Cesar Montano is in the heart

Legendary actor Cesar Montano made a quiet visit to Naga City from May 25 to 26 — with no fanfare, no press conference, and no public announcement. The award-winning actor was in the city to film a teaser trailer for an upcoming musical film project by renowned Nagueño composer and film director Ferdinand Dimadura.

According to Dimadura, the project has been in development for nearly a year.

“We have been working on this project for almost a year now. Once everything finally came together — the screenplay, the music, and the business direction — we knew it was finally time to film the trailer,” he said.

Dimadura also revealed that Montano personally chose Naga City as the starting point of the production, tapping local talents, dancers, models, choreographers, cinematographers, and video editors to participate in the highly anticipated film.

Known for some of Philippine cinema’s most iconic films, including José Rizal, Muro-Ami, and Utol, Montano remains one of the country’s most recognizable and celebrated actors. Throughout the years, both his cinematic achievements and colorful personal life have kept him at the center of Philippine entertainment and popular culture.

But for Montano, this latest project was driven by something deeper than nostalgia or fame.

“I came to Naga because I believe in Ferds’ music,” Montano shared. “His music is what made me truly passionate about this project.”

The forthcoming international musical film is expected to highlight original Filipino music, cinematic storytelling, and homegrown talent from Naga. Further details about the production are expected to be announced in the coming months.

“This will definitely not be the last time Cesar is coming to Naga,” Dimadura said. “We still have many projects that we plan to work on together. That is why this moment is very meaningful for us.”

He added that having an actor of Montano’s stature begin the project in Naga instead of Manila carries deep significance.

“It would have been much easier to do this in Manila, with all of Cesar’s connections and resources there. But he chose Naga instead. He chose our people, our artists, and our city.”

For Dimadura, the collaboration represents more than just a film production — it is part of his continuing mission to place Naga City on the national and international creative map.

His recent musical film, THE MISSION (A Jesus Christ Musical), was filmed entirely in Naga City and Pili, showcasing local locations and talents. The film has already generated international curiosity and attention. Another major project currently being prepared for a national tour is COVID Music Diary, which was also filmed entirely in Naga.

Dimadura’s commitment to promoting the city through cinema dates back many years. In 2006, his internationally acclaimed short film Chicken a la Carte — filmed entirely in Naga City — earned global recognition after winning at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival short film competition. The film later became one of the most widely viewed short films online, bringing international attention not only to Filipino filmmaking, but also to the city where it was created.

With Montano’s involvement and a growing slate of productions rooted in Bicol, Dimadura believes Naga is steadily emerging as an important center for original Filipino music, film, and creative storytelling.