"
1998 Episode: "Kopita"
1998–1999 Esperanza Louie Villareal
1999 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Video Cam"
2000 Episode: "Plane Ticket"
2002 Bituin Filemon Gala
Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Cupcake"
2003 Buttercup Eduardo Bala
2006 Komiks Danny
Now and Forever: Dangal Ricardo Marquez
Sa Piling Mo Jose
2007 Natutulog Ba ang Diyos? Mike Angeles
2008 Dyesebel Enrico Salcedo
My Girl
2009 Nasaan Ka Maruja? Teodoro "Teddy" Lozano
Maalaala Mo Kaya Nancy's father Episode: "Apron"
Katorse Alfred Wenceslao
Darna Dionisio 2 episodes
Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Somewhere in My Heart Arnulfo Gorospe

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Source
1994–95 Kristo Jesus Christ CCP Tanghalang Pambansa [1]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mat Ranillo III

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Matias Archibald Ranillo III (born October 5, 1956), professionally known as Mat Ranillo III, is a Filipino-born American recognized for his long career in Philippine cinema and theater, particularly his portrayal of Jesus Christ in the 1996 biblical film Kristo. Born in the , Ranillo debuted in film in 1977 with Bulaklak ng Teatro Maynila opposite , accumulating roles in dramas such as Masarap, masakit ang umibig (1977) and Isang ama, dalawang ina (1978). His performance as Jesus in Kristo, which featured an ensemble cast including Rudy Fernandez and , marked a defining achievement, later reprised in stage productions of Kristo (2010–2013 and 2016) and Hesu Kristo in the . Relocating to in 2010 with his wife of over four decades, Erlinda Tupaz-Ranillo, he expanded into American theater, notably as in the 2016 musical Lorenzo Ruiz, The Filipino Saint, and received a lifetime achievement honor in 2017. Prior to acting, he competed in for teams in the Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association.

Early life

Birth and family background

Matias Archibald Ranillo III was born on October 5, 1956, in , , . He is the eldest son of Matias "Mat" Ranillo Jr., an attorney from Zamboanga, and actress Gloria Sevilla from , both of whom were involved in the Philippine entertainment industry to varying degrees. The family hails from a lineage with ties to and life in Zamboanga, including his paternal grandfather Matias Ranillo Sr., a prominent figure in regional . Ranillo III has six siblings, among them actress Suzette Ranillo and musician Dandin Ranillo, reflecting a household steeped in artistic pursuits.

Upbringing and influences

Matias Archibald Ranillo III, the second of seven children and eldest son of actors Mat Ranillo Jr. and Gloria Sevilla, experienced an upbringing steeped in the Philippine entertainment industry. His father, known as the "King of Visayan Movies," and mother, a prominent actress, relocated the family to when Ranillo was four years old to pursue expanded opportunities in film production. This move immersed him in the chaotic dynamics of from an early age, where he grew up as a public figure amid his parents' careers and those of siblings like actresses Suzette and Lilibeth Ranillo. The death of his father in a plane crash on September 26, 1969, profoundly shaped Ranillo's worldview during his grade school years, depriving him of a key and prompting a vow to prioritize family bonds in his own future fatherhood. This loss contributed to a period of introversion, during which he questioned aspects of faith and divine benevolence, though he had exhibited curiosity about since childhood, influenced by his parents' associations with priests and nuns. Key influences included the multi-generational acting legacy of his family, with grandfather Matias Ranillo Sr. having been a pioneering Visayan film , , and provincial , fostering an environment that directed Ranillo toward performance despite his initial reluctance. He participated in school speech activities and early modeling, reflecting the creative milieu, while familial religious discussions—such as those from aunt Gloria Armada about his grandfather's upbringing—nurtured a longstanding interest in spiritual life that once led him to contemplate a religious .

Acting career

Debut and early roles

Ranillo entered the Philippine in 1977, debuting in Mga Bulaklak ng Teatro Manila, a co-starring that originated as an extension of her television program Alindog. That same year, he appeared in Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig, directed by Elwood Perez, where he portrayed Alvaro, the biological son in a family drama involving rivalry over Vilma Santos's character, alongside . His early film work in 1977 also included supporting roles in Mariposang Dagat, Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping?, and Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon, establishing him in dramatic and romantic genres typical of the era's local cinema. In 1978, Ranillo featured in Isang Ama, Dalawang Ina and Rubia Servios, the latter a medical student romance with , reflecting his growing association with prominent female leads. By 1979, he continued with comedic and adventurous parts, such as in Salawahan and Annie Batungbakal, broadening his repertoire beyond initial dramatic outings. These roles, often in mid-budget productions, capitalized on his familial acting legacy while building his visibility in Manila's film scene during the late period.

Major film roles and breakthroughs

Ranillo entered Tagalog cinema in 1977 with his debut film Bulaklak ng Teatro, starring opposite as a lead performer in a highlighting theater life. That same year, he appeared in Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig, earning the for Best Supporting Actor at the 1977 ceremony for his portrayal of a complex romantic figure amid themes of love and pain. His performance in Isang Ama, Dalawang Ina (1978), where he played a father navigating dual maternal influences, marked a significant lead breakthrough, winning him the FAMAS Best Actor Award in 1979 and solidifying his status as a versatile dramatic talent in Philippine cinema. This role showcased his ability to handle emotionally layered family dynamics, contributing to the film's commercial success during the martial law-era film industry. Subsequent major roles in the late included Salawahan (1979), a comedy-drama reinforcing his range beyond drama, and Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon (1977), which further established him as a adept at portraying conflicted protagonists. A later highlight came in 1996 with Kristo, where Ranillo portrayed Jesus Christ in a biblical epic produced by Cine Suerte, demonstrating his capacity for iconic, spiritually resonant characters and drawing praise for physical and emotive authenticity in the sequences. These roles collectively propelled Ranillo from familial showbiz roots to mainstream recognition, with early awards underscoring his rapid ascent amid a competitive field of established stars.

Television and stage work

Ranillo began his television career in the with guest appearances and supporting roles in and dramas during the . He portrayed Caloy in an episode of Ipaglaban Mo! in 1995 and Raul in the adaptation from 1996 to 1997. He frequently appeared in episodes of the long-running biographical anthology , starting in the late and continuing into the 2000s. In the late 2000s, Ranillo took on roles in popular fantasy and action series, including a part in GMA Network's in 2008 and a recurring role in the series from 2009 to 2010. Other credits from this period include appearances in in 2009 and in 2009. Following his relocation to the in 2010, his television work diminished, though he made occasional guest spots on Filipino-American programs. On stage, Ranillo participated in traditional Philippine Senakulo passion plays, including the production Hesu Kristo, which featured prominent actors in biblical roles. After moving to the U.S., he shifted focus to , often collaborating with his brother Dandin Ranillo as director. He portrayed Jesus Christ in the dance-drama pantomime version of Kristo, performed in from 2010 to 2013 and again in 2016. In September 2016, Ranillo starred as in the musical Lorenzo Ruiz, The Filipino Saint, staged at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in . Subsequent performances of the role occurred at venues such as the Aratani in .

Later career and retirement

Following his relocation to the in 2010, Ranillo shifted focus to stage performances, particularly religious-themed productions in the Filipino-American community. He portrayed Jesus Christ (Kristo) in Passion plays, including a dance-drama pantomime in from 2010 to 2013 and again in 2016. In the same year, he starred in the Senakulo play Hesu Kristo alongside actors Vivian Foz and Joji Isla, emphasizing a character-driven acting style. Additionally, in September 2016, Ranillo played the title role of in the musical Lorenzo Ruiz, The Filipino Saint at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in , collaborating with his brother Dandin Ranillo, who directed and co-produced several of these U.S.-based stage works. These stage engagements marked Ranillo's final notable acting appearances, as no or television roles followed after his 2009 projects such as and . By 2021, he had retired from show business, residing in with his wife, Lynda Tupaz, and embracing life as a grandfather to five grandchildren from daughter and her husband, Nino Lim. Ranillo expressed contentment with retirement, stating it brought him joy and a sense of youth through time with his , including assisting with their virtual learning during the while maintaining a low-profile existence abroad.

Other professional endeavors

Music and performance ventures

Ranillo has pursued music primarily through live performances and digital releases, establishing himself as a vocalist in addition to his background. In September 2016, he portrayed in the musical play Lorenzo Ruiz, The Filipino Saint, performing at a venue and incorporating singing into the role. He reprised elements of this performance, including vocal segments, at the Maria Aratani Theatre in 2021. From 2022 onward, Ranillo actively shared cover songs and original arrangements on platforms like , featuring renditions such as "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" in with singer Sharon Tanyag, an Erick Benet cover of "The Last Time," and his arrangement of "Never Ever Say Goodbye / Sometime Somewhere." These performances highlighted his vocals in Filipino-American community events, often described in promotional materials as showcasing "powerful vocals." In April 2023, Ranillo released his debut single "Never Say... Sometime," available on digital platforms including , marking his entry into recorded music distribution. No full-length albums have been documented as of 2025, with his output consisting of singles and live interpretations rather than a structured . His music endeavors appear concentrated , aligning with his relocation and community engagements.

Personal life

Marriage and children

Mat Ranillo III married Linda Tupaz in 1981, and the couple remains together as of the latest available reports. Their marriage has been described as stable, with Ranillo occasionally sharing glimpses of family life through media interviews focused on his role as a grandfather. The couple has one daughter, Krista Ranillo, who pursued a career in acting before transitioning to family life in the United States. Krista, now a mother of five, married Niño Jefferson Lim in 2010, and Ranillo has expressed enjoyment in his grandfather duties, particularly during visits to Los Angeles where his grandchildren reside. No other children are documented in reliable biographical accounts.

Citizenship and relocation

Mat Ranillo III, a natural-born Filipino citizen, emigrated from the to the in 2010. He settled in , where he resides with his wife Lynda Tupaz, children, and grandchildren. Following the relocation, Ranillo shifted focus to stage acting, collaborating with his brother Dandin Ranillo on productions. His move aligned with family patterns, as his daughter had relocated to the the prior year in 2009. Ranillo maintained ties to the , expressing willingness in 2014 to return for legal proceedings related to separate allegations. Public profiles describe him post-relocation as a Filipino-born American actor, indicating acquisition of U.S. , though exact details remain undocumented in available sources.

PDAF pork barrel scam allegations

In February 2014, actor Mat Ranillo III was implicated in the (PDAF) pork barrel scam based on testimony from Ruby Tuason, who alleged that Ranillo delivered ₱11.9 million in commissions—derived from Senator Jinggoy Estrada's PDAF allocations—to the Dasmariñas Village residence of Justa Tantoco in Makati City, with Pauline Labayen and Linda Ranillo present during the transaction. The funds were linked to a 2004 project initially valued at ₱37.5 million, facilitated by alleged scam architect , where Estrada had received and returned an initial ₱5.7 million commission before cancelling the deal and reassigning it to Ranillo, who reportedly completed the work. Supporting evidence included cash vouchers from Benhur Luy's records as a whistleblower and documents rediscovered from Ranillo's earlier civil against Napoles' JLN Corporation, which the Department of (DOJ) intended to probe further after Napoles reportedly ordered similar vouchers shredded. Secretary stated the DOJ would investigate Ranillo's involvement while welcoming his potential testimony as an ordinary witness, noting the value would depend on the details he provided regarding the deliveries and related business disputes with Napoles, such as a contested payment for a Ford E-150 vehicle settled via kickbacks. Estrada denied authorizing Ranillo, Tantoco, or Labayen to handle any PDAF funds and claimed acquaintance with Ranillo only as an . Ranillo, then residing abroad, signaled through intermediaries his readiness to return to the and testify in the plunder cases against the Estradas if his safety was assured, with his sister Suzette asserting he was the scam's original whistleblower due to his prior fallout with Napoles. The planned to subpoena him, but the DOJ probe emphasized his peripheral role amid focus on higher-profile figures like Napoles and Estrada.

Legacy

Achievements and recognition

Ranillo received the for Best Supporting Actor in 1978. He won the for in 1979 for his performance in Isang ama, dalawang ina. In 1989, he earned a FAMAS nomination for for portraying in Lorenzo Ruiz: The Saint... A Filipino!. On April 29, 2017, Ranillo was honored with a lifetime achievement award recognizing his contributions to Philippine cinema at an event organized by the Beautiful Life Foundation.

Criticisms and controversies overview

Mat Ranillo III has been principally associated with allegations of involvement in the 2014 (PDAF) pork barrel scam, where he was named by whistleblower Ruby Tuason as a who delivered over ₱11 million in kickbacks linked to Senator Jinggoy Estrada's funds, and by Benhur Luy as having signed vouchers for transactions involving Estrada and former Senator Estrada. These claims positioned him as a business associate of scam architect , handling a ₱37 million project, though he reportedly had a falling out with her and expressed willingness to return from the to testify as a , with his sister describing him as an "original whistleblower." Public scrutiny also extended to family matters, particularly in 2009 when rumors of an affair between his daughter and boxer prompted death threats against the Ranillo family, leading Mat Ranillo to issue a statement from abroad and delay their return to the . The family relocated to the amid these pressures, with limited updates on his activities since, contributing to perceptions of withdrawal from Philippine public life. No formal charges against Ranillo in the PDAF probe were reported to have resulted in by 2014, and the Department of Justice welcomed his potential cooperation as an ordinary witness rather than a respondent. These events have overshadowed aspects of his acting legacy, though direct professional criticisms of his performances remain sparse in available records.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1007928/bio/
  2. https://asianjournal.com/life-style/mat-ranillo-iii-the-legacy-of-a-great-actor/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1007928/
  4. https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/20/get-to-know-some-foreign-and-local-actors-who-played-jesus-christ-1632
  5. https://www.facebook.com/thesouthernproject/posts/matias-archibald-ranillo-iii-born-october-5-1956-also-known-by-his-screen-name-m/1275978671211492/
  6. https://www.geni.com/people/Matt-Ranillo-III/6000000010592869067
  7. https://www.famousfix.com/topic/mat-ranillo-iii
  8. https://www.geni.com/people/Suzette-Ranillo/6000000010592871945
  9. https://www.facebook.com/100081092687374/posts/matias-archibald-ranillo-iii-born-october-5-1956-also-known-by-his-screen-name-m/548283687884716/
  10. https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/26/20/remembering-mat-ranillo-jr-the-king-of-visayan-movies
  11. https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2021/04/06/2089062/mat-ranillo-iii-enjoying-his-lolo-time
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2141837/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0336820/
  14. https://letterboxd.com/film/masarap-masakit-ang-umibig/
  15. https://starforallseasons.com/tag/1978-metropolitan-manila-film-festival/
  16. https://letterboxd.com/actor/mat-ranillo-iii/
  17. https://pelikulaatbp.blogspot.com/2009/10/1977-famas-awards.html
  18. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1007928/awards/
  19. https://cinemorgue.fandom.com/wiki/Mat_Ranillo_III
  20. https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?role=nm1007928
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RieYA-bJ1Os
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVhPrsYpArA
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLNlsPsOnk0
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E63rJ0Fq5tw
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ww5zkPk3-w
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMEg8RKSUEM
  27. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matt-ranillo-iii/1676206547
  28. https://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/parenting/34742/krista-ranillos-fourth-child-gets-baptized
  29. https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/photos/krista-ranillos-life-as-a-mom-of-5-in-the-us/16936/
  30. https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/krista-ranillo-gets-married-in-a-church-12-years-after-her-jewish-wedding/90422/
  31. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/349626/mat-ranillo-willing-to-return-to-phl-to-help-in-probe-of-estradas/story/
  32. https://marketmonitor.com.ph/hows-matt-ranillo-iii-these-days/
  33. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/50352-doj-probe-actor-mat-ranillo-pdaf-scam/
  34. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/577892/tuason-ties-mat-ranillo-to-estrada-pork-deal
  35. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/50594-doj-mat-ranillo-testimony-pdaf-scam/
  36. https://philnews.ph/2014/02/12/mat-ranillo-iii-linked-by-ruby-tuason-to-pork-barrel-controversy/
  37. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/348268/luy-actor-mat-ranillo-signed-vouchers-on-jinggoy-loi-pork-transactions/story/
  38. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/349945/my-brother-is-the-original-whistleblower-mat-ranillo-s-sister/story/
  39. https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/34310/kristas-dad-mat-issues-statement-family-claims-getting-death-threats
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