Romnick Sarmenta

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Romnick Sarmenta
Romnick Sarmenta in 2023.jpg
Sarmenta in 2023
Born
Romeo Nicolas Sarmenta Tejedor

(1972-04-28) April 28, 1972 (age 53)
Quezon City, Philippines
OccupationActor
Years active1977–present
SpouseBarbara Ruaro
Children6
RelativesCharm Reyes (sibling), Ava Cabalza (sibling), Jary Ishii (sibling), Ash Tejedor (sibling) Michael Sarmenta (sibling)

Romeo "Romnick" Nicolas Sarmenta Tejedor (born April 28, 1972) 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 included the Best Actor won 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.

Contents

Career

Late '70s to early '80s: career beginnings and child star era

At 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 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

Sarmenta 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

With 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

In 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

Sarmenta is a native of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. In a 2016 interview during the TOFARM Film Festival held in the city, he expressed support for the event and recalled spending his summers in the rural parts of Cabanatuan, where he was taught by his grandfather to work in the fields — learning how to herd carabaos, plow, plant rice, and later, carpentry from relatives. He said these experiences shaped his appreciation for real, honest labor. [5] [6]

Sarmenta is previously married to actress Harlene Bautista. They have five children. [7] Now he is married to Barbara Ruaro [8] and they have 1 child together. [9]

He is an avid cyclist, and an active member of Elim, a Catholic Christian community, where he serves and is actively involved in missionary works of the community.

Filmography

Film

Television/Digital

YearTitleCharacter/Role
1977–1985 Gulong ng Palad Peping
1986 That's Entertainment
1987–1993Young Love, Sweet Love
1991Bistek
Maalaala Mo Kaya: Rubber Shoes
1993Petabisyon [10]
1993–2001 Star Drama Presents Nico
1997–1998 Esperanza Emil
1997 Star Drama Presents: Angelika: Best Friend
1999–2001 Maynila
2001 Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka Chandro
2002 Bituin Peping
2004 Mulawin Habagat
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
Your Song Presents: Boystown Daniel
All My Life Efren Estrella
2010 First Time Marcel Luna
2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Internet Shop Boy
Magic Palayok Richard "James" Cruz
Iglot Father Ruben
2013 Maalaala Mo Kaya Alberto Samartino
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
2019BagmanRicardo Matias
Taiwan That You LoveEduardo
2021Love Beneath The StarsBen Cruz
2022 2 Good 2 Be True Frederico "Fred" Borja
2023Teen ClashRico David
Unbreak My Heart Mario Isidro
2024 What's Wrong with Secretary Kim Felix Liwanag
High Street Dante T. Eballa
Maka Victor "V" Felipe
2025 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Apoy Oniol Vasquez
Bad Genius Vin [11]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryFilmResultSource
1989 Box Office Entertainment Awards Popular Teenage King of Philippine MoviesWon [12]
1979 FAMAS Awards Best Child ActorPinagbuklod ng Pag-ibigNominated
1985IkalawangAklatNominated
1993Best ActorSa Aking Puso: The Marcos 'Bong' Manalang StoryNominated
1999Miguel/MichelleNominated
2015Best Supporting ActorHustisyaNominated
2023 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Becky and Badette Nominated
2022 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival Best Actor About Us But Not About Us Won [13]
1995 Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting ActorJohnny Tinoso and the Proud BeautyNominated
1998Best ActorDamong ligawNominated
1999Miguel/MichelleNominated
2008PrincesaNominated
2019Best Supporting ActorKung Paano Hinihintay Ang DapithaponNominated
2024Best Actor About Us But Not About Us Won
2008Golden Screen AwardsBest Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role (Drama)PrincesaNominated
1998 Young Critics Circle Awards Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting RoleDamong LigawNominated
1999 Asian Television Awards Best ActorMiguel/MichelleWon

References

  1. "How Romnick Sarmenta became a riveting actor through the years | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ent.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. 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.
  5. Philippine Information Agency – Nueva Ecija. Facebook. August 2016.
  6. “Anim na pelikula tungkol sa buhay ng mga magsasaka, ipinalalabas sa Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija”. Eagle News. August 30, 2016.
  7. "Romnick Sarmenta, Harlene Bautista announce separation". Rappler. October 5, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  8. Siazon, Rachelle (June 19, 2020). "Romnick Sarmenta opens up about new romance, respect for Harlene Bautista". PEP.ph. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  9. "Romnick Sarmenta, girlfriend Barbara Ruaro welcome baby". ABS-CBN News. February 15, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  10. "Romnick and Carmina: New Peta Stars". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 31, 1992. p. 18. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  11. Nicart, Lyka. "Pinoy version of 'Bad Genius' reveals main cast". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  12. People are talking about... Manila Standard. April 17, 1989. p. 17.
  13. Mallorca, Hannah (June 9, 2024). "Charlie Dizon, Romnick Sarmenta win top acting plums at Gawad Urian 2024". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 9, 2024.