Onemig Bondoc

Onemig Bondoc
Born Juan Miguel Rivera Bondoc
May 12, 1977
Manila, Philippines
Nationality Filipino
Other names Onemig Bondoc
Education La Salle Greenhills
Occupation Actor, commercial model
Years active 1992–present
Agent Star Magic (1999–2004; 2010-2014)
GMA Network (1995-2006; 2014-present)
Spouse(s) Valerie Bariou
Children Armelle Bariou Bondoc

Juan Miguel Rivera Bondoc (born May 12, 1977) is a Filipino actor and television host. He was known for his roles in shows like TGIS (Thank God It's Sabado) and its spin-off Growing Up shown on GMA Network. He later became an ABS-CBN talent,[1] seen on several films and television series of the network, including Ngayong Nandito Ka with Kristine Hermosa.

Juan Miguel Rivera Bondoc was born to businessman Mariano Bondoc, Jr. and Milo Rivera. He is the eldest of four. He was to follow the footsteps of his father in his father's stock brokerage firm when showbiz came acalling.

Bondoc spent most of his high school and grade school at La Salle Greenhills. He left the country and finished his high school at Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada.

Commercial model

Bondoc was discovered at age 13 by Louie Aguinaldo, who became his manager. He made his mark as the youngest lead ever in the popular Close-Up toothpaste advertising campaign by the time he was 14 years old. By the time he entered showbiz, he has done over seventeen TV commercials and print ads for some of the most respectable brands in the market including Jollibee, Ivory Shampoo, Eveready, Del Monte 202, Mister Donut, Ayala Center and Oishi.

The TGIS years

Onemig entered showbiz in 1995 and was a mainstay in Viva and GMA Network co-produced shows like Villa Quintana and Ober Da Bakod. However, he only became well known when he joined the teen series Thank God It's Sabado.

He was signed to a nine-picture contract by Viva Films at age 17. His first movie in 1996 with his co-stars from TGIS, Takot Ka Ba sa Dilim? (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), was a breakthrough success. This was followed up with hit films like Where D' Girls R, TGIS the Movie and Silaw, all of which were done from 1996 to 1997.

On television, Onemig became a regular host of the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga before graduating from TGIS in 1997 and later moved on to roles in shows like Growing Up (spin-off of T.G.I.S.), Ganyan Kita Kamahal (That's How Much I Love You) and Tropang Trumpo in 1997-98. He was able to work with his idols Aga Muhlach and Mikee Cojuangco in the film Dahil Ba Sa Kanya (Is It Because of Her?). He was launched as a romantic leading man in Viva Films' I'm Sorry My Love opposite Judy Ann Santos in 1998. He also played a young man who witnessed student murders in the suspense film Sumigaw Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo (Shout While You Can) in 1999. He did his last film with Viva, My Pledge of Love, again with Judy Ann Santos before moving to ABS-CBN.

At ABS-CBN

Bondoc signed a five-year contract with the network and had his career managed by ABS-CBN Talent Center (now known as Star Magic). His first TV assignment with ABS-CBN was a one-month episode in the now-defunct drama anthology Star Drama Theatre. He played roles in the show ranging from light to heavy ones. Soon after, he became a regular fixture in the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP and appeared in the light dramedy Labs Ko Si Babe opposite Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin. Though he was busy with television, he was not able to do movies for almost a year since he still had a movie contract with former mother studio Viva Films. At that time he severed ties with Viva and, as a result, he had to wait till his Viva movie contract expired.

Bondoc made a movie comeback in 2000 in the horror trilogy Tabi-Tabi Po of FLT Films where he was paired with another former Viva talent Antoinette Taus; the movie suffered low sales at the box office. However, he made it up by finally making a box-office success movie called Trip with ABS-CBN's movie outfit Star Cinema in 2001. He was quickly given a follow-up movie in 2002, Jologs, which was also a successful hit. He did other projects like Attagirl and Pangako Sa 'Yo while working on Jologs. In 2003, Bondoc played the closet gay Wilson in the youth-oriented series Buttercup. His last TV series appearance was in 2004 on ABS-CBN's fantaserye Marina. That same year, he starred with the loveteam of Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa in Ngayong Nandito Ka.

At IBC-13

Bondoc signed a two-year contract with the network of IBC-13. In 2005 his final television show called Chowtime Na! showed in 2005 until his retirement in 2006.

Advocacy

In 2001, Bondoc was named as official spokesperson for youth and students by the National Youth Commission and Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs of the Department of Education.

Businesses

During his stay in showbiz, Onemig was able to invest his earnings in real estate and became an investor in his family's businesses. Among his businesses was the Benedictine International School of Quezon City.[2]

Politics

He will run as Representative in the 2nd Legislative District of Bataan in 2013 Election, under the Political Party AKSYON DEMOKRATIKO.

Personal life

He is married to Valerie Bariou, a half-French, half-Filipina commercial model. They have one daughter, Armelle. His life story was featured on TV5's drama anthology Star Confessions where he was portrayed by young actor Rodjun Cruz.

TV shows

Movies

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

References

  1. ↑ "Onemig Bondoc does great humanitarian act for Infanta". Manila Bulletin. January 15, 2005. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Sexbomb Girls intact and going strong as ever!". Manila Bulletin. June 8, 2004. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Onemig reloaded". Philippine Headline News. July 11, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2010.

External links